February 13th, 2009
February 8th, 2009
Aliza
When she came into the world we discovered how much joy we were missing in our lives before she arrived. She is so much fun and we are so thankful to be close and watch her grow up.
February 2nd, 2009
Trial
Pastor Mark Driscoll is just beginning a new series on 1st & 2nd Peter and so far our family is loving it. For this series Mars Hill created a family devotional resource to go along with the concepts taught in each of the messages. The discussion questions have really inspired some great dialogue with our boys.
I love to hear the boys explain why they believe what they believe. They can articulately defend their faith with answers that are not your typical “by the book” or “I think I am supposed to say ….” statements and answers. One of my goals as their mom (and teacher) is that there wouldn’t be a subject we study or conversation we have that doesn’t include applicable biblical principal, biblical history or godly examples woven in. I wish I could say that we got this right 100% of the time but that’s not the case– but we keep working toward that. One of my favorite things is when the boys remind me of what God’s Word has to say about a particular issue. A recent example that comes to mind is the day Cam called to let us know he had been laid off. After he spoke to each of us to tell us the news, Sean hung up the phone, looked over at me and said, “It will be okay. God will provide. Remember when the Israelites were in the desert and God provided Manna? It may have not been what they wanted but God gave them what they needed.” Sean responded that day in confidence and full assurance that God would take care of us. God has used their faith and discernment many times to encourage me and to remind me that they are paying attention. I think sometimes they “get it” even better than I do– not as much cynicism I guess. From the moment Sean reminded me of that particular truth, I did not waver in living like I believed God would provide. I was more aware than ever that those two boys were watching to see if I really believe what I say about God’s faithfulness.
Life is made up of trials. We are either on the verge of one, just beginning to deal with one, in the middle of one, at the end of one or just out of one– likely with another right around the corner. The reality is that it’s just life– life here on Earth. What I am hoping to learn through this current series Pastor Mark is teaching through the books of 1st and 2nd Peter is how to rejoice no matter where I am on the spectrum. I want to look different from the world. I want to have confidence in God’s providence. I want to trust that even if my prayers to be delivered won’t remove the trial, that they may just as well change my heart about the trial.
In his famous message on God’s providence in the book of Esther, Spurgeon says, “Judge not providence in little pieces, it is a grand mosaic, and must be seen as a whole. Say not of any one hour “This is dark,” — it may be so, but that darkness will minister to the light, even as the [dark] of midnight makes the stars appear [brighter].”
I read the following couple paragraphs on Pastor Mark’s blog tonight and thought it a good way to sum up these ideas that have been consuming my thoughts recently.
“In closing, for those who are suffering, Jesus is a God whom you can speak to, run to, and walk with. Unlike any other false god offered by any other religion, Jesus did not sit back in his heavenly ease and give us mere counsel for our suffering from a safe distance. Instead, he entered into human history to identify with us. He was tempted. He was rejected by his family. He was poor and homeless. He was abandoned by his friends. He was betrayed by his disciple. He was falsely accused by his enemies. He was falsely tried and condemned. He was beaten beyond recognition. He bled, suffered, and died in shame. And he lives today as a sympathetic high priest who gives grace to the hurting and promises justice to the unrepentant. He has gone to prepare a place for us and he left God the Spirit as our Comforter until he returns.
On that day, the blood of evildoers will fill the streets and Jesus in all his glory will be revealed—the sun and moon will shrink in his presence—and his kingdom will be established in glory over all. On that day our faith will be sight. On that day he will work out all things for the good of those who love him. On that day he will use even that which was intended for evil for good. On that day all our questions will be answered and all our hopes realized. On that day he will wipe every tear from our eyes and we who belong to him will rejoice. Until then, we rejoice in him and that day, until we see him on that day.”
Amen.
December 4th, 2008
advent conspiracy
I loved this video! This idea is so in line with what our family has felt compelled to do this Christmas season.
buy Bill Maher: Be More Cynical
October 30th, 2008
It's gonna be a GIRL!
Happy-Go-Lucky psp download RoboCop
Woodland Café Killer Bean Forever movies
I would like to introduce you to Bella (Isabella) Baldetta. My radar was SO off on this one! I was sure that Heather and Vince were going to have a boy! The ultrasound tech says 80-85% sure it’s a girl. We can’t wait to meet this sweet baby in March! For the next week or so this little one will be spending lots of time with us (while in her safe, little home in her mommy’s tummy of course). Heather and Vince are staying with us while they wait for their “new” home to get ready for them.Red Dawn movie
August 8th, 2008
Pirate Initiation
More summer fun! Scott and his parents came up to visit from San Diego last week. The boys had such an amazing time playing together. Sean and Caleb were more than happy to initiate Scott into the Pirate Way. Scott’s mom is Terri’s (Sean and Caleb’s grandma) cousin so I think that makes Scott a second cousin once removed to Sean and Caleb? Really, it’s not all that important, they are family and that’s what matters. The boys really miss Scott! We’ll definitely need to find a way to get these guys together more often!
(to see more pictures– click Flickr link on the right)
June 8th, 2008
weekend melt-downs
We are a family of “P’s” (see Myers Briggs personality types). Not one of us enjoys mundane, boring, repetitive jobs. We strongly dislike household maintenance and chores. Yet, practically every weekend we set these big goals to accomplish all the tasks we have been putting off for the last year (or more). We always hope to get EVERYTHING done on Saturday and then enjoy our Sunday together.
What typically happens is this– major melt-down between the boys or us that ends up taking hours to “fix” and we end up with very little productivity. We need a new approach. We have this dream of having this very organized, minimalist house with everything in it’s place and organization that we can maintain. Don’t get me wrong– we aren’t slobs, generally our house is tidy and sanitary, it’s just not as efficiently organized as we would like.
Somehow we (or more honestly, I) have to learn how to accept that we are who we are and that our dreams of being this super diligent, organized and task oriented family might be a bit too lofty for what we actually are.
God created us with different gifts– we can’t all serve the same function in the body of Christ. Comparing gifts and strengths is a bad idea– we’ll always come up wanting. I need to remember to focus on what makes us unique and how God continues to use us in spite of our limitations in the area of organization. When I take the time to stop and look at who/what God designed us to be I am thankful and humbled. He gave us a heart for people, relationships and hospitality. He gifted us with an ability to be flexible and to function well in chaos. He allows us opportunities to be transparent leaders and visionaries. He blessed us with discernment and the ability to counsel and encourage.
Practically this is what that all looks like– you’ll always
be welcome at our disorganized and cluttered house. We won’t be freaked out by your messiness and chaos (it can’t be worse than ours). We will be 100% honest with you about our “stuff” and hope we can encourage you to do the same.