THE Name

Opening Note: this is not eloquent at all... just ramblings from my head for the day :)

In January, I started this 'Through the Bible in 365 Days' Bible.  For turning 30! this year, I have actually never done this before.  I have to admit most times the old testament is a little intimidating because of genealogies, the laws, etc. Nor does it often excite me when I consider reading it.
 
I decided to try a different version of the Bible as well.  While I don't have too many issues understanding the KJV, I thought since I'd be going through the old testament it might help to have something slightly more 'common language'.  I didn't want to lose accuracy however (that's so important) so I asked people I respected what version they preferred and did a little research on the right translation for me that still kept to the original writings.

All that to say, I'm loving going through the Bible in this format (365 day and in a different translation).  I'm learning things from the OT I didn't know before (while Leviticus is a little difficult at times right now :) and I'm even learning some NT things that the Lord is revealing to me. 


THE Name 

So to get to the point.  Today's reading in Leviticus told of a Israelite woman and Egyptian man's son who got into an altercation with another man and in the fighting that commenced he essentially took the Lord's name in vain.  The people weren't sure what to do so they locked the man in chains until Moses could tell them what God's judgement was on this man.

First off, it struck me that, while we all know we are not supposed to blaspheme God's name,  I mean, its pretty much a given as a Christian that God's name is sacred, they put this man in chains for doing it!  That's HOW important and sacred God's name is. 

Many of you might know the story.  Maybe not.  Do you know what happened to this man?  He was stoned by the entire congregation!  Basically put to death.  This is the same sentence that God lays out in the same chapter for someone who kills another human.  You kill someone = you are put to death.  You take the Lord's name in vain = put to death. 

It seems so extremely harsh but I think it resounded with me while reading that 1) we often take so little thought to our words, when Proverbs mentions numerous time about a foolish man and a wise man in context to what proceeds out of their lips.  2) God is so 'God' (for a lack of a better word coming to my head) that even His NAME is holy and to speak against it is no different than taking 'up arms' against our Lord.  It is a very serious thing. 

To sum up God's reveal for today, it opened my eyes to something that is VERY serious to God but that is so commonly done in society. Hopefully the Holy Spirit can use this reveal to prompt my heart and my lips when I hear others using His name so disrespectfully. 

~Olive

Book Review: Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess by Sheri Rose Sheperd

I was recently able to review the book Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess by Sheri Rose Shehperd thanks to Tyndale House.

Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess is a devotional book for little girls with condensed Bible Stories starting with Creation through Jesus' death and resurrection.  Each devotional has illustrations that fit that particular Bible story as well as a Bible verse at the beginning, a small section at the end of each story with a short one to two sentence prayer and what the book calls a 'Princess Jewel', or something to pull away from the story. There is an illustration of a different princess at the end of each of the stories.

This book is really precious for young girls.  My two-year-old loves the illustrations and is always excited by the princess illustration at the end.  The stories are short enough to hold their attention and the 'Princess Jewel' at the end sums it up nicely for them.  The prayers, too, are short enough that they are easy to say and for the child to grasp.  While the book is definitely geared towards girls (or 'Princess'), my young son will also sit and listen so it still holds the appeal of a toddler in general.

I will say however that while I would personally recommend this book, I would do so for very little girls, maybe 2-4 year-olds.  Older girls may enjoy it as well but the stories leave out a lot of, what I consider, basic information. Overall a very cute devotional that is sure to get every 'young princess' attention!

Book Review: Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge

I recently read the book Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge.  Tyndale House sent me the book for the opportunity to review. 

Misery Loves Company is about  Jules Belleno, a blogger and unpublished writer, who's husband, Jason, was killed in a 'random' shooting, causing Jules to become fairly recluse.  When she's kidnapped by her favorite author, Chris, her husband's old partner goes searching, uncovering a web of deception surrounding Jason's death that puts him and those close to him in danger. As Chris tracks down countless leads in attempts to find her, Jules must unravel the rantings of the man holding her captive and try to stay alive long enough to be found. 

I did like this book. I found that Gutteridge kept me guessing until the end to the reasons of Jules Belleno's kidnapping.  She has a talent for leading the character along with the reader to discover the truth.  I also liked that her characters were flushed out, revealing strengths and weaknesses alike; also changing as the story progressed in their faith and relationships.

Perhaps if there was anything about the book that I didn't like was the confusing rants of the author throughout and was often impatient to get to the truth of his ramblings sooner.  However, this is a personal preference and I realize that the author used his vague talk to bring the story along.  I also wish I could have seen more how the investigation was wrapped up and potentially who all was involved.

Overall, it was an easy read and a well-written book.  I think anyone with a love for a little suspense and mystery would like this book. 

Random Adventures (August-October)

Music at the Park one beautiful August evening.

We finally got season tickets to the Zoo!!  The men need to figure out the map first!

Lion rides for Emmett!

We spontaneously drove to Indiana to go to the circus that was in town for one night.  The kids loved it!!

Grandpa paid for Emmett and Alisha to ride on the Elephant!!!

Getting stuck in her dresser I'm painting.

Getting ready for a bear hunt, so i was told :)

Mom, Alisha and I dressed up for the FlireFly 5K!!!!  Alisha won a prize in the costume contest portion!!!

Emmett helps me make applesauce!  He washes the apples.

But there's no keeping him out of the messier jobs either!

Official Taste Tester.

My first batch of tomatoes for canning!!  I was soooo tired of tomatoes by the time I was done.

This year made: Tomato juice, Salsa, and Spaghetti sauce.... next year maybe sauce too!

