“But Dad, what is God? What is he? Is he just a big huge blump of air?”

— Sullivan, overhearing Carla and me talk about God’s kingdom

The Pharisees forgot that the nation of Israel’s eponymous forebear was blessed not because of merit, but despite sin.

Would that we love God and one another with the same kind of unflagging love that made Jacob work fourteen years to marry Rachel.

I’m thankful that unlike Isaac, God our Father in heaven—who blesses us abundantly—can’t be tricked by usurpers!

I’m going to start tweeting some thoughts and notes as I read through the Bible in a year in hopes that they’re edifying to all.

“Mommy and Dada, the other night, when I was asleep, my eyes went ploop! (with hand motions indicating quickly opening eyes) and I looked into my pillow and I saw gray telephone wires. And then I saw a big gray pipe with a gray whistle on the top. When the whistle blew, it was telling us that water was going to come shooting out of the pipe. All that was in my pillow! My PILLOW!”

doing anything = not doing anything else. (reaction: chagrin –> acquiescence –> action)

doing something because you desire to > doing something because you feel obligated > doing nothing

“Excuse me, Daddy. God didn’t make this dinner. Mommy did! So, thank you, Mommy, for making this good dinner.”

— Sullivan, after Scott says grace

Earlier nightfall brings two good things to the Stilson house: We can all watch the sunset, and the children fall asleep more quickly.

“Sorry, Éa, for peeing in your pants.”

— Sullivan, after peeing in his sister’s pants

Does anybody else think Houserville could benefit greatly from having its own third place?

“You’re so understanding it’s driving me crazy!”

— Scott, of Carla

Carla: Why were you acting so weird?
Scott: What do you mean? I wasn’t acting weird: I was being MYSELF!

“What is it with you thinking that I’m a snot-o-phage? I am not a snot-o-phage.”

— Scott, defending himself against nose-related insinuations

Google+ shows promise as a superior alternative to Facebook and Twitter. Main thing it needs now is more people. Hit me up for an invite!

“Why would we compost them when I can convert them directly into biochemical energy?”

— Scott, answering Carla as to why he was going to eat a bag of freezer-burnt pierogies that Abram left us when he moved out

I was definitely just being followed by a moonshadow.

“I think fireworks say ‘knock-knock’ to the world.

— Sullivan on the 4th of July

Travel time is an opportunity for prayer and contemplation.

It’s that time of year again: the trees of Spring Creek Park are alive with fireflies at night, especially near Stearns Farm.

The best part of going electric for at-home dental care: Harmonizing with my toothbrush for two minutes every morning.

While I’m at it (and sitting on my front porch on Puddintown), let’s bury the power lines and put up a soundproof wall around the bypass.

Having traversed Ferguson Township on nothing but bike paths today, I confess that this College Township resident is envious. Let’s connect the mall, Dale Summit, and downtown State College to College Township neighborhoods via bike paths and sidewalks.

The halcyon weather in San Diego is a misleading illusion that is all is right in the world.