Shana's Update: WEEE hours of the night

So....it is really late and for some reason I can't really get to sleep. Both my favorite men are fast asleep tucked in their beds (or cradle). I have been in Atlanta for over a week now, and I am so excited I still have over a week left till we go back to Louisville. I had a great past week, until I got sick. I was throwing up all night one night, then it faded away pretty fast. It was pretty crazy. Everybody that I hung out with on Sunday pretty much went through it this week, crazy!! That was no fun. Christmas was great as well. It was so cute watching Truett on Christmas, obviously he doesn't have a clue what was going on, but he did get his hands on some wrapping paper (pictures to follow shortly). Today was another great day. The boys all went to see Avatar while Judy and I (Truett too) stayed home and lazied around. We did a puzzle, laundry, ate good food, and started a sewing project. I am trying to build my confidence with my sewing machine one project at a time. Right now I am working on place mats for my dining room table. We'll see how they turn out. Then I am moving on to a curtains, and then an apron.

Lastly, I am so glad to be reunited with Josh. It has been a great couple of days being back together. He hasn't felt that great, but we have still had a good time with each other. This morning he was so sweet. Truett was crying and he took care of him. It was so cute They fell back to sleep, Truett on daddy's chest. Well, the next thing I knew it was like 9:30 and there was no Truett or Josh in sight. They let me sleep in. That was really sweet. Probably why it is 10:30 now and I am not that sleepy.

Almost there...

Night one of my first overnight shift is over. I worked 8pm until 8am. I cut, well, at least 40 tenderloins, and I don't know how many rib roasts. I worked with my boss, Jeff, and we got finished with time to spare. My hands and back hurt but it wasn't too bad. I got home around 8:30am and was in bed by 9. Weird. I feel like I've tricked my body into some crazy punk'd episode. I slept for 8 hours solid - up at 5pm. Now I'm about to go back to work. Another 8 to 8. But after this shift I come home and my friend from down the street, Will, is taking me to the airport at 11:30. I'll be in Atlanta by 3:30pm. We may try to make it to the Christmas Eve service at CCMA. It all depends on flight times and traffic out of Atlanta.

This has been a very strange Christmas for me. I've been alone for a week. Working. Preparing a sermon. Sleeping. Reading. Working. Sleeping. So far it hasn't felt much like Christmas. But tomorrow, Christmas is almost here. I'm looking forward to seeing my wife. I miss her a lot. I also miss Truett a ton. Its weird how much you can miss a little chunky kid that you've never had a conversation with. (No one can call him chunky except me. Got it? Besides, he's the cutest chunky kid of all time)

So - I was awake for 24 hours. Slept for 8. Now I start my next 24+ hours of awakeness. Then...Christmas. More importantly...family. (well, not more importantly in the history of the world. I mean, Christmas did signal the birth of the Messiah. Kind of a big deal. But you feel me right, dawg? And I mean dawg in the "friend" kind of way, not in the Georgia Bulldog kind of way. I would never mean it that way.)

Merry Christmas.

Best of 2009: Books

Its that time of year. Everybody is coming out with "best of" lists. This year is extra crazy because its the end of the decade. Now, all you "its-not-a-new-decade-until-2011" people just spare me. I get it. But its about to be 2010, and for the rest of us its a new decade. Since I can't remember enough stuff to make a "best of list" for the decade, and
I can barely remember what happened this year, and because I'm in seminary all I do is read (not really, but mostly), the best thing for me to make a list of is the books I've read. Here goes:

10 Best Books (Keep in mind I read very little for personal enjoyment, so most of these are books from classes. However, many of my classroom books ended up bringing a lot of personal enjoyment)

10. Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck (not quite finished with this one)

9. God's Greater Glory by Bruce Ware

8. I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norm Giesler & Frank Turek

7. Operation Solo by John Barron

6. Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp

5. Pastoral Leadership for Manhood and Womanhood edited by John Piper & Wayne Grudem

4. Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin

3. Humility by C.J. Mahaney

2. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

1. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

I don't know exactly how many books I've read (or mostly read) this year, but these are probably my favorites. I'm sure I left one or two out. The Institutes were amazing. Its something I never really thought I'd read - especially all of it. I'm very glad I took the class. Even if you're not a "Calvinist" (and Calvin wasn't all-the-way Calvinist), his views on most everything, especially living the Christian life are worth reading - even devotionally. The next two books are don't even come close to equalling Calvin in length, but were very impactful. Just Do Something is a perspective-changer on the will of God. The subtitle says it all, "How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc." Read it. The third book, Humility was very challenging. Its devotional and practical in living a humble life and leading with humility. I won't describe each book, but I'm sure you can check them out on Amazon or whatever your online book retailer is.

