A Tribute to Dr. Sailhamer, a Year Later

I wrote most of these words a year ago.  They festered for a while because the emotion can't accurately be portrayed by the written word and I feared it would just sound overdone. But the past year has taught me to tribute people as often as you can, while you can, preferably when they can receive it. And while Dr. Sailhamer cannot receive this, God can receive the glory for his imprint left on me. I publish this now, to let the world know that Dr. Sailhamer had great impact on my walk with Christ, on my study of the word, on my marriage even. All of this will not be unpacked here; just a small glimpse in honor him (a little over a year after his death) and in praise of our Great God.

Who was I to Dr. Sailhamer? No one. I was quite simply one of his students of Hebrew I and II (one of two women in the class). That is all. He taught me Hebrew. But like everyone else who has spoken about Dr. Sailhamer, his words, anecdotes, jokes, wisdom, his breathtaking grasp of the entire word of God spurred me on and on past those two semesters. 

I watched part of his funeral service, where he was called a "theological rock star", a "Lion of the Word", a "cerebral man…contemplating deep concepts…" and letting us get a peek of his brilliant understanding of it all. Grudem called him "a brilliant scholar…always relaxed, friendly and easy to talk to." Piper of course put it poignantly: Sailhamer's "exegetical toil put fire in my soul for the gospel……..made me feel as If I had scarcely begun to read the Bible." Yes. Yes. All of this is so true. Yet I still feel compelled to write how Sailhamer rocked my world, and continues to 15 years later as I raise my four kids in small town Asia.

I arrived at Southeastern as a 21 year-old college grad doing a complete turn-about in my life.  Though I had been walking with Jesus for 8 years I had not even known there were schools like this until the year prior, schools where all you do is study the Word and write and research and defend and grow. I was one of about ten ladies in a wash of men. The Women Studies program was a year or two old. I wanted rigor and it had it.

It wasn't until my third year that I started Hebrew, but Dr. Sailhamer had been a buzzword long before. I even bought his NIV compact commentary and was astounded at its depth while being so succinct.

When he started helping us translate Genesis, and everyone's eyes got wide as he unpacked the Hebrew, he joked, "This is when I start telling Patty to 'pack the bags'". His translation gave new insight to the meaning of the text, though apparently not all agreed (I didn't know enough at that point to know it could be so controversial). When all hands went up with questions and the final one: 'have you written about this?' He would mention the book and its price would soar over-night, as everyone wanted one.

When asked who else held certain views of his, he would smile and say: 'well if you do that makes two of us'. He often spoke of 'the little men in your brain sorting out language and filing things away'. He must have had some over eager ones in his because he was brilliant in language and so many other areas.

Dr. Sailhamer, as a teacher, was more like a kind father graciously bestowing gifts upon his children in ways that they could understand. My husband called it : 'bringing it to the bottom shelf' so that we could partake of the richness of the word as he taught. And he got such a kick out of watching the Word unfold for us, he delighted in the process and the reality within, over and over again.

This has helped me be a better teacher of the word to my children and friends, it has helped my husband help me with all my questions….we often re-listen to Dr. Sailhamer teach Exodus and still gather nuggets. Currently…as I start 2018, I am studying the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and letting Sailhamer put things together for me again. And it is so devotional. He is pointing me again and again to God's Holiness, His working, His Covenant Promise. When Moses falters, Sailhamer reminds: He wasn’t hungry for power, he had some humility here. But the calling of God on his life was met with doubt and fear. Who can't relate to this?

So I get it. When David starts talking through stuff about OT or this 'thread' or the 'bag of laws', I get it. It is not knowledge for knowledge's sake. And it never was for someone as brilliant as Dr. Sailhamer either, it was always enjoyment, always a better handle on the beauty of Christ found in every facet, every 'yodh'. And his ability to share that beauty has left an indelible mark on me, my husband, our kids, and the upg we have served for almost fifteen years now.

Praise God for Dr. Sailhamer.

Piano Recitals

Our older girls started Piano a few years ago. They honestly don't have a ton of time to practice (20-30 minutes/day, if that), and a one hour class each week (except the crazy weeks or weeks we are gone). But still, they have stuck with it, enjoy it, and have made great progress.

The teacher announced a recital at our favorite restaurant/wedding hall for Jan 6. And she had just given the girls their songs. Sophia's was a version of DoReMe from The Sound of Music which was a little difficult for her. Isabella's was Edelweiss also from The Sound of Music.

They practiced hard and daily went to play on real pianos for the feel (we only have a keyboard).
The day came and they were so nervous but they did great!

I had to call in back-up on the hair. Aunt Kathleen came to make it beautiful for them, hair styling/braiding is not my gifting.

(we were crunched for time and only had time to get pre-pics of Sophia, Isabella was getting her hair done!)

This is a huge hall, but it was not close to full. Their were 66 students participating. We thought this may be torture, but it was actually pleasant and fun.

