Party Time

Isaiah went to a friend's brithday party today. It was an intergalactic affair with planet birthday cakes, an astronaut's suit, and a rocket ship pinata.

Check out his mad pinata hacking stills. And yes, that's me encouraging him in the background.

Me and the boys

Corrie is having a much needed and overdue weekend away with a friend,

so it's just me and the boys. (Aunt Riri arrives later today for a

little support. She's good help, just don't expect her to change

diapers!)

The weather has been less than ideal, so we've been discovering inside
activities. Below, you will see that yes, we play ball in the house.

But we also made play dough. That's right. Made it. From scratch.
Eat your heart out June Cleaver!

Change

A theme of our lives right now is change. We change diapers, we change little boys' clothes, the boys change/grow everyday. Our lives are revolving doors of change. Just when you get used to one thing, it is replaced by another.


And yet, amongst all this other change, there are even bigger changes ahead. Last week, I accepted the position of Campus Pastor at the Wesley Foundation of Macon in Macon, Georgia. This is not a change we saw coming. I mean, I did apply for the position and interview for the position, but if you had asked us in January if we thought we might move this summer, we would have said no.


So, why move? Why now? The boys are not the only ones changing these days. Corrie and I are changing, too. We're growing as people, as parents, as a couple, and in our faith just by living life. One major thing that has changed in our hearts since Ezra was born is a desire to be closer to our families. We are keenly aware of how far away our boys' grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins live - and that has changed us. The desire that grew in our hearts became a prayer, and that prayer became a way for us to be open for God's next movement for our family.


We are truly happy in Oxford. Each new day with this decision makes us aware of how much we will miss this place. Our friends have become our family, and we are beginning to grieve the loss of community we will experience when we leave. This is also an exciting time for the Wesley at Ole Miss. My time as campus minister here has been characterized by building and foundation laying for a ministry that needed to figure out who it was. That has happened, and good things are stirring. I feel like Moses looking over the promised land - seeing it from a distance, but not experiencing it in person (Deuteronomy 34:1-4).


But we are also very excited about what's ahead. We believe the new position will enable me to minister and grow in ways that complement and challenge who I am; we believe there will be good space for Corrie to write her dissertation; and we believe Macon will be a great environment to raise the boys (especially since we'll be closer to the Braves!).

The Streak has Ended

Well, it happened.


We had two sleepless nights on Thursday and Friday with Ezra, who was running fever and had some congestion. Our pediatrician met us at her office Saturday morning to give him the flu test...and he passed with flying colors...which is not a good thing.

Living the Story

I got the chance to preach at my church on Sunday morning in Oxford. My work for Wesley was less than normal the week before, so I got to spend extra time preparing the sermon.

The End of the Beginning, part 2

Our time Oxford started with a great deal of excitement, but also with a fair share of fear and trepidation. In a six month time period, we were going to experience a new home, new positions, new friends, new church, and a new baby. Somewhere there's a chart of the most stressful things that people have to deal with and I think all these are in the top 20 (if not 10). We will always look back fondly of that first year in Oxford, but I look back now and realize it was very much a honeymoon period for us.

This is especially true of the ministry at Wesley.

I came in with grand ideas, plans, and expectations. I had just come from seminary, after all, and I was feeling pretty confident in my ability to run a top notch ministry. All my ideas, though, quickly fell by the wayside when I realized what the ministry (and the running of the ministry) was versus what I had expected. There's not enough room to here to go in to detail, but suffice it to say that while I was excited about where God had led us that first year, I was also disappointed and frequently frustrated.

One expectation that did not match up has to do with how I perceived myself when we got to Oxford. In my overconfidence and naivete, I expected to be the teacher for the students, the one imparting wisdom and guidance, the one leading and inspiring. This is what it means to be a leader, right? While some of those things might have been true, I see myself now more as the student, not the teacher, a follower, not a leader, and a journeyman, not one who has arrived. My role as campus minister has more to do with listening to students than telling them things, and empowering them to be leaders by first being faithful followers...through my example as a follower of Christ.

