The Pops

So, I am a father to a delightful little baby girl, whom we call Hannah Joy Anderson, or baby girl, Han (not to be confused with Han Solo), Giant Lungs, and a whole host of other things. She was born 9 lbs. 3 oz. at 1:49 am on Saturday, and she won't stop eating...

In any case, please check either Heather's facebook, or my own, for pictures, since I will reserve the blog for reflective words, and such.

We are well, God is infinitely good, and babies change your whole life.

God bless,

The Pops

Soon...

Its hard to believe, but the ticker timer for our new baby is coming to an end. Approximately 1 week is left before Heather reaches her due date. The calm before the storm is upon us. I have always found this to be the strangest kind of position to be in. It is similar to the moment before you are called to give your grade 6 speech. You are the next kid up, and are frantically flipping through cue-cards in hopes that you have memorized what you are going to say. In other ways, it is far from similar to this. Work keeps me busy, so the time has felt very fast. It is nearly August! Where has my summer gone? Alas! Heather is feeling well, and looks like a beautiful balloon. I love this woman. She is a wonderful helper, and she knows me super well.

I'm going to be a father. Woah. Pray for us friends, in the next week or two, and I will do my best to keep you updated!

Value God above all else, because he is reality.

T

Recent Happenings

Well folks, life moves quickly when you dig holes all day... Work has been full of long hours, which means money and exhaustion. It is strange to be so busy when I was at one time so free to use my time as I pleased. Heather and I were able to go on a date downtown, which itself is a blast, but with her is far better. I suppose that means it was something like a large explosion... Strange analogies for time spent together. We were checking out bookstores on Water street, and I need to revisit in order to stock up on some classics, but here is what we decided to add to the growing library on Aylmer street.

Heather - Do it Yourself Gifts (a make it at home gift book idea, which included sewing patterns, and the like. Three cheers for domestication! I love my wife)

Todd
-William Wordsworth biography by E. Hershey Sneath
-Major works of Wordsworth (Red spine classics edition)
-10 Colloquies of Erasmus.

I had my eye on a biography of Augustine, and some of Thomas Moore's works, but now that I think about it, I either have to learn to read like Spurgeon, or be content with the fate of having far to many books on my 'TO READ' list. In any case, it was a splendid day which included a trip to Gator Pita, as well as the splendid experience of getting kicked out of a new patio, which had a very open concept but was intended for customers of "Dancing Blueberries". We ought to observe that one on another outing. Its always good to alliterate. Do you ever get that hankering to Figure of Speech? You lean over to your buddy and say, "Lets go personify some glass!" It sounds like stealing...

We also had a chance to visit Giant Tiger and see Caleb out at HVDC. It was there that we bumped into Dan and Rachel Sargeant, hung out at their house eating Rhubarb muffins and drinking Arab tea, speaking about the most important kinds of things.

My project for the next week is to spend time critically writing about some of the musical issues at Braidwood Bible Chapel. I plan on coming up with some solutions, so as to take practical steps in solving the problems rather than merely critiquing them. As my thoughts coalesce, I look forward to spending time on this, and hope that it may be useful. In one sense it is very foreboding, because I don't really understand the complications invloved. I do know that there are many people who are fired up about change in this area, and I hope to make it a little bit more concrete. Please pray about these things. I am submitting my work to Stephen June 2nd.

In any case, have yourselves a wonderful weekend, and stop by the house. Thanks to Ben and Mel for their lovely note!

Todd

Blur

Things are fairly busy in the Anderson/Lawton household. We are getting close to the 'unpacked' stage, but somehow I feel like certain things will never be unpacked. We are about to sit down to another supper, but before that, I just want to post that I am alive, and working long hours, kicking myself for the excess time wasted when I had it, and enjoying the new chapter in this existence. My wife is beautiful, and starting to waddle, which is awesome.

Paul wanted me to post that he is the 'King'. Of what I am not sure... Uh oh! Dinner is on the table. Hopefully will post again soon,

Peace,

Todd

School Hangover

Well, I had one of those weeks, where full-time work meets full-time school. For those of you who have experienced this at any level, you understand that it is a rough go. In any case, after a brief final bout with school I have emerged.

Throughout my class on Worship, I have been inspired to continue to develop musically. Part of this has manifested itself in the writing of new songs, and part of it has manifested itself in my desire to work through the Olney Hymns. So far I have written music to two songs, one of Newton's and one of Cowper's (/cooper/, not /cow-per/), and am considering a CD which may include them, as well as (and more importantly) speaking with the elders at Braidwood concerning this.

