Meet the Parents: Episode 39

Well, my trip to Kansas City was great, despite trying to assemble the final elements of my presentation in my hotel room the night before, and despite feeling a bit less put together than the other ladies at the conference. Seriously, I felt like I was at a Mary Kay convention. My fellow attendees (mostly older women) wore suits, had elaborately styled hair, perfectly applied makeup, and coordinating jewelry and handbags. I, on the other hand, stumbled into our upscale hotel in jeans and a hoodie, big sunglasses and minimal makeup.

As a workshop presenter, I was assigned an "assistant" for the weekend, and when she met me in my room to deliver my conference materials, I was barefoot, brushing my teeth, hair askew. I could almost see her mouth the words "No way" when we met. But I pulled myself together and survived. I even donned a dress, jacket and heels for my workshop, and took it in stride when a Nigerian woman told me quite loudly afterwards that the jacket made me look pregnant.

Meet the Parents -- 0:00
Another highlight of the trip was meeting my boyfriend's family for the first time, since they live in the KC area. I braved this event alone, so yes, I am a saint. That said, they took me out for BBQ (honestly, can anything go wrong when red meat is involved?) and proceeded to winsomely tell me about themselves and then ask a few questions of me. They are all introverts, so I'm pretty sure they went home and imploded after such a social stretch, but I appreciated their effort. They are delightful people. We even took a group photo before parting so they could show me to Nana, my bf's 100-yr-old grandmother, who couldn't join us that evening.

In this week's roundtable, we all share stories of "meeting the parents" for the first time, and discuss what to observe (and what to overlook) in that first, often awkward, get-together.

Population Overload? -- 12:47
6.7 billion and counting. The global population debate rages on. What's the real story? Phillip Longman, author, demographer and unlikely Boundless contributor, has a few things to say about birth rates and their effect on culture, the economy and the balance of world power.

Wait Your Turn! -- 27:55
Remember when in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, was appalled that even the younger Bennet girls were "out" before the older ones were married? Well, even modern-day women can sympathize with this seeming affront to what's right and fair. Suzanne Hadley's youngest sister recently married, and while Suzanne was tempted to fume, she instead saw a picture of God's perfect timing. In this week's The Hungry Years, she reflects on what it looks like for God to give good things...exactly when He wants to.

Womb: Closed for Business -- 31:03
She wants kids, but wants to adopt them. All of them. No biological children are in the forecast. And she's frustrated that people criticize her for this decision. Steve and Candice open up the debate, and offer this listener some things to think about as she plans for the future.

By the way, did any of you recognize your bosses this week on Boss' Day? I must give a shout-out to my team, the most awesome in the world, who not only took me out for Indian food, but gave me a fab basket full of Burt's Bees products, chocolate, gum, homemade ginger snaps, and a mix CD of great tunes including some old-school DC Talk: "To the ones that think they heard, I did use the J-word. Cuz I ain't too soft to say it -- even if DJs don't play it!" Classic.

Comments

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1. Lori said the following at 9:22 AM on Oct 17:

Hey guys, is Episode 39 a repeat? iTunes title doesn't flow with audio.
Maybe download mixup? Thanks! I look forward to Fridays!!! Not only cause it's the start of our busy family weekend, but because I get to hear you guys! Take care. Loyal listener from Austin, Texas.

2. Motte said the following at 9:44 AM on Oct 17:

Lori:

I linked the wrong show. It's fixed now. Thanks for the heads up.

3. Andrea-Elena said the following at 10:13 AM on Oct 17:

Waitaminit!! Lisa has a boyfriend!?! (That is not a cry of shock or disbelief, mind you.) How did I miss that? What Boundless podcast did you mention that in, girl?!? (Obviously, I'm a bit behind on my podcast listening.)

Well, congrats on the new(ish) development in your life. Squeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Helkias said the following at 11:52 AM on Oct 17:

Enjoyed the population explosion section. I remember in high school back in Zimbabwe being taught that our population pyramid was all wrong and too young. We should have had a population that wasn't so young- these were Western texts saying this mind you.
And then we had a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of children we were producing, because some maven had said that our population was too much for our resources.
Imagine my disbelief on living in England, and further reading, that the maven was a Marie Stopes mouthpiece and in addition, compared to Africa, most Western countries live far beyond what their land produces and actually import many things using unfair trade from the so called over-populated countries in Africa!

5. Ruth W said the following at 11:54 AM on Oct 17:

Good episode today, as they usually are! A lot of good stuff to ponder. I figure I can have 2.1 kids and then adopt as many as I can, or as the Lord would allow. :)

Also regarding adoption, if we as followers of Jesus Christ truly sanctify life and advocate against abortion one way to support that is by being willing to adopt, to provide loving homes for those kids that may have otherwise be aborted. I've been significantly influenced/informed by past Focus on the Family broadcasts and Steve Curtis Chapman's family and www.shaohannashope.org

6. Susan said the following at 9:59 PM on Oct 17:

Bless Suzanne for that sweet reflection. I'm very impressed with your heart attitues and am trying to borrow them =) I also apprecite the insight on seeing the blessing of a good marriage and how this relationship was different from her past relationships which you did not feel like were God's best for her. I feel like I get so caught up in evaluating relationships myself that I sometimes forget to step back and see if I think it is God's best for me. While I'm praying though the relationship I think I always analyze it from a do they love God and does our relationship work standpoint not is it God's best for me. So thanks for that.

7. Chris Rodgers said the following at 1:45 PM on Oct 21:

That piece from Longman was top notch! I often get fun remarks when I mention that the 2nd of seven kids. Nearly all of us were borne during my parents 20's. My parents testimony is a wonder: though we often had hard financial times we never lacked, always trusting in the Lord's provision. Today my parents are probably more financially secure than many who planned their family size. I wonder why we don't consider the phrase "worldly wisdom" more thoroughly. My family seems to have discarded much that falls in that category and seems to be blessed exceedingly for doing so.

8. Rachel said the following at 4:44 PM on Oct 22:

So this is off topic, but I was wondering if you guys might post the names of the artists/music that is played during the podcast? In the beginning, the artist was always given credit and I loved that because I got to hear and learn about music or an artist I hadn't heard before. I really loved the guitar piece included in this podcast, and I have NO idea who it was. (hint hint).

Hey, I learned about Enfield (which I love now) because Ted included their info in post.

9. Sinead said the following at 6:51 AM on Oct 24:

Of what relevance is it that the woman who commented on the jacket was Nigerian?