Forty hours of classes, three years, and two kids later, I am finishing my seminary career. I am once again reminded of the seedbed, and now I understand what I didn't understand three years ago. While the seminary is a special seedbed, a unique season of learning and growing; the life of ministry is one as well. Sometimes we (as ministers) get so caught up in helping others grow that we fail to see how God is trying to grow us as well. But we need to see each ministry opportunity, each season of life, as its own seedbed and be asking God:

What are you trying to teach me? Am I being teachable? Forgive me for not seeing what you want me to see, or hearing what you want me to hear. Open my eyes that I might see, my ears that I might hear, my heart that I might be truly transformed in to the likeness of your Son.

Sweet Summer Saturday

I woke up this morning in a stupor and in a strange bed.

Everyone got to bed a little later than usual last night, Ezra needed someone to walk him at 3:30am, and Isaiah needed someone to lay beside him at 5am. When I laid beside Isaiah, I resolved to just sleep till morning in his bed - which means being kicked and head-butted in the back and hoping I don't fall off into the floor.

Though Friday night's sleep was less than grand, we got up this morning, did the breakfast routine, and decided to walk together to the Farmer's Market. It was about 63 degrees as we left the house, Isaiah in the stoller, Ezra on my back.

After making rounds at the market, we walked up to the Square so Isaiah could play on the playground in front of the First Presbyterian Church. After multiple slides down the curly-q slide, several pets of a friendly yellow lab, and 10 times around the garden path, we made our way to Square Books Jr. - another favorite play spot. Along the way, we stopped to say hello to (and chase and partly terrorize) Mommasita, the cat that lives in Off Square Books. On to SBJr, where the toys are always out and there are plenty of books to scan through.

We get there just before Storytime and Isaiah's friend Emily comes with her mom for the story, too. They sit together (mostly) for the story, and then go to the table for today's craft. The craft is gluing pieces of paper to another piece of paper to make a bear. Emily's looks like a Princess Leia bear; Isaiah's a Picasso bear. You didn't know we were nurturing a creative genius, did you?

After some more play time, it's time to walk home. Isaiah points out the "big truck" and Ezra sleeps on Corrie's back.

It's all quiet now. Lunch was served and naps are now being taken. I'm off to mow grass in a few moments, and later we're going a friend's house for a cookout. This is a well-balanced Saturday - family time, alone time, time for play, time for work, and time with friends.

I only hope for a full night's sleep - in my OWN bed.

More than a Feeling, Part 1

(Pastor Pat and Ezra, and Kevin)

On Easter Sunday, we had Ezra baptized. We picked Easter because it is the traditional day of the Church (early church) receiving new members in to the community. The phenomena of membership as we know it today (walking down the aisle or coming forward to be received on any given Sunday) is actually quite new and quite American. Anyone who wanted to join the early church had to first go through instruction (catechism) about what it means to be a follower of Christ, and then if they still believed, they were baptized and confirmed as members.

As far as anyone can tell, infant baptism has always been practiced by the church. Many believe the New Testament only shows believers' baptism by immersion, but these are just baptism's most explicit references.

For instance, when Peter goes to Cornelius' house after his vision of food in Acts 10, we are told that Cornelius' entire household was baptized. I think it is reasonable to assume that there might have been small children or infants in the house who were also baptized. There are other implicit examples as well, just pay attention as you read.

In the early church, baptism was not just about making a profession of faith, but it was about being initiated in to the community of faith. It was about being identified as belonging to those who believe. As my sons, Isaiah and Ezra are part of the community of faith because I am part of the community of faith. Eventually, they will have to make that decision on their own, and I hope that when that day comes they will confirm their place in the community. But until then, they have been baptized as a way to signify the grace that God is already extended to them...even though they don't understand it yet.

BFFB

Our friends Pat and Sarah had a baby 6 days after Ezra was born, so naturally they are going to be BFFB (best friends from birth). In the interest of fun, here they are on Easter Sunday.

Spring Cleaning

There are lots of changes at our house these days. I hope to blog more about them in the coming days, but I thought I would share a video with you of some changes outside. We finally got the jungle next to our house cleaned out! We no longer feel overtaken by vines and underbrush, and in the newly cleared area we're actually going to try our hand at growing tomatoes.

