Josh and Shana

2011-10-13T07:46:00.003-07:00

2011-10-13T07:46:00.001-07:00

I have the two cutest kids ever!

2011-10-05T15:49:00.001-07:00

Elliott Andrew Stringer
8lb 13oz / 20 inches
@ 11:15pm 10/4

We are so happy to have him here. He is doing great. He is nursing well and still exhausted from his long journey into this world. We are super thankful for God's faithfulness and goodness to us during this time.

2011-09-09T17:14:00.001-07:00

Tonight was Noah night at church. There were animals to pet that Truett really liked. It was a good family night. We go to meet some more of our new church family too, which was really fun.

2011-09-07T12:14:00.001-07:00

Today we did something special for lunch. We live a block away from the train tracks. So we went and had a picnic next to them for lunch. Truett loved it. I wonder sometimes how many different engineers there are. I can't see them close enough to know. If they are the same ones over and over they are probably getting tired of waving and horn blowing. I appreciate them still doing it though, Truett loves it.

2011-08-18T19:17:00.001-07:00

My little man tonight before bed. Maggie gave him these pj pants. He looks like such a big boy. I asked him if he wanted to wear his choo choos or handy mannys and he saw these and said baseball. I was so shocked. Might be a little influenced tonight by his t-ball set he got for his birthday from uncle Andy and aunt Caitlin. Big thanks again he loves it.

2011-08-17T13:43:00.001-07:00

Here is the start of hopefully many updates to come on our city. Today I drove home from the dr in the city and decided to take pictures of our street. You have probably heard me say we live in a hundred year old home, but not really one of those cool ones. Remember it is a rental. But our street is full of them, not to mention our neighborhood. We are definitely probably one of the sore spots. Apologies to the neighbors. So, if you ever come to visit you'll start to enter our neighborhood and be like wow this is really nice till you get to our address. Now all that to say we are super thankful for our little house because it was the only way to afford living this close to where our life takes place. This really is an amazing area of the suburbs to live. So far we are settling in great thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Stringers help the first week we got here. All we did was work. We are still trying to get a few decor details underway, but we'll see how long they take. So stay posted as I attempt to post more o. Our town, church, and house here in Wheaton.

2011-08-11T05:25:00.001-07:00

This Monday Josh did an outdoor project. He had a really good time doing it too. He went to the home store a couple times, rented a truck to haul it all, and then came home to build. He did a great job. As always Truett was very eager to help daddy work. I sure hope this boy keeps this work ethic because as soon as he is able I will put him to work.I still have some flowers to plant and then it will be done. Final pick coming soon.

2011-08-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Imagination stage today pretty good.

10 Lists of 10

2011-08-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

When my time at seminary was drawing to an end I thought I should do something in the way of reflecting over the past three years. As a family we experienced quite a bit. We moved to a brand new city, had our first child, I studied... a lot. Now that I'm done and living in Wheaton, I've decided to do several Top Ten lists - 10 Lists of 10 to be exact. These aren't in any particular order and the items on the list aren't really in a "Top 10" order. So #1 isn't necessarily the best and #10 isn't the worst. You follow? Ok, 10 Lists of 10....

Things We Liked to Do in Louisville
1. Lynn's Paradise Cafe and Wild Eggs for breakfast
2. Thunder Over Louisville (although I never really got to go thanks to The Fresh Market)
3. Churchill Downs
4. Louisville Slugger Museum
5. Louisville Zoo
6. Cherokee Park
7. Grater's Ice Cream
8. Going down to the River
9. $5 Tuesdays at Tinseltown Movie Theater
10. Family Nights at Chick-Fil-A

Books I Read
1. Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns
2. When People Are Big and God Is Small by Ed Welch
3. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
4. The Reason for God by Tim Keller
5. The Gospel Centered Life by CJ Mahaney
6. Tell The Truth by Will Metzger
7. A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent
8. Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
9. The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin
10. The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott

Professors
1. Hershael York
2. Russell Moore
3. Stuart Scott
4. Tom Nettles
5. Jonathan Pennington
6. Shawn Wright
7. Bruce Ware
8. Tim Beougher
9. Jim Hamilton
10. Randy Stinson

Things I'll Miss
1. Grinstead Neighbors/Community
2. Fresh Market Friends
3. SBTS Library
4. SBTS Lifeway Bookstore
5. My Professors
6. The sidewalks in our town
7. The Elders at Crossing (Dustin Neely, Heath Lambert, Dave Northrup, and non-elder but might as well be Steve Hudson)
8. The Reason for God Louisville group - Matt Riddle, Tony Loseto, Ryan Dischinger, Jessica Trevino, Jackie Wagner, Sarah Hyman, Melissa Northrup, and several others.
9. The guys I shared class with, particularly my Preaching Practicum class
10. The "Golden Age" of our small group at church. This group included The Falls, The Bailies, The Peavyhouses, The Rothwells, and Kim Davidson.

Classes
1. Systematic Theology (I-III) with Dr. Wellum and Moore
2. Christian Ethics with Dr. Moore
3. Preaching Practicum with Dr. York
4. Pastoral Ministry with Dr. York
5. Typical Problem in Biblical Counseling with Dr. Scott
6. Calvin with Dr. Wright
7. Marriage and Family counseling with Dr. Scott
8. Personal Evangelism with Dr. Beougher (biggest surprise class for me, I thought I'd hate it)
9. Church History I with Dr. Nettles
10. Hermeneutics with Dr. Hamilton

Things I'd Do Differently
1. Start taking languages my first semester so I'm not left doing them on my last
2. (If it would have been possible) I would have worked less so I could build better relationships with other seminary guys and been home more
3. Invest more in relationships at church
4. Know my professors better
5. Preached more
6. Read a little slower
7. Shared the Gospel more boldly
8. Memorized more Scripture
9. Spent more time with my wife and son
10. Saved more money

Truths I Learned
1. The Gospel has bearing on EVERY aspect of life.
2. Everyone has a story, so listen more than you speak.
3. It is better to really read and understand one book than to skim 10.
4. The Bible will never get old.
5. My wife and family will the be one's that matter most in 50 years so invest more in them than in others.
6. But invest in others too.
7. People are more willing to talk about God and the gospel than you think they are.
8. The best counseling happens in the context of discipleship and becoming more like Christ.
9. There is great value in the past and there is great hope for the future.
10. Debates over some things are entirely fruitless and debating parenting styles can be as controversial as Calvinism vs. Arminianism.

Things You Should Know When Shopping for Meat (this could have been titled "Questions I Was Asked At The Fresh Market)
1. Don't talk on your cell phone and try to order meat.
2. Lean ground beef makes a terrible burger - get ground chuck
3. Lean steaks should NEVER be cooked over medium. They will be dry and gross.
4. Dry rubs and seasoning are better than marinade for beef.
5. Kabobs are a waste of time. Just grill the meat whole and do the veggies separate.
6. You should really learn to cut up your own chicken or cut your own steak in half.
7. A tenth of a pound of ground beef extra will NOT ruin your recipe. If you asked for 1 pound and the scale says 1.12, relax, you'll be fine.
8. Standing away from the meat case, pointing to your steak and saying "I'll have that one" does not help get your meat quicker. Your meat guy has no idea what you're pointing at.
9. Different beef roasts respond differently to different types of cooking. A chuck roast is going to fall apart when its done and is best done in a crock pot all day with veggies. Most other roasts should be done in the oven and the temperature should be monitored so you don't over cook it.
10. ALWAYS say please and thank you.

Why You Should Go To Seminary (if you're considering ministry)
1. You will be a better reader.
2. You will benefit from simply being in the classroom.
3. You will make life-long ministry friends.
4. You will find out how little you know.
5. You will be a better learner.
6. You will find ministry and theological resources you never knew existed.
7. You will be challenged to grow.
8. You will find amazing professors who care about you and your family.
9. You will learn Greek and Hebrew better in class.
10. You will know the Word better.

Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. Doing ministry at College Church in Wheaton, IL.
2. Having baby #2.
3. Having a regular schedule where I don't have to work Saturdays or nights.
4. Having more time with my family.
5. Getting to practice what I've been studying for the past 3 years.
6. Not working at Fresh Market.
7. Enjoying reading what I want to read at my own pace.
8. Having friends and family come visit.
9. Making new friends and keeping in touch with old friends.
10. Experiencing the Chicago spring, summer, and fall (keep the winter comments to yourself...I've heard them all)

I think that about covers it. I could have added a few more to each list, but these are some of the things that I have experienced in Louisville and Southern Seminary.

