The Osbornes

Church: Building? Body? Both?

2009-01-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a seminary class entitled "The Worshipping Church" about intentional worship planning, thoughtful worship theology, and worship that is about giving God glory. My professor likened the goal of worship to his experience of seeing Slumdog Millionaire (which I saw today- powerful). Dr. Olson said he left Slumdog still wrestling with the images and ideas...he was uncomfortable but changed. It has made me think of the times I leave church thinking of what I got out of it, what I "liked". Instead, the goal of worship is to GIVE glory to God and then to leave challenged, changed, but not necessarily comfortable. The worship experience should stay with us outside the church building.

Which is another thought provoking thing going on in my head. (I have these thoughts often in the still-er moments of my day...usually while driving or feeding Andi- see why they never get to the computer...there aren't computers in those locales!)

The thought is church: is it a building or a body of people who believe?
My answer: both.

Followers of God have almost always had some sort of physical space for gathering and encountering the Divine: the tabernacle, temple, synagogue, and home church are Biblical examples. The current culture of church buildings is much different from the originals but I think maintains some necessary and powerful purposes. The church building in no way contains God. However, it is a representative space of what worship calls us to: holy ground (See Moses' encounter with the burning bush). A sacred, special, and separate place where we come to meet with God. The building is a place to discipline our bodies and minds, a place to house objects that help us engage the story (the altar, communion elements, chapels for prayer etc..). There is something about going to a place that establishes a rhythm by which we are shaped over a "life-time of Sundays"-(Mike Graves).

However, the church exists outside the building. The church is the people of God gathered in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church the body fulfills the work of the Kingdom every day in every space (ideally? hopefully?). As a body, the church is diverse and unified, gifted, called, and commissioned.

My sister is getting married in April- they are going to be married in a church,and with their church. They are getting married in Colorado, in a church building they found that fit their size and geographic desires, but with which they have no connection. They want to get married in a church building because they want to covenant with God in a symbolic, sacred space. A space that generates an experience of God's presence and calls forth human respect and awe of the God who comes to join them together.

They are also getting married with their church. Their community of fellow Jesus followers is coming to Colorado. Their church, the body of believers, will be invited to journey to gather with them, to witness, pledge support, and celebrate their union. This body church will gather with God, in God, and because of God so that the wedding will give glory to God.

I'm excited to learn more about worship (one interesting thing I want to explore is how to involve and invite children into worship at a young age)
and I'm excited for Laura and James to get married!

And here are some photos of the fam.

Christmas Club Talk

2008-12-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

I shared this with our Park Hill Young Life club kids on Wednesday night. Merry Christmas to you.

"I'd love to share with you three real life stories. I was eating at Cracker Barrel with a friend years ago when I looked over and saw a 3 year old boy putting his hand in syrup, then putting his hand on his mom's sleeve. Syrup. Sleeve. Goo.

Just recently, we traveled to Table Rock lake with our friends. We played down by the lake and our friend's two year old Andrew took two steps and sunk in deep, gooey mud. He was covered! From shoes to shirt, he was muddy. His mom, Amanda, stepped right in and scooped him up. She carried him to the house, muddy and all.

In my own life, when Andi was 8 days old she started throwing up after every feeding. She would cover herself and me with baby throw-up mulitple times a day. Smelling like baby puke was the last thing on my mind however because I was so concerned about Andi.

See there's a thing about moms, they are not afraid to get messy. In fact, when you love someone, you are not afraid to enter their mess. More than mom's however, I believe God practices this the best.

Christmas, as I've been thinking about it, is a messy celebration. Christmas is a celebration of God's heart for all of us on earth. Christmas says God does not want to be distant, God does not want to leave us to go it alone. God wants to enter our lives, no matter how messy. Christmas is a celebration of God's presence, entering into the world in the most real ways. On Christmas, we celebrate Jesus- a visible presence of the invisible God, coming to earth.

