The Hobbit

You didn't think I would leave out sci-fi/fantasy did you?

This was my third time through this Tolkien classic and each time I think I love it more. I'll spare you the plot. What I seemed to mull over this time was something about Bilbo that seemed to resonate with me as well.

Bilbo is half Took and half Baggins. The Tookish side of him has the adventurous spirit (obviously because Took's are quite known amongst hobbits as a bit queer), while the Baggins side loves nothing more than the quiet and comfort of home. Often in his journey with the dwarves Bilbo would think of his hobbit-hole longingly. He was continually torn. "Why did I come on this dratted quest!"

I related to this split quite well. Parts of me want nothing more than to grab some hiking gear and just trek across the globe with my family. I'll hunt our food, we'll camp wherever we feel like stopping, and we'll share the gospel with anyone we meet. Even as I think about this I get excited. Yet I love the comfort and confines of home as well. I love coming home after a long, hard day and debriefing with Melissa. I love waking up in our pajamas and throwing some eggs in a skillet.

The adventurous/homely split made me think about lots of other things as well. I'm afraid in to many aspects of my life I allow the Baggins side of me to lead me toward inaction. That part of me fears being exposed, so I'll just remain apathetic. Anyone relate?

Fun times!

So I know this is technically Bart's blog, but I just wanted to post a couple of fun things. I've been feeling the baby move and kick the last couple of weeks. Well, last night, Bart actually felt the baby move a few times also! It was fun for me for him to be able to experience a little of what I experience. And it's crazy how it doesn't even matter that it's our second child, the feeling is still pretty amazing. To think that God designed this whole process is just mind-blowing. So cool. And our little dialogue after he felt the baby move went a little like this:
Me: Cool huh?
Bart: Uh, it's a little scary actually.
Me: Scary, like, you're going to have another child and you're not really ready for it?
Bart: Yeah.
Me: Or scary, like you're going to have another child and you're not really ready for the first one? :)
Bart: Yeah, that too.

It's such a funny process trying to figure out how we're going to be parents of 2 kids. Life just changes so much but it's good that we're honest about where we're at. Then shortly thereafter, the following dialogue happened after I turned over in bed and moved the covers:
Bart: Hey, stop stealing all the covers.
Me: Sorry, my fat butt just needs more blanket now.
Bart: Well, we both know it's not your butt that's fat.
Me: Yeah, I know.
Bart: It's your ears.
Giggling ensued. He loves to mess with me. And sometimes I let him.

Also, one other fun thing.....Bart will be giving his first talk at Real Life on Feb. 25th (we think that's the date). He's pretty excited about it. Giving a talk/sermon in front of potentially 700 people would be a little unnerving for me, but he's pretty pumped. So if you're in the Columbus area that evening, you should come hear him speak. I'm sure he'll do an amazing job. Let us know if you need more details.

Noah has been pretty sick lately. His temp was 101 yesterday but he's recovering nicely today. And it seemed as though he got behind in his talking in one day and just started busting out new words today. It's fun to try to translate what he's saying. But he now says somewhat coherently, shower, eyes, mouth, nose (this however sounds like no) just to name a few. And he says please in sign language all the time cause he wants something. What a fun age! We're excited to see how he responds to the baby.

The Sacred Romance

Another great book I just finished is "The Sacred Romance" by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis.

One of my new year's resolutions was to read 26 books this year equaling one every two weeks. I'm way ahead of the game at this point and will probably discuss the others I've finished. Reading for me is a pretty addicting thing, but I feel I've been fairly balanced in my priorities.

This book was dear to my heart. The gist is that throughout history God has been in a massive pursuit of our hearts because of His great love for us. Just as He pursued Israel despite her continual betrayal, He pursues us. But we are wounded. We are hurt by the realities of living in a fallen world. People forsake us and deep down we begin to accept that we're just not all that unique, we're not at all lovable. How could God love a person like me if He knows the things I've done or the thoughts I've had?

The authors go to great lengths to woo the reader's heart by giving a true picture of the awesomeness of God's love for us. It surpasses our pain and doubt. It is true. They point out this love in the telling of the world's story. All of creation and everything throughout history has been about God radiating His love to a fallen, rebellious world.

They get the meta-narrative and it grabbed my heart. Thanks Lord for being the author of all things. Thanks for writing yourself into the story to redeem a fallen world and restore this man.