A Gabe Post: Self Criticism is Healthy

The video below is a well-played satire on most contemporary evangelical churches. It stings in its honesty. But I think it is healthy to recognize what part of our life is cultural and what part is unchanging. The Gospel is unchanged, the mode of its delivery is cultural. Christ's work on the cross for us is eternal, how we share it can be adapted to the culture in which we present it. I have no problem with social satire as long as the Gospel itself is not watered down.

Enjoy, and then think about what church might look in 10 years, and then ask yourself why you go to church. Is it for the experience or something more eternal?

http://vimeo.com/11501569

Potty Training

Yes! We are finally potting training. Fed up with changing diapers on 2 kids, I was determined to train Evelyn to use the potty. It has been a week now since I sat her on her little potty, put a movie on, gave her a lollipop, and told her not to get up until she went. It took a few lollipops but we finally had success. She has done very well this week. We are so proud of her.

The Zoo

Some friends of our were so kind as to take Evelyn to the zoo with them on Saturday. When she arrived home after her fun filled day, I asked her what animals she saw.

Her response, "A squirrel."

Let the Celebration Begin

My dad is celebrating another birthday, on Saturday. Since we could not be there we had an early birthday for him last weekend. He was in the hospital but that did not stop us. We had a wonderful time with family and friends. Thanks Dad!

Enjoying ice cream!

Blowing bubbles


The girls enjoying an Easter gift from their Nana. Maeve was working hard to get that egg opened.


Just for fun

I had a little fun myself dying eggs this year.

The Easter Egg hunt at our church.

Evelyn excited about the candy. We had a hard time convincing her that if she picked up more eggs she would get more candy. She did not want to let that first egg and piece of candy go.

Repurposing

Lately I've been into "repurposing" items around the house. Instead of throwing out an unwanted item I've tried to find another use for it hanks to some ideas from Martha Stewart, Real Simple, and Pottery Barn. Maybe you will be inspired to repurpose instead of throwing out. Or feel free to bring your discarded items to me and I'll find something to do with them. : )

Before: 3/4 length sleeve shirt with collar

After: short sleeve shirt w/out collar that Evelyn can wear

Before: skirt I no longer could wear

After: Dress that Evelyn can wear

Before: Another old shirt of mine

After: Short sleeve shirt that Evelyn can wear. Fits more like a tunic and cute with leggings.

No "before" picture but it was a skirt of mine. Turned it into a dress and embellished it with handmade "flowers"


Before it was a brown frame with out a piece of glass. I strung 2 wires in the frame and now I can hang my ear rings on it. I used a ribbon to hang it on the wall.


Before: Another larger brown frame without glass. I painted it white, put hooks at the top and now it holds my necklaces.

New Family Photos

We finally were able to finish the photo session we started last November with our photographer. (Due to bad weather and rescheduling on our part.) She is wonderful to work with and I just love the photos we get from her. Here are the latest greatest.

Catching Up

We are done with the month of salads. I like salads and will continue to eat them but it gets old after a month of eating lettuce for dinner. We are now on to other meals and there are some from my Real Simple and Martha Stewart magazines that I think I'll try.

This past weekend we took a little trip to Hot Springs, Ar with my family and some close friends. We rented a house right on the lake and Gabe even got to do a little fishing. My dad's health is declining and I was really thankful we got to spend an enjoyable weekend him there.

Evelyn's vocabulary is growing daily. She is now repeating phrases that she hears like, "I'm on top of the world!" and "Oh dear!" I don't know where she got those from.

Maeve is now pulling up on things. She wants so badly to walk and chase after her big sister.

I can't believe it snowed here today!
Evelyn enjoyed getting out in it.