If you look at the details of Jesus' birth, the characteristics of Christmas, it was all a bit messy. Jesus' birth was messy because:
1. His mom was not married to his dad. In that day, this was severely disgraceful. You could be kicked out of your family or village, lose your friends.
2. It was messy because Jesus' mom and dad were in the middle of traveling when it came time for him to be born and he was born in a smelly, messy, stable.
3. Jesus' visitors were mangey (sp?) old shepherds. Unpopular men who lived on mountain sides with sheep as friends. Not exactly high status visitors.
4. Finally, things were a little politically messy in that day. The reigning king had heard rumors of Jesus and wanted him killed; his life was threatened, even as a tiny baby.

At the very beginning of his life, Jesus made sure everyone knew he was unafraid to enter into any kinds of human messes.
It's an idea to celebrate. We celebrate Christmas in part by singing songs. The same was true at the very beginning. There were three men who sang songs about Jesus' birth that are recorded in the Bible. The words from their songs, while not as catchy as Rudolph, give us a good idea about why we celebrate Jesus' birth.

1st, there was an old priest named Zecheriah. His song is found in Luke 1:78-79. ("Because of God's tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light...and to guide us in the path of peace".)Secondly, there was a host of angels who appeared to the shepherds and their song is in Luke 2:14.("Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors"). Finally, there was an old man in a church who rejoiced when he heard of Jesus being born and said, in Luke 2:29-32, ("Lord, now I can die in peace...I have seen the Savior...He is a light to reveal God to the nations...").

You see, all of these men were waiting for someone worthy of their hope. Someone who could promise to be present with them in their lives, in good times and bad. They knew, they celebrated, that that person was Jesus.

All three songs talk about light and peace. And what more do we need in the middle of a mess but light and peace?!

I know for my family, every year, Christmas was a great celebration. The lights on our house, our tree, and from candles on the piano were symbols of the joy and peace we felt. This year however, Christmas in my family is a mess. And yet, I can celebrate. I know God will be present. I know God's love is so great that it brings light and peace even into the middle of messy situations. Jesus is still unafraid to enter into messy situations. By Jesus' promise to enter in, I have hope.

So I don't know what Christmas will look like for you this year, whether it will be centered on joy or cornered by a mess- but I hope this year when you see the lights on houses and trees, it reminds you of the light of Jesus, that entered this world with the power and the desire to love and bring peace.

Now I'm going to pray and then we'll go to Taco Bell"

End of club talk. May the God of light and peace bless your celebration.

Andi Gayle Grace

2008-10-29T12:02:00.001-07:00

Today is Andi's 6 month birthday. (And marks the end of a 2 month period of me not blogging- busy times!)

Andi is an engaging, sitting up, smiling, excitable, grunting and growling girl with two teeth. These are 6 things I've learned with and from her in each of the last 6 months.

1- Having two kids excites me. Andi enlarged my enjoyment of being a parent. Sibling relationships are a passion of mine.

2- Sleep is overrated. I can survive and even thrive most days on an interuppted night's sleep.

3- Smiling directly at a stranger of any age can brighten their day.

4- People are the most fun things to play with. Andi loves to engage others- I am learning to take time to indulge her by offering her my undivided attention. However- I think Elijah is her favorite.

5- It is never worth sacrificing the safety of my children to get something done quickly or done at all.

6- Hugging, holding, singing, smiling, talking, and reading are great activities not only for Andi but for her mommy as well.

Thank you for teaching me Andi. I want to be an ever deliberate student of you, a steward of your spirit, and a knower of your heart.

Over

2008-08-29T13:22:00.001-07:00

I have a disease- it is called "I am so super sad when things that I've looked forward to are over"- itus.