2011-07-30T15:39:00.001-07:00

Playing with Truett. He is getting into imagination stuff.

2011-07-30T13:22:00.001-07:00

Last night after dinner in downtown Wheaton, just a walk away from our front door. Really love where our house is located.

2011-07-29T14:42:00.001-07:00

My handsome men after a long day at Navy Pier in Chicago. A totally spontaneous vacation day from all the house settling we've been doing.
This was dinner at Outback Saturday night after packing truck all day.

2011-07-21T17:33:00.001-07:00

Truett had a good time playing during the rain storm. He put stickers on baby S.

2011-07-21T17:30:00.001-07:00

Our last trip to the pool this summer. Had a great girls day at Caitlin's pool. Jonathan even made an appearance which Truett was very happy about you can see.

2011-07-12T09:31:00.001-07:00

New haircut today. He had a bunch cut off.

2011-07-12T09:30:00.001-07:00

Playing at the mall today.

2011-07-05T05:48:00.000-07:00

This is mostly a test. Trying to figure out how to post to my blog from my phone.

Favorites: Benji and Jenna Cowart

2011-05-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

They Will See God from Jeremy Cowart on Vimeo.

My very first job on staff was in Florida. I was an intern on staff with these guys. They are amazing people who love God and make amazing music. I am a huge fan. This is their newest song out, they are working on a new cd. You can find their other music on Itunes if you are interested. Just search under Benji and Jenna Cowart. I hope you like it.

Great Truett Videos from this past week.

2011-05-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

We got to go to the pool this week and the boys had a blast. David especially. Truett is now asking to play in the water everyday.

Probably one of my favorite videos. Truett playing with the Smith kids, some of his best buds this past year. Obviously wrestle mania is just part of their make-up as boys.

This was this evening on the way to dinner. Daddy and Truett breaking it down and I was so thankful to catch it on video (praise iphone). I love moments like these.

Truett adores his Grandpa and Grandma Stringer, you can see it on his face, but then he crash and burns. OOPS

Truett Videos

2011-05-02T11:26:00.001-07:00

Here are some up-to-date videos of Truett. They will probably be very boring to you, but anything this kid does puts a smile on our faces.

This was a first. We have this extremely pointless balcony on our apartment. Pretty much during the nicer weather months we use the door as a large window and open it. Well, it was raining this day and Truett decided to go out on the balcony. He was pretty shocked by what he found. He really started to enjoy it though and it was hard to get him back inside. Pretty funny too the music in the background is from the tv. Truett had been watching Signing Time, one of his favorites. Fitting song.

Truett all of a sudden got all crazy on us when he saw daddy trying to get skype working. He loves talking to family on skype. This night we were talking to Uncle Andy and Aunt Caitlin and he was crazier than ever.

Here is a video from Easter morning. It was so fun having him wake up to his Easter basket. I really wanted to hide eggs around the house because that is what my mom did when I was little, but I didn't think we would have time before church. Maybe we'll tweek our traditions next year. He got an Easter box in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma Stringer too so I had that stuff out for him. He loved it all as you can tell.

Truett's favorites shows are Signing Time, Mickey Mouse, Handy Manny, and occasionally Elmo. Anything with them in it he is all over. I think in that order too. We got Truett a bunch of Signing time books and music cds because we get the dvds all the time from the Library. It is nice now to have some non tv stuff for him that he loves.

Late Updates: Jan visit from Aunt Heidi

2011-04-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

In January of this year, Heidi came to visit us in KY. This would be her last visit to Louisville (at least to see us) because we are graduating in May. WOOOHOOO!!! It was a lot of fun. I had just found out that I was pregnant and struggling through the first trimester sickness, but Heidi (as always) was a trooper. She soaked up all her time with Truett.

On this day I am pretty sure that Heidi read every single book that Truett owns. They both loved it. Truett still loves books and can sit in your lap for hours reading them.
Josh taking a turn down the big hill. This hill is a haul so you only do it so many times before you are exhausted from climbing it.
Heidi (carring Truett), Josh, and Zoe coming up the hill. Heidi and Truett just took their first trip down the hill. Way to go Heidi. She was nervous. She did great. Heidi had hoped that the snow would still be around when she arrived from Florida, and boy did it. I think we even got some more.
This guy is so handsome. This is a Christmas Story moment.
Thank you Aunt Heidi for coming to visit us. We were sure glad you did.

Warming up from playing outside in the snow.

2011-04-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is a really good picture sometime in January or February. Truett is warming up in his cozy chair watching tv because he was just outside playing in the snow. Handsome little man.

New Truett Video

2011-04-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

This is a new video from this week of him falling asleep at the table. I skipped his nap this day and it proved he is not ready to go without a nap still. He is too darn cute.

Truett's Farts

2011-03-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Last week, Friday to be exact, I was getting Truett ready for bed. We have a routine we do every night probably like most parents. Bath time, Diaper, Pj's, close the curtains, turn on sound machine, hugs and kisses to daddy, read books, rock a bit, and than night night in his crib with blanket and fuzzy. Well, this night was obviously no different. I was putting Truett's diaper on when he farted. It was loud and smelly. It was practically in my face. I reacted how someone would normally react to such an event, and Truett thought it was the funniest thing in the world. It was as if he was a teenage boy laughing at just doing a smelly fart in in his mommy's face. It really was funny even to me a bit. We proceed in the bedtime process. Now we are reading books, and he lets 2 more go. I now can not handle it.

During this pregnancy I am convinced that my nose is way more sensitive than it was with Truett. Half my battles have been living in my apartment because of my neighbors smelly cooking and no fresh air. Now that the sun is back and the weather is nice, the windows are open and I can walk around the house without a face mask on (literally).

So, back to the fart story. The second time, I can't handle it much longer. I yell for Josh to come and relieve me and take over bedtime process. I then proceed to the bathroom to throw up what seems like everything I ate that day. Which was a real bummer, Josh had brought home a T-bone steak from work to grill out. I ate the filet and he had the strip. It was awesome, well not for long. I don't think baby got any of that steak.

End of story, hope you got a good laugh.

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma

2011-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Last night Truett opened a present that came in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma Stringer. He loves it. We always read books before bed and this is the one he wanted last night and then this morning he read it to his buddy David. This is one of the coolest gift ideas.

Shana's Update: sorry no photos

2011-03-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

I know I am way overdue for a post. I apologize my first trimester has not been a fun one. Unfortunately, Josh takes his computer to class so when I think to sit down and post I usually can't because he has his computer (his computer stores all the photos and videos). Although, I haven't been good at even taking any photos or videos the past 2 months. I am curious to see what we even have on there. So, I hope this update will do (with no photos).

Truett is amazing. He is fast approaching 19 months. All of a sudden he has started to say all kinds of words. We were worried for a while because he can sign so much, and he still chooses to sign over speak sometimes, but at least we can communicate. He is such a big boy. He can push him self on his ride on toys, throws balls really well and with good aim, plays with puzzles, stacks blocks, and still loves books. His favorite toys are probably his balls. He has a huge box full of them and he chooses them over anything else all the time. Anytime we go somewhere he is asking for a ball to take with us. Every stage I say to myself he is so much fun. He gets better and better. He is heavy and it is starting to set in that I don't have much longer in this pregnancy to be picking him up. I can barely put him in his crib at night. He is wearing 18m and 24m clothes. I think he is pretty skinny, but he seems pretty long. One of the cutest things that he does is come up to us and speak all kinds of jibber jabber. He is so cute. He wants so bad to tell us all kinds of stuff, but not quite there yet.

Josh is doing great with school. We are totally excited this is our last semester. I can hardly believe in 2 months we'll be packing up. I am excited and sad all at the same time. Most likely we are moving home to GA with no job prospects in the immediate future, although Josh is still working on that and there seem to be some great possibilities. It will be sad to leave behind some of the friends we have made here because who knows if and when we will see them again. Every one here is in the same mode of from here then where and so we will all be spread out. Back to Josh, I know he is enjoying his last semester as well.

As for me, I am pregnant, and that about sums it all up. First trimester seems to still be going since I am still sick. I will be 13 weeks on Thursday. I am thankful that the toilet worship has kind of come to an end. The last time that happened, Truett played along side me and at one point had dragged his crawl tunnel into the bathroom. When I started to throw-up he stood at the toilet next to me putt his head on my shoulder and then himself pretended to throw up in the toilet. It definitely perked up the event taking place. I am definitely showing. Although to the unknown person I think I probably just look chubby in my tummy.

That is all I can think of for an update for now. I hope to be able to get some pictures or videos on here soon so stay posted. We have no forgotten the blog.

