Published on September 30, 2008
in mabts.
The folks came last weekend, so we went to the zoo. (Some have accused us of a zoo addiction. I can neither confirm nor deny that accusation.)

[Look at that face.]

[Sophia meets Panda. Don't worry. They tranquilized him first. Notice the glazed look in his eyes.]

[Abuela and Sophia. Lion in the background.]
Published on September 26, 2008
in mabts.
Serving Jesus does not mean just going to church. It does mean that, but it means also living and serving every day where I am. It means helping others to know Jesus in every way possible - the neighbor next door, the friends at school and in the community, lost ones around the world.
Hattie Bell Allen, Jesus Saves.
Published on September 24, 2008
in mabts.
Sophia was supposed to be taking a nap when she came out of her bedroom. I scooped her up and laid her in her bed.
Me (trying to be stern): Sophia, you need to stay in bed and go night night.
Sophia: Ok.
Me: Don’t get out of bed again or you’ll get in trouble.
Sophia: I like your shirt, daddy.
Me: Thanks.
Published on September 23, 2008
in mabts.
You’ve probably noticed that blogging activity has come to a slow drip (coffee metaphors are especially timely for me). There are two reasons for this:
1) Time. Not as much of it. I’m busy learning Hebrew, people!
2) No internet. Now that we’re poor, internet is a luxury we’ve cut out of our lives. So, I spend a fraction of the time online that I used to.
I still blog. In fact, my output would probably be twofold had I the time and access. I have tons of stuff rolling around noggin these days.
Published on September 22, 2008
in mabts.
Yesterday evening, as we were driving to church, we pulled over to let a blaring firetruck pass.
Sophia: Do you see that Flower Truck, daddy? Where is it?
Me: Sophia, that’s a Fire Truck.
Sophia: Ooohhh. . . Do you see that Flower Truck, daddy?
Published on September 22, 2008
in mabts.
Because you all have been clamoring for some more tie action . . .

Amanda calls this one my ‘Power Tie’.
Published on September 20, 2008
in mabts.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Golden Retriever and a Poodle fell in love and got married, wonder no more. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Gus the Golden Doodle.
Gus is Ginger and Calvin’s new addition. Ginger is visiting for a few days and brought Gus along. Sophia sure likes having someone to boss around.

I know, I know. You’re asking yourself “Well, how . . . “. But, I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.
Published on September 19, 2008
in mabts.

My wife made these this morning. And by ‘made’, I mean ‘from scratch.’ Hello!? Those are real blueberries! Straight off the vine (or tree or bush or whatever)!!!
Published on September 18, 2008
in mabts.
Sophia now uses the potty (a.k.a. toilet). This is in large part due to the steady persistence and patience of my amazing wife. Amanda probably asks Sophia 5 times an hour “Do you need to go potty?”. And, every once in a while she does.
Today was a landmark day. She called me about 30 minutes ago from the mall: “Sophia used the potty at the mall!” she said. My first thought was “Big deal. I’ve done that a hundred times . . .” That’s a big deal because there are a lot of distractions in a mall bathroom. But that didn’t keep Sophia from walking out of there with a dry diaper and an empty bladder.
Oh yeah, in case you are wondering what motivates Sophia to use the potty, it’s really quite simple. She likes to flush. But, she can only flush once she has used the potty. Also, there might be a little chocolate involved, too.
Muy bien, hija!
Published on September 16, 2008
in mabts.
Published on September 10, 2008
in mabts.
The early Christians did not believe they were following a new religion. They were Jews, and their main difference with the rest of Judaism was that they were convinced that the Messiah had come, whereas other Jews continued awaiting his advent.
Published on September 8, 2008
in mabts.
Not that she uses it . . . Maybe one day!

Published on September 6, 2008
in mabts.
This is definitely worth some time.

Published on September 5, 2008
in mabts.
One of the best things about our time at the Promise House was working with Keri. She was the relief houseparent and our friend. Keri left the Promise House just before we did to begin graduate school. She got married last Sunday. Guess who was the flower girl!
[Keri is the one holding Sophia in the birthday picture two posts down.]



Published on September 3, 2008
in mabts.
Check out this shot taken by Jason Kratz at Sophia’s birthday party in July. He’s a pro. You can see more of his work here.

Published on September 2, 2008
in mabts.
Sophia will be sharing sleeping quarters with Samuel in a few months. Here are a few shots of their beds.



Published on September 1, 2008
in mabts.
[Baptism] candidates were completely naked, the men separated from the women. On emerging from the waters, the neophytes were given white robes, as a sign of their new life in Christ. They were also given water to drink, as a sign that they were thoroughly cleansed, both outside and inside. Then they were anointed, thus making them part of the royal priesthood; and were given milk and honey, as a sign of the Promise Land into which they were now entering.
- Justo Gonzalez, History of Christianity
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