My current prognosis includes these now-over events:
-2 weeks in Colorado
-Summer
-Swimming
-My first triathlon
-The Olympics
-Turning 28
-Lazy, hazy days of no school and limited work
-The Olympics
-Vacations
-My potted flowers

It was a great summer. I was so excited to have the summer months to adjust to having two children, to connect with family, to relax from the stress of the spring school and work semester, to read (I did indeed read 5 Jodi Picoult novels this summer- thank you Natalie andthe Mid-Continent Public library), to stay up late with Drew and take some naps in the miracle moments of both children sleeping at the same time, and much more.

Perhaps my perscription for healing and moving forward should include:
-Reflection and journaling on the greatness of what has passed in the summer of 08
-Buying the Michael Phelps DVD to extend the Olympic obsession
-Being confident that we as a family are prepared for the fall because of the great summer moments
-Being thankful- for my family, for a job that engages my passions and my gifts, a seminary that challenges and blesses me, and that there are new adventures and vacations ahead.

Anyone want to join me in the KC 1/2 Marathon on Oct 18th? :)

Hopefully these pics will illustrate a piece of the greatness of our summer and help you understand my disease :)- shoot- can't get them to upload today. I'll try again!

Saltimbanco

2008-07-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to receive a generous invite to see the Cirque du Soleil show at the Sprint Center on Sunday. Thank you, Jennifer for the ticket and Drew for the child caretaking, for the chance to enjoy an afternoon among adults, doing "culture" and lunch without high chairs!

The show was amazing. I was expecting and had heard of the excellence and wow factors but didn't expect the awakening of my senses, the pricking of my brain, and the stirrings of Spirit that occurred throughout the fascinating 2 hours.

I saw the functioning of community as I believe God intends for it to be. There would be over thirty individuals with their own actions creating a singular fluid movement. A person, pair, or group would take center stage to perform/contribute their special talent or gift while the rest of the group used their selves to enhance the center act, to work in conjuction and support of the performing few. However, the song (played by the live costumed band or sung beautifully by the Ice-queen-type-woman with the spikey pink hair and flowing white gown) would change and those who were in the spotlight would fade back into the crowd and become an illuminator for the next individual who was ready to contibute their skill to the stage.

Kingdom community should be similiar I think. Each person is uniquely gifted with skills and gifts, and each deserves an arena for exercising them. However, the individual gift is highlighted and enhanced in the context of community. Differences of gender, age, and race blurred beneath costumes, reinforcing the principal of a WHOLE, great because of its PARTS all working togther.

The Spirit ruminated inside me when the final act included four white artists in a bungee flying act, punctuated by beautiful music and singing that made me think of the angels and all creation and cosmos surrounding the Throne. Probably NOTHING close to the intended meaning but I was happy to go there with the Holy Spirit.

One final thought came during the amazing long-haired man juggling up to 8 or 9 bouncing balls. I saw a picture of parenting or family. He couldn't touch or hold all the balls at once but was still taking care of the whole group. I am limited in my physical ability to hold Drew, Elijah and Andi all at the same time but in giving them "touches" of careful attention in a rotating fashion, the whole of our family holds together.

It was an awesome afternoon and a great show. And I'm not all that into artsy stuff usually, nor do I feel like I've used this part of my brain all summer!

An Attitude of Latitude...and other lessons learned at altitude

2008-06-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

My dad was the one to bring it up as we walked together towards the outhouse. We were camping in Poudre Canyon, Colorado alongside a rushing and powerful river in the beauty of the early Colorado summer. “I notice you and Drew are choosing to parent your children with latitude”, my dad said. Latitude, we discussed, means loving our kids enough to give them exciting life experiences, presenting them with challenges that grow them as they conquer or fail them, and setting strict and safe boundaries in which they can exercise great amounts of freedom.

