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Here is an interesting news article about an unfortunate mistake made by scientists in Britain. My only questions is . . . What about the pearl?

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

I’m in the process of writing my Greek paper over this passage. These words are really really good, a foundation on which to build.

This guy took it (living biblically) to a whole new level. A.J. Jacobs, an agnostic Jew decided to dive in to the Bible headfirst to try to figure out if he was missing something. He spent a whole year doing his very best to follow ALL the laws of the Bible, as he says, “right down to stoning adulterers.”, which he did one day in Central Park. Here’s the story of how it happened:

Thanks to those pesky U.S. laws – and my conscience – it was particularly difficult to abide by this Old Testament law. I did, however, manage to stone one adulterer. Here’s what happened: I was in Central Park. I was wearing my most biblical garb – sandals, a walking stic, white clothes – and an elderly man came up to me and asked me why I was dressed so “queer.” I explained I was following all the rules of the Bible, right down to stoning adulterers. He said, “I am an adulterer, you going to stone me?” I said, “Well, yes, that would be great.” And I took out of my pocket some pebbles that I was saving for just this occasion. (The Bible doesn’t specify the size of the stones.) The old man actually grabbed the pebbles out of my hand and threw them at me. So I figured I should toss one at him in self-defense. And in that way I stoned.

His description of what he learned and his newfound reverence for the Bible and it’s adherents is fascinating and challenging. Relevant Magazine featured his story in the November 07 issue (Issue 29). In it he talks about the rules that were hardest to follow (stoning adulterers, not shaving beard) and rules he never violated (don’t sacrifice your children to Molech, don’t take your wife’s sister as a second wife). Another section talks about the 5 rules that were most life-enhancing. He said that 1) Keep the Sabbath, 2) Give Thanks, 3) Let Your Garments Be Always White, 4) Don’t Gossip, 5) Do Not Curse changed his life in a profound way. His behavior, over a year, began to change his heart and mind.

You can see the book here. It might be worth checking out.

Sophia had her first ever professional portraits done last week. JCP hooked us up with a good deal. Here are some of my favorites. This kid is awesome.

Sophia apparently has some sort of virus. I spent 2 and half hours at the doctor’s office with her today. She got chest x-rays and blood drawn. Fun times.

Amanda is sick too. That leaves one man standing in the Bush family. One lone warrior to hold down the fort.

X sleep is short for no sleep. I’m so tired, I can’t even type the word ‘no’.

Oh yeah, today is our wedding anniversary! That’s pretty cool.

But, back to the no sleep thing. I realize how spoiled we have been. Sophia started sleeping through the night at two months. Now, because of teething and being a little sick, Sophia has had two sleepless nights. How do people do this for years!?!?

Anyway, it’s all good. Life is good. Jesus has given us so much. A little sleep is nothing compared to what some people are deprived of. But, I think I might try to take a nap today.

A group of ladies from a beauty salon came out last Friday night to give the girls haircuts and do their nails. It was awesome! It’s really encouraging to get to see people selflessly giving of their time and resources to show our girls love. They stayed until almost 10pm!

Sophia is about to get a mouth full of chompers. She already has her front teeth, but now she has bout 5 or six of the big guns coming in. That’s a good thing in the long run. She’ll be able to eat beef jerky and chew gum. But, for now, it means no sleep. Apparently it really hurts to have small pieces of bone push through larger pieces of bone and flesh.

At about midnight last night, I busted out the ole’ six string to help Sophia relax a bit and maybe fall asleep. That didn’t really work. We put on Bob the Builder. So she watched that for 30 minutes while we got a nap.

Finally, at 1:30am, I strapped her into the Camry and we started driving. It took about an hour to get her good and asleep. For some reason, while I drove around I became very hungry. And, I was under the impression that Krispy Kreme stayed open 24 hours. I thought my suspicions were confirmed when I pulled into the parking lot and saw that all the lights inside were on. So, I drove around to the drive through. I sat there for about 5 minutes before I saw that they actually had closed at 10pm.

I settled for a grilled stuft burrito.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We only get a few days a year like the one yesterday. It felt awesome! So, last night we forwent the Burchfield Brothers in favor of an evening at Maumelle Park around a bonfire. We roasted hot dogs and made smores and sang some songs to Jesus. Good times.

Sophia did a little chillaxin’ in her pack n’ play.