OH - all you book people out there who want a good website to find the cheapest books on the web go here.

I don't know what my books will be for next year. I just bought a few new ones. All of our professors went to ETS (Evangelical Theological Society). They always bring back tons of book for the bookstore at half price. So I bought a few. Here's a short list of books I want to read in 2010 (some included are the books I just bought):

Religion Saves by Mark Driscoll

Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll

Adopted for Life by Russell Moore

The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander

Five Views on the Law and Gospel edited by Stanley Gundry

Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul

The Devoted Life by Kelly Kapic and Randall Gleason

Basic Christianity by John Stott

Knowing Christianity by J.I. Packer

Charles H. Spurgeon's Autobiography

Sherlock Holmes (yes, I know the movie is coming out and this is related to that excitement, but hey, they're good right?)

One book that I know I have to read for class is New Testament Theology by Thomas Schreiner. I'm taking a class by the same name taught by Dr. Schreiner. I'm really pumped about that one.

Anyway, that's my list.

Home Alone...AHHHH!

I feel a little like Kevin from Home Alone. Except for the part where I wished that my family disappeared. And except for the part where the bad guys try to break into my fun house of pain. I also don't have creepy neighbors that carry snow shovels and scowl frequently. I guess the only reason I feel like "the little jerk" is that I'm home alone until Christmas Eve. Shana went home with Truett and Zoe on Thursday morning. I can't go because of work. This is, by far, the busiest time of year for us at work. Where our meat department will do $32,000 in a really good week during the summer, we'll do $40k plus on the 23rd and 24th. So needless to say, there's no time off given.

I'm super jealous of Shana and Truett. Today she helped my mom host the annual "Stringer Family Christmas." Basically all of my dad's side of the family comes over. Its at least 50+ people. And we have an awesome family so its always fun. I've missed the last two after attending 29 in a row. I'm glad Shana got to go this year. She texted me some great pictures to confirm what I already knew - they had a great time! Tomorrow she gets to go to church with my parents - which is sweet. Then lunch with my bro and awesome Caitlin. Also, my friends the Watsons and Jordans will be there. AHHH... I have to be at work at 6am to place our meat and seafood orders. Seriously? They've charged me with ordering the most important orders of the year for our department. I'd rather be with my babe, baby, and friends. At least I'm getting some sweet overtime hours this week (10 so far).

Here's my work schedule for the next 4 days until I go home:

Sunday: 6am - 3pm (I think...I may get to come home early)

Monday: 10am - 10pm

Tuesday: 8pm - 8am Wednesday morning

Wednesday: 8pm - 8am Thursday morning

That's right! Two overnight shifts. How exciting. Actually, its not so bad. 12 hours with NO CUSTOMERS or PHONE CALLS! Nice. Basically all I do for 12 hours is cut rib roasts and trim and tie beef tenderloins. I bring my iPod and get to work.

Then I fly home on Thursday at 1:45pm. One of my great neighbors is giving me a ride to the airport on Christmas Eve. Speaking of great neighbors, tonight when I got home there was a plate of food on my doorstep. It was homemade mashed potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, and honey mustard style chicken. I think the Caskey's made the delivery...there wasn't a note, but they're those kind of people that would do something fantastic like that. Actually all my neighbors are, but Adina can flat out cook. So I'm guessing she had something to do with it.

So far the Home Alone time hasn't been too bad. Its quiet. I haven't watched much TV. I've listened to a lot of preaching and music. I've read a lot too. I'm also preparing a sermon. For those of you that don't know I'm preaching at Christ Church of Metro Atlanta on Sunday the 27th. Come if you can! I'm excited about it. I haven't preached in a while so it will be fun.