The whole topic was immediately applicable as we were camping, with a 5 week old baby and an almost 2 year old, 50 yards from the aforementioned rushing river, in early June- a not so toasty time to live outdoors in Colorado. The adventurous life experiences we were excited to give our children that trip included: *A road trip across Kansas *Living in a tent *Running, climbing, stumbling, building, and digging in rocks and dirt. *Elijah building and loving to be around the campfire *Elijah throwing rocks in the river *Hiking 5 miles up to 7,500 feet in intense mountain sun (Andi, who rarely poops, pooped twice on the hike- I had one diaper and no wipes, and yes, pinecones are too rough for a 5 week old baby bum- I feared she was dehydrating and I started to lose it for a bit here- thinking this was too much latitude and was instead on the verge of parenting ineptness!!).

We hadn’t even really ever talked formally about our parenting style, but Drew and I agree we want to let our kids experience and tackle adventures. To explore new things on their own, to give them boundaries for their safety and well-being, to allow them to try and struggle, fail and overcome, to allow them to exercise their own decision making skills and live into their own personality and freedoms within those loving boundaries. We want to be ready to love them unconditionally, respect their uniqueness, and help them grow their sense of self!

We are amazed at how well are kids respond to adventure and have insurmountable amounts of joy watching them. Other adventures of late include a trip to the Shatto Milk Dairy farm and a Royals Game for Andi’s 8 week birthday! 

That's What They Said

2008-05-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

There has been one quote that got me through having a baby when I felt like I already had a baby. While pregnant, I had questions about whether or not there would be enough love in me to share between two children. Then I read this and returned to it over and over:
"Only love can be divided endlessly and still not diminish"- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

And now I know its absolutely true. My love for Elijah remains and my love for Andi is now present. They are equal but unique loves.
When Drew and I married, we understood we didn't have enough love then to sustain a lifelong marriage. We knew God would sustain and grow us up in love. I'm assuming the same sort of thing happens with the gifts of children...that our love for them will grow, be molded, and intensify. I know all of this love depends on the One who is Love. And that Love is so great we'll never fully understand it.

There is so much about parenthood and mommy-ness that I don't yet know or understand. These quotes help me too!

"When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments: tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become" -Louis Pasteur

"Pregnancy defined is: Getting company inside one's skin" -Maggie Scarf
(Here I totally agree...in a sense I miss my babies once they are born...in my tummy they were always with me and we shared many great chats and adventures without the stress of carseats!)

"Children seldom misquote you. They more often repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said"- Mae Maloo
(This is our present reality with "Elijah the Mimick". There was a recent incident involving Drew and backing up our minivan and an unfortunate scooter of the neighbor girls...a bad word was spoken, and repeated!)

"Once you bring life into this world, you must protect it. We must protect it by changing the world" -Elie Weisel

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in"- Rachel Carson
(I don't completely resonate with the fairies part but like the idea of going with kids into discovery)

"List of parental requirements: Affection without sentiment, authority without cruelty, discipline without obligation, companionship without possessiveness."- William E. Blatz

"Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves." -Marcelene Cox
(This is a tension I face with all of the pooping, crying, holding, washing, feeding that is required with two under the age of two. I hope I pause to take in the grandeur, even amidst the poop.)

Mini Van

2008-05-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a year since posting,which yeilds the insight that free time for writing freely and updating the online community about our life has been allocated elsewhere. Might also say something about Lindsey's getting a Facebook profile and enjoying the ease of keeping up with friends that way! Also- Lindsey is bad at remembering passwords.
Enough excuses. Here's the update:

We are an amazingly blessed family. On April 29th, Andi Gayle Grace Osborne was born. She is beautiful and a great baby who is loved by her big brother and parents. Wow...two kids! It's an adventure by which we feel challenged and overjoyed.

Last evening we purchased a 2002 Honda Odessey minivan. Yes, a minivan. Silver. I couldn't go minivan and gold all in one swoop...silver however seems timeless, classy. It's not a pride booster and is in fact pretty humbling in some ways. However, today was my first attempt at going anywhere alone with my two children and the minivan was amazing. The ease of loading is excellent. The drawbacks: skinny parking spaces, being cut off by two other minivans (are there rules to this minivan life?) and that Elijah somehow threw and hid his Croc somewhere in the back!