New Years Eve Part 3

2011-02-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here is the crew from New Years Eve. We had a really good time. We played all kinds of Wii games, bingo, and re-gift white elephant. Not to mention Josh made some awesome BBQ. It was a ton of fun. Andy went home with most of the prizes, as usual. (I realized after this picture was take that it looks like Josh is holding my belly as if I was pregnant, sorry folks no news just an ackward pose)

New Years Eve Part 2

2011-02-05T11:26:00.000-08:00

Truett and Jonathan wore the same shirt. Andy and Caitlin went to Disney in November and brought them back matching onsies. They were too cute. Not to mention every time they are together we do a photo shoot. These poor boys are going to grow up asking us why so many pictures of them together in the same outfits. You would think they were twins. We are probably going to pay for this when they get older.

Someone found the boots again.

Big Announcement

2011-02-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

Josh eagerly posted on Facebook, but forgot our blog. Facebook found out a day earlier. We are excited to announce Truett is going to be a big brother. We are very early on barely 7 weeks pregnant. We had our first Dr. appointment yesterday. We are due September 24th. This shirt Truett is wearing was Josh's. Josh wore it when Andy was born. I don't know how we can recreate perfection, but we are doing it again (jk). Truett is a little model in this picture he looks like he is putting his hand on his hip. I love this little guy. He amazes me more and more everyday.

New Years Eve Part 1

2011-02-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve was a ton of fun this year. I hope we can do it again next year.

Daddy, Uncle Andy, and Truett.

Marcy's memorable mock margaritas. Whenever we get together there is always a request. They were super yummy. Even Truett likes them (no worries, there is no alcohol).

Me, Caitlin, Marcy, and Judy

Girl band. I don't know why but I love playing rock band. It was a ton of fun.

The boys played their share of video games too. Truett was too cute. He wanted to be right up there with them. Josh and Andy gave Truett a piece of the controller and Truett would pretend he was playing too. It was soo adorable.

Piano Time

2011-01-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

We went for a visit to the Howards for dinner one night. They have a piano in the front sitting room. Truett loves the piano.

Misc. Christmas Photos

2011-01-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here are some more Snow day photos.

Truett love love loves going for rides on the cabota, especially with Daddy and Grandpa.

Aunt Caitlin and Truett

So cute - Uncle Andy and Aunt Caitlin trying to get Truett to do a snow angel.

Daddy, Zoe, and Truett playing in the snow.

It was really hard trying to pull together some snow gear for Truett. We didn't pack for snow coming from KY to GA. I ran to Walmart that morning and found 2 pairs of boots not knowing which ones would work. These were one pair I bought. They are more a rain boot, but the Walmart in GA didn't even have any snow gear. Turns out Truett loves these boots. He puts them on every time he sees them.

Playing in the Snow some more.

2011-01-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Adults turn to play in the snow.

Grandpa, me, and Truett on the cabota pulling Andy from behind on the wooden sled. We decided to try and pull it behind the cabota because it wouldn't work as a traditional sled going down the hill. We think it might have been a little too heavy and the snow just not enough to hold it up.

A slow turn with Uncle Andy and Truett.

Josh taking a chance on the sled head first. It seemed to work alright that time when he did it. Zoe has this crazy reaction whenever we sled (even here in KY). She has to chase us and she tries to hold on to us. Like she thinks we are in trouble kind of funny until she actually get a hold of you.

Andy trying the garbage can lid. No luck either.

Andy and me in a snow ball fight.

Truett playing in the Snow at Christmas.

2011-01-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

Snow on Christmas. Truett playing outside. He loves snow too.

Getting ready to go outside and play in the snow.

Playing with Grandpa.

Daddy pulling Truett on the sled he and Grandpa whipped up that morning.

Can't stand how cute he is.

Not enough wants to go out again.

Zoe

2011-01-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

Zoe loves the snow too. While home in Atlanta it snowed on Christmas and Zoe got to get out and go crazy. She loves the snow.

Truett's Favorite Christmas Present

2011-01-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

Truet got a pop-up tent and tunnel for Christmas from Grandpa and Grandma while we were home. Here are some really cute pictures of him playing in it. This really is hit.

Aunt Caitlin getting in on the act. She was the first adult to brave the tunnel since she is so tiny.

Cute one of Aunt Caitlin and Truett.

This guy is so cute.

Truett standing by with anticipation. Notice his shoes on with his PJ's. Truett loves his shoes. He looks kind of silly

Sledding this week.

2011-01-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

We had a great time sledding this week with all the snow. There is still snow on the ground and we are expecting more. People are still sledding. Heidi comes to visit next weekend hopefully there will still be snow on the ground so we can take my fellow Floridian sledding.

Truett loves the sledding. He yells as we go down the hill. He is no wimp either, he would go from high up on the hill.

Stringer Christmas

2011-01-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Truett had a good time at Stringer Family Christmas this year. He got to play with a bunch of family.

Cousin Jeffrey and Truett. He was trying to put him on his shoulders and Truett thought it was hilarious to keep his legs crossed.

Cousin Courtney playing with the Little People Nativity set. She swears he said baby Jesus. :)

Aunt Caitlin and Truett.

Truett found his favorite buddy for the day.

Shana's Update: Bogie

2010-12-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

This post is in memory of my first 4-legged baby, Bogie.

Truett: Walking in Mommy's boots.

2010-12-27T19:08:00.000-08:00

Truett: Forts + Boys = FUN FUN FUN

2010-12-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

Josh teaching his son the art of forts.

Truett Videos: Coloring

2010-12-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

Truett was coloring, but then it turned into this game of pick up. He is so stinking cute.

Truett Videos: Playground on Vacation

2010-12-16T04:49:00.000-08:00

These are great videos of when we went on family vacation at the park. Truett loves to play at the park, can you tell?

Truett Videos: Roller Coaster Daddy

2010-12-15T04:38:00.000-08:00

This was in October when we went on our family vacation. Truett loves this game.

Truett Video: Halloween Videos

2010-12-13T01:47:00.000-08:00

These are some really cute videos of Halloween.

This is a good one after we got back and he dumped all his candy out because he saw the Godshall kids doing the same thing. He just kept putting them all back in his pumpkin bucket. So cute!!!

Earlier that day we went to a birthday party for one of Truett's girlfriends, Mady.

Truett: Thanksgiving

2010-12-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

This was our first attempt at Thanksgiving dinner. This was the actual Thanksgiving dinner. Truett was having a rough day it seems.

This was the second attempt. He looks way happier doesn't he?

Truett: Cute as always!!

2010-12-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

This guy is just to cute.

For Husbands and Fathers

2010-12-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

I've been working through Colossians and came to a very familiar passage the other day:
"Wives submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged." Col. 3:18-21

This is a pretty common passage, especially when it comes to the structure of the home. There are two things here for husbands and fathers that I noticed. For every instruction to one family member there is a corresponding one for the man. You have some instruction for the wife and then a follow-up command for the husband. You have some instruction for the child and then a follow-up command for the father. If you needed more biblical proof that the man is to be the leader in the home then here you go. So, my two things....

1. You want your wife to be submissive? Then love her and don't be a jerk. Submission is more than just obedience. Obedience isn't what Paul is after here. That comes with the child. Your wife is not a child. Submission has more to do with "follow-ship" and the recognition of headship. If you are not the leader in the home, chances are its not your wife's fault (although that's not to excuse wives from responsibility). Ask yourself this, who wants to follow a jerk? Not me. If you're harsh, demanding, and unloving, don't sit around and wonder why your wife doesn't follow your lead. Also, her submission is "fitting in the Lord." This means that if you're not leading in a way that she can follow - by loving her - then not only are you sinning, but you are contributing to her sin.

2. When I came to verse on children obeying their parents I wasn't thinking of how that applied to me until I read the next verse addressed to fathers. Truett isn't at the age where I can simply tell him to obey. However, he is at the age where he can recognize when I'm in a bad mood. He can be provoked and he can be discouraged. I want him to obey me as he grows. One, it teaches him about authority, but mostly, according to this verse, it pleases the Lord. I want my son to please the Lord in all that he does. However, if I'm provoking him and being harsh with him, he won't want to obey me and will become discouraged. Just like with your wife, what kid wants to obey a jerk? If he's not obeying, he's not pleasing the Lord. The discipleship of my child and his obedience to me is tied directly to the way I treat him and encourage him. This means that if you're not fathering your child in a way that he can obey you - by encouraging - then not only are you sinning but you are contributing to the sin of your child.

