Friday Funny

Yesterday I suddenly thought about something funny that happened when Ben was about 3 or 4. I had all the kids in for mass physicals and they were conducting an eye exam. Since Ben could not yet read, they were using those odd stencil-like pictures. All was going well and I was probably paying more attention to another child when until suddenly Ben said, "three is". The technician said, "what did he say?" I looked at the picture. It was a birthday cake. So I asked Ben to repeat what he said. When he held up his little finger, I realized that what he saw was not a cake with three candles, but three lowercase letter I s!

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Wordless Wednesday

There was supposed to be a huge rain storm today, but it did not materialize. Trinity has come down with the fever. Savannah went with me to Bible study today. I started going 4 weeks ago. I have not gone previously because I just get so overwhelmed with stuff to do and schoolwork that I cannot take a break. But one morning I felt a compelling urge to go to Bible study. I mentioned it to the kids, but really was not actually planning to go. Just sort of thinking about it out loud. Then the power went out. I took it as a sign, and I went. I am not sure why I needed to go that particular day, but I have gone every week since. It was a Beth Moore Study on the Psalms. Fantastic, as always. The next segment will also be Beth Moore, "Why godly people do bad things." My card is bad in the camera, and the new one Michael had for his MP3 player is not working, either, so no pix for the time being. I miss your comments.

I have often wondered how our family got selected to be one of those that things just naturally go wrong, or not exactly right. It was a running joke while in Japan to beware of the 'Chastain vacation." I am reminded of an incident as recently as September, at Cassie's wedding when Kristin inadvertently broke the key off in the ignition of the car I had parked in the pull through driveway directly after Trinity misplaced the diaper bag containing ALL the diapers and wipes, and did I mention the baby had a dirty diaper? You get the idea.

The past couple of weeks we have been reading through Job. He really has a lot to say about this topic!

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him: I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15

But he said to me, " My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore will I boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

We are reading the NIV family walk Bible. Of course, the kids have all kinds of versions. The devotional provided for today says this: God's grace is not a magic wand that changes our circumstances or gets us out of tough situations. Instead, his grace strengthens our faith to believe his promises. By his grace the Holy Spirit assures us that God loves us and is working in our lives--------even in times of difficulty.

A great reminder!

FRIDAY FUNNY

Yesterday at supper Ivy suddenly asked me when exactly was the night of the Ghost of Midnight Chow(sic). Of course I replied, "WHAT???" It turns out that, several years ago, while bored, Evan concocted some sort of story about the Ghost of Midnight Chow and Ivy had thought it was a real holiday. Wanting to share his widespread following, I contacted Evan, who denied having spread the nasty rumor. After careful consideration, he researched his topic, and this is what he came up with (tongue firmly in cheek):


For Ivy,

The Ghost of Midnight Xioa arrives on the Eve of the Forenight of the Great Inquisitional Purge at precisely 11:59.

The Story of Midnight Xioa is very complicated. He was born in Madrid as Solomon Sanderson Piltdown to Jewish parents on May 5, 1460. He spent his early years working in the market, selling the olive oil that his grandparents sent from Greece. Now this olive oil was famous for working miracles. People would bake their food with it when they wished to cure an illness. The reason this olive oil worked miracles for those who had true faith was because the olive garden that Grandma and Grandpa Piltdown ran originated with a single olive from the bush which Jesus prayed by on the Mount of Olives. Solomon was a good worker, but he was often caught talking to the customers about the story of the olives more than actually selling them.

When he turned 12, his parents gave him money to visit his parents in Greece. On his way, after many months of travel, passing through what is now Albania, he stopped at the Ardennes Monastery. Here is a link to some pictures of the monastery http://www.galenfrysinger.com/berat_albania.htm. When he told Archimandrite (Abbot) Phonius about his journey, he became very quiet and began to weep. Confused, Solomon asked the holy man what was wrong. Phonius replied, "This story is yours, my son, but it is not over yet. The Lord has granted me, humble and unworthy as I am, a vision. In a dream, Saint Catherine the Great came to me and said, 'Phonius, you will meet a young man in three years time who will roam the earth until all time. He will herald the destruction of many souls. Pray for him.' Also, she told me that I would die within a week of meeting you."

Horrified, Solomon cried out, "But sir, I am still young, and I am seeking the true story of the Mountain. How can I bring destruction?"