Life is new, changing, bigger, and good.

Visits to fun places with fun people

2007-06-23T08:30:00.001-07:00

We've had a great start to our summer! Two weeks of vacation three weeks apart. However, we're home for the rest of the summer so if you want some Osborne in your life, give us a call.

We went to Colorado to celebrate my sister Laura's graduation. Vail!

Then we headed up to Seattle to celebrate another graduation- my cousin Molly graduated from high school. What will the next excuse to travel be after everyone has graduated?

In Seattle, my aunt, a long time friend and spiritual mentor to me said she noticed that I'm having a more difficult time making the transition from being a child to being a parent with a child. This has prompted much thinking. I definately think being a mom is a really hard and selfless job...I struggle with my own selfishness from time to time. I guess when I am around my parents, I let down a bit and let myself be taken care of. However, I see the transition is and needs to happen in healthy ways. Becoming less of a child of my parents means making sure that Drew is first...our marriage and our team comes before any other opinions, insight, or allegiance. I have to put Elijah's needs before my own and take care of him. HOwever, I'm thankful for an ongoing relationship with my parents and family who, when we are together, help to take care of Drew, Elijah and me together. More thinking to come!!!!

You are What you Eat?

2007-04-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

I've been wondering about some things. Do you know the answers?

1. How did the expression "State of the Art" originate? What does that really mean?
2. Don't people who experience big plumber's butt (is there a better term?) outside, feel a draft? Don't they want to correct the issue?
3. Why do they leave certain office lights on in downtown buildings every night? Who turns them on? How do they choose the lighted offices?
4. Isn't hard for Elijah to poop while sitting in a diaper? He is on a kick of grunting them out in the breakfast high chair. I think it would be hard for the little guy with gravity working against him.
5. Will I survive the next 3 weeks with school, work, YL, graduations galore, mommy-ness, wife-ness, and dusting my house?

There are some things I do know:
1. God thirsts for me
2. I can only control my own actions- I must show love.
3. I love my family, my house, my community
4. Elijah does always get the job done.
5. I should complain less...much less.

Happy Pictures Below!
Elijah Enjoys Spring Swinging and Squealing. Also is getting great at "mamama" and "dadadda"'s!

Easter Family Pic at Jacob's Well

Stirred Hearts, Broken Legs

2007-03-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Current family reality- Drew has a broken fibula. Elijah is brining more joy than ever! I love being a mommy. The dog is my parents!

It seems like God has been moving inside of me and inside of Drew and me together to motivate us towards action. To put our desire to follow God and touch God's world into action. We want to bring heaven here. To engage in intentional life with our literal neighbors. To be what we want to find at our church. To live into what God has called us to when we were called to be married. To steward Elijah's life as entrusted to us by the One who holds all things together. To live life in Christ's character, bringing Christ's hope and love to people and situations we see, know, touch.
It seems like its in our head and hearts and we are trying to figure out how to DO what we KNOW. We are humbled and eager.

Drew broke his leg skiing. His lower fibula. He was not skiing above his ability, it was just a freak things. I miss walking Drew. I appreciate now more than ever how helpful Drew is in taking care of our home and loving and playing with Elijah. Props to single mom's everywhere. Wow- I'm a wimp, don't think I could do it. I just keep thinking, "This is a season...a Drew has a broken leg season" and we are so blessed to be healthy people the rest of the year. I'm a bad nurse but am amazed at the strength we all receive every day to do what needs to be done. It's day 6 by the way!

An Elijah update

2007-02-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

6 months ago...we had a sleepy, angel with dark hair....

