Monday, August 27, 2012

Colorado Vacation Highlights

Summer is winding down and it's about time I started posting pictures from July and August.  I will start with some favorite photos from our recent trip to Colorado with Bert's (Dan's) family.  I called him Dan a lot during the week and it felt really normal.  So confusing.  Anyways...

On a beautiful hike with Jordan and Manda, whom we visited in Longmont before going to Breckenridge with family

Grandma went in her room for "quiet time" and this is what happened within the first 5 minutes!

Lots of precious Gwen and Ivy time

Picnic lunch in Copper Mountain, mid-way through our bike ride

Crossing a fierce river on our hike

Willa!

Just during a walk in our "neighborhood"

Gwen showed amazing enthusiasm to greet the motorcycles that preceded the bike race we watched.  Uh oh...

Love these two


Such a fun week!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Book Corner: The Veritas Conflict


 The Veritas Conflict: A Novel of Spiritual Warfare
By: Shaunti Feldhahn


What kind of read is it?
Christian fiction.  The main ideas of book are prayer, reality of angels/demons, and defending your faith to unbelievers.  The main character is a freshman at Harvard who becomes part of uncovering a spiritual conspiracy of sorts. 

Why did I read it?
It comes very highly recommended by Amy and Kristen A.  I was in the mood for fiction.

Favorite quotes from the book?

Our primary purpose is not to defend right from wrong, or truth from untruth--it’s not even to defend Him. God can do that, remember. Our goal is to be fully yielded to Christ.
If we are primarily focused on the obvious sins of the world, we are diverted from our sins--pride, a lack of grace, self-centeredness. The list is sadly long, and these failings may be even more fundamental than the immorality of our neighbors.  But if we are striving, above all, to be fully yielded to Christ, then He can do whatever he wants through us, including reaching our neighbors. Let us not forget that. (p.160)

What will I remember most about this book?
I was shocked that Harvard’s motto used to be “Christo et Ecclesiae” meaning For Christ and Church.  (Now it is simply “Veritas” meaning Truth.)  

This book inspired me to take prayer more seriously.  It reminded me of the Piper quote, “You do not know what prayer is for until you know that life is war!”