"My son," the Archimandrite replied, "you do not bring destruction, but remembrance. It will be your eternal life to remind the world of the horrors that are to come. And of my death, I weep for joy. The Lord hath granted me to know the day of my death, so I can prepare myself for our meeting."

"But what is this great destruction I bring?" asked Solomon, his heart shaking.

"You do not bring it, but must remember it. Those who claim to serve the Lord will take the lives of others into their own hands, cursing themselves forever and destroying many lives. It is now time for Compline (evening prayer service--very beautiful), let us go into the chapel of St. Mary."

The Archimandrite died within the week, as predicted. Deeply moved by their conversation, Solomon stayed at the monastery and devoted his life to prayer, pleading with God to free him from his burden. After three years, he was sent into the far east to establish a mission in China. When he arrived in Kashgar, the far western edge of China, he was captured by a group of local militia. Taken to the city, he remained in prison for many months. However, this prison cell reminded him of his cell back at the monastery and only encouraged his prayers. Struck by his resilience after 10 months of bread, water, and a hard stone floor, the Chinese officials asked him, "What manner of man are you that you spend endless days without sleep, stay silent in the midst of torture, and always act as though you owed us something, even though you are our prisoner?"

Speaking in their own language, he said, "I have no mind nor no heart but to beg relief of myself. I cannot blame anyone for what they do when I am the greatest of sinners. That is all I have to say."

Struck by this, they gave him the name Xiao, released him, gave him a horse and food for many months of travel, then sent him on his way. Reluctantly, for he still wished to fulfill his original mission, he returned to Ardennes and thence went to Mount Athos. He spent one full year there, living isolated, very sorrowful and repentant, crying out constantly for God to order him in another way. One night, as he prayed, Saint Catherine appeared and spoke to him. "Solomon Xiao," she said, "you must go to Spain this day to undertake your work for the Lord." With great joy, he told his abbot the vision and began his journey back to his homeland.

The year he arrived, 1478, Pope Sextus IV had given his permission to Ferdinand and Isabella to begin the Inquisition. Unlike previous Inquisitions, this was entirely under the royal authority and was not supervised by the Pope. Particularly close to Solomon's heart, the Inquisition pursued converts from Judaism to Christianity and Greeks in Siciliy and Italy. As he had recently arrived in Spain from Greece, he was immediately arrested and brought before the jury of clergy who would decide his case. The day before his trial, he was placed on a rack for the first four hours of the day, hung by his big toes for the next four, dragged behind a horse for the next four, then the process was repeated. Yet, when he arrived in court, his face seemed to be shining and he stood erect before them.

The high judge arose and, with a stern face spoke, "You are accused of high blasphemy against God and the Holy See. You are a Jew, a heretic, and the highest of sinners. You shall be sentenced to die if you cannot defend yourself against these accusations. What have you to say?"

Solomon Xiao crossed himself three times, bowing low to the floor with each sign, prayed the Lord's Prayer, and began, "By birth I am a Jew; I do not deny it. One cannot affect the nature of his birth, nor would I wish it if I could. I stand in the land of my birth and will not deny my heritage. I am accused of Heresy, against which I cannot argue. I do not know the arguments of Theologians. I cannot read. I cannot defend myself academically, but can look only into my own heart. Thus, I turn to the third accusation: I am accused of being the worst of sinners. My friend, I thank you for your depth of insight. For many years I have prayed unto the Lord and cried out, 'I am the sinner of sinners, Lord hear my prayer and strip me of my pride and lies,' and now I see that he has answered my prayer, for I stand bare and unhidden before you and the world. In these things, if I deserve to die, let it be so. I ask only one favor, forgive me and pray to God for my soul."

Five minutes passed, and passed again before the judge could speak. Gathering himself, he turned to the audience and jury. "As you can see," he said softly, "this man is humble. He does not speak highly of himself and has no pride. He is more like unto our Saviour than any in this room in this. Yet, he does not deny the accusations. According to the law and Holy order, we must purge every heretic in this land." Turning to Xiao, he spoke thus, "My brother, any sins that I commit against you, forgive me all. I act upon the order of divinity and not of my own making. A final time I must ask--I must beg--will you renounce your former life and turn to God?"

