Turkey Tom

Hutto's sketch from his book,
Illumination in the Flatwoods

We just watched the PBS special "My Life as a Turkey".  A documentary about a guy, Joe Hutto, who lived with a flock of wild turkey's for a year - from their birth he acted as parent - until they naturally left and roosted on their own. It was fascinating. Dave, the kids and I were all entranced, even teary-eyed at the end. I draw two conclusions:

1) Turkeys - who knew?!
2) me = PBS junkie.

He's now living with a pack of mule deer in Wyoming...I can hardly wait.

I know I'll Never Understand

     I just watched a POV episode on PBS about a group of friends from the same small town in the UP of Michigan who enlisted in the National Guard together and were deployed to Afghanistan together.  I personally have not been effected by deployments or re-entries, but this was an outstanding picture of how significant this experience is for the soldiers as well as their family members. I knew that it was, but to see it was somehow...different.   It makes me sad, how hard it is for the guys who are just going to try to make it back alive and in one piece.  How hard for parents and loved ones to receive back a changed son or daughter, with little idea of how to love them well. Such a hard situation.

I so appreciate how much artists, in this case a film maker, can help those of us who can't understand have a peek into the reality.  Creativity for the common good.  Good stuff.

It's really great!

I've been shopping using 'zulily' for a few months now...and I am finding this Christmas season it is going to get me way more gift for my budget. Plus, if you sign up I get a nice credit to my account!

Use this link to find out more!
http://www.zulily.com/invite/bhopkins962

The Brownie Story

We once heard a story of a dad who baked some special brownies for his kids.  Before giving them to them he said, "You should know that these are special; there is a little poop in these brownies.  Just a little, you probably won't even taste it." Of course the kids were disgusted and wanted no part of the delicious-looking "treat".  Dave and I often find ourselves commenting "there's just a little poop" when we feel the urge to compromise on a popular movie with a "little bit" of sex, or letting our kids read a book with "a little bit" of questionable content, or any other number of things it is so tempting to overlook.  "It's just a little poop."

We have never participated in Halloween.  Dave and I didn't grow up doing it and it was a natural decision for us that our family would pass on the autumnal extravaganza. This year brought a bit more difficulty for Titus than it had in the past, and I suspect the other kids will reach this point as they grow, as well.  At first he was just disappointed in not bringing in the candy loot [he loves candy!].  But this year he was feeling some of the more serious repercussions of our choice.  "I just feel a little left out." he commented to us during one of our first serious parent/child talks of this new parenting era we are entering.  I could tell he was wrestling.  What's the big deal? 


We wanted to approach this carefully. We have many friends - devoted followers of Jesus - close to us who choose to partake in some parts of these festivities, and we in no way wanted to imply that they were "evil" or "celebrating the devil"  as Dave and I had to overcome from our upbringing.  We just wanted to help him understand that this was the choice we believed was best for our family. And that it was much more than Halloween.  There will be lots of times in the coming years when we choose differently than other families.  We're entering the stage of questionable content in movies, and TV, and video games and books. We wanted him to know that there will come a time when he can make his own decisions things, and as he grows he'll be able to navigate the good vs evil stuff a bit better.  But until then, we are going to help him protect his mind, eyes, and heart.


Well, we had a good talk. Dave brilliantly pointed out that Jesus is about life and a lot of the things we see this time of year are about death - something the Prince of Darkness would love for us to view as no big deal.  But what is the harm of dressing up as a LEGO guy and getting candy? The answer for us is nothing, but there is nothing wrong with the chocolate or milk or flour in "poop brownies" either.

PS
www.commonsensemedia.org is a site I have found (and bookmarked) that has parent, teacher and child reviews of books, movies, games, etc. I have found it helpful as we navigate this new stage in parenting.

Haven't we learned anything?

I was recently involved in a sketch at church entitled "OLD TESTAMENT REWIND".  It is a quick dramatic review of the Old Testament [surprise surprise!] in about 25 minutes.  It is a fun, and accurate account of many of the best known stories.  I have been blessed by the many people who have shared their appreciation for the treat.  It was really my pleasure.  But one of the main things that lifts from retelling God's Story is how whiny and disobedient the Israelites [God's chosen people] are over and over again. They take things into their own hands and think their ways are best. Sounds very familiar.

This has got me thinking. Today...

I am saddened by how critical and judgmental many American Christians are of "the world".  Speakign so boldly about how right "we" are and how wrong "they" are.  We really have very little compassion for the lost and unaware.  I mean "we" disobey and choose to do things our way. We sin. Really, those who claim to belong to God, we SIN - knowingly and willingly!  Yet, we really jump at the chance to stick it to the ones whom don't have a clue, or who see how people who call themselves Christians act (and talk) and want nothing to do with it.  Just like Moses interceded for the people of Israel when they were disobedient, reminding God of his deep love and commitment to them; we need to be interceding for our neighbors (leaders, enemies, friends, coworkers) - not criticizing them. Perhaps we need to be reminded of God's deep love and passionate pursuit of them.  Are you really loving your neighbors - not in an effort to "save" them - but because they are worth loving? Because they are.  We all sin, we all make bad choices, we all need grace, we all need love, whether we are believers or not. I wish Christians would quit the business of being right and pick up the habit of loving.

The BH Personality Inventory

You know all those personality inventories that ask you weird questions and then eerily figures out your tendencies and bends.  As I was washing out the fridge yesterday (instead of picking up the rest of the entire house that was in need) I realized I wanted to create my own.  I mean how does knowing your favorite color, your favorite place to eat, your birth date,  your preferred season really tell me anything about you? Here are the things I want to know:

- If the frosting from a cake gets on the underside of the meat drawer, do you wipe it off now or wait for the bi-annual fridge cleaning? (I wonder where I got that?)
- Do you wear socks with holes in them?
- How often do you scrub your floors?
- Do your kids wipe their noses/faces on their sleeves?
- Do you still send cards in the mail?
- If you say you are praying for me, are you really, or is it just a nice sentiment?

These are things that will tell me much more about you and about what I should expect from you as a friend than: You'd like to eat at the Cheesecake Factory in the fall while wearing a purple shirt.

That's all.

Public Service Announcement

I have left facebook.  I am still alive. The world is still spinning...I assume...but I can't be sure because without facebook I can't be sure of anything, officially.

Welcome!

In an effort to simplify, I am ditching my facebook profile and picking up my blogging shoes.  Join me as I share my thoughts, rants, lessons, projects, and dreams...and anything else that pops into the creative chaos of my mind! Thanks for joining me!