Radical

I just read the first chapter of the new book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream by David Platt. I have one million thoughts rushing through my head.

Questions like: Why do I go to church on Sunday? What are we saving money for? Why do I want so much stuff? Do people really get their tongues cut out in Asia? Who I have made Jesus to be? Am I willing to abandon my needs, my desires, and my family? Did Jesus really mean that?

Our small group and entire church studied the New Testament last fall. I struggled with many of the scriptures as we read and wanted to understand what it meant and how I should interpret them. This chapter I just read cleared a lot of them up. Jesus pretty much meant what he said. I realize that I love comfort and that is not what Jesus was about. It makes me think of my friends that have lived in Asia and Africa, they weren't comfortable. Jesus wants what is best for us, not what is comfortable.

Can I commit to believe what I have heard and obey it? I think I need to read the rest of this book before I can answer that question.

You can upload the first chapter of the book here. Also, you can request a free copy of The Radical Question by going to http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/RadicalQuestion. Check out the Radical book web site at http://www.radicalthebook.com/

Snacks

Haven loves snacks and has been saying "snack" for months now. She says it very nasaly and we laugh every time she asks for snacks.

Sleepy head couldn't even make it through her snack. This was the first time I have watched her fall asleep in her high chair. She also fell asleep in the baby swing on Monday.

Sunday Afternoon Snuggles

Life Lessons with Holly Andler

1. A day without a cell phone teaches you to be patient, to trust, to be flexible, and to be led by the Holy Spirit.

2. Prayer changes people.

3. God loves people so much that he will find ways to use hard circumstances to bring more people to him. It doesn't always make sense, but when you think about eternity, it's worth it.

Early Birdies- March for Babies 2010

The Early Birdies

Our family joined with some other friends and walked in the March for Babies. Our team, Early Birdies, raised $250. We walked in celebration of Haven, Addie, and Emma. Addie and Emma were born at 28 weeks and by God's grace are now perfect little preschoolers. The Bradleys always support the March of Dimes and my sister Wendy, Jake, and Bethany walked with us too. We had a great time and were so encouraged that people care about babies. Jake said was a going to raise money for babies forever. Thanks to our favorite graphic artist, Wendy, for the precious Early Birdies logo for our shirts.

Walking through Frazier Park, Ambassador Avenue

Haven and Bethany love each other.

Future Arborist of America

Haven loves the outdoors. I mean LOVES the outdoors enough to cry to about it. She goes around everyday and checks on every bush and flower (really she pulls leaves and petals). She loves water sprinklers and hoses. She is especially enjoying her sand/water table. She wore her tie-dye shirt in support of all tree huggers on Earth Day.

We started phase 3 of our yard landscaping in November. We love having trees in our yard, not only for the oxygen production, but also the green. Our grass is coming along, but it may take a while.

BEFORE

AFTER

Circles

Haven loves circles. She loves balls, rocks, bubbles, and grapes. At The Little Gym on Tuesday she seemed to enjoy watching everyone walk around in circles. On Tuesday night, she decided to join the party.

An Author and an Award

Today was one of the best days of my life. I met my favorite author, Beverly Lewis. I started reading her "Holly's Heart" series as a tween and still love her books. She finally came on a book tour to NC and SC! Lyndsey and I went to meet her at Lifeway in Gastonia. She signed Haven's book, "What is God Like?" and she signed my "Holly's Heart #13." I got her to sign that particular book because she wrote that book in honor of all of the Hollys that had written her and my name is printed on her acknowledgments page.

I told Mrs. Lewis that I love amish culture because of her and that she made a huge impact on my life by writing about godly relationships and marriages. I know that the stories are fiction, but I held myself to high standards because of the way God always made things beautiful in her books.




I told you all that I thought I deserved an award for pumping breastmilk all of those months for sweet Haven. Well, I got one! The Wake Med Milk Bank sent me a certificate of appreciation for sending my frozen milk to them.

OKI trip

We had a very relaxing weekend at Oak Island. Haven had a blast with so many new things to explore. The weather was a little chilly, but we had a great time.

This was me and Wendy's swimsuit when we were little.


Chasing birds at Southport

The Lion King

This is what you get when you try to take a picture of a 16 month old.

"Rock, Rock, Rock" as she says.

I love the little smile peeking out.

Fun with friends

Cousin Jake throwing rocks at the lake. One of his favorite things to do.


Sweet girl with her friends, rock and weeds.


The girls making a plan to overthrow the mommies.

Haven and her friend, Ella Camille, had their first shopping date.

She is watching her buddy Zoe run around in her fence. Zoe is a lab.

Funny stuff...

has been going on around our house. Here are a few pics to prove it. Click on picture to read the description.

Easter 2010

Where are the eggs?

She found all of her eggs at Meems and Gampy's

Haven and Gampy

Her amazing Easter/beach basket

A Slate Wiped Clean

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" Acts 3:19

What a great scripture for Easter. The words "times of refreshing" make me excited. Thanks Hobby Lobby for another great holiday ad.

Holiday Messages : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

Happy Easter from the Easter bunny!

Somehow I caught her with her two front teeth out like a bunny. Too funny!

Yes, the Easter bunny was having snack.