Xiao hung his head and did not answer. In sadness and with tears of sorrow, the priest-judge asked for a sword. Walking to Xiao, he said, "I myself will do this act, and take the sin upon myself, that no other may bear it. Forgive me." Then he plunged the sword through himself and Xiao in one stroke, then fell to the ground next to him. Xiao, though pierced through the heart, looked upon the body of the judge, began weeping, then slowly walked out the door. One minute later, the clock struck midnight.

Though he was assumed dead, Xiao appeared the following year to two young girls in the city who had been in the crowd. They describe the occurrence in their joint writing, The Appearance at Midnight of Solomon Xiao: "Sitting upon the curb, eating the leavings of wealthy men, we turned and saw the man of the year before. He sat on the walk between us, weeping. We asked him what he was and why he was here, he spoke thus, 'I am sent to instruct you in the way of remembrance. You must strive to open the way of safety for those who are pursued by evil.' He then arose and walked into the air" (49). This first sighting of Midnight Xiao was not the last. Each year, upon the night of his death, precisely at 11:59, he appears to two young girls to remind them of the Inquisition and direct them how to act. If the children show no memory of the past at all, he provides horrific images of torture and sin from the Inquisition and begs them to remember. His visits last no more than one minute, but are remembered for life.

Let us all remember the death of Midnight Xiao and those sinned against in those sad times.

-Evan Chastain
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Just a note, in case you are out of the loop. Savannah has had to give up on going to SCAD this spring due to a major financial mixup at her undergraduate school that has her taking out a personal loan with plans to work ninety miles an hour through the summer to pay it off. It has a been a heartbreaking month or so. She will also likely lose her medical insurance over this(not a student...), so that is another factor. Please pray that we WILL KNOW what God has for her here. It is so hard to lose your dream and not know why.

WE are getting over the flu now, but Liberty is having a rough time of it. She is just so weak, and clingy. The rest of us are alternately coughing and/or sniffling, uttering those great LOUD sneezes that REQUIRE a tissue. Can you believe that Beth Moore cited a study where it is a fact, that people who are less stressed produce less mucus, so that yes, people who are not as friendly, ARE snottier! Isn't that hysterical?

Wordless WEdnesday

My parents, sitting in the floor, doing puzzles.

SO, I have this two year old sort of half potty training. Strangely, he is MUCH more aware of his urges In PUBLIC! What do you do with your child when they start hollering in the middle of the grocery store," I need to go potty really badly!" Correct grammar usage and all. People look at you oddly while you mutter to yourself, "We've already been three times in the last 20 minutes, how can you possibly have to go again?" The wailing only gets louder if I don't take him. But really, juggling the groceries, the baby and manuvering(what is up with this word? I have the strongest urge to spell it British manouvre) in a bathroom stall is a little much, don't you think?

My camera keeps saying "unable to use card". Any ideas? I was asked to participate in the oddest meme(to me). You are to take pix of your house, one room at a time(privacy issues addressed) and tell how you would decorate it if you had the time and money. I am completely clueless as to how or even why to do this. But please feel free to join in if you like.

No Orange Julius. I know you were all worried about that. No goofy golf either. Liberty had a fever all night and all day and later in the afternoon began throwing up. So, we went nowhere. But, Mike went out and got some shrimp and rolls and a movie(which got left in the cart in the parking lot and diappeared before he could get back.) I made some absolutely fantastic cupcakes and icing from a recipe I got at Jennifer's bog at Gathering grace. If I knew how to link you, I would do it. ( Jennifer explained this to me, let me know if it works)I asked Ben if he knew how and he said yes, but did not help me.

I happened upon a couple of blogs yesterday that were VERY anti-valentine. It seems some people develop unreal expectations from each other,etc. I had really never thought of it that way. Personally, I received a fondue fountain that is, of course, for everyone in the family. I say, good. This notion of having to buy a perfect and romantic present or have a romantic evening IS unrealistic. It is really only a special day for us because of our personal change in relationship. I have always liked hearts, so everything looks cute to me.

What do you think?


I will be busy today as now Grant has the fever. Hope he does not throw up!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is the anniversary of our first date. We went out after working at the grill in the student building. Since it was so late, there wasn't much to do. We got an Orange Julius and played putt-putt golf in freezing weather.

To be honest, I did not even like Orange Julius drinks and I hate cold weather. Also, I prefer goofy golf. But, it was so much fun just to be ourselves. We worked together and had several mutual friends, but had never thought of each other in any other way.

We like to celebrate by playing miniature golf if the weather permits, but we have never gotten an Orange Julius again. Maybe this year..................

