March Keynotes

For those who have been far from Chris, allow me (Rebecca) to paint three pictures for you of what he’s been up to since Christmas. . .

Westminster Days

The first is of Chris in the Westminster Library. This is where he spends many of his week-day hours along with his trusty thermos full of coffee and his notoriously heavy black rolling book bag at his side. To my delight, he is not sitting in the library alone all afternoon with just the books to keep him company. He is often studying with a group of guys who also happen to be part of our church. This is actually an answer to prayer, as we had been praying for ways to build friendships in the midst of our busy schedules.

There are three classes he is taking this semester: Old Testament Introduction, Medieval Church, and Old Testament History and Theology II. The Old Testament History and Theology II class has been taking his knowledge of ancient Hebrew to a new level in the rigorous translations required.

Internship

The second picture is of Chris leaning over his guitar, a pen stuck behind one ear and a very content and thoughtful look on his face. He is sitting on his guitar stool or on the floor surrounded by papers. This picture is of Chris’ current project: to compile spiral-ring hymnbooks containing the words and music for our small group to use (as well as compiling a CD to accompany the hymnbook). A large part of the project has been writing down the guitar chords of hymns which aren’t usually accompanied by the guitar, as well as creating sheets with the lyrics and music to praise/worship songs which are more easily available with the lyrics and chords only. It has been time consuming, but we are hoping to be able to use this in the future as well, even when worshipping with family. Last Christmas at the Knaebel home, we found ourselves making copies of one song or another so the whole family could have a copy in their hand.

The small group is made up of five core families, three of those families with small children. We are the youngest couple so it has been a bit intimidating to me. Leading this small group is a part of Christopher’s internship at Calvary Presbyterian. Chris also occasionally leads the service and goes on weekly visitations. I have gotten to join Chris in building friendships with quite a few of those he visits, and it has been such a blessing to get to know these dear people!

At Home

The third and last picture of Chris that I’ll leave you with is of him in the kitchen washing dishes. He stands in our tiny periwinkle kitchen in front of the sink with a blue and white striped towel over one shoulder. This part of his life I’ll call “loving his wife.” Most days I work 7-7 and my ability to keep up with housework and getting meals on the table has been quite insufficient. It is not unusual for me after a day of work to walk into a tidy apartment, candles burning, relaxing music flowing out our speakers, and the table set for dinner. Chris has been preparing more than half the meals these past two months. My favorite so far is his broiled salmon with basil/dill sauce. It’s hard to believe it took me a while to fully appreciate this. Every time he did something that I considered “my job” I felt guilty. I’m learning that the roles in marriage will change depending on the season of marriage.

For those who have been far from Rebecca, allow me (Chris) to paint two pictures for you of what she’s been up to since Christmas. . .

At Work

The first picture, of Rebecca’s work world, is made up of filling many different roles for the Johnson family. To the children, she is primarily caretaker. She is always in the process of either feeding, bathing, watching, playing with, or cleaning up after them. To the parents (Todd and Bindi), not only is Rebecca the primary caretaker of their children, she is also their entertainer, butt-wiper, dishwasher, laundry-washer, house-cleaner, organizer, food-preparer (though with all of the activities of a normal day, she hardly ever gets to eat much of what she makes them; I remedy this by packing her a daily regimen of well-balanced goodness, though finding the time to sit and eat it usually still remains a challenge—as most mothers will agree), errand-runner and occasional grocery-shopper.

Maya just turned 3 years old this week and is a bundle of energy, wanting Rebecca to either play Princess with her (in which, of course, Rebecca is given the role of “Prince”), cook pasta for her (she’d have it every meal if allowed, and often she is given such freedom), go outside to collect bugs (she has a whole china cabinet to display them) or do some other activity. With one arm in Maya’s world, Priya (1 year) is often seen in Rebecca’s other arm. Although she is now walking, she quite often forsakes her newly found skill for the comfort of continually being held.

Rebecca’s work schedule is quite full (plus she has a 45 minute commute each way): Monday evenings from 5-11 she gives Todd and Bindi a date night while doing our laundry; Tuesday thru Thursday she’s there from 7am-7pm; Fridays are from 8am-3pm. Working around the house comes pretty naturally to her but having the majority of her world and energy spent so separately from mine does not (especially when compared to how much time we got to spend together at home during the first year plus of our marriage).

In the Real World

The second picture is of Rebecca trying to unwind after a hard day’s work. The demands of life (food prep, showering, and sometimes sleeping) generally eliminate this category from her normal weekday evening. She enjoys classic movies, a good book, bubble baths, a cup of tea, or a gym visit whenever possible. The weekends are usually spent recovering from the stresses of work, but we often find time for a date, a coffee shop rendezvous, or a get together with my sister and brother-in-law in the midst of normal shopping and living.

We Ask For Your Prayers. . .

§ For Rebecca’s perspective and energy level during these long days to be continually fed by the truth and strength of God.

§ For the Johnson’s, the family Rebecca works for. Pray that Christ would shine through Rebecca as she becomes an integral member of this family. Pray, ultimately, that they would come to know Christ.

§ For Chris’ health to continue showing improvement, and for his discernment as to when to push himself and when to rest.

§ For the Lord to continue growing us as a couple in the midst of such different daily schedules.

§ For the Holy Spirit to be present in every aspect of our small group, and for God to shape and grow us as we learn to minister together in this new context.

For our 2nd anniversary we celebrated once again at The West Avenue Grill, capturing the memory with this picture.