I think this blog entry is a little longer than I anticipated when I started. And by "a little longer" I mean much longer. I'm typing while watching the Saints mount a comeback against the stinkin' Cowboys. I think they'll come back and win. Just sayin'.

I think that's all. I have to be back at work in about 15 minutes (7 hours...it just feels like 15 minutes since I've only been home for 45 min.). Tomorrow should be a nice afternoon off though. I'll finish my sermon and I'm pretty sure I have a nap I have to take. Good night blogland.

Prayer Request: UPDATE on Jimmy

It's 9:33 pm. I just got back from the U of L hospital. Jimmy had just gotten out of his 3rd surgery a few hours before. John and I got to go back to the ICU and see him. John explained a lot to me. Jimmy was walking home on Sunday night and came up on a few guys. This part is a little sketchy as far as details go. There was only so much the the police told John. He was basically in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was shot 8 times in the abdominal area. One of the bullets severed his femoral artery (the huge artery that goes from the heart to the leg). He was still conscious when the cops got there and was able to give a description of the shooter before he went out. When the femoral artery is severed you can bleed out in a matter of minutes. When Jimmy got to the ER the doctors were amazed he was even alive. Throughout the next several hours he was given 48 units of blood. 48!! That doesn't include the plasma. The doctors told John and the family that it looked grim and to expect the worst. However, people were praying. He survived the first surgery. Then the next. Then the next. The doctors saved both of his legs and he is now in an induced coma. He's on a respirator but could breath on his own if it were ok for him to be awake. He's in stable condition, but not totally out of the woods. Its a very real miracle that he's alive.

Thank you for those of you who are praying. Keep praying for Jimmy, the doctors, and his family. Jimmy is a new and growing believer, but his family members are not Christians. He is a member of a great church (Emmanuel Baptist Church) and his community group is really ministering to the family (food, places to sleep, laundry, etc.). So pray that God would bring his family to salvation through this whole experience. Tonight I really got to see the family of God BE the family of God. Their light was so shining in a way that they were drawing the lost to the Lord. AMEN!!

So tonight was very encouraging. It was great to hang out with John. We talked about serious stuff and about very light hearted, spirit lifting stuff. It was a good time. Pray for John that he could continue to pastor and love this family. He'll need strength and a strong, alert mind. Pray for endurance and wisdom. He will be able to give great counsel to Jimmy's family.

I'll post more updates as I hear about them.

URGENT Prayer Request

It's 5:05 AM, on Tuesday morning. I'm getting ready for work. I noticed that I had a voicemail on my phone from late last night. It was John Tucker (Canadian John... read about him below). He is involved in a ministry to men who are saved out of really rough, and most of the time homeless backgrounds. The ministry provides these men with a structured environment and a place to live. John lives with these guys in a big house right next door to the church they attend in downtown Louisville. Its not the best part of town. One guy in particular is named Jimmy. I've met Jimmy several times. He came to stay with John for a few weeks when John lived across from us. He's a great guy with a rough past. Jesus changed his life. Last night Jimmy was shot. I don't know all the details. Only what John left on my phone. He said its "touch and go" at this point. Pray that Jimmy lives. I don't really know what else to write about it, but I'm just asking for your prayers for this brother.

Shana's Update: Oh How I love Life.

Truett turns 17 weeks tomorrow. I can hardly believe it. I simply love this little guys so much, I am so thankful everyday for the gift to stay home and be a mom and wife. It makes life so much happier.

This was a very eventful past couple of weeks. We said goodbye to two people (I guess it all starts now). Everybody is in a bit of transition here at Seminary so we always knew that goodbyes would happen, but it is sad that they have started already, time really flies by. We went to dinner last Friday with our friend John Tucker. Also known as Canadian John. He graduated and is headed back north to Pastor a church. We are super sad to see him go, I know Josh is going to miss him a bunch, he was his bike riding partner amongst many other things.

Here is one of the few family pics we have. We have tons of pictures of Truett and Josh or Truett and Me, but none of us all together. So, we went to a going away party for yet another one of my friends here and got a shot of us together too. Look at Truett he is so stinking cute.

