Why I Still Stink at Guitar

I lug my guitar up from the basement, search my notebook for Sunday's songs. I lay them on the sofa, take out my guitar, and begin playing through the first song.

Lord, You're calling me to come
And behold the wondrous cross
To explore the depths of grace
That came to me at such a cost . . .

I notice Malachi crawling onto my guitar case. "You know you're not allowed to be on Mommy's guitar case," I remind him. "Please get down." He does.

Lord, You're calling me to come
And behold the wondrous cross
To explore the depths of grace
That came to me at such a cost . . .

Malachi is at my knee, insistently handing me a different-colored pic. I ignore him as long as humanly possible (about 4 measures) and then take the tye-dyed pic from him. He beams.

Lord, You're calling me to come
And behold the wondrous cross
To explore the depths of grace
That came to me at such a cost . . .

I trade in the tye-dyed pic for the orange one Malachi is trying to give me and decide to move on . . .

Where Your boundless love
Conquered my boundless sin . . .

. . . trade the orange pic for a pink one, as he drops about 4 others into the guitar's sound hole . . . oh well, I'll get them later.

Where Your boundless love
Conquered my boundless sin . . .

Karis: "Mom, will you put the diaper back on my baby doll?"
Me: "I will as soon as I'm done playing through this song, Sweetie."

Where Your boundless love
Conquered my boundless sin, and mercy's arms were opened wide
My heart is filled with a thousand songs, proclaiming the glories . . .

Rachel: "Mom, when will you be done? We NEED you to put this diaper on - we can't do ANYTHING until you do."
Me (getting irritated): "You NEED to wait just a few more minutes until I'm finished with the song."

My heart is filled with a thousand songs . . .

I notice Malachi freaking out and banging on my guitar case. "Malachi, do you want a spanking? Do not climb onto Mommy's guitar case!" He cries harder. I'm in the process of taking him to his room, when Rachel lifts the top of the case, to reveal about 4 toy trucks inside. He squeals in delight, and I try to figure out when on earth he put those things in there. I grab my guitar once again and attempt to play . . .

My heart is filled with a thousand songs . . .

Zeke: MOM!

Proclaiming the glories of Calvary . . .

Zeke: MOM!!

With every breath, Lord, how I long . . .

Zeke: MOM!!!

To sing of Jesus, who died for me . . .

Zeke: MOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!

Me (trying to sound patient): What's the emergency??

Zeke: LOOK AT MY SNAKE! I MADE IT OUT OF LEGOS!

Me: Wow, Buddy - that's impressive. OK, go make something else! And remember: indoor voice.

Zeke: OK MOM!!!!

I spot the doll laying on the sofa and decide to go ahead and put on the stinkin' diaper to save myself the trouble later. Besides, I'm beginning to wonder if I will EVER be done practicing this song.

Lord, take me deeper, into the glories . . .

Karis: Mom, will you help me put on her PJs?
Me: Rachel! Will you please put on the doll's PJs?
Rachel: *sigh* OK. I don't know why I always have to do everything around here.

At a loss for words, I decide to go back to the song . . .

Me: Hey, where did all my pics go?
Everyone stands there and stares at me.
Me: Malachi, did you take Mommy's pics?
Malachi: Unna couch.

I feel around under the couch, and sure enough, there they all are. OK, deep breath - let's just get through the song.

Lord, take me deeper, into the glories of Calvary.

Yes! On to verse 2!

Sinners find eternal joy
In the triumph of Your wounds . ..

Zeke: MOM!!!!!!

By our Savior's crimson flow
Holy wrath has been removed . . .

Zeke: MOOOOMMM!!!
Me: What now?
Zeke: I MADE A BIRD PLAYING VIDEO GAMES!!
Me: Wow! Very good! (I could actually kind of see it)

I turn back to my music.

Sinners find eternal joy
In the triumph of Your wounds
By our Savior's crimson flow
Holy wrath has been removed
And Your saints below
Join with . . .