When I was writing about this in my journal I really felt the weight of responsibility of shepherding my family. The Lord has given me a great one, I pray that I will be able to lead them in ways that they can grow in the Lord as they grow in our family.

I pray that for you - husband and father - as well.

Truett Videos: Bad Parenting

2010-12-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

We are probably bad parents for teasing our kid like this. It was hilarious. Truett kept hitting daddy with this wooden spoon. It made me laugh so hard because I didn't think he knew what he was doing at first, but daddy wasn't a huge fan. We had to put a stop to it and I had to control myself.

Truett: Zoo Trip

2010-12-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Truett had a good time on the playground at the Zoo. He loves playgrounds.

Truett was scared of all the animals. He would shake his head no pretty hard.

We heard this lion roar it was really cool

This guy went to the bathroom in front of us and made a small lake with it.

Truett: ATL

2010-12-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

Some friends of mine had to go to Atlanta for a conference and needed a place to stay. So they took me along and we all stayed at Dean and Judy's. It was a great week. As most of everybody knows Judy is the queen of hospitality so they were in for a treat. We all had a great time. Here are some photos from the week.

Dean and Judy had a bonfire so we could cook hot dogs and make smores.

We found a park with a great beach and playground for a picnic one day. Truett loves playgrounds.

I think Judy had fun with all the kiddos too.

Truett: Halloween

2010-12-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

Here are some really great pictures from Halloween with Truett. We had a really great time. Josh carved a pumpkin with Truett of Truett. It was really awesome. I had so much fun my cheeks hurt at the end of the night.

These are the Godshall children we went with. It was so fun.

Aliens and Catholicism at The Fresh Market

2010-12-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

Are you The Christian at your job? You know what I mean. When people have problems or questions you're the person that people come to. At my job, I'm kind of that guy. I've worked at this store for 2 1/2 years and people know me as the seminary guy or the preacher guy. That carries with it a good bit of weight and responsibility. I really have to watch my responses to coworkers and less-than-desirable situations that may come up. But it also means that people come to me with the strange questions and say awkward things. Does that ever happen to you?

The last two nights I've stocked shelves in the grocery department because there weren't enough hours to go around in the meat department. I was NOT happy about that. I have the second most seniority among all the guys back there and yet I'm the one whose hours get cut. This is the time of year where I can work full-time since school is out. And I NEED those hours to make money to pay for school (one more semester!). This is one of those situations where I have to watch how I respond and I must confess that I haven't responded as well as I should have. However, God has a way of working things out. While I'm not working where I'd like to be, I get to talk to a whole set of new people.

First, the awkward comments. Last night I was leaving work I had finished my job - fronting and facing the whole store. No big deal. So I really had nothing to do. I asked the store manager if there was anything else I could do because I didn't want him to send me home early. There wasn't so he sent me home. The awkward part came when he said, "Just make one more round and then you may go my son." My son? MY SON? He knows I'm in seminary and I guess he figured that's what we say there. Yep. Seminary is a place where we all walk around in frocks and refer to each other as Fathers and Sons and only speak in 15th century English. Its weird what people assume. I did tell him that I had never used that phrase with anyone and we had a good laugh. The weird things people say because they don't know what else to say. Eh, whatever.

Second, there's Glenn the Alien Guy. Glenn is an upper middle aged guy who doesn't get out much and watches a lot of History and Discovery. So, consequently he really thinks the Bible has something to do with Aliens and that Aliens really exists. He spends a lot of his time trying to convince me, but, oh, I don't know, call me a skeptic. Glenn is one of those guys who tests me in ways that no one else does. Two reasons:

1. When he talks to me its rarely in private so other people listen in. Most of these people think Glenn is crazy. He's actually pretty smart. He's got this whole algorithm figured out on how he's going to win the lottery and runs a lottery pool at work. Its crazy, but he's dedicated. I think I could write a book on this guy. Back to my point - people listen when we talk. I'm not saying I respond as graciously as I should every time we chat about E.T. but what if I joined in with the "making fun" crowd. It would be really easy to do. I mean he's a giant slow pitched softball on a pee wee field. Guaranteed home run. What would that say about the gospel? It would slam the door on him and everyone else. I'm certainly not saying that this is easy, but the Lord has really taught me patience with this guy. Why can't God save him too? Why wouldn't God save Him? He's the type of guy that is a social leper and needs to stand at the edge of the city and beg for attention (Luke 17). We should have mercy on such people. Not because I'm the "it" guy or have better social skills than him. Its because I was that guy on the edge of The City looking in and Jesus had mercy on me. Who am I to look down on him because he believes in Aliens. We were all hostile to the gospel and enemies of God at one point. His idols are aliens and money. Mine is usually me.

2. I'm learning a whole new set of apologetics with Glenn. How do you rightly defend the faith against aliens? Not that aliens are attacking Jesus or anything. But how do you fit the gospel into a guy's world view that includes crop circles and flying saucers. He thinks that Enoch was taken up by Aliens. Seriously. So I may need your help on this one. Here's what I've done so far. Every time we talk about it I try to get the focus of the conversation off of aliens and on to God. I learned a lot of good conversational apologetics from a book called "Pastor's Sketches" by Ichabod Spencer.... written in the 1850's. Anyway, he also believes in God and insists that he grew up Southern Baptist. Usually I conceded to him that aliens might exist. BUT, if they do, they are a product of creation and that there still is a Creator. So last night I took him to Romans 1 and showed him what happens to those of us who exchange the worship of the creator for the worship of creation. So I say, "Glenn, all of creation is pointing to their Creator and aren't meant to be ends to themselves for worship. Aliens should point us to God - if the exist." My goal is to show him, as great as aliens might be, God is greater and his affections and worship should be directed towards Him - through Christ. So, those have been my big challenges the last few nights.

Any thoughts on how you might share the gospel with someone like Glenn?

Steve Johnson's Dropped Pass Is God's Fault???

2010-11-29T13:52:00.000-08:00

I was kind of watching the Bills and Steelers game yesterday when I saw the Bills almost win in overtime. They lost for a lot of reasons, but they could have won if Steve Johnson had caught the perfect pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick in the end zone. But, he dropped it. Here's the clip:

I mean just plain dropped it. The pass couldn't have been any better. After the game that his team lost he took it really personally. I don't blame him for that part. As a former quasi-athlete who missed his share of free throws and base hits you take those things personally. Its part of the competition. After the game he was tearful during his press conference and very emotional. Apparently he was still emotion when he Tweeted this:

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME !!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

Here's the link to an article with a further description.

So the bottom line is that he blamed God for dropping the pass. Several people have blogged about this today and I get their responses. Here's a good one by Andy Darnell. I understand that the man was really upset. I get it. However, when we are pressed into difficult situations our character and theology begin to show their true colors. I don't mean that we scroll through our giant Systematic Theology books to find out how we should react. I mean that the things we really believe about God (our true theology) come out when we are pressed. In this case Steve Johnson appears to believe that because he praises God "24/7" that God owes him something - like the ability to catch a football. Now, that may be reading into a tweet a little too much. But, I think that more people than not really believe that if we live a good life and show God some props, then nothing bad should happen to us.

There's a problem with that. See, I was reading this book the other day. On page 1201 it says about those who have great faith in God "through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." However, there were also some who "were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised..."

God doesn't owe us. He gave us Jesus out of mercy and grace. If we really got what we deserved it would be a little worse than dropping a ball and suffering a little embarrassment. So, sometimes having faith and praising God doesn't meant that you'll always catch a ball to win a game and be a hero and get millions of dollars to play a game. Sometimes it means that you get sawn in two.

Truett: Another Favorite

2010-11-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

This is another favorite of Truett's. He loves Zoe. He has learned how to let her out of her kennel. So that is his job when ever we come home from somewhere to go let her out. He loves her. He pets her and cuddles with her pretty much everyday. On this day it was close to his nap time so I think he went for Zoe as a comfy bed.

Shana's Update: Stringer Vacation 2

2010-11-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Bogie and Zoe had a good reunion. Caitlin and I had a great time kayaking. The boys had a really good time fishing on the kayaks too.

Uncle Andy was a really good uncle. I was so glad to see Truett attached and affectionate with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Andy, and Aunt Caitlyn. We don't get to see them that often and would stink if Truett had to be reacquainted everytime. One of these pictures shows Josh fishing with this little boy. It was pretty funny, he was a local. Grandpa and Truett playing under the blanket, soo cute!

Part 2 of Stringer Vacation pictures. Sorry there isn't really any order to the pictures I am trying to get as many in as I can and they're hard to organize them...above my pay grade.