This is a time-lapsed video using a program called Gawker. It takes a photo every 30 seconds and then makes a movie out of all the frames.


Spring Cleaning from D. Merricks on Vimeo.

Get thee behind me, French Fry!

Recently, we went out to eat at Chili's. All four of us. It was the first time we've all been out to eat together since Ezra came to stay. It was fun and Isaiah was surprisingly good.

But the real story is that I ordered a burger (no real surprise there), but then I asked if I could sub the mashed potatoes for my fries. I know, right? Well, I decided to give up french fries for the year so that I might learn to expand my side dish horizons. It's been going well so far, but at Chili's...

The dude brought be fries anyway.

Oh the temptation. I eventually got my mashed potatoes and I ate those, and believe it or not, I did not eat a single fry. And to prove it, here is a picture of my uneaten serving of french fries.

Thoughts upon the Inauguration of our 44th President

As I look ahead to next week's inauguration, I am reminded how truly historic it is. Being at Ole Miss during this last election cycle was very exciting because this small college town hosted one of the presidential debates, which made many remember the struggles of the past. This piece by CNN helps us look ahead to the future.

Running

I've been running for 10 years.

OK, not continuously. But my main form of exercise in the last 10 years has been running (some call it jogging, but I like running better). I mostly do shorter runs and occasionally I'll run a 5K race. My best being the ATS 5K a few years ago when I finished 3rd is my age group.

This year I've been running quite a bit more. I've really committed myself to staying healthy, and it is also a great form of stress relief. I ran consistently all summer, but I knew I would slack off in the semester if I didn't have some kind of goal. So, I decided I would train for the St. Jude Half-Marathon in Memphis on Dec. 6.

Today, I ran the following route: 10.15 miles. My pace is just under a 9:00 minute mile, and I burned about 1200 calories.

Twas the Night before Game Day

The weather's been so great this week that we decided to have a picnic last night for supper. We got Newk's To Go and headed toward the Grove on campus. We totally forgot that it was the night before a ballgame. You may not think that's a big deal, but we sat down at a picnic table on the Circle about 15 minutes before tailgaters were allowed in to set up their tents.

Here you can see the people standing around holding spots. For some tailgaters, tent placement is of the utmost importance because tailgating is not just about eating and hanging out before the game, it's about seeing and being seen.

Here you can see how quickly the tents go up. This about 10 minutes after they were allowed in.

As you can imagine, this made for a very eventful picnic. Isaiah really enjoyed watching all the madness.

Being a Part of American History

If you're wondering why I've been so diligent in posting about the debate here in Oxford, it's because for Oxford, it was more than just a debate. Oxford once again stands on the forefront of American history, but this time in a better light.

This is a great video that articulates it beautifully.

a turn around the Square

As the debate draws closer, the town begins to resemble River City, IA on the Fourth of July. I just hope they don't break out the Grecian Urns.

These banners have been out all summer.

You're welcome...but only for 2 hours.

In the window of a toy store. Nothing says fun like an old man pointing his finger at you.

The above references are to the Music Man. If you didn't get it, then I suggest you go rent it. The original with Robert Preston, not the new one with Matthew Broderick.

Running in the Restricted Area

I went running yesterday morning and my regular route takes my right by the Ford Center where the debate will be held on Friday night. For several weeks, the building has been off limits and security guards have been present on 24/7. Yesterday, the street in front of the Ford Center became barricaded to all traffic, so about 3/10 of a mile of street is closed. I wasn't really thinking about it as I ran, so I just kept going through the barricade. I made it through OK and my route brings me back the same way, so I did it again. I probably have an FBI file now...but who doesn't?

Something I did think about was, "If my dad were here, he would not have done this." I am like my dad in many ways, and though I'm not much of a risk taker either, I do like the push the envelope sometimes. But will I be OK if my sons do the same? Even though Isaiah is only 20 months old, I can't make him do everything I want him to do. That's a hard lesson to learn and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be learning for a very long time.