Here are all my neighbor moms. Also known as the Red Umbrella Ladies. They have become some of my closest friends. Here we are pictured at a going away party for one of them, Sarah (dark hair, back right). They really have been such a blessing to me. We see each other everyday since we lived next door, below, or above each other. They have become almost like sisters. Sarah is the first to leave, and I am super sad. Thinking back to our first day moving in, Sarah was the first one to greet me and welcome me to the neighborhood. We became friends instantly. She has 2 adorable girls and one boy (picture here). Another really great thing, is that we were all pregnant this last round together. Here we are pictures with all our babies. Rachel (in the middle) has since had her baby. It has been such a blessing to have a group of moms right around the corner. To run to their doorstep with an open diaper asking what was on my son's butt. To share a cup of oil or flour. We have sat outside for hours under the red umbrella talking about whatever the wind blew. Sarah has taken the red umbrella with her to her new home. Who knows when the warmer months come where we will sit next. This really is an amazing period in my life. I am so glad that we added on to our family while in this environment. To be surrounded with women like these is such a blessing. Women who love the Lord, love their children, respect their husbands, and are honest as the day is long. I am going to miss Sarah so much, but I guess this is only the beginning of us all going our separate ways. My only hope is that we stay in touch as we spread out.

Jesus Held For Ransom

I saw this on my friend Andy Darnell's blog (link on the right). Isn't this why Martin Luther started the Reformation? So people like Jean don't have to depend on statues of Jesus to protect her dogs' right to poopie? This video cracks me up!

Truett Videos: Laughter heals all things!

Here are some more videos of the most adorable kid on this planet. Can you tell we can't get enough of his laughter.

Us playing at my work on campus.


Josh playing with Truett.


Me playing with Truett.

It has begun...

Well. Its winter. yay. Winter.

I took this on my phone this morning. Yay. Snow.

Obama's War Decision

I haven't had much time to pay attention to Obama's plan for Afghanistan or the war in general, but I think I got the idea of what he's saying. To the Dems he's sounding more like Bush and to the GOP his pre-planned exit strategy is telling the bad guys our plans. Here's my quick theory on his plan and why its changed since his election campaign: When he was on the campaign trail he was planning out of ignorance. He made promises that he didn't know he couldn't keep. There were probably a lot of things going on behind the scenes that was so top secret that he had no idea about. That's probably the reason that Bush had to make some of his decisions about the war. There's so much stuff going on that we don't have any idea about. Once Obama was elected and got all the information he had to change his tune. Notice that when he got elected he didn't touch the war topic for a while. I know the economy was/is pressing, but he never mentioned it even in the face of pressure. Why? He was briefed on ALL of the information that he didn't have prior to becoming the commander and chief. He had to change his position. If that's the case, and I realize that this is totally my opinion, he should just tell us that he's gotten new information that he can't disclose that's caused him to change. It makes sense. It also makes Bush look a lot less stupid for his decisions. Anyway, that's just my opinion.

Shana's Update: Thanksgiving

Dean and Judy came up for the week of Thanksgiving. We had a really great time. Truett was definitely the main event because all we did was hang out pretty much. We had a really good time. As always really good food too. Here are some videos from the week. Truett was always our center piece at the table and we all had a lot of fun with him. As you can see two of the videos are him in the bumbo on the dining room table.


Here is one with Dean playing with Truett. Dean seems to have the touch to always make Truett laugh.



Here is Judy with Truett talking his head off.


Truett at the dinner table again.

Shana's Update:Toby Mac

Most of you who know me that I am a fan of Toby Mac's music. Well, we took our students to the Winter Slam where he was playing along with some other great artists. We had a really great time. We even took Truett. No worries his head was full of cotton, but I am sure I got a few crazy looks from people wondering why I had a baby there. I only saw one other baby there besides mine.


Right now this is my favorite song of his. You can hear me jamming to this while driving down the street occasionally. Or hear me jamming with this in the ipod as I clean house.


You can see all of us jamming.

P.s. I said jamming a lot. :)

Truett Video: Dance Dance

Last Friday the Joneses were out of town (they live below us) so we thought it was a good opportunity to pull out the Dance Dance Revolution game for our students. We had a really good time. Here is Scott playing with Truett.


This video is to get back at Josh for my drumming Rock Band video. If you haven't seen that you can check out our youtube videos for it.