Shana's Update: Stringer Vacation

2010-10-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Part 1 of pictures from our Stringer family vacation in Tennessee. We had a really great time. SOO relaxing!! Just what we needed. I can't remember what the names of the parks we visited were but we visited 2. We had a blast hiking and playing on the playgrounds. We ate dinner outside at the cabin. We had a good time fishing, although we didn't catch much. We kept catching these fish and none of us know what they are.

Josh enjoyed studying outside too at the cabin. I am pretty sure Grandma and Grandpa got their fill of Truett. They were pretty tired when they went home.

Truett: Playing Outside

2010-10-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

This is Truett playing outside our apartment the day he got his haircut. He is so cute!

The First Ever Rap Song About the Heidelberg Catechism

2010-10-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

Man its been along time since I've posted anything. Well, now's not a good time either so I'll just put this up for your enjoyment. I'm pretty much ripping it off of C.J. Mahaney's blog. Here's what he had to say:

On a stage in front of 2,800 attendees at the 2010 NEXT Conference, I called out my friend Curtis Allen.

Kevin DeYoung was speaking at the conference, and the focus of his newest book was the Heidelberg Catechism. He called it The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism. So at NEXT 2010, I challenged Curtis (aka Voice) to write and record a rap song to promote Kevin's book and catechism.

Curtis delivered.

Here's what he sent me:

Heidelberg Catechism by avoice

Lyrics:

Lyrics
Verse 1
Yeah I'm on a mission like a couple spies, and that guys is the reason why I catechize. The good news we almost forgot I recognize, Heidelberg rediscovering the gospel prize. It's not scripture but the truth in it will mention he, introduction hide and seek the 16th century. Written in a time when your mind was the weaponry, this document is back into the populace shouts to Kevin D. Better than you think not as bad as you remember, purpose driven truth, from Frederick the elector. He would initiate, the 129 questions to illustrate truths like Christ propitiates. All in a document, whose purpose was to teach children, a guide for preachers, and confessions in a church building. And this is all fact The Heidelberg Cat has been around but now it's seem like it is coming back.
Hook

We believe in the cross, believe in his life,
We believe in his death, believe he's the Christ.
We believe that he rose from grave yes it is him
And we read the Heidelberg Catechism

We believe in the after life and we believe nothing's after Christ, so we stand our ground, cuz the truth's been around from the word to Heidelberg.
Verse 2
Year of the Heidelberg resulting in renewed passion, and we could see it in our lives lights camera action. Let's take a gander and address a few questions from Heidelberg document then look at the answers. But before that make sure that, you know how it's broken down, in a Q & A format, a few sections. Suggestions how to read this not to sound promotional, but Kevin put it in his book to make it a devotional. Each question each answer has a bit of commentary, so the application of it is not some involuntary. Mystery, the history screams through rings true but I'll just leave that up to God, cuz that's between you. to believe, but to believe you gotta read you and then you meditate on all the truths that the Heidelberg will illustrate. What's that the catechism homey where you been the good news we almost forgot let's get it in!
Verse 3
From the word to the Heidelberg, we see that what's the comfort of life should come first. And in death that I with, body and soul but belong to the savior, commentary from me man, tell this to your neighbor. Moving on, how many things are necessary for thee, enjoying this comfort, to live and die happily? Three, my sin's misery, deliverance from sin, and gratitude for God is how the answer ends. Let's stretch it out the Lord's day 23 the grandaddy of them all, questions 59 and 60. What good does it do to believe in all this? In Christ I am right heir to the promise. Paraphrase, anyways I'm kinda limited I'm just trying to say a couple things my man Kevin did. On the Heidelberg, go and get you one, and by the way CJ homey this was fun.

Truett: First Haircut

2010-10-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Truett getting his hair cut about a month ago. They had a slide in the shop. This is an after shot. They are in reverse.

See how long his hair was.

Truett: Last day of Summer

2010-10-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

The last day of summer here in Louisville was a really hot one so we went to a nearby water park with the neighbors. I had never been it was so much fun. That is a great thing about Louisville, there are tons of free outdoor places to take your kids and have fun. I love these shots.

This is a really cute shot of him on the playground.

Love this face

Playing in the sprinklers

This was a really good day and he had a blast.

Truett's new favorite.

2010-10-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

This is one of Truett's new favorite things to do. If I am in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, or anything he comes in and wants hang out with his mommy. It is pretty sweet. Can't wait to monopolize on it one day and actually give him something to do. I love this little guy.

Get Ready...

2010-09-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what to do with this. I love it but I hate it. Its awesome but it hurts. Watch and listen closely.

Now, what should we preach? Grab a tissue. I needed one.

Shana's Update: 1st year scrapbook

2010-09-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

This is the scrapbook I made online for Truett's first year. I apologize if there are a few errors in this one. I accidentally named 2 revisions the same so I am not sure which was is the revised one. I hope you enjoy it. I love it. We got it printed out, it is pretty long though 68 pages. But 68 pages of heaven :)

Click here to view this photo book larger

Truett Video: Probably one of my favorites so far.

2010-09-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

This video just makes my heart melt. He is getting so big.

Truett Videos: First Birthday part 2

2010-09-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

On Truett's actual birthday we were home here in Louisville. We had wanted to get him a toy like this, so I found one on sale at Babies R Us and we went and got it to put it together for him. He loves this thing still.

Truett Videos: First Birthday part 3

2010-09-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is a long video. This is how we celebrated Truett's birthday at home in Louisville on the actual date. We love this guy a bunch.

Truett Videos: First Birthday

2010-09-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some really great videos from Truett's Birthday Party.

Shana's Update: SBTS Fall Festival 2010

2010-09-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

This years fall festival was over the top. It really was a lot of fun. I think we enjoyed it way more having Truett this time. Last year Truett was only a month old, but I still remember going just for some free food. They kicked it off with these skydivers. Way cool. There was so much free food it was really awesome. They also had a bunch of cool rides and different themed areas. I definitely thought it was probably one of the best years.

You see two families sliding down. First you see Josh climbing up with Truett. Then Cassidy Smith and Tristen coming down. This is a new friend of mine that has moved into Grinstead. Then Josh and Truett come down. So cute.

I think it was pretty late in the night when we attempted this. He wasn't really excited about it when we were standing there waiting for the ride to get started, but once it started he came around. It was fun.

This was a first. That is right I am riding a mechanical bull. I thought it would have been fun and it was, but I left with an injury that I didn't expect. Truett cried when the bull threw me off, I think that was supposed to be sweet.

Truett Video: Gotta love the laugh

2010-09-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a great video when we were home in August. One of my best friends Heidi came up for Truett's birthday. As you can see he loves her, but it also helps she is making him laugh pretty hard.

Truett Videos:Brmm Brmm

2010-09-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

In August he started making this sound when he played with toys. SO ADORABLE!!

Shana's Update: Stringer Family photos.

2010-09-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

While we were home in ATL, GA this past August we had pictures done with everybody.

Shana's Update: Family photos.

2010-09-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

We got family photos done in June.

Tuesday Morning Apologetics

2010-09-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

This post comes (again) from Kevin DeYoung's blog. I'm too busy to write something original and this was really good. So for all you apologetic types out there, or those who are wanting to share your faith (which means you!) you might enjoy this:

To spot bad arguments you often need a lot of facts. But sometimes you just need a little commonsense. When it comes to discerning truth from error, good arguments from bad, a little bit of logic goes a long way.

All of us can make strong sounding arguments that, upon closer inspection, are much less than meets the eye. We employ rhetorical strategies that look impressive (and often work) but contain hidden assumptions and flimsy reasoning. Here are six common arguments (or approaches to argumentation) that can stop us in our tracks, but are actually less impressive than they seem. These arguments are not all wrong, but they must be evaluated with discernment, and they must not be accepted without corroborating evidence.

1. The Big Nasty. One of the best ways to discredit your opponent is to give his position a nasty sounding name. No one may no what “biblicistic” means, but it sure sounds bad. Likewise, if your opponent quotes Bible verses, it’s easier to charge him with “prooftexting” than it is to deal with the verses themselves. A subset of this approach is to throw around undefined, undefended historical curse words like Platonic, Modernism, Constantine, or Gnostic.

2. The Third Way. That Isn’t. This is the perfect example of an argument that can work but doesn’t automatically. Sometimes there really is a third way. This side says Jesus is divine. These folks think he’s human. The orthodox third way says he is human and divine. That’s an appropriate use of the third way.