I'll post the songs in time. For now, my muscles are recovering...

Work

Praise the Lord for a job this sunny season! I am working for a landscaping company doing manual labour. Raking, digging holes, etc. Its sort of like a re-run of the gravel days at HVDC. Only this time I get paid!

That's all for now.

Update?

its a beautiful day... Don't let it get away!

In other news, I am busy, and this is a sorry excuse for an update.

i'll come back later... i hope.


t

Fresh...

I thought this place needed some sprucing up. Currently in Ajax with the wife (who is doing well). I am hunting jobs in Ptown, and looking forward to moving back in May. My creative side is bouncing around like crazy these days, and I decided to devote some more time to consistent creative writing. I hope to update the looks of this place as time goes on, but I figure after a couple of years it deserves some love.

In everything, live to God's glory. Nothing else is so exciting and enjoyable.

Hey writers, keep writing!

And then there was SNOW

Heather and I are hanging out in Ajax with her parents. Doctor's stuff tomorrow. It looks to be a pleasant evening. I have thoughts to post some more on constructive reading. Hopefully that comes soon.

There appears to be a massive amount of snowfall scheduled to hit Hamilton through GTA. Looking forward to driving through that tomorrow!

Have a good night!

Party in KW this Saturday!

Drink milk instead of water.


ps. facebook is crazy!

A Blast from TO

Quick update

I am currently taking a course titled "History of the Bible" as part of a masters program I am inching into down in the big smoke of Toronto. For the week, I will be riding the ways/streetcars downtown, hoofing it across these enormously post-pocket-protected-people-packed blocks (that's a before-and-after for you jeopardy fans out there) in order to go to hear a prof from 9-4 discourse on the tiniest details which lead up to the creation, compilation, and transmission of Holy Scripture. Just for a taste of the intensity, it is day 2, and we are still discussing the types of materials used to actually write down the stuff. My dear wife and our baby to be (Lord willing) is in Waterloo, and I miss her dearly! I love you two!

On the side, I listened to Mark Driscoll discuss the Virgin Birth as part of a series they are doing, and as usual, he managed to make both my ribs and head hurt at the same time. I liked his idea for "daughter dates".

"The string that resounds longest was plucked hardest."

al'Ander

My Hero: King Jesus

post to come, its Christmas Eve...

Abstract

-Thoughts on the power of God in the lives of close friends. Eagerly anticipating...
-Thoughts on the scandalous nature of the King of the Universe's birth.
-Thoughts on true heroism.

So I have been catapulted into the Publishing industry. I feel like a foose-ball being kicked around by aggressive, and extravagantly coloured, plastic men. The job arose out of a trip to Toronto Baptist Seminary with the C&C (no not command and conquer) group of Grace Bible Church. After a fascinating time, which included a surprise visit from some close friends, and a call to live a life of worship as described in Romans 12, my wife and I drove back to K/W area with a member of the C&C group. On the way home, Heather fell asleep, and I this woman and I talked about life, interests, her job, my lack of one, etc... The conversation came around to my interests in grammar, english, and whether or not I was a fan of the editing/proofing process. This is me. I'm the kid who drools over linguistics, and fusses exceptionally over the grammar and content of every email I send. God's absolute control over the events of this world is astounding. In any case, Janice asked my if I would be willing to work on a book being published through Joshua Press. 5 Chapters into a book on Wesley and Socialism, I am enjoying it thoroughly. I never realized how many endnotes could exist in one chapter. In any case, God is providing, Heather and I are well, opportunities to spend time with the pastor of Grace are growing, and I am studying John and being fascinated. Oh ya, go immediately to www.desiringgod.org and check out the conference stuff. You trent students, listen to it. There is some interesting insight into our post-modern world. Noah, you remind me of Driscoll.

My time is running short,
peace,

al'Ander

Be Nice to those 411 folk.