Now...we have a loud, squealing, clucking, raspberry-ing, cooing occasionally, almost consonant speaking, sleeping-all night, but never cuddling 6 month old with light hair! Elijah is so much fun and very smart and strong! We love waiting to see what he'll do next. His mouth is a playground. He's also enjoying cereal (3 different kinds), sweet potatoes and slowly moving into the green stuff. He enjoys long naps and playing with friends (cousin Lena, Andrew Schumacher and Northland Breastfeeding support group buddies). This is the LIFE!

Going back to school

2007-01-21T18:22:00.000-08:00

My school starts tomorrow. It's my third semester at Central Baptist Seminary and I'm taking New Testament II and Christian Heritage (church history) II. I like the intellectual challenges, the alone time in my car driving there, and the growth in my spiritual and scholastic life. I feel called to be doing seminary right now towards a pretty undetermined goal. I have to say all of these things tonight because I've so enjoyed the lack of school stress over the holidays...knowing that there is no homework hanging over my head. I've enjoyed playing with Elijah, watching movies, getting into watching The Office, staying up late to hang out with Drew, reading a 870 page Harry Potter book, and not having to worry about "creating" bottles for Elijah...if you know what I mean. But I'm going back tomorrow. It will be great and I'm excited to learn and be in community. I'm also okay getting back to going because Elijah's babysitters (Grandma Gayle and Daddy) are anxious for me to restart so they can love on him! (The pic is my first day of school picture from last January)

New Year's Date

2007-01-20T10:50:00.001-08:00

One thing Drew and I are good at is remembering. We love to take time out to think of, talk over, laugh about, and feel warm fuzzies towards, memories. We like to ask each other questions, play truth (as in truth or dare) and come up with lists of favorites: favorite things about each other, about us together, about things we've done.

In this spirit, we've started a tradition. For the past 3 years, all our married New Year's, we've gone out on a New Year's date. Usually with a gift certificate, we go to a nice restaurant on the Plaza and enjoy a yummy dinner and time with each other. During dinner, we make a month-by-month list of big events of the previous year. Despite questioning looks of the waiter, we actually write down bullet points for each month. We remember with fondness, reluctance, warmth, relief, joy, aches, awe, and love all that we experienced, aimed towards, became a part of, and accomplished as people and as a family.

It's a great thing. I'm so glad Drew thought of doing it and hope we'll have a big book of these lists to look back over for all the years we spend together. Probably we'll laugh that on each year's lists, there are spots from whatever food we were eating on the paper- I'm the scribe and also a messy eater.

This year we went to PF Changs, went on January 18th and had to get a babysitter. Lots has changed...seethe month of July!

Christmas and Winter Pictures

2007-01-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

I have finally conquered the picture uploading wall. Here are some shots of the Osborne Christmas 2006 and Colorado time!
This is my current favorite picture of the little guy... he is full of wonder, awe, and expresses so much love. It is a gift.
Elijah loves his toes...we were telling the 4 year old my sister babysits about his "piggies" and she asked, completely puzzled, "What are piggies?". Is it just my family or aren't toes for some reason called piggies? Yes that is a genuine Bronco's, official NFL, onesie and sweatpant outfit. A gift from his aunts. And yes that it a giant monkey wearing a t-shirt...he lives at my grandparents house and he and Elijah became fast friends. Elijah loves life from the sitting up perspective.

Fun family snow pictures!

Snowed IN!

2007-01-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

Elijah is relaxing after a bath at Grandma and Grandpa's house....here he takes a bath in a new, clean, plastic concrete mixing tub....Grandpa's invention so that we don't have to bring our tub here!
My parent's house all covered in a foot of snow!!! So fun and pretty. Non-stop shoveling for Grandpa!!!

Again! This is major Colorado snowstorm number 3 in 3 weeks and number two in 5 days of our visit! We drove to Colorado with our friend Lauren last week to miss the storm which hit 12 hours after we arrived. We've been having fun playing snow football (Drew tried to have sister Laura and I run a hook and latter but we failed!), sledding on the streets, and watching Elijah! There are many eventful Elijah happenings. Since we've been here he's learned how to:
-Sit up!!
-Roll over (tummy to back)
-Laugh!! (he laughed hard at Chandler the golden retriever a few nights ago!)