This is what we call our song. I'm not sure how we picked it or why. Enjoy.

Hula hooping

Ivy playing soccer(in orange)

Papa Jimmy and Liberty first thing in the morning! His birthday was yesterday, happy birthday, Dad!

Ivy in Mamaw's tub(!) with her cousins Reggie, MacKenzie and Savannah(yes, my sister named her daughter the same name!)

Anna, Jeanette, Trinity and Savannah watch Ivy's soccer game

Nanny Lucy and Grant

Trinity and her cousin Justin braving lemons!

I wish I had remembered to take a good picture of Evan when I saw him. He just turned 21. He and Liz will be going SNOWBOARDING for his birthday. He is so surprised and excited.

I knew that Evan always felt like the black sheep or something, but always went out of my way to make sure he was included. When He became engaged, he asked to look through old pictures, and suddenly said(out loud), "huh, there are lots of pictures of me!" and later, "I am not smiling in any of these pictures." ( I wanted to cry) The pictures he was not smiling in were taken in his teens, when, yes, he WAS largely grumpy. It was one of those things that I had hoped would not happen, since you know, we were homeschooling and all. I actually forced him to accompany us on many field trips. I hope he is glad now.
I even bought him a Calvin and Hobbes book even though I kept catching him reading them instead of doing his schoolwork. Did I mention I bought the spanish version? He was in Spanish one and I thought it would inspire him. He was SO excited when the books came and there was one for him, a Calvin and Hobbes we did not have! He literally grabbed it and ran to his room. Five minutes later we heard the loud groan! I was in stitches!
When Evan approached his ninth birthday, I racked my brain for what to do as as some kind of theme. I really love doing these for birthdays. At that time, he loved detective stories and rocks! I just did not know what to do. Finally, I came up with a team scavenger hunt. I made up clues(rhyming of course!) and hid them or gave them to the participating neighbors. I also passed out the food for the party, which the kids had to ask for and then bring back to the house. All was in place, and then.............it snowed! We decided that we would carry on, since living in England had taught us never to cancel our plans because of the weather. What a memory!
Evan is an intellectual and a philosopher. He likes to debate EVERYTHING. And with the certainty of the young, he KNOWS whereof he speaks :). He loves to read, and holds strong opinions. He has spent the last 18 months or so deciding exactly where he stands in his faith. HE and his wife are now in classes to join the orthodox church. I was able to attend a service with him. To the unitiated, it was a little intimidating. I knew there would be ceremony, but not so much audience participation. Fortunately, there was a playbook to follow. Kind of like extended responsive reading, but sung/chanted. The words were beautiful,but the service seemed long. I am still not really clear on the topics of saints and the icons, but the people we met were so warm and friendly.
Funnily enough, I discovered that the other children have long assumed that I actually preferred Evan's company because they think we are so much alike! I guess his theories
are busted! I DO like that he ENJOYS scrabble and other word games, where all the others refuse to even play with me!
Here's wishing you a happy birthday on your trip, Evan!

A couple of weekends ago I ran off to visit my family, primarily my grandmother
(the cute one in green in the center). Michael had work and school and Benjamin had signed up for a retreat, so they were not able to go with me. My parents are in this picture, my nephew Reggie, and the couple you never get to see, Evan and Liz!
Nanny Lucy was 90 this past August and had never met Liberty. The younger kids visited with cousins and got to learn Rummi-kub(HOW do YOU pronounce this word? There was hot debate on the way home about this topic.) Savannah took me to the chinese sub shop and I visited Evan's church. Also, I got to bowl on his Wii, something I haven't done since I developed carpal tunnel syndrome a while back. I mean of course, that I haven't bowled in years, It was my first time ever to use a Wii. I usually HATE video games. And hate in this instance is a mild word. But I actually enjoyed playing sports on his Wii.
I hope to write Evan a birthday blog this week. As his birthday was last Sunday, I am WAY behind the power curve. I just have not had the time or energy to sit down at the computer and think about composing anything. Happy Late birthday Evan!
I also got to visit with a DEAR friend who WON'T let me post her picture. believe me, I understand. If you think I am kidding, check out my facebook where there are over 30 pictures of me that are TERRIBLE. and , again, I mean that mildly. Thanks to Ann Margaret who was willing to drive WAY out of her way just to be my friend. I am SO blessed.