Similarly, most preachers have warned before against “ditches on either side of the road.” This is a variation on the third way argument. The problem is when people argue for a third way like it’s the only sane option between two crazy extremes. For example, the leadership in my denomination has frequently made this kind of claim: “Some in our midst want to push an aggressive homosexual agenda, while others want to punish everyone who disagrees with their narrow reading of Scripture. But the vast majority in the middle realize we need room to dialogue and agree to disagree.” The problem here is that these may not be the only three options. What if there are five different approaches and your “third way” is really about the second from the left?

John Stott’s complementarian-egalitarian hybrid is another example. He paints his position as the middle ground between mistreating women on the one hand and disregarding Scripture on the other. But what if full blown complementarianism does not mistreat women? Or, the other side could argue, what if full blown egalitarianism is not unfaithful to Scripture?

3. Categorize and Conquer. Here’s another common strategy that can be worthwhile but also contains some hidden assumptions. For example, suppose you want to describe the evangelical landscape. So you divide evangelicalism into five groups (I’m just making these up off the top of my head): the new Calvinists, the neo-Anabaptists, the progressive left, the traditionalists, and Charismatics. Then you argue that we can learn something from each group. The new Calvinists teach us the importance of doctrine, the neo-Anabaptists the importance of community, the progressives the importance of social justice, the traditionalists the importance of tradition, and the Charismatics the importance of the affections. Your conclusion from this analysis: we all need to learn from each other and see the beautiful mosaic that is our diversity.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it? But while the schematic may have pedagogic value, there are a host of subtle assumptions hidden in this approach. 1) Once you’ve assigned the categories you’ve already given the strong impression that no one view is more correct than another. You sit above the whole mess and can see the parts of a larger whole. 2) The emphases in one group are not found adequately in the others. The analysis in the previous paragraph holds together only if it is assumed that each group gets one main thing right to the detriment of everything else. But what if the new Calvinists are known for doctrine and they prize the affections too? What if the traditionalists also care about community? 3) When someone puts together a categorization like this there is almost always an extra, unstated category. The hidden category is almost always some variation of “we need each other, so let’s all get along and embrace our diversity.” Of course, this could be the right answer, but its rightness must established, not assumed.

It should be noted that this line of thinking is also prevalent in discussions of pluralism and tolerance. When Christians are chastised for being intolerant of other religions what the arguer is really arguing for (though he doesn’t realize it) is that the Christian should accept his belief in the sameness of all religions and the irrelevance of doctrinal and ethical distinctions. His tolerance is not neutral ground, but an unstated faith commitment.

4. Preemptive Strikes. Any good argument will anticipate counter-arguments. But the preemptive approach doesn’t anticipate arguments, it merely tries to preempt them by defining would-be opponents in unflattering terms. So you might say something like: “I know that heresy hunters will see it as their duty to attack me.” Or, “Those who depend on the current system for their paycheck will feel compelled to cut me down.”

This rhetorical strategy is brilliant, annoying, and cowardly. Brilliant because you set a trap that no one who wishes to disagree with you can avoid. Annoying because you position yourself as a martyr before you’ve even been opposed. Cowardly because you call your opponents names even as you warn that they should not do so to you. The preemptive strike is usually passive-aggressive argumentation at its worst.

5. Affirm Then Deny. In this approach you simply say one thing and then say the opposite. “I’m not saying you’re fat, I’m just saying your grossly overweight” is an obvious example. More subtly someone might claim, “I hear what you are saying. And on one level I agree with you that God’s election is determinative in our salvation, but on another level I think God chooses us because we first choose him.” It’s possible the “levels” here actually refer to some important distinction, but often this is merely a way of saying, “I affirm your argument in principle, but now I will deny it.”

6. We’ve Been Wrong, So You Are Wrong. If you insist that God created the world out of nothing by the word of his mouth or that homosexual behavior is sinful you’re bound to have someone bring up Galileo and slavery. The argument usually goes like this: “I can’t believe you are holding to these outdated beliefs. Sure, you think the Bible is on your side, but Christians used to think the sun went around the earth, and Christians used to defend slavery from the Bible.” The idea is: “Don’t be too confident. We’ve been wrong before, so you are probably wrong now.”

I can’t recall how many times I’ve heard this line of thinking, but it’s roughly equal to the number of rainy days in Seattle. And yet for all its frequency, this argument proves nothing more than that Christians have interpreted the Bible incorrectly in the past (leaving aside whether the usual Galileo and slavery trump cards are as historically well-suited as people think). But the fact that Southerners were sure the Bible supported chattel slavery does not mean we can’t be sure of anything. In fact, the “what about slavery” argument is self-defeating because it assumes that we do know for certain that slavery is wrong. So there are things can be sure of after all.

In conclusion, all I have to say is this post was too long so I’m taking tomorrow off. The mean-spirited blog bullies will probably call me lazy, but that’s a cross I’m willing to bear. On one level this may look like a passive aggressive argument, but on another level I knew you would say that because you are beholden to Greek thinking and a mechanical dictation theory of inspiration.

Shana's Update: Other photos from visit to GA.

2010-09-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

Our first Sunday home for Truett and Josh's birthday week, we went to hang out with all the girls in my old small group at Maggie's parents house after church. We had so much fun hanging out at the pool and just being silly for hours. We did a lot of silly stuff that we swore not to post pictures or videos of. OOO so tempting. o well.

Marcy and Truett enjoying a popsicle.

Truett riding on Aunt Caitlin's back. They look so adorable laughing at each other.

Truett trying to learn to jump to Maggie. Still adorable.

Aunt Lauren swimming Truett to me. Still adorable.

Still adorable!!!!!

Cute video of him swimming.

Turn Up Your Speakers....

2010-09-02T06:14:00.001-07:00

Its rare that you find something this good. Thanks to my friend Jacob Cloer for sending this to me. For those of you who are flow-nomically challenged (I think I made up that word), you'll have to listen close to catch all the words, but this a great song that preaches the gospel. Thank God for people like Hazakim and Shai Linne who fill the void in the rap world with the gospel.

Turn up your speakers and enjoy. And yes, that's Johnny Hunt who he sampled in this song.

Truett Update: FIrst Birthday

2010-08-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

I know I have been absolutely horrible at posting about Truett lately. We converted all our videos and photos to Josh's mac computer, so if he has his computer I can't post anything with media. Sorry. Before I would take photos and video from my old phone, but my new phone doesn't take anything worth posting. Maybe one day when I am blessed with an iphone. (hint hint) lol.

Happy 1st Birthday Truett

Some good cake photos.

Cake Judy baked, and I frosted. Heidi helped towards the end. This was really a good workout on my hands.

Family photo. We dressed up for the theme.

Decorations. Truett loves balloons, so we put balloons as centerpieces on all the tables.

Josh made this cow/pig painting cutout. The kids had fun putting their heads in the cutout for pictures.

This was the next morning after the party. We saved the balloon arch and Truett loved playing in it. Like I said, he loves balloons right now. By the way, that was his first word "Baoon."

So one of the fun parts of being a parent is creating new traditions. We purchased this birthday crown so that all our kids can wear it for all the birthdays. Here is the first. Then when I am old I can put all these pictures together and cry. :)

What farm themed party isn't complete without a hay ride.

Food and decor. We did it really simple, only hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and homemade ice cream.

Another cake shot. Here is grandma helping clean up and daddy laughing in the background. In the back back you can see the party favors I made. The homemade tractor lollipops didn't workout. So, we had bandanna bags of candy and farm stickers with balloons attached. It was super cute.

Here is the cake we had made at Publix. They made an all green cake because they didn't have any farm or tractor themes. I was on the hunt all week around town for something to put on this cake. Finally, one late ladies night out at Wal-Mart I found a lego farm set for a whopping 60 bucks. I used it to decorate for the party and am going to wrap it up for Truett as a Christmas present. The other side of the cake said Happy Birthday Josh. Truett's is the 16th and Josh's is the 17th. Josh was surprised. People brought presents for Josh and wrote him some sweet notes. He was really surprised and excited.

Daddy playing with one of Truett's birthday presents. As soon as Truett unwrapped this he tried to sit on it. It was so cute. He didn't pay much attention to the other packages because he unwrapped this one 2nd. Thanks Uncle Zach and Aunt Lauren.

Truett unwrapping the farm car and trying to get on it.

It was a really good time. Thank you to everybody who came and celebrated with us. We are so blessed to have Truett as a part of our family. I would have had this posted sooner too, but I was finishing up his first year photo book on Shutterfly. I can't wait for it to get here. It is 68 pages long. I wish I could share it with you here, but maybe I can carry it around with me and show ya'll in person.