Isabella performed before Sophia. Started with a bow.

She did fabulous and received flowers from Daddy, (that she didn't know what to do with!).

Sophia was a bit later.

Her bow...

Her performance...we did get good video.

playing with friends, one of whom is in her class at school.
We also knew two other girls that were performing.

And the ever-supportive little bro... playing on rocks outside!

Now they are learning a Sound of Music piece that they play together, so they are having lots of fun!

New Year's Eve Campout

My dad, Granddaddy to the kids, gave us money for some camping supplies for Christmas. We have been wanting to start camping adventures with the kids and feel they are at a good age. They were so excited. It arrived on the 30th just in time for a New Year's Eve backyard camp out. 

I ended up very sick for two days and could not participate. David, the hero dad, still followed through with the plan. They grilled hot dogs, roasted marshmallows, went on a 'moon' walk and played card games. 

 We can't wait to get this tent and our new bags up on our mountain plot (2000 meters).

 The kiddos had a blast and slept well, even through the New Year's fireworks that shook our building.

Happy New Year!

Finally, an Event for Gabrielle

December 29.

We have now been involved in the Chinese school system for seven years, starting when Sophia was three years old. And every 'event', especially in kindergarten is a big deal, because with only one child (for the Chinese) and one chance to make it special, you must go all out, every time. 

I was burning out on these monthly events by Tobin's Kindergarten days for sure. And for Gabrielle, I have no tolerance or time for all the frills (it's an honest confession). She entered Kindergarten midway through the year and therefore has already had less chances (this is only her second semester). So when her teacher approached me about a sports day, and said that she would need to come in the mornings to participate, I decided to make it work. And it did work perfectly for our December. 

I absolutely did not regret participation in this. I told David that this was the best event I have been to in my whole career as a Kindergarten mom of four kids. It was well planned, on time, not too long, very entertaining, not overcrowded (they specifically said only one adult could come), and even with comic appeal. Not to mention the food fair at the end, which was also well coordinated and delicious. I was so pleasantly surprised by this, as it had not been my previous experience at this school, ever. 

There she is, preparing to go downstairs for her turn to 'dance' with basketballs. 

 Okay, so she struggled a bit with the headband, but she got it together and did great!

 They still had all the pomp and circumstance that goes along with every event, and the raising of the Chinese flag.

 These kids were hilarious...they are taking their job seriously, can you tell?

well, maybe the kid in the shades really was..

Six different classes had to do a different routine to the same song.

 They may have been a little out of sync...

At the end, a group of dad's did a skit/performance that was hilarious, acting like they were in kindergarten and different groups dancing to famous Chinese kids' songs. I loved this aspect and had not seen this included in any event before.

 Gabrielle loved participating in this sports day!

They then moved tents to the courtyard and set up all the food.
Gabrielle's class had the best fare: fried rice and dumplings!

Way-to-go Gabrielle, and way-to-go school for putting on a fabulous event!!!

December Doings: Christmas Eve and Day

Due to sickness in our house and theirs we did not have our usual Christmas Eve meal with our closest friends here. But we still swapped side dishes and desserts! I gave her green bean casserole and pecan pie, she gave me her sweet potato casserole and some cookies. 

We worshiped just as a family this Eve day, and then read aloud for awhile to catch up on our story. This time it was told from the viewpoint of the son of one of the 'wise men' from Persia. It was awesome and asks great, thought provoking questions at the end of every chapter.

We ordered a ham again and it was amazing. We don't ever get ham so we love our Christmas one. 

With dinner rolls (from my Bread Bible cook book), and other sides we had a great late lunch. 

We enjoyed watching "The Nativity Story" again this year, which brought up some appropriate questions about the virgin birth, giving birth in general, and how all the stories foretold this birth of a Savior-King born in so meager a place.

Christmas morning dawned and we rejoiced in a new-born King!
We enjoyed our sausage biscuits and went straight to our Advent readings, Christmas Hymns, and prayer. We open almost all gifts before this day to help us focus more on the receiving of HIM as the greatest gift.

But we do save stockings for Christmas morning....stuffed with fun goodies: scarves, candy, t-shirts, etc.

And this one bigger gift: fort building rods and balls. So. Much. Fun.


The 2nd Annual Christmas Football (Soccer) game.
We were really missing Uncle Herschel this year and all the kids said so, including our friends, who remember his skills on the soccer field.

Tobin acting like a soccer star: drama.

 The S family had a great idea to play kickball as well. Our kids had no idea what this was. OOPS American Culture FAIL on our part. We decided then and there that to be American Passport holders you need to learn the game of kickball.

We played until almost 5 p.m. and then stopped for some Chinese food on the way home. It was a school night (yes, they went to school on the 26th, I had to ask off for the 25th!).

What a delightful Christmas. Thankful and Blessed.

December Doings: Gingerbread Houses (or Not)

Determined to surprise the kids with something fun on one of their afternoons off, I bought the Ikea gingerbread house kit. I told them about it the previous day and we went to the store and bought goodies to go on the house. Candy galore! 