OK, WHAT IS GOING ON?! (The sounds of crying / fighting have grown steadily louder)

Zeke: KARIS JUST KICKED MY BIRD AND BROKE IT ALL IN PIECES!!
Me: Karis, you're finished playing with legos. Now, go sit in the green chair, and no talking! Zekers, why don't you go make something really big, using ALL of the legos!
Zeke (sniffling): OK

And your saints below join with Your saints above
Rejoicing in the risen Lamb
My heart is filled . . .

I hear a piercing screech, followed by sobs and gasps.
Rachel: MOM! Malachi just fell!
I scoop up my crying son and kiss his forehead, which now sports a rapidly growing goose egg.
Rachel: Can I please finish painting my tea set?
Me: We'll be eating lunch as soon as I finish playing through my songs. After that, you may finish painting.
Rachel: OK. When will you be done playing?
Me: I have no idea.

Malachi seems to be OK, so I sit him down with a slice of cheese, which he devours.

My heart is filled with a thousand songs
Proclaiming the glories of Calvary . . .


Zeke: MOOOMMM!!!
Me: What?
Zeke: NOW I MADE A DINOSAUR LEG AND FOOT!!

I look, and sure enough, he's made a ginormous dinosaur leg and foot, using all of the legos. Why, oh why, is he ONLY fast when I actually WANT him to be slow?

"OK, listen up, everyone!" I holler. "DO NOT interrupt Mommy anymore. I need to finish this song!!"
Karis: "Mommy, can I get down?"
Me: No! Not until I'm finished.

My heart is filled with a thousand songs, proclaiming the glories of Calvary
With every breath, Lord, how I long to sing of Jesus, Who died for me . ..

Me: Mr. Moo, I don't need any help playing the guitar, buddy.

Lord, take me deeper, into the . . .

Me: No, I also don't need any more pics.

Lord, take me deeper, into the glories . . .

Malachi: I pooped.

Lord, take me deeper, into the glories

Karis: Mommy, if Zeke is mean to me, does that mean he's going to hell?

Lord, take me deeper, into the glories

Rachel: Can Alli PLEASE come over? I'm bored.

. . . of Calvary

Zeke: MOM! I MADE THE EIFFEL TOWER!

Wright Family 2009 Christmas Letter

The end of one year, the beginning of another . . .

I've said it before and it's still true: I wish Danny and I could sit down across the table from you, and over mugs of hot coffee (or your beverage of choice) pour out our hearts about the ways we've each seen Christ at work over the past year. But, because of time and/or distance, this poor attempt at a year-end blog update will have to do for now. (Feel free to have a hot cup of coffee with me while you read it!)

Along with millions of others, I gather a few moments here and there to pause and remember what 2009 has held for our family. And to resolve to do better with certain things in 2010. It hasn't been an easy year, in a lot of ways. But it's been a good one. Because God is good - so good He sent His only Son Jesus to be born in an unassuming little stable in Bethlehem, so He could later give His life to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). He's offered us eternal life and salvation from our sins! Everything else is just gravy, really.

Speaking of gravy, God has gifted us with a lot of it! Danny and I are so thankful for each other and for our 4 little munchkins. Here is a brief update on their craziness:


Rachel (Shrumshine)
This year Rachel turned 7 and began second grade. She has loved being involved as a Spark in the AWANA program - it keeps her, and us, accountable to memorize Scripture regularly. She also enjoyed playing soccer this spring, with Daddy as her coach. We thought the soccer was a good idea, since everything else in her life is about as girly as it gets. Her great loves are spending time with friends, talking, helping me around the house, BTO Yogurt, talking, reading "Magic Tree House" books, writing in her journal, and talking. If you're ever tempted to ask her what a book is about, trust me - you will save time by actually reading the book! She has a very chatty side, but she can also be very reflective, asking questions that often make me stop and think, or tell her to wait and ask her dad when he gets home! Other words to describe her would be: imaginative, bossy, dramatic, craft queen. Oh, and she also has the best smile ever - so sweet.





