"dee duck!"

When I heard Diamonte's cry of anguish, I went running to see what was up. Upon finding him entangled in the poang, I actually had Stephen run and get my camera so that I could take a picture.

I did ask Stephen to run. :)

Now Diamonte likes to look at the picture on my camera and say, "Dee....duck!" which translates to "D - stuck."

abbie's big day

For the last few years, my happy little 7-year old girl has wanted to begin horse riding lessons. She was thrilled when her Daddy and I surprised her with the news that she was starting - this week!

The first few lessons will be on a pony named Ladybug. I must say that she looked like a little pro, up there on top ol' ladybug, sitting tall, with her hands low and toes pointed up towards the sky!

Here's a little video footage of the end of the lesson when she got to trot. Go Abbie!

this momentary marriage

My first March book  is going to be "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper.  

Two marriage books in a row and in mid March, Matt and I will join the other pastors and wives on a marriage retreat.  I hope that this sort of concentrated focus on my marriage will bear lasting fruit.

Although I've been married for almost 15 years...

read lots of books on marriage... 

attend marriage conferences...

meet with married couples to learn...

attend my care group where we regularly discuss issues related to our marriages...

sit with Matt as he does pre-marital counseling for exceedingly excited couples....

I am all the more aware that I need the grace of God to be the wife God has called me to be.  

What I have liked most about this book so far is that John Piper holds out the glorious purpose for marriage.  It is so easy  to get caught up in the day to day stuff of life and to lose sight of the big picture and how that can be displayed in my life.    

As Piper simply puts it:  "Staying married is not mainly about staying in love."  

"Till death do us part" or "As long as we both shall live" is a sacred covenant promise - the same kind Jesus made with his bride when he died for her.  Christ will never leave his wife.  Ever.  There may be times of painful distance and tragic backsliding on our part.  But Christ keeps his covenant forever....The most important implication of this conclusion is that keeping covenant with our spouse is as important as telling the truth about God's covenant with us in Jesus Christ.  Marriage is not mainly about being or staying in love.  It's mainly about telling the truth with our lives.  It's about portraying something true about Jesus Christ and the way he relates to his people.  It is about showing in real life the glory of the gospel."

When God's purposes are recaptured in our hearts and minds, it has the potential of changing how we do everything!  

I'm only on chapter 4, but I feel confident that I can recommend this book to both singles and married friends.  In fact, chapter 9 is entitled "Single in Christ: A Name Better Than Sons and Daughters."  

The introduction to this book is entitled, "Marriage and Martyrdom".   I ask you, who else begins a book on marriage with martyrdom?

my last february read

If you are married, this is a must.  

If you are single, I highly recommend it.

Dave Harvey's book, "When Sinners Say I Do" is by far one of the most helpful books I've ever read on the subject of marriage.  Dave's writing is candid and witty, theological and sober.  His personal examples are ones you can relate to and he is quick to share his weaknesses in marriage.  While this book is in no way what I would call a "how to" manual on marriage, it is extremely practical - regardless of your season in life.  

I wish "When Sinners Say I Do" was available in 1994,  before I got married, but I am very thankful that I have it now...after 15 years!

first family youtube

I know it's sorta lame but it was a first attempt.  

few family firsts

Stephen's first house as a novice architect

Abbie's first huge gap in her mouth

Diamonte's first "go" at being a tiger

Azariyah's first Zwieback treat



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 of my february reads

By mid February, I was wondering if I would actually finish just one book!   Yet, somehow, between naps and dishes and school and laundry, I read the following:

February was all about diversity!

Hold Tight, by Harlan Coban - Coban is one of my favorite quick read mystery writers.  It's near impossible to put one of his books down.  I guess that's why it only took me two days to finish.  Very suspenseful as it kept me guessing to the very end.  Not my favorite of his, but definitely an enjoyable read.

Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be), Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck - If you don't know much about the emergent church (I knew very little), this is a great book.  I found the authors to be humble and discerning and quick to commend what is good in the emergent circles, while graciously pointing out their concerns and warnings.  I am impressed that these guys did their research.  They read lots of emergent books, websites, blogs and even attended various emergent churches and conferences.  They asked people questions and positioned themselves as "learners" while holding onto the Gospel.

Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller - After hearing a friend talk about her frustration with Bell's "Velvet Elvis", I decided to choose a different author in the emergent circle to read.  As a rule, when I read a book that is critiquing a particular movement, I try to read something from that movement directly.  Aside from a few statements here and there, that I think lacked in basic theological truth,  I liked the book.  I actually liked it a lot.  It's therapeutic in places and weak in bringing a clear definition of the gospel, which seems to unite those in emergent circles.  On the other hand,  Miller talks candidly about sin early on in the book, which I wasn't expecting.  As a writer, he is engaging, honest, and inspiring and it helped me to better understand the beef he and others have toward evangelicalism as a whole.  It also led me to ask myself, "How am I living out what I say I believe?"