Shana's Update: OOO HOW TRUE!!

2010-08-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends, Jenny, posted this on her blog dedicated to me. I just had to share it with all of you too.

My favorite is the end when Romeo charges out of the minivan.

Shana's Update: Comparisons

2010-08-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

My sister just sent me this picture and I can't help but notice the resemblance.

Me and Truett

My mom and Me

( I have no clue how old I am, I will guess younger than 3 because that is when my sister was born and she is not pictured here)

Truett Videos: Been meaning to post these.

2010-08-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

This video is from the end of May when Dean and Judy came to visit.

These are some long videos, but they are good ones. These are when he was starting to walk.

New Blog Series... maybe.

2010-08-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while since I've blogged about much of anything. That's a testimony to a busy summer. But, summer is pretty much over - at least on the calendar its over, someone forgot to tell the thermostat. School starts on Tuesday (my final first day of school - only 2 semesters left).

Anyway, one of the classes I'm taking is called "Typical Problems in Biblical Counseling." I'm very excited about this class taught by Dr. Stuart Scott (not Booyah from Sportscenter). I've gotten ahead on my reading for the class and have finished "Living the Cross Centered Life" by C.J. Mahaney and "When People are Big and God is Small" by Ed Welch. Both books were excellent and worth your time. I wish I had blogged about them. The book I just started for the class is "Trusting God - Even When Life Hurts" by Jerry Bridges. Some of you may have read it before, its pretty popular...and pretty amazing so far.

I'm going to try to blog about each chapter. Even though I'm already three chapters in, I think I'll give it a shot. So stay tuned.

*I'm sure Shana will be posting soon about our trip to GA and Truett's B-day party.*

Mecry Me - Move (Live)

2010-07-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've not always been the biggest fan of Mercy Me (musical style thing). But this song is pretty darn good...especially live. Plus, there's an acoustic base and hand clapping. (notice he's reading the words off his iPhone).

P.S. - The lead singer looks like Dave Key... any NGC folks will know who I'm talking about.

Usborne Books!

2010-07-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

I just recently found these books. I was in Florida visiting my family when I saw some of these in a gift shop. I fell in love with all of them. Then a couple of weeks ago I went to a expo where I found out this was a home based business. Well, at first I just wanted to get free books so I hosted a party. Well, then I realized I could get even more free books as my kids grew up if I became a consultant. If you have ever seen these books you already know how awesome they are. Feel free to check out My Website. You can actually buy stuff right online and they will ship it to you. Also, if you are interested in earning some free books yourself, host a party. I am super excited about this new endeavor. Truett is really starting to like books we read them everyday. Just so you know, if your child has a birthday party and we are invited, you'll most likely get something from Usborne.

Shana's Update: It has been a long time.

2010-07-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

I am sorry it has been forever since I have posted an update. I know the grandpa and grandma's are itching for new pictures and videos.

Truett is growing up so fast. He started walking really well last week. This morning I watched him walk from one side of our living room to the other. Makes my heart sad and happy at the same time. He has been even more snuggly lately I think because of the new motor skills. I am soaking it all in because I know before long it will be long gone. He will be running by me with very little time to snatch a hug or kisses.

Today we went to the pool, and we have a kiddie pool on campus and he was zooming all around it. I got a video but it is messed up kind of and not good to put on the website, I apologize. I really will try and be better. He really loves going to the pool and mommy loves it too.

Life has been nice and normal around here because Josh is done with his J-term. We have had lots of family time. I am heading home next week to atl for a couple of weeks. I am super excited, Josh will follow a week later.

In other news. I turned 30 on the 9th. To celebrate I finally got my nose pierced, and then Wednesday I cut all my hair off. I think my mommy makeover is complete. I will try and post some pictures later.

A Gospel Primer (A Review)

2010-07-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I won a book at Manskool (our church's men's ministry) called A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. I wasn't really sure what to think of it except to start reading it. The premise of the book is that Christians need to hear the gospel after conversion as much as, if not more than they/we do before conversion. This book is designed to show you how you can preach the gospel to yourself every day and to "savor and enjoy the glories of God's love and experience the life-transforming power of the gospel in all areas of life."

The book is broken up into four parts. Part one is a series of smaller sections in paragraph form that give reasons to rehearse the gospel on a daily basis. Vincent shows that the gospel is for all areas of life and a seasons of life. I've read this portion of the book quasi-devotionally. Its how I would recommend reading this book. Its not a "sit down and read" kind of book, although I guess some people might find it beneficial to read it that way. The other sections of the book focus on different ways to see and read the gospel. He uses a prose version and a poetic version to describe the gospel narrative.

The book has been very helpful in helping me to better define the inworkings and outworkings of the gospel in my life. It has also been helpful to be reminded how much I need the gospel as much now as I did before I was saved. Here's an excerpt:

Perspective in Trials

More than anything else I could ever do, the gospel enables me to embrace my tribulations and thereby position myself to gain full benefit from them. For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me. [Rom. 8:28-29; James 1:2-4; 2 Cor. 12:7-10] When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize that the gospel is not just once piece of good news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life, including my severest trials [Rom. 5:1-5]. The good news about my trials is that God is forcing them to bow to His gospel purposes and do good unto me by improving my character and making me more conformed to the image of Christ.

Preaching the gospel to myself each day provides a lens through which I can view my trials in this way and see the true cause for rejoicing that exists in them. I can then embrace trials as friends and allow them to do God's good work in me.

The ESPY's

2010-07-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

I didn't watch the ESPY's last night. However I heard about Seth Myers' (of SNL) opening monologue. I watched on YouTube today and thought it was really funny. HE was funny. What wasn't funny was how seriously all of these athletes take themselves. If you watch this clip notice all of the athletes' reaction when Seth is picking on them. Particularly Stuart Scott. He's just an ESPN anchor. But he looks angry and unamused the whole time. Especially when Seth spends a little time picking on LeBron's "Decision." I've been meaning to blog about that but then I remember how little I actually care. I find it sad that these multi-millionaire athletes can't take a time out and laugh at themselves a little. They don't even realize how ridiculous sports are in the big picture. And that is being said by someone who loves sports. They're 20 somethings, or in some cases teenagers, who can put a ball in an iron hoop or throw a ball. Lighten up a little.

Here's another clip featuring Steve Carell...

Birthday Party Planning

2010-07-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hello all. I know I have some seasoned birthday party throwers out there reading this right now and I need your help. I am trying to find some stuff for Truett's first birthday party and get good deals. Any of ya'll have any recommendations? I am looking at a Tractor/Farm theme. I would love to get a helium tank for balloons, any advise? Thanks a ton.

In need of MP3's

2010-07-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm driving to Atlanta for my uncle's funeral. My dad's brother, Marvin, passed away early this morning. He died from surgical complications. The family is doing well which is a testimony to my family. I hate the circumstances that bring me home this time, but I'm really glad to be able to see the family. I haven't seen my extended family in over 2 years. I'm always working or in school for family Christmases and holidays. So this is important to me to be there.

Anyway, the funeral is actually on Wednesday. I will leave after Hebrew, hopefully by noon, and arrive in Atlanta by 6pm, in-time for visitation. I will leave Atlanta to come back to Louisville after the funeral on Wednesday. I hope to be on the road by 4pm. Needless to say I'll be driving a lot in the next 36 hours. I need some good driving tunes/audiobooks/preaching. So, if any of you have any suggestions on what I might listen to on the drive, or better yet, a way to send me whatever you are suggesting please send away. You can just post a comment or if you have my email address send it that way. I'm downloading several podcasts and have a few audiobooks but I'm certainly open to whatever you have to offer. Thanks!

Prediction

2010-06-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

NBA free agency starts tonight at midnight. This is something 99% of the readers of this blog don't care about. I typically don't care except that there are so many big name free agents out there that this summer, depending on who signs where, will change the landscape of the NBA for the next 5-7 years. Again, I know most of you don't care.

Anyway, LeBron James is the biggest fish in the free agency pond and there are all kinds of rumors about where he might go. The top choices seem to be Miami, Chicago, New Jersey, New York, or Cleveland (where he's played his whole career). My prediction: Cleveland. I think he'll stay home and try to win a championship there. I know he could go to Chicago with Chris Bosh (a GT alum) or to Miami with Bosh and D-Wade, but he's from Akron and Cleveland is close to home. He stays.

In other news.... I wore the Vibram 5's today. I walked to class and then went to the gym after class to workout. Today was Plyometrics day. I made it half way through before my feet started crying out. And after wearing my huge work shoes tonight at work my feet are pretty sore, but its to be expected. We'll see how they are tomorrow. Now...off to study Hebrew.