Zeke (Beef Man)
Now that he's 5 and in kindergarten, Zekers has begun referring to himself as "Ezekiel", but skeptical Mommy doesn't think it will stick. I have never been around a child who loves school, and riding the bus, so much. He loves doing "centers" with his classmates. He loves to read. And he loves to talk very loudly. His teacher recently informed me that he is the loudest student in his class, by a very wide margin. Zekers is completely transparent: what you see is what you get. His big accomplishment this year was learning to ride his bike. He has also enjoyed being an AWANA Spark. He played soccer with Rachel, and loved it until he discovered (around the 4th game) that it involved running! He is, and always will be, his own little person, operating on his own timetable. He becomes extremely offended (and lets me know it!) when I fix something for dinner that he doesn't care for, but he's also the first one to thank me when I make something he likes. While Rachel is in school and the other 2 are napping, we've spent some fun afternoons together, working on school stuff or playing board games (he always wins).


Karis (Bop Bop)
Karis turned 4 in August, and she's our little split personality. She has a mind of her own and has been on the receiving end of more spankings than all three of her siblings combined. But she's also a super sweet little aspiring mommy. Her favorite things are: playing house, singing, screaming, playing any kind of imaginative game, playing with friends, calling the shots, and going to Broadway Joe's for hot chocolate. When she's with a lot of people, she's pretty quiet, but get her one-on-one, and your ears will ring with her squawky voice, going on and on. Just when we begin to despair that her stubbornness and rebellion will never get any better, she tells us that she can't wait until she gets to heaven, because she won't sin anymore and she wants to see Jesus. She's such a little thing and can't ever seem to keep her pants up, yet she can beat up her older 2 siblings without much effort. What can I say? She keeps us all on our toes. This is Karis' second year to attend AWANA Cubbies - learning Bible verses, seeing puppet shows, doing crafts and learning more about Jesus.



Malachi (Mr. Moo or Wheezer)
At 2, he's a tank, although you wouldn't guess it to look at him. Nearly every day when Danny arrives home from work, he's greeted by a head-butt and attempted tackle from Moo. I guess the youngest of four has to be tough to survive! He's got a fun little personality, and has always been my super snuggler. Every time he gets out of bed, he runs to me for snuggles - too sweet. I've also realized lately that I MIGHT have spoiled him just the tiniest bit, and am doing my best to stop (most of the time). He can be very demanding and has quite a temper. He loves to yell "THANK YOU!", he loves to play with Karis while the other 2 are at school, he loves to pray before meals - for everyone he knows, he loves pizza, and he loves to make his brother and sisters laugh. He started going to "big boy" Sunday School for the first time this fall, and he really likes his class and teachers.


Danny & Charity
This year has brought lots of growth for us, too. In September we spent a wonderful week in North Carolina on our first family vacation. The church has continued to grow, which has brought some unexpected blessings, as well as challenges (but mostly blessings). Our nursery is exploding, as are all the children's classrooms.

Danny feels incredibly blessed to be serving in a job he loves. He has preached through maybe 2 of the toughest books of the Bible: Leviticus and Ecclesiastes. He's been stretched as his ministry has broadened this year to include much more counseling of couples, individuals and even families. He continues to be very involved in fantasy sports, as well - a vital part of life. He has done a wonderful job of leading our home. It brings such joy to my heart to see him wrestling around with the kiddos after work, making them squeal and belly laugh. But he also pours into them spiritually. He's had many meaningful conversations with the older three about things that truly matter. He bought Rachel her first "real" study Bible this summer, which she carries with her everywhere.

I have continued to be a part of 'Grace Moms', a group where younger moms come monthly to spend time together, be challenged in their walk, and be mentored by more seasoned moms. I also enjoy being part of a church worship team once every three weeks. Mostly, I'm thankful to be able to stay home with my children and to love and support Danny. It is a privilege I don't want to take for granted. I am thrilled to report that I ran my first 5K (hopefully not the last!) with some friends in June. My time was not noteworthy enough to put down, but I was proud of myself just for finishing!

This has been an odd year for me, health-wise. From February to September, I had a series of "episodes", involving the most intense pain I've ever experienced, along with many other unpleasant symptoms. For a period of time, they seemed to hit mostly after I ran in the mornings. The worst of these caused me to go unconscious for several hours and spend a few days in the hospital. Many tests were done, all of which came up negative. So . . . we aren't any closer to figuring out the cause of these mysterious episodes, the last of which hit over our vacation; but they seem to have tapered off for now, and I can live with that!

