A Month in the Life

Growing up!

My little girl is turning eight! We had an exciting day blowing up balloons, decorating the back yard, making the games for candy walks, and planning treasure hunts with a birthday parade. I do love celebrating birthdays!

Four Generations

Emily was born on her Great Grandma Chamber’s birthday but we decided to celebrate early. Next week we will be gone for Junior Bible Quizzing Nationals in Branson, then on to our Mennonite family reunion in New York, vacation with friends in Canada, and sharing Wife Swap testimony in Illinois.

The children were exhausted from their day of preparation and celebration but were still a little hyper from excess cake and ice cream. After they settled in bed, I snuck downstairs to nab the last piece of red velvet cake, and remembered a birthday party of my own a few months earlier.

January Eighth 2007

I woke up early in a strange room. The night before I had been introduced to the new Rock and Roll family I would be staying with for the next week. They seemed nice despite our differences in culture, and God had already reminded me He paid attention to detail in this arrangement. As I was taking hot sticks from my hair, I heard a tap on the door and the strumming of a lead guitar. Then, a rock and roll version of “Happy Birthday” serenaded by a punk rocker in a business suit and tie. I knew then that my 35th was going to be a strange year!

I went about the life of someone I didn’t know, taking kids to school, trying to book gigs, answering fan mail, handing out flyers to inviting them to a gig, I the punk rocker, was to sing at. I’m sure some people in town got a good chuckle out of this “new punk rocker” that was in town wearing a skirt!

After a Meeks style supper of some sort of salsa mush, Tony and I did dishes together – a change I was liked! Hannah and Benji had been “hushed” at the table a couple of times, so I knew something was up. Tony asked if I would like to practice with the band so I followed him to their studio. When I opened the door, “Surprise!” all the neighborhood was there to sing Happy Birthday and give presents. There was cake and beer – LOTS OF BEER. I enjoyed visiting with their friends, but when Tony started making a show of drinking “shots to Kristin,” I stepped outside to eat my cake. I was definitely out of my comfort zone, and terribly missing my children and Steve.

The editors, when splicing the show together, took out any reference to it being my birthday party. When I am making comments like “Tony knows that I am uncomfortable with the drinking scene”, the statement seems a little strange, until you know I am talking about a keg party on my personal birthday. I’m not sure exactly why the editor’s chose this route, but perhaps because Michel Jackson owns the rights to “Happy Birthday” and they would have to pay big time for the royalties.

I can say I've never had a birthday like it, and probably never will again.

When I returned home to my children’s hugs, kisses and happy squeals, they showed me a piece of red velvet cake they had saved from their celebration without me. Being home with my family, after a long week in Texas, was the best gift I could have asked for.

Kristin

Labels: ABC wife swap, Birthday Party, Family, Hoover, meeks, Punk Rock, Texas

YIKES!
It’s pretty incredible to check a TV Guide and see your name in print! In our town’s weekly newspaper we received front page coverage about ABC’s Wife Swap re-airing on July 23rd. On the ABC Wife Swap website, our name is listed as the next episode to air. Yikes!

Granted, the media splash was much larger prior to the original broadcast, when we spent days for TV, radio and newspaper interviews, not to mention our favorite with Ninetyandnine. A writer for the Atlantic Monthly also took note.

Please join with us in prayer that other lives will be impacted for the glory of God.

One of the greatest blessings of participating on Wife Swap is the new friends we have made with some viewers. God has opened numerous doors for us to directly minister to people. Yesterday, we received a letter in the Hoover House mailbox from one of these special friends. She has given me permission to blog the note, and I think it will bless you. The following are excerpts, but the entire letter will soon be posted on the Viewer Response Page of the Hoover House website.


From the Hoover House Mailbox

“I had never seen "Wife Swap" before the night the Hoover's appeared on the show, it became quite the talk of the town.

Even though I had seen Kristen many times at soccer games (at our local soccer fields) I did not have the nerve to confront her.