The Fear of Man Shoes & P90X Update...

2010-06-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

First, an update on P90x. I started this crazy workout program in February. Its broken into three phases that are four weeks each. Basically a month per phase. The first time I started I made it through phase 2...so I guess I did P60x. The reason I stopped was because when we got back from Spring Break my schedule got crazy with work and final exams. So I took a break for about a month. Then I did phase one again off an on, not as consistently but I didn't quit. Then Andy (my bro) and his wife Caitlin got the DVD's and I decided to start over again so we would be on the same pace. I figured as long as I continued working out it didn't matter what phase I was on.

So, I'm almost done with phase two - again. Its still a great workout and I'm strangely not bored with it. I've done it so much that I've got most of the exercises memorized so I take my workout log with me and just go to the gym and do it there. Its a nice change of scenery. Plus I get to use the free weights which are better for me than the bands. That's not to say that the workout bands are bad. I'd still recommend them, but the free weights just work differently. I'm still eating better, but not following the plan exactly just because its impractical for me to do it on our budget and on my schedule.

p90x gives you three options for your workout regiment. You have Lean, Classic, and Doubles. Lean is a little easier than the others and focuses on losing weight without building as much muscle. Classic is the program in the basic form. Then there is the Doubles option. This is what I've started doing. Basically I continue doing the regular workouts 6 days per week but now I run 3 times a week in addition to the workouts. I run on the days when I primarily do weight lifting and not on the days when I do cardio - like Plyometrics or Yoga. Although I don't really like the Yoga because its long and kind of boring so some days I do half the Yoga and then run.

The running brings me to the "Fear of Man" Shoes. What are these? They are the Vibram Five Finger Shoes. Why do I call them the Fear of Man Shoes? Because they aren't the best looking shoes I've ever put on my feet so to wear them I can't hang onto that pesky fear of man that plagues me. They are, however, super comfortable. Now, why these shoes? I've been having some knee tendinitis and some back pain. I'm getting old(er) ya' know. And, my old running shoes are, well, old, and the insoles have knotted up at the heel and feel like I have pebbles in my shoes. The Five Fingers look like gloves for your feet and are as close to barefoot running as you can get. They cause you to run on the balls of your feet rather than the heel-to-toe running that I'm used to. It takes the impact off of your knees and back and is supposed to eliminate the pain and promote proper running.

The guy at the shoe store said I really need to ease into them. I'm going to continue to run in my regular shoes (I'm up to 4 miles/run) and then add an additional 1/2 mile or 5 minutes to the end of my run in the Vibrams. I'm supposed to do that for a week or so and then add 10 minutes and go from there. The reason is that I'll be using muscles that don't normally get used and they say you get really sore at first. I don't like being sore so I'll follow their instructions. They feel a little weird at first - especially in my pinky toes. I'm not used to having something in-between them.

They're not overly expensive, especially for running shoes. They're cheaper than Nike's or NB's. Shana got a pair too. Her shoes were about 4 years old. Mine are the black ones pictured below and she got the gray ones. There are a lot of colors, but the KSO's (mine) only come in two. Anyway, do you any of you have them? Your thoughts? I'll post again in a week or two with my review.

Shana's Update: Obama Sucks (yep I said it)

2010-06-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

I am no usually one for soap boxes, or maybe I am. Well, recently I haven't been one for soap boxes I guess. My last two posts though show otherwise. I got this off a friends blog and it is so true. Our president is nothing but a celebrity, and frankly sucks. I am not asking for a government take over, but this is just proof he spends his time doing celebrity type stuff. I am glad we pay him to make appearances and have cool concerts. That is right folks he is paid with our tax money or did you forget.

Sweet

2010-06-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

Shana's Update: Little Bumper Bummer

2010-06-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

On Monday I went to the free bread place with my girlfriend. While backing up out of my parking spot I bumped into a car parked behind me. It was totally my fault. I hadn't been paying any attention really and didn't see it. Nobody was around at all. What would you do? Would you stay risking a hike in your insurance or drive off?

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Unfortunately, we are apartment dwellers at the moment and our new Honda CRV has gotten a beating from my o so sweet neighbors (can you hear my sarcasm). It seems I go out to my car and there is a new dent or scratch on it every week from someone paying no attention or consideration for other people's property. When I was in ATL before Truett was born for a baby shower, I parked on the street and while my car was resting there minding nobody else's business another car backed into mine and drove away. I didn't see it happen, but later found the evidence of my back bumper all screwed up. I once walked out of the Meijer to find a gentleman unloading groceries in the car next to mine with his door wedged into mine. From the o so wise Stephanie Tanner - HOW RUDE!! This really really drives me nutz. I wanted to open my car door so hard into his car. Or take a sledge hammer to his windshield.

I have to say it, the USA is so ME centered it makes me want to vomit. So, when I inflicted this on someone else I was faced with my belief system. Do I really believe that people should own up to this. Especially since I am one of the worlds cheapest people, this could cost me money. Not to mention the moral issues surrounding this, um HONESTY WHAT!!! I have to say I was looking down on myself pretty proud of my decisions. The prior Shana I don't think would have acted this way. I didn't think twice. I was looking for pen and paper to write down my information for the lady, but then realizing there weren't that many people in the parking lot I tried to find her. I did find her and she was really sweet about the entire deal. In fact when my insurance company called me the other day in regards to the issue they made a point to tell me that this lady had told them I was really sweet. Well then I proceeded to try and get a discount for the sweet wrap, but no such luck. This is why we carry insurance people. After talking to my mom, who is the guru on insurance for almost anything, she assured me not to worry it was so minor nothing would probably happen to my insurance. We'll see, and I will try and remember to keep you posted.

The moral of this story is. PEOPLE BE CONSIDERATE WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY. EVEN IF IT IS A CLUNKER. KEEP TABS ON YOUR KIDS SO THEY AREN'T SMASHING INTO OTHER CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matt Maher - Hold Us Together (Another good new song)

2010-06-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a new-ish artist that I stumbled upon who is folkin' awesome (is that too much to say it like that? Sorry. Ha!) He's a folk-rock guy with solid lyrics. Anyway this video was taken from the Glory Revealed Tour. You'll notice Mac Powell (Third Day) and Mike Donehey (Tenth Avenue North) featured in this video. Its really good. I'll post the lyrics below. Enjoy. Maybe. Do you guys actually listen to the songs when I post them? Just curious. Anyway, enjoy nonetheless.

Lyrics:
VERSE ONE:
It don't have a job
Don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home
In Beverly Hills

VERSE TWO:
Won't fix your life
In five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land
Or the government

PRE CHORUS:
But it's all you need..

CHORUS:
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm

And I'll, be, my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone

VERSE THREE:
It's waiting for you
Knockin' at your door!
Every moment of truth
When your heart hits the floor

PRE CHORUS TWO:
When you're on your knees then...

BRIDGE:
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, s'gonna be alright

Something to think about.

2010-06-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton

I was just blog surfing and saw this quote and thought it really applied to my life right now. I find myself cleaning less and less in order to sit on the floor and play with my baby. I know that is crazy right, especially for ya'll who know how I like to keep a clean house. I want Truett to remember me as a loving mother who was there for him, not a mom who always had sparkling clean kitchen floors.

What Is The Gospel?

2010-06-17T04:53:00.001-07:00

Share this.

What is the Gospel? from Southern Seminary on Vimeo.

Shana's Update: Alfajores

2010-06-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

My good friend Heidi went to Argentina this month. I was super jealous. I lived there for a year so it has a special place in my heart. I begged her to bring me home some dulce de leche, and she did. I got my package today and I was so excited to open it. She also had a surpise for me. I opened up the box and found a pack of 12 alfajores. I was so thrilled to get those. All my buddies from Argentina, you are probably going to drool watching this video. Sorry this video is really bad, I took it on my new phone and it obviously doesn't take that great of video.

All That's Missing is JCVD

2010-06-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

JCVD is Jean Claude Van Damme. He's not in the Expendables. But everyone else seems to be. Sly Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Steve Austin, Dolph Lundgren, and Terry Crews. In other words, this movie features every action star of my teenage years. It might be terrible but I'll probably see it.

Not as good as the one before, but still cute.

2010-06-09T20:08:00.001-07:00

We had a ton of really great response from the last video we posted of Truett. This was a video my friend Heidi took of us when we were in Florida over a month ago. This video was taken prior to the one you saw last week. We play this game a lot. He has gotten a lot faster at moving now. He can really crawl pretty fast.

Enjoy