Also, in October I had surgery on my left ear and have regained much of the hearing I'd lost in the past 7 years (due to hormone changes, the dr. says)! It's wonderful to be able to actually follow conversations and not continually ask people to repeat themselves; not so wonderful to realize the full volume of fighting and carryings-on around here! But it has been a true gift from God, for which I am grateful.



The words from Handel's Messiah, taken from Isaiah 53, haunt even as they comfort: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by His wounds we are healed. What beautiful, beautiful words.







The perfect Son of God, born to die . . . then to defeat the grave by being raised from the dead and seated at God's right hand . . . Immanuel - God with us - born to save us from our sins . . . Jesus.

May this Christmas fill you with wonder and gratitude for undeserved gifts . . . for family . . . for friends . . . for health . . . and for the greatest gift of all: LIFE!

Merry Christmas!

Love, Danny, Charity, Rachel, Zeke, Karis & Malachi

Ah, the Memories

Today I tackled a dreaded and daunting project: cleaning & reorganizing the filing cabinets. Not my favorite way to spend the morning, but SO great to not to have it taunting me every time I come down to the basement! It's amazing how much junk paperwork a family can accumulate in 5 years. And it's also kind of interesting the things you find - things long forgotten but good for a chuckle.

One such thing was a letter written about 12 years ago, to "the Office of Chesterfield Villiage", and home of the first apartment we occupied as a married couple, in Richmond, VA. It was one of those places that nearly jumps off the cover of the apartment showcasing catalog you're given upon arriving in a new city . . . absolutely sparkling with potential as it beckons hapless renters into its web of deception. The model we walked through was, of course, immaculate in its perfection, and with no reservations, we signed away the next year of our young lives.

So, here is an excerpt from the letter I found, written about 3 months later . . .

To: The Office of Chesterfield Village
Re: Brief description of why we are disappointed with your service

Things we've reported that remain unchanged
* kitchen carpet is still dirty (turns our feet black)
* windows are still filthy

Things wrong with the place when we moved in
* screen door broken
* ceiling cracked and sagging
* several drawers fall out when pulled open
* cupboard under sink bowed, shelf broken (we fixed it)
* kitchen carpet cut too short around refrigerator
* tile old and mildewy (can't get it clean)
* shower doors soap-scum stained (can't get clean)
* one shower door does not stay on runner
* many surfaces have dust balls and /or other small items spray-pained onto them.
* kitchen cabinet above oven has black tar-like substance on it
* bathroom cabinet is warped and bowed
* all cupboards full of bugs
* hallway wall is blistered
* kitchen and bathroom baseboards stained
* bathroom tiles are cracked
* weight room has no pins for weights
* carpet has many stains
* kitchen sink stained
* oven did not work (you fixed this)
* fitness room door lock broken (after 3 weeks of telling us it would be fixed "today", you fixed it)
* fleas in the carpet (you exterminated them, after I asked repeatedly and visited the office)
* kitchen counter loose
* paint coming off in areas (you fixed this)

Other things to consider
* Our door mat was stolen
* other residents' cats are often on our patio
* my wife is having continuous trouble with her sinuses from the dust / mildew in our place
* washing machine regularly fails to clean laundry. It actually stained a load Saturday, and the spin cycle failed to work.
* We sent a letter to GSC on October 8, 1997 . . . On October 14, we received a letter from GSC stating they were sorry and would inform your office. We have never received any response from your office.

I remember it was within days that the office of "Chester the Molester" (as Danny came to call it) informed us we would be released from our contract without the $1,000 penalty (people were leaving like crazy b/c of several shootings which had taken place in one of the parking lots, so they kept raising the penalty), ONLY because of the line item mentioning my allergic reaction to the dust & mildew. We moved into a much cleaner / larger / nicer apartment near the church where Danny was the youth pastor - an apartment where parents would actually allow their youth group aged kids to come and hang out!

This seems like a bit of a random finding; but I believe that in God's ever-perfect timing, He provided this unassuming piece of memorabilia to give me an extra shot of gratitude for the house where we currently live. He took care of us that first year, and has continued to keep us in His care. Thank you Jesus, and thank you Chester the Molester!