Matthew was given free tickets to this Nascar event near us so we took the kids.  We didn't stay long but it was FUN!!

And since they had turkey legs we HAD to have one of those too!  Kids devoured that thing!!

The trucks were soooooooo loud.  Thankfully we had ear plugs!  We had to leave when the kids' started falling out and falling through the bleachers.

Morton Pumpkin Festival with Matthew's family!!!! First time I'd ever been.  It was HUGE!  The parade had gone an hour before we left and it still wasn't finished yet!!

Family photo

Bug Catching one afternoon.

The nets were marked down 80% at target so for $1.19 we have cool nets for future bug catching endeavors!!

Caught a butterfly!!!

Riding Bruiser!!

Bruiser got wayyyyyyyy to close for this girl's liking.

Petting Alisha's bunny rabbit.

Yeah!!!!! We got the girls for a few days in September so we had to make the most of it!!! Day #1: The BEACH!!

Eating Lunch! (and getting attacked by sea gulls).  We learned you CAN NOT feed those birds or one turns into 12 circling overhead!!!  Thankfully Emmett chased them off!!

Digging a deep hole!

Day #2: SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM in Chi-town

only German captured submarine. soooooo neat!

Fastest passenger train in the 1930's?  Actually very beautiful inside too!

Cool Train set display showing from Chicago to Seattle.  Amazing!!!

Picaboo!

Inside that fastest train: Sisters Picture!

Matthew and I participated in the Eat Dirt 5K obstacle course: Before with a clean photo!!!

After the race but also AFTER we took an outdoor shower!  We donated our shoes to the needy (they would be washed first) and we rode home barefoot.  What an awesome date morning!!!!!!

I just love this photo of these two.  My attempt to potty train one day.  Didn't work but they were two peas in a pod.

Back to the Farm this year!!!

Holding baby chicks.

Going to get pumpkins before we leave. 

Emmett found his!!!!

Audrey's indecisive about which to choose.

Holding hands on the car ride.  What sweeties :O)

PHEW!!!!!

okay, well that catches me up for now.  Expecting Baby #3 has slowed us down quite a bit but I'm sure as soon as I'm feeling better we'll be off for more grand adventures together.  One that I'm particularly looking forward too.... our first time at a Hibachi place.... they do fancy knife work, light things on fire, and cook your food right there :O)  I think the kids will ADORE it and I'm super excited to see it too!!!  We have groupons so hopefully as soon as my tummy is feeling better we're going to go check it out!!!!

until the next sum up :O)

~Olive

Quick July Summing Up

I feel like I'm forever just summing things up these day and boy we've been busy this summer looking back at the pictures but with the kiddos and my list of things to do that never gets shorter I guess summing up is about the best I can do.  This is just July (as an example of our busyness!!!)

Kids painting their fireworks picture for the 4th of July

Not bad fireworks for not being able to see what i was doing :)

A flag cake in celebration

Emmett's Fireworks!

A RibFest we attended in Naperville.  We didn't even try any ribs but the kids enjoyed the kids center of it. :)

This bull ride didn't last very long.  Emmett declared it 'too dangerous' after about 45 seconds on the bull.

Maybe a little braver facing the goats with Daddy.

Blow up slides!  A HUGE hit for Emmett.

I'm not a big fan of carnival games but a chance to go fishing!  Emmett was in :)

Little Jackson's Baptism!
We were honored to be asked to be Jackson God parents.  Such a sweet little fellow!!

Us with Jackson Duane.

Jacob, Rachel, Us and Jackson after the baptism.

Georgia Trip!!!
We were able to make it to Georgia during part of Matthew's shut down.  It is ALWAYS sooo good to be able to hang out with the family at the house and just do family things :)

Emmett loved their pool!!

Daddy was an excellent 'shark' to ride on.

Audrey and Grandpa Time.

Audrey with Auntie Lydia

A 'drive-in' movie for the kids.  Audrey, Emmett, and a boy Em's age they babysit for.

Putt-putt pros

Hole in one?

Watching the others on the ride.

Grandma, Audrey, and cousin Asher!!!

Matthew and Emmett... ready for a serious race!

We left a little early so that on the way home we could stop and do a little 'vacationing' exploring style.  It was a fabulous idea as we were only on the road ~6 hrs a day and we got to stop at some neat places.

Hotel on the way home.

Atlanta, GA Aquarium

Atlanta Aquarium!  Sooo many neat fish

Mantas... Emmett was a little short and couldn't really reach to touch one.

alligator

Family photo at the Aquarium

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.

We got baseball bats!!!!

Ready to hit that ball!!!

Family photo at the Louisville Slugger Place

Fair Oaks Cattle Farm

Fair Oaks Cattle Barn Tour.... they had rides too :)

Cows!!!

Train Ride

Michigan with the Bahler Family
We no sooner arrived home from GA, that we did some laundry and headed to Michigan to be with my family.  Sadly it was rainy most of the time we were there but that didn't stop us from hanging out and finding a few fun things to do at the resort.

Shane getting ready to rock climb

Audrey styling the hat.

We caught tadpoles and frogs!!

Using the net to get them out of the pond!

Play do inside when it rained.

Beach Time
This was technically the first time we were at the beach but after this quick stop on the way home from the Bahler Vacation we made it a point to go back several times  the rest of the summer!!!  I never knew it was only like 20 minutes out of the way from heading to my parents house!!!

Serious Sand Digger

Castle with trench

Had to use the bucket too!!

Buried Feet in the sand.