I also spent the longest time away from Elijah on Tuesday as Drew and I drove to Sante Fe, NM to buy a new, used car to replace the new, used lemon we purchased in April. We are the relieved new owners of an 01 Honda Accord...I'm excited about the V6, sunroof, leather (ie: easy baby clean up) seats, and the safety and reliability.

Wednesday we skiied and now we're both sore! Drew is taking a seminary intensive class the rest of our time here in Colorado Springs with lots of reading and driving back and forth. My plans include more snow days and hanging with my family.

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

The best of times....the worst of times

2006-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

Having a baby is the best thing to ever happen to us. Having a baby is the hardest thing we've ever done. Here's how I see it. Right now, Drew is on a YL Non-Stop weekend...that's 40 Park Hill kids, a chartered bus, snow, rollerskating, bowling, a movie and the mall of America in 36 hours. No sleep. I'm at home...with Elijah. A small but powerful almost 4 month old. We've had a big day. A Happy morning with lots of smiles, laughs and work out time together (me doing Pilates, Elijah in his fish gym). Then we had a long and rough afternoon and evening. He cries so hard. He wants a ton of attention. I can't do much with one hand. He has decided he doesn't like to nurse for very long, it's too boring he says. This makes him fussy and angry too soon. He also doesn't like to sleep when he's tired, he'd rather see the world- he hates to miss anything- or he wants to talk to mommy Not sleeping, also makes him fussy and angry. So, we've had a fussy and angry afternoon and evening.

( I want to insert a picture here but when I upload them...they aren't here! This makes me fussy and angry :) )

I got to thinking, "I thought being a Young Life leader was hard. You have to earn the right to talk to high school kids who think you're wierd to be pregnant in their lunch room, then you have to learn to text message, stay up late at sleepovers, talk to parents, listen to heart wrenching stories about their lives, and love them through many mistakes". This is all very challenging but today I realized, as a YL leader, I don't go home with the girls. I don't feed them, love them in the middle of the night, worry about what time they get home, or put up with temper tantrums. As a parent, this is all ahead of me. I think it might be easier if I was on Non-Stop right now.

However, the worst of times just ended. As I was nursing Elijah for bedtime, I was starting to become frustrated with his lack of sucking/desire to sit up and talk, when I sat him up and found my nursing pad stuck to his leg. I couldn't help but start to laugh...hard. He looked at me and his whole face was taken over by his amazing, arresting, awesome smile. He thought it was funny too. Then we cuddled. Read stories. And prayed. Now he's sleeping. The best of times are the best.

So, Drew will return tomorrow worn out from being up all night for two nights in a row with 17 year olds, and I'll be worn out from a fun and character refining day with our precious 17 week old. And we'll both have learned that life isn't supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be about loving people well. Sacrificing to serve, and relying on Christ for the strength to do it again the next day.

COLORADO

2006-10-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

Elijah and I survived...rather thrived actually...an airplane ride to Colorado today. Major thanks to our aunt Laura! We are escaping it all and visiting family. I've turned off my cell phone. I"ll be back to the world on Monday afternoon. We miss our daddy already.

Philippians and Africa

2006-10-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'm asking a lot of questions because I feel like life is just happening to me each day at a fast pace. There are very few slow, family moments. There is a lot of anxiousness and fretting, less sleep resulting in low capacities for patience and grace. Not excuses...just reality and yes, it, I need to change. I'm learning lots from Philippians:

"Rejoice in the Lord always....Let your GENTLENESS be evident to all" (Phil 4:5)
I am gentle with Eli but am I gentle with Drew? YL kids? HyVee employees? Other Drivers?

"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"
The anxiety and thanksgiving parts stick out to me. I don't want to spend Elijah's infancy being axious. I don't want to constantly feel frustrated about lack of time or difficult situations, I need to be thankful. I made a list the other day...it was only one page...what I have to be thankful for should stretch a list much longer.