The night I watched the show I felt the Spirit of God so strongly that I just knew I had to meet Kristen and talk with her face to face.

Out of the clear blue one night I was invited to play the piano for a praise and worship service at a Woman’s meeting in a town near Versailles. I was not aware at the time that Kristin would be one of the speakers. After the service I had the wonderful opportunity to have a bite to eat and strike up conversation with her.

Since that night Kristen and I try to have Bible study and prayer at least once a week. My husband and I have had the opportunity to meet Kristen's husband Steve, and NO! he is not at all the dictating husband he appeared to be on the show. He is a very funny and friendly man.

Our family has been honored to attend a powerful church service with the entire Hoover family. We had much fun and felt so at home with them that there is no doubt we have gained a great and everlasting friendship. Not only here, on this earth, but for ETERNITY as well.

Their testimony from the show and knowing them personally has changed the lives of my family...........

Thank you "Hoover Family" for listening and doing God's will.”


And I, in turn, want to thank the Lord Jesus for His amazing works!

- Kristin

Labels: ABC wife swap, Atlantic Monthly, Hoover, meeks, thehooverhouse.net, TV Guide

Stylin
So I finally caved. I got “with the times” and purchased a portable global positioning system. I chose the TomTom ONE. The thing is incredible, and no doubt, in a matter of days it will become yet another technogadget appendage like the digital camera, cell phone, pager, radio, laptop and USB flash drive we can’t live without.

Aren’t things moving a little too fast? What’s wrong with introducing one new thing each year or two? Can’t we start with a black and white GPS then move up to color later?

Or how about having a modified version for those of us who are old fashioned or ThinkGeek?

The Plain Truth

Take the term “Bluetooth” for example. It makes my mouth hurt every time I hear it. And now this “tooth” is in my GPS and my cell phone. Scary!

Also this week my laptop died. I think they said there was a mother who was bored and had a hard drive short. At any rate – if I don’t let her rest in peace, it will cost me more than a new one. Considering we are blogging and preparing for vacation next week-end, I had little choice. So today I made a Compaq purchase. Why some cost $600.00, while others are $2000.00 beats me. They all are made of plastic, with a color screen and buttons etc. I wonder; does it have a blue tooth in it? And how long till the root canals and relines are mandatory for compatibility?

Sometimes I just want out. Think Amish!

Steve

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Labels: amish, bluetooth, gps

WHY?
In the Bible study we had last night, a lady asked a personal question, “Just why is it that you do this? Why do you do what you do?” This question has burned in my mind all day, and I hope to share the source of my passion to you as well.

It was a brisk night in Los Angeles, California on April 23 of 2006. Crowds were lined up at the bus stops to go hear the anointed ministry of T. D. Jakes. The first night of the Azusa Street Centennial Celebration was in full gear! People from the world over had come to celebrate the Holy Ghost being poured out, 100 years prior, in the humble setting of Azusa Street. The atmosphere of spiritual hunger was very palpable.

In the bus, en route to West Angeles Cathedral, an African minister with a beautiful accent began singing, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, and “The Comforter Has Come!” I felt so blessed to be part of this singing caravan, full of a diversity of Pentecostals, and knew something exciting would happen that night.

When we arrived at the sanctuary, my friends and I secured some of the last seats at the very top of the balcony. People still poured in, and the steps of the balcony became seats for people who would not be turned away. Bishop T. D. Jakes preached an amazing message entitled “The Wind of God.” My soul was deeply stirred, and when the altar area was opened, I pressed my way toward the front.

I was so hungry for God to work through me. I was so hungry for an outpouring of the Holy Ghost in my own generation. I wanted the wind of God to blow through my life like never before. While pouring these requests out to God, I felt Him place a calling on my life. He wanted to grant my request for an outpouring of His Spirit, but I was spiritually immature for the work he wished to do. I felt God calling me to a deeper level of commitment, and knew He would use me in a new way. I was excited to come home and share this with others, and even hung a small bag of dirt from Azusa Street in my kitchen, to remind me of it daily.


