At a New in Ministry meeting last year (where un-ordained boys become men [like David Shin]) Pastor Loren Nelson, our Ministerial Director (or immediate boss), talked about Sabbath traditions — things that he does with his family to welcome the Sabbath.  This was an important part of his pastoral experience.  I found out later during one of Pastor Jay Gallimore’s two visits to our place in the UP that he also had a Sabbath tradition: Teriyaki Stakes for the Nelsons, Pasta for the Gallimores.

Other friends of the fam, like GYC President Justin McNeilus and his wife Stephanie do a double tradition: Taco Dinner (passed from her side of the family on Friday) and Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast (passed from his side of the family on Sabbath).  Luke Whiting used to eat Fruity Pebbles on Sabbath when he was young.  I think Joelle had a special set of toys for the Sabbath.

Anyhow, Judy and I thought of a tradition that we could start for our family.  So that the kids could look at Sabbath as a special treat.  There have been some ups and downs to this endeavor.  The downs?  We’ve introduced drums to the worship service.  Judy (maybe it was me) got Manu some instruments for Sabbath family worship song service at our house.  And it included a drum.  We didn’t think much of it — “The drum is not a bigger sinner than the trumpet” — CD Brooks in I Want My Church Back.  Until Manu started dancing with Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho.  I think he got his dance moves from Grandma Namm.  The move is called “The fall down” and it’s a bouncey, pouncey, gettin’ down motion.
(Notice: the above comments regarding Manu’s worship experience has been written for comic value only and should not be interpreted in any way, shape, form, or sub-form as an indication of apostasy (apostasia in Greek) in his worship experience as a Seventh-day Adventist-church-dedicated baby)

On a good note…

One of our favorite Sabbath traditions is our Friday night meal.  Pastor Kevin Paulson gave us some crazy golden-gobblets for our wedding present.  They’re gold-plated.  Upon hitting some rough times (financially), we thought of selling them for mega loot cakes but resisted the temptation and held on to them.  So on Friday night, we pull them out to welcome the Sabbath together.  We also have what Manu calls “Sabbath Juice”  to go right into them.  We get the juice from World Foods in town.  It comes from some other country: Thailand, or some country in Africa maybe. 

This isn’t Mango juice.  It’s Mangue jus exotique! 

We got back the golden vessels that Neb stole from Israel.  Thanks Kevin Paulson!

Judy also invented the Sabbath Roll (I named it though).  Ingredients:  Avocado and some secret ingredients.  The Sabbath Roll is what I look forward to every week.  I eat three to four of them with some Thai hot sauce and soy sauce.  It is such a great way to start the Sabbath!  And Justin Namm, you better not be thinking of any fat jokes and comments. 

This is the Manu Roll.  I’ll give you a hundred dollars if you can guess why.  Only one guess.

The finished product.

I’m thankful for Sabbath traditions.  From great food to start the weekend to our three church preaching marathon every week, to Marv always waiting for me at the exit of our middle church to talk to me for a couple of minutes before I rush off, to our Head Elder’s long prayers, to parking across the street in the winters because of the snow in our parking lot, to sneaking in through the back at our last church and finding that Ernie left a bulletin there for me, to a nap while the kids nap to recover from the marathon, to looking forward to the next Sabbath with the family again and being sad when I miss a weekend at home. 

May the traditions continue throughout eternity with food at the tree of life and preaching marathons done by the holy men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The End.

PS: Judy’s “efficient” side kicked in and wanted to put these pics up so that she wouldn’t have to post later on….
 
 


More traditions: when I go through Amsterdam, I always get her the same flowers: Tulips.  (Guys getting flowers for girls at international airports: It’s a pain trying to clear customs with them and not all flowers get to go through… only ones purchased at certain places, so do your research.  Why do I go through all the hassle?  Take notes, fellas — that’s why I got married ahead of the class!)

At the peak of Micah’s weight outrage!  His head is bigger than Manu’s (whose legs are falling asleep and required that the photoshoot be cut short).

The new and improved “streamlined” Micah.  I erased the comment that I was gonna put regarding my expression.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not: Micah is actually wearing a turtleneck.  He’s sporting some Alice Park. 

Tom: These are not gang signs.  They are peace signs.  Manu, however, doesn’t have it right yet.  But he’s learning.  Bentley ended up killing wal-mart man (Manu loved him so much that he’s seen here [in their last picture together] sitting on him: an obvious sign of affection for a boy his age…daddy is behind him sitting on green man ball)

Hopefully he doesn’t become dependent on the swing, Judy 🙂