a*bridge: the in-laws’ basement edition

Highlight(s) of the Week: Abe and I got to spend some quality time with my side of the family for Christmas. We had some fun playing with the nephews and niece. My mother brought her A-game to the (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) table. And it was also nice to find that I’ve still got it; I can still get ‘em laughing so hard they nearly fall out of their chairs. Booyah!

Book(s) I’m reading: I finished The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this past week and am now on The Horse and His Boy. Long Live Aslan!

Music I’m digging: The spirit of Christmas is still alive and well in the Mick house. I’ve been thinking a lot about and meditating on the period between Christmas day and Epiphany (the 12 Days of Christmas) which has enabled me to remain in the mood for Christmas music. Now this is weird for me to say, but I am really digging a song by Faith Hill. Check out the track A Baby Changes Everything on Faith Hill’s new Christmas album, Joy to the World, if you haven’t already!

What’s brewing: At home we’re brewing Starbucks Café Verona thanks to my brother-in-law. He knows me well. His Christmas present to me was a pound of coffee and a book I’ve been meaning to read for some time. But since I’ve been booted from my house and have set up shop at my in-laws today, I’m brewing a very, very tasty Guatemalan French Roast from Coffee Ambassadors. 

Vocation/Ministry update: No comment.

Looking forward to: This next Sunday our church, Echo Park, will be announcing whether or not we will pursue a marriage with Two Rivers Church. This is an exciting time. I’ve had the honor and privilege to serve as an elder so I’ve been able to be a part of the dreaming and strategy meetings. It’s been really neat to witness how God is moving and has been moving in these two communities to (perhaps) prepare them for this joint venture.

a*bridge: a day late/christmas eve edition

Highlight(s) of the Week: I rearranged our dining room and created a lovely, little reading nook. It’s awesome. I’ve spent many hours in it already. Pretty lame highlight, but I haven’t got much going on right now.

Book(s) I’m reading: I’m nearly finished with Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I am reading it in preparation for something I have never done, but should have long ago. I used to hang out with a great group of guys at the home of an incredibly intelligent and profoundly generous C.S. Lewis Scholar. We would sit for hours and wax theological. And in those hours I learned much of Mr. Lewis and grew to love him for what he has done for so many people. But I ashamedly had never undertaken, in its entirety, the Chronic (What) cles of Narnia. Anyway, we received this for Christmas from Abe’s folks. It is time.

Music I’m digging: Damien Jurado’s And Now That I’m In Your Shadow. Track 9, I Am Still Here, has pretty much been on repeat for a couple of days now.

What’s brewing: This is ridiculous, but we are brewing Folgers. We found ourselves completely out of coffee late the other night. Knowing that any coffee is better than no coffee at all, I tiredly purchased a $3.50 (cheap!) tin of Folgers Gourmet Supreme Dark Roast from the Pseudo-Hy Vee down the street. It kind of tastes like it was brewed through a dirty sock.

Ministry update: Nothing new. Quit asking. I’ll let you know when I know something. Sheesh!

Looking forward to: Christmas!

a haiku

a shard of heaven

catches the light as it lands

softly on my nose.

a*bridge

 

Highlight(s) of the Week: One of the best parts of the week has got to be the institution of what I hope will be a weekly “meeting” with Brandon, Jake, and Ryan at Caribou Coffee. 

Book(s) I’m reading: I finished Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman this week. Loved, loved, loved the ending.  I’m still trying to finish up  What is the What by Dave Eggers. I think I’m going to begin Eugene Peterson’s  Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology;it’s been on my bookshelf for like three years and is just dying to be read. I’m also totally stoked about adding to the library with some Christmas money. Please feel free to leave a comment with some suggestions for “must-reads.” I’ll be placing my order in the next few days. 

Music I’m digging: I broke out some old Sigur Rós: Takk… this week. Timeless. Also been listening to some City on a Hill: Christmas. Track 8, Manger Throne, is a great song. 

What’s brewing: We’re currently brewing Starbuck’s Christmas Blend thanks to a timely gift from Jake Bouma. 

Something(s) that blew my mind: Many of you know that I am currently unemployed. While we aren’t going to be living out of our car anytime soon, things have certainly gotten tighter around the Mick household. Over the last week I have really been aware of how kind and generous our friends and family are. Some have bought me a cup of joe, or cooked us a meal, or given us delicious Christmasy treats. I doubt that any of you feel like it’s charity, I just think you are that great. Your generosity has blown my mind. Thank you.  

Ministry update: Nothing really new to say here. I put my resumé into a couple of places in the social service field this week. We’ll see what doors open up from that. But I’m still holding out for a strong possibility for a position in ministry in West Des Moines. Hopefully I will know more within the week. 

Looking forward to: I have to admit that I’m chomping at the bit to place that big Christmas order from Amazon. Abe and I are also pretty excited about helping out Jake and his youth group from St. Mark Lutheran with a Parents’ Night Out on Friday evening.

because I am involved in mankind…

Genesis.

Pangaea?

Archipelago?

Judith Vestal, Clyde J. Williams, Brandon Mick, and John Donne.

a haiku

 

Barren trees splinter-

Macabre clouds of blackbirds

Stain the frost-blue dusk.

a*bridge

Stole this idea from Jake Bouma and Dikran et al., but I thought it would be a good way to ease myself back into the waters of the blogosphere. These updates or abridgments of my life are currently coming at a time of unemployment and searching. They shall serve as a means for you, the reader, to keep up on my/our life; as well as a reminder to me, the writer, that life continues even in the face of nothingness.

Highlight(s) of the Week: Abe and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on Sunday. That woman is amazing and the love of my life. She planned our celebration this year, so we got a couple’s massage at Serenity AVEDA Day Spa. It was supposed to be a surprise for me, but the Spa called me to confirm our appointment; thus spoiling said surprise. To make up for their blunder, they had a box of chocolates and a bottle of champagne waiting for us when we got there. It was very romantic. Besides a sports massage, which is more painful than relaxing, this was my first time. It was great. I especially liked the part when, on your back, they lift your head and pull while shoving a knotted fist under your shoulder blade. It’s incredible. Abe’s favorite part was the foot scrub and hot towel treatment. She said she had no clue how ticklish her feet were. Cheers to my wonderful wife of 6 years!

Book(s) I’m reading: I  just finished a great little book titled Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church by Michael W. Foss. I’m currently trying to finish up a couple of fantastic contemporary novels: What is the What by Dave Eggers and Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman.

Music I’m digging: I’m not listening to a lot of music right now. I’ve been listening to NPR in the car and am currently obsessed with The Moth Podcast thanks to Jake.

What’s brewing: We’re currently brewing Mahogany from Caribou, but it’s running low. I’m really having a hard time drinking anything but dark roasts lately. 

Something(s) that blew my mind: LOST! Holy crap! I’ve known for some time that I should have been watching this show all along, but only recently have I taken to it. This show is amazing. I’ve polished off Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3 in the last few weeks (all 16.5+ hours of Season 3 were watched last weekend alone).

Ministry update: As many of you know, I have come to the conclusion that the construction business is not my bag and that I am currently looking to get back into the ministry. There is still as strong possibility hanging out there in the Des Moines metro area, but nothing is certain yet. 

Looking forward to: LOST Season 4 hits stores today, I think. I’m hoping Blockbuster will put it on the shelves immediately.