structure and self-care

Not gonna lie, I'm not much for routines. But I'm even less for the person I become when I avoid them. After vaca, Bek and I both reevaluated our daily choices as individuals and as a family in light of how we hoped to be growing. Our prayer is always to be growing closer to one another and to God. The following is the day I begin with when I choose the things I say I want to be choosing. (Click and enlarge for best results.)






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afloat in a boat

The beach house at which we stayed - Waite 'n' Sea - was fantastic. Lots of room, and it backed up near the marsh, an aesthetic plus around sunset. Being near the marsh, we also saw our share of kayakers. They made it look easy, which of course it isn't always, but knowing that it isn't always didn't keep me from wanting to try. I asked Rebekah if she'd be game to get a boat with me. She said that she would, but not with me, or I could get some training and she might reconsider. Rebekah's brother, also Jonathan, offered to go with me anyway, and he proved a graceful coach. We ventured out to some local haunts and then to an abandoned island. As we paddled along - sometimes with the current and sometimes against it - I remember being struck by how progress camouflaged itself: every new turn looked a lot like the last one. It was easy to feel 'lost in the weeds.' The horizon helped us reclaim our sense of perspective, subsequently informing each tired paddle stroke with purpose and direction. It's a lesson I've tried to carry with me in the days following our watery adventure.


Sunset from the rooftop of Waite 'n' Sea.





The 2 Jonathans on the not-so-high seas.


Deserted island, with a sign not legible to me


Weaving through the marsh grass.

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One week at Sunset Beach

It's not a given that one week with one's in-laws would be restful, much less vacation. So I don't take for granted the grace, rest, and refreshment that regularly marks our yearly time with Rebekah's family at the beach. Each year, the Bakers trek down to strikingly beautiful Sunset Beach, NC, and invite the rest of the family to gather for meals, conversation, good books, long naps, the sound of the water, and - most of all - one another. For the week that we're together, we live in an imaginary world where black cherry soda and molasses sugar cookies constitute 2 of the 4 food groups and where the week's 'heavy lifting' refers either to bocce ball or a water-logged Annie.

Actually, it was Annie's first time to make the trip down to Sunset. Debbie (Rebekah's mom) was a gift as she spelled us with regular Annie excursions and Abuela adventures.

Mark (Bek's dad) was also a gift, as he spelled me from my regular photo duties - he's a great shot and far more prolific than me, so I find myself slacking. :) I have a few photos to share, but (many) more are forthcoming.

Bek's brother, Jonathan, and Grandma and Grandpa Baker were with us, too, and the time together was good. Whether sharing a reading room in silence with a bowl of ice cream or catching up on life with one another around a bowl of ice cream or playing a late night game with multiple bowls of ice cream, the time is sweet and one we both look forward to and enjoy.












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Location:Sunset Beach, NC

aQuArIuM!

Bek and Annie and I hit up the Aquarium today for some crazy fun.


Shark!


Teaching Annie to sign 'fish'.


Pensively pondering the piranhas.


Random crazy flower in our backyard (spotted as we drove up upon returning).


Annie and her pals, post-aquarium.

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Location:CC, TX

Vacation Round-Up

Later on Friday, after Eucharist at Holy Family, we met good friend Meredith Stewart for ice cream at Maple View Dairy Farm. The company and conversation were fantastic, even as the sun wasn't quite up to setting yet; we were soon drenched in sweat and good stories as we struggled to take in the usually idyllic view.

That evening, the sun retired and things a little cooler, long-time good friend Bobby Tunks picked me up and we headed for the DBAP to catch the Durham Bulls. A storm the night before had turned our game into an unexpected double header. I was really grateful for the extended time together. Bobby and I have known each other since elementary school. I remember one day in 6th grade in the changing room after gym, asking Bobby what he was going to do when he grew up. Pediatric cardiology, he said. I was impressed and pretended to understand what that meant. Sure enough, at the time of our arrival in Durham, Bobby and his family had just moved to Duke, where he is a fellow practicing pediatric cardiology. Random note from the night: Carolina Brewery represented well.

Pictures here are from outside the ballpark, and from the next couple of days at the beach with the Gallahers.






























