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Zoë’s new glasses

Rae — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:12:08 +0000

Z got glasses for school. Turns out she’s a bit nearsighted, so she’s only supposed to wear them to see distant objects (such as her teacher’s writing on the board). But of course, she wants to wear them all the time, because (as she says) “they’re cute!”

I’ve never seen someone so excited to have imperfect vision.

Zoë’s first goal today (of six)

Rae — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:09:30 +0000

Zoe’s first goal today (of six) from Rae Whitlock on Vimeo.

I started the recording a little too late, trust me, she was the one who kicked it in. She’s got 15 goals for the season

Faithful to a Thousand Generations

Rae — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:09:36 +0000

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations . . .” – Dueteronomy 7:9

My wife = worthy of praise

Rae — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:29:49 +0000

Update on “So, um . . .” below

Rae — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:06:24 +0000

Amy and I went out to dinner last weekend, enjoying a nice “night off” from being parents (ZoÃ« was spending the night with Amy’s mom). At some point during our conversation, I said “sooooo, what would you say if I told you that I’ve been thinking about having Z baptized?” She asked why, and I went into the best basic explanation of covenant theology that I could muster with half a glass of wine in me (it might’ve actually been better than it would’ve been without the wine). After I was done, I asked what she thought. She paused, and then to my utter shock, she said “I think that we should do it”. I’m not even convinced yet, but I suppose my explanation was fair, since it at least helped to convince her. The fact that we both grew up in churches that were predominately dispensational in their theology — standing in direct contrast to covenantal thinking — it’s a pretty big leap for either of us to even consider infant (or in this case, toddler) baptism. A firm decision still hasn’t been made, but the fact that Amy’s already on board has made me feel better about things.

A few days later, she mentioned to her mom and grandparents that we’re thinking (just thinking) about it. The idea was met with some expected eyebrow-raising and skeptical questions, but her grandma gave us some real gems . . .

“Why would you wanna do that? That’s stupid!”
(Okay, guess you’re not coming if we decide to do this.)

“She won’t remember it! What about when her friends at your mother’s church are being baptized ‘for real’? She’ll want to do it then.”
(Sorry, I don’t think that we’d approve of her going through something as weighty and sacred as baptism just because “everybody’s doing it”.)

“Well, that’s okay. We’ll have her baptized ‘for real’ at our church when she’s old enough to decide for herself.”
(HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! *ahem* Sorry. . . sorry. Now, as I was saying . . . HAHAHAHAHA!!!! *pointing*)

Gotta love the respect we’re shown for our parental decision-making.

Anyway . . . like I said, there’s been no firm decision made yet. I need to be honest with myself about this whole thing. Will we be doing this because we really believe that we’re obeying Scripture by doing so, or will it be just because we’re members of a Presbyterian church now, and well . . . “everybody’s doing it”? How much of this is motivated by the fact that I want to be an elder in this church in a few months (which, by the way, I think is a legitimate motivation . . . just not a legitimate primary motivation)? How much is now wanting to annoy my grandmother-in-law?!

Pray for us.

So, um . . .

Rae — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:03:48 +0000

We’re thinking of having ZoÃ« baptized.

*ducks bottles, tomatoes, and various other objects being thrown by my Baptist friends and readers*

DINKs and DINKWADs

Rae — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 18:47:48 +0000

Great little blog post from Anthony Bradley on the growing (and in my view, troubling) trend of churchgoing (read: “Christian”) married couples intentionally going childless for the sake of “financial readiness” or living the American Dream . . . in other words, hedonism.

Even better than the actual post are the comments . . . most are good and serve to further the discussion . . . just a few express outrage at AB’s “judgmentalism” and “arrogance”. Hilarious.

Check it out here.

The Advent Candle

Rae — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:30:17 +0000

I’m blogging from a coffeehouse, listening to my iPod, Bible open next to me. How pomo/emergent-ish is this scene?

Anyway . . . last week, my family had the privilege of lighting the Advent Candle at the beginning of last week’s liturgy. ZoÃ« was excited to do this, and as Greg said “Amen” at the end of his opening prayer, ZoÃ« (as quietly as she could muster, which wasn’t at all) said “let’s go!”

There was a scripture reading for each candle to be lit (three, as it was the third week of Advent). I held my little girl in my arms and read each passage, and Amy lit each candle after each passage was finished.

Simple acts, but for the first time, I felt as if we were participating with the angels and the ascended saints in the worship of the incarnate Christ.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.

Just ’cause I love her

Rae — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 20:04:42 +0000

The lovely wife and her dorky husband . . .

(Shot taken by Wife of Funky Presbyterian.)

Reflections from a wedding

Rae — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:46:20 +0000

1) My wife is gorgeous.
2) Despite the rough times, I’m glad we’re married.
3) My daughter is also gorgeous.

We went to the wedding of a childhood friend of Amy’s tonight. It was a beautiful Jewish wedding — solemn ceremony with a boisterous and celebratory reception afterward. This probably happens to a lot of couples upon going to a wedding, but it reminded me of how much I love Amy and how great our own wedding was a little over a year ago. It wasn’t anywhere near as ornate or expensive as tonight’s, but it was still perfect. Every element, from the vows to the encouragement from others to the Eucharist celebration was full of meaning and significance and blessing and God.

I digress. Fun facts about tonight:
- Someone’s cell phone went off during the wedding (during a prayer, even) and the genius waited at least twenty seconds to turn it off. Actually, the caller might’ve just hung up. People never cease to amaze me.
- I slow-danced with my wife for the first time.
- I ended up eating two of the catered meals, since Amy wouldn’t dream of touching any of hers. Grilled salmon w/ some sort of ginger sauce, white rice, and asparagus paired w/ a decent white wine. Delicious.

Some pics . . .

Amy in the car before leaving. Looks happy, doesn’t she?

Bethany (the bride, obviously), her son Noah, and ZoÃ«.

ZoÃ« and Amy. They have the same grin.

ZoÃ« and me.