So I thought I would try my hand at the call-centre gig, and for the moment (half way through training) I enjoy it. Directory Assistance is one of those bizzarre jobs where you work to provide phone numbers as fast as possible to those who (generally speaking) are either Voice-Automated-Illiterate, thickly-accented, or mumblers. The job itself is sort of like the intellectual side of tree-planting (if there is such a thing) because speed and accuracy are the key elements. Everything about the odd keyboard we use in DA is designed toward that. The hard part is the amount of information which must be known in order to deal with all types of situations. Its a kin to the intense physical rigors of crossing swamps, climbing over trees, and enduring crazy weather systems, only in the brain. So I'll give it a whirl, realizing that I have the better end of the deal because (hopefully) these customers actually want the information I gots. So treat your 411 agents nicely, because you just might get me, and I just might not appreciate the breathing-down-your-neck-and-get-me-your-supervisor kind of angry that exists in this field.

On to bigger and better things however:

I was reading John 2 yesterday, writing out a fair bit of the passage, and suddenly my brain turned sideways, and the whole turning water into wine miracle stunned me. Here are some thoughts and observations which I am currently investigating. This stuff is craziness!

1. The jars Jesus told the servants to fill with water were used for Rites of Purification. He changes that water into great wine. Purification, wine... Something is odd here.

2. What is Jesus talking about when he says to his mom: "Woman, what does this have to do with me, my time has not yet come?" Is he saying, "Hey mom, give me a couple minutes" or is he talking about his death, or what?

In any case, the 1st question pretty much blew my mind, particularily when I looked up in Numbers that they sprinkled water of 'purification' before sacrifices and offerings were given. My take is this: Water of Purification is a physical act of what is supposed to be a heart-felt affection. The Jews tended to (and don't we do this too!) associate these commands as having effectual significance, and over time traditionalized the whole ceremony, so that it was not a true representation of what was going on in their hearts. Purifying our hearts is the issue, the water simply reminds us. Jesus changes the reminder from water into wine. What does wine represent? Joy, Happiness. Read Song of Songs, or many other passages, which talks about Wine being a symbol of a 'full life' or enjoyment. This has definitely strayed from exegesis, but stay with me for a moment. The thing which purifies our hearts is that which also enraptures our hearts. Christ. He is our purification (Heb 1:3) and our desire, our joy, our satisfying drink. Why do we take communion? What is that emblem of wine associating? Joy and Sorrow, Life and Death. Perhaps the cool thing is that Jesus made the best kind of wine, not some crappy vintage. Just like the joy he gives is the best kind of joy, because it originates out of him.

Heather and I are doing well, seeing as we worship King Jesus. I like that title. It reminds me to think of Jesus as our champion warrior, gone out to defeat the enemy's champion on our behalf. All our hopes ride in the strength of his arm, and he has a righteous right hand.

Peace friends

News

Heather and I are coming to Ptown this weekend. She works a bit Saturday, and we hope to go to Braidwood on Sunday. We hope to visit with some of you lovely Peterborough folk, take your books, clothes, and chocolate, and retreat once again to Kitchener. Beware the Andersons!

KW

Well, Heather and I made it. We have crash landed in Kitchener Ontario after an exciting time near Alongonquin. Heather is at school, and I am running around shopping, cleaning, cooking, and trying to figure out phone/internet/job issues. Bell Mobility folk are smooth talkers. I think it is a bizzare cultural thing that I missed. First the Employee sterotypes me as a person who should understand all of the high-gimmerick of her electronic trade. She speels out info and questions concerning what I needed, and then (with a slight grimace) realizes I didn't quite understand what she was saying, so she re-stereotypes, grabs a piece of paper, and writes everything down, explaining High Speed, DSL, and Dial-up. It kind of made me chuckle inside. In any case, I am finding out facinating things about life while residing in KW. The highway sections are like this puzzle which keeps shifting around so you never know quite how to solve it. The roads intersect eachother and then run parallel, kinda like a DNA strand. And I am finding out the value of community centres and government run programs as I type away in one. Needless to say, things are fresh, I am in the business of hunting out every internet nook and cranny in this town until I can solidify my own, Heather and I are church hunting, and I'm going to try Chiken a la King (or somesuch) for dinner tonight. I'm going to pull the greek books out and study intently this year, hopefully so I can read my GNT with affinity. I hope the TCF community is doing well, and I miss Braidwood. Church hunting begins this Sunday. We might try and check out some Christian Reformed folks. Who knows!

Gotta run, there is lots to do down here.

God speed friends,

Todd

Time

24 hours 2 mins and counting...

Yep. Singleness is dwindling...

9366 minutes

And I am excited. Truly anticipatorily excited.

Closing in on Afraid...

11 days...

Steely Nerves

Yep that's right... 18 days to go.