And then I followed some advice about icing glue...just melt sugar and voila: A perfect glue with which to stick it all together, easy peasy. 

Except I think I overcooked my glue. By the time I got everyone around the table to start it was almost rock-like. Then I tried anyway and the candy-like 'icing' stuff turned into strings of hardened uck. And it was already too dry to be glue. 

So, I laughed, took a deep breath and moved on in fun. 

NO that is not what I did.

If only I had done that. No. I threw a little mommy fit, complained about my ruining their fun....yada yada. I called David out of his home office (usually a big no-no for me). HELP ME! 

And he did. And he brought the humor. My huffings and puffings subsided. He tried again. It still didn't work. I tried the original way, icing sugar, etc. and it was what it was. Finally David and the kids just started piecing things however and piling things on. A mumbo jumbo of creativity. And they had a blast!

(in the fray of googling solutions we learned that many a mommy-fit has been thrown when it comes to gingerbread houses...not for the faint of heart my friends)

I did apologize to them for my little fit and got in on the action with them. 

What do you think? They even got the chimney on.

Thanks David for saving the day!

This is still what I think about it...

There is candy inside too...

Sophia reminded us that this was not structurally sound, the others were putting too much weight on...she was right, by morning it had caved in.

 

We named it our ZELZELE house. This is the Persian word for Earthquake and was the name of a town in our Advent read-aloud, Ishtar's Odyssey. (This is our third year reading this series, we highly recommend it). The town had been through a big earthquake. Our house looked like it too:

December Doings: Weariness, Weakness, and Hope

Disclaimer: I asked David whether I should post this and he mentioned that often when I get personal on the blog it is always me sounding negative, usually about myself. That is true. Social Media and blogs can only portray so much and are only intended to be snippets into people's lives--usually the best snippet (or what appears to be the best snippet). For the times when I mention some soul wanderings and tug-of-wars going on in my head, just know that this too is a snippet. There is no way for me to detail all the events and emotions leading up to the various more 'personal' posts, but I know that others are right there with me in these meanderings... I hope this encourages.


December 20.

I woke up this morning weary.  Exhausted, I guess.

I had only 10 minutes compared to my usual 45 to sit still before making breakfast for my brood and getting everyone to school. After that, blahness took over. I tried to lay back down.

I got up, made tea and sat with my Bible open and just cried. I had no certainty as to why. I was sad, sure. Hormonal, yes. I was discontent mainly over my continual failures in certain areas. I was disappointed in my lack of joy because I had planned on this being such a joyous season of advent to really behold, and give, and serve and enjoy. I had had tidbits of all of those emotions, but nothing quite steady…because. Because life kept coming at me…in unexpected ways. 

I told David I needed a real sabbath rest. I, we, had been going for almost 15 days straight, one event to the next, great events, great community, great serving, great enjoying, really. But right now, right before Christmas…peace eluded me. 

The time I was most looking forward to with David and the kids…where I cook and bake with joy, with no math to execute, no Latin to review. We just listen to God's word together and really worship Jesus through the retelling of his birth. This is my favorite time of year. 

And there I sat crying. I wasn't even pitying myself (not this day anyway :). I didn't quite know how/what to pray, but I did know where to go…to the Sermon on the Mount. You may think what a condemning place to go. No, I went to the first beatitudes and meditated there. I reread my notes surrounding the page, and I cried out to God to remind me of my poverty, my lack and to fill me with joys of His kingdom, that is the promise there. Mourn over sin, yes. HIS comfort that the verdict is in, I am free. And I prayed.

David just listened. I told him I wasn't depressed, I wasn't even sad about the most recent events, just overall tired. I told him the encouragement I received from the Word. How I had gone to my computer and read a quote that a friend had posted by Elisabeth Eliot:

Elisabeth Elliot ~" If you dwell on your own feelings about things rather than dwelling on the faithfulness, the love, and the mercy of God, then you're likely to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Our feelings are very fleeting and ephemeral, aren't they? We can't depend on them for five minutes at a time. But dwelling on the love, faithfulness, and mercy of God is always safe."

I then clicked on an article that popped up posted by the same friend, it was an old one:  what to do if you wake up feeling fragile, byJohn Piper: I realized I had done what he said by clinging to true promises. 

Next, I decided to run, it wasn't my run day but I needed it, and I needed more truth in. I re-listened to 'The Blessedness of Self-forgetfulness' by Tim Keller. Please listen to this every year! This reoriented my heart even more and reminded me again to "not think more of myself, or less of myself but to think of myself less" and it did remind me of my Union with Christ. I am HIS. He is mine. This is the story of Christmas. 

Am I filled with unutterable joy at this moment? No, but there is peace in my weary heart. And that is what he came to bring. This is the way HE desired me to enjoy advent this year. Him near to my soul with His glory, his presence in my midst.