HOW?
In daily fervent prayer, and through study of His beautiful Word, I began to seek for the boldness of the Apostles. I needed faith and courage to share the message of God’s love.

I was astonished when we received a call from ABC’s Wife Swap. Perhaps this is what God intended! As we went through the process of selection for the television program, I was on my face before the Lord inquiring His direction. It was such a big leap of faith, and I didn’t want to go anywhere without the Lord going with me. I could see the potential to effect millions for the gospel, but also a chance of disaster. Each time I left my place of prayer, I felt His urging, “Go!”

When I arrived in Texas, I found myself in the home of a former pastor who had lost his faith in God. I realized I was there to tell this former Pastor that God still loved him and was not finished with him. Through this story others also have been drawn to a deeper relationship with God, and a hunger for holiness.

Why do I do what I do? God has opened the doors, and now I will walk through His opened doors.


Kristin



Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Labels: ABC wife swap, Azusa Street, Hoover, meeks, Wife swap, wife swap #314, Wifeswap

Wishing…
This past Saturday was Kristin’s night off and I took the opportunity to fire up the “wishing well” I built a few years ago. I got this idea to have a multi use appliance and constructed it with brick left over from building the carriage house, which serves as a warehouse for chimney supplies. It is a decorative Wishing Well, a Grill, a Smoker, and an outdoor Fire-pit. I’ll share the photos here.

Grilling… Ribeyes

Smoking… It's habitual

Burning… ... Dante's Inferno!

Ever notice you need all of Monday to recoup from Sunday? This weekend was very busy and Sunday we spent four hours traveling time to churches. Let me just say it has taken more than one cup of strong coffee to get me motivated to do the piles of laundry and dishes, (my dishwasher sprung a leak and we now have a new one – me!), settling the kid’s arguments, and other household chores.

The Hoovers joined up with the Bentleys to minister in a neighboring town for the AM service. We then headed to make it in time for choir practice at our own church in the evening.

We had an extra blessing to our weekend. A family we got to know through the program attended church with us Sunday evening. She told me last night the reason God had lead us to participate in the program was to minister to her. It was wonderful worshiping together last night and fellowshipping afterward.

My eldest daughter, Emily, loves junk food and any sort of noodle. If I let her, she would try to survive solely on macaroni and Cheese. For the sake of the other two children who aren’t as crazy about mac & cheese, we have limited serving it to Mondays for lunch.

Today is just an ordinary day in our home life – it’s just another Macaroni Monday!

Kristin

Heart of the Matter
"Daisy Rock", is the heart-shaped guitar given to the Hoover girls by Tish Meeks , Kristin’s Wife Swap counterpart. She made her first debut in the “House of the Lord” yesterday!

While Kristin ministered in song at a nearby church, her father played the guitar;

“Holiness” ….
“Take my HEART and form it,
Take my mind, transform it,
Take my will conform it,
To yours, to yours, O Lord!”

On the show Emily and Grace were surprised by a generous gift from Tish Meeks, a beautiful heart-shaped guitar in a purple case. At that point in the show we had been through several conflicts, but Tish made the day with her gift. At that time it was apparent to me that kindness need not be predicated on agreement or cultural simulation, but perhaps is best shown in spite of existing differences.

Good Luck!

I regretted not having a token of appreciation to give in return, and ended up giving Tish a chimney sweep’s top hat I have worn in parades and for the ABC screen shot of our family.



A chimney sweep, in traditional costume, is world renowned to bring good luck. In some European weddings a chimney sweep is hired to provide the traditional good luck kiss for the Bride.

This Missouri chimney sweep wishes all the luck in the world to Rocker Mom Tish Meeks!

Tish has worn the top hat on stage, and now the heart-shaped guitar has been christened.

Steve Hoover

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Labels: ABC wife swap, chimney sweep, daisey rock, good luck, guitar, Hoover/Meeks, wife swap #314