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Location:NC

Family Camp, Mustang Island

Home today after a wonderful 4 day stint as chaplain at Mustang Island's Episcopal Family Camp. Bek and Annie came with, and together we were blessed by the pace (slow) and grace (lots) of camp. The session's theme was bearing one another's burdens (Gal 6), and the weekend's teaching focused on naming our burdens, our thanksgivings, and our gifts before God. Bek and I have a hard time naming our own gifts (thankfully we can point them out to each other), and so we were particularly glad for the opportunity (and encouragement) to name our gifts with grateful hearts. We were also unspeakably glad for the gift of friends - old and new. Also, the staff rocked the house. They made my job easy and brought more joy than they can know.


Family pic


The camp cross on the dunes.


SMORES!





Staff, The Stupendous


Youth Night


Annie's gift from Pirate Allie


Pirate Allie


Ben and Bek and more smores





The chaplain, saying something wise and edifying and definitely not singing the Chicken Song.





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Location:Mustang Island

Back to Church

While on vacation, Bek and I worshipped at Holy Family on the Feast of the Transfiguration. We saw seminarian Tom Warren, met retired priest Father Tony, and went out to lunch afterwards with Mother Michelle.

Like many aspects of our trip, the service was holy balm: the encouragement that came from the readings, the welcome and reception of friends, and time in the presence of the still small voice - small enough and deeply felt to hold me.

As posted before, Holy Family is the church at which Bek was confirmed; it's where we were married; where we ministered together as youth volunteers; and it's where I first served as deacon and as seminarian. Strangely, these weren't the first memories that met me as I stepped back into the nave. Instead, I remembered ironing candle wax off the brick floor at one in the morning, following the glorious Easter Vigil. I remembered setting the table on Saturdays, washing the dishes, vacuuming the carpet, pushing the Swiffer. This is more than a plug for altar guild - it's a reflection that while most of us want to feel "at home" in our church, it's a seldom sought and rare privilege to actually do what you do at home at church - to make your home in the household of God.

Mother Michelle is a gift and our conversation over lunch at the Loop was a consolation and encouragement. I pray I never forget the gentleness and humility with which Father Tony read. And I am daily thankful for Father Timothy and for the prayerful attention and sacramental delight he modeled for me and others during our season with the Holy Family in Chapel Hill.


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Location:North Carolina

Supper Club

On Thursday night and Saturday morning of the first week, we rejoined a slightly older, kid-rich version of the supper club that for the better part of three years was for us a source of prayer, friendship, and amazing food. (I try to describe the supper club in this sermon, toward the end.) So good to see everyone. Bekah's guacamole was as good as I remembered, and the perfect compliment to Jenni's tacos. (We ate out at Carrburrito's on Saturday.) And it was our first introduction to babies Greta and Geneva. Amazing to catch up on the current season with these friends and reflect back on our former season of more regular life together. Good times.



The supper club, sans Gallahers


Greta and Annie


At Carrburrito's


Paul and Geneva


Jared, impressing the table with with his untold talents.

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Location:North Carolina

The Journey Continues: Scoggin-style

I haven't been putting this vacation blog off - at least I don't think I have. But I still don't know how to do any kind of justice to the next leg of our trip - the blessing of our extended time with Jason, Jenni, Lexi, Kiara, and Matt-Matt. They welcomed us as family and that's exactly what we felt like. As a family, they paint with a swirling mix of compassion, conviction, fire, flair (mostly Jason), and fun. The openness with which Jenni and Jason talk about parenting, faith, challenges, joys, and everything else is met by the Spirit who indwells the humble and contrite. Kiara and Lexi are incredible girls, and we were glad for the chance to get to know them. And what can say about Matt-Matt? He was a gracious host to Annie, and it was a joy to watch his joy. (I'll try to coax Bek into a Matt-Matt guest blog. Specifically a, um, bathroom incident.) Scoggins, we love y'all! Our time with you was balm to our souls.























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Location:Durham, NC

a day at the park

Bek and Annie have made a mid-morning routine of hiking out to the neighborhood swings. Every once in a while I get to tag along. Lots of memories for me on swing sets. My friends and I would 'bobsled' all through the winter Olympics back in the day during recess. Neat to see Annie both nervous and excited by the wind on her face. Also, I'm bringing our WD40 next time.






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Location:Home