And on an unrelated note- Our DVD player broke which means we are not able to watch Grey's Anatomy season 2 as our wind down thing- (which is a scandalous show I know...a conversation for another day). We discussed getting cable TV for the Tevo and a phone line for our house...an extra $60/month. Then, I got an e-mail about starving babies in Africa. There are mom's with nothing to feed their babies...And I want a new DVD player or a $60/month commitment to my own entertainment? I'm challenged in this tension. I want to be involved in meeting human hurts and needs but don't know directly how. This is a conviction and question I hope I don't forget about but rather take action on soon.

Resolve, Running, Raggedy

2006-10-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

Resolve
I have been given a strong willed child. This begs the question, how strong am I? When Elijah cries, he cries hard. When Elijah wants to be awake, he does NOT go to sleep easily. He is friendly, personable, and opinionated. We're having sleeping problems. He's too friendly and social to sleep. When I know he needs to sleep, he often cries loudly. We are on day 2 of trying to make get the sleep he needs. We're on day 2 of listening to a lot of crying. Are we strong enough?

Running
I ran the KC 1/2 marathon on Saturday with my sister Laura. It was great! I felt so good and enjoyed myself immensely. I felt my c-section muscles a bit but overall felt "back" from pregnancy lack of running-ness. The course is great, taking you through fun parts of KC. The trees are turning and the weather was perfect. Oh, and the Commerce Bank sponsored water stop gave small cups of Mike and Ike's and gummy bears! The pefect pic me up! Yeah! Thanks to Drew, Eli and Lauren for cheering us on.

Raggedy
My attempt to have an R title for the excitement of my night. I'm going to The Fray (get it?) concert. I know Ben the drummer. Really I am best friends from high school with his sister. But he e-mailed me and said we could be on the "magic list" since the concert was sold out! Wow! I'm very excited and honored. I baked them cookies. I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for The Fray. I hope they like them.

Linds

Starting Over

2006-10-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here we are! The Osborne family. Drew and I were a family obviously before Elijah came but we've grown and changed. Since July 17th I feel like I've been starting over. Learning a new way of doing life in almost every way...in marriage, in school, with Young Life, with running, doing home life...everything has changed! I feel like I'm overwhelmed and out of control most of the time, giving a little bit of myself to a lot of things and sometimes like I'm doing nothing well. I want this to change. I want to start over in the sense of being transformed...into someone less selfish, more loving, more disciplined, one who clings to Christ and lives like Him. So change me Lord, help me start over in all of these roles to be who you're calling me to be in this new stage of life. This is the new reality...forever different from before. But could you help Eli sleep all night so I could learn these lessons on more sleep?

Family shot...Elijah 9 days old...we went on a date and left him with Grandma Sustad!
Elijah Mark Osborne....6lbs 10oz 20 inches long. July 17 11:19 amHe has sooooo many expressions!

No he's not a boxer....he just had a bath! 11 weeks old Sustad sisters with Elijah in overalls!

We're back

2006-10-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

We were lost...very lost in the web world. We created this site and then forgot even what our name was. Thanks to the help from our friends we now know who we are and can share life again.
Lots of life has occurred...the big stuff: bought house. moved. had baby. traveled to CO for YL camp and family. started new ministry. linds to seminary. drew got new job as part time tennis coach. been busy. love fall. training for a 1/2 marathon race. love our baby. he grows, smiles, talks, uses hands, holds our hearts!

Do you feel caught up? :)

We want to add pics. Still need help with that part!

We're Starting a Family Blog

2006-05-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
This is Drew and Lindsey saying hello!
We're excited to share life and news of our upcoming adventures...most immediately, MOVING to 5408 NW 86th Terr. KC, MO 64154 on June 21st and HAVING A BABY, July 16th (or so!).