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Introducing...Me
Born and raised in Iowa, I left the corn-state (which I love) to attend Taylor University in Indiana. In 1996 I met my future husband, Cameron on a blind date. In 2000 I graduated in with a BA in Social Work and Political Science. We were married two months later. After settling in Nashville, Tennessee, where my husband was raised, I was hired as a Child Counselor. This position involved working closely with foster parents and troubled foster children (aged from babies to 17-year-olds) with a wide variety of physical and emotional issues. I loved my job and loved my foster kids. Cameron and I are praying that soon we will be able to sponsor our own foster children, eventually adopting them into our family permanently. In 2003 we moved to Wisconsin, and have been enjoying the snow ever since. (Especially my husband, who was excited to purchase a monster-horse power snow blower...for our 20 foot driveway. "It's to help the neighbors." and, in all fairness...it has helped the neighbors...) We have seen God's hand of blessing in this move. We've become involved in God's purposes by attending CrossWay Community Church, engaging with other believers in our Caregroup, and learning more and more about truth and grace through podcasts, books, and conversations (LOTS of conversations!). You can see some of those so-important resources here.
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" ~ Hebrews 9:14  Elena Marie  Lauren Brooke Lauren is currently enrolled in a preschool (which she loves, by the way). Most afternoons, we "play school" and work through Handwriting Without Tears curriculum together. She's always moving, jumping, dancing. It is a blessing our 100-year-old home is well built (so far!). My second, Elena Marie, was born on March 3, 2007. Her two dimples just blow me away with sweetness. She adores her older sister and thinks everything she does is hilarious. She's tender-hearted and loves to cuddle. Elena loves music. Even though her vocabulary is limited to a few dozen words, she'll sing along to songs, making sounds where appropriate in an effort to sing along. She can spend hours browsing through books in the living room, only to ask for another book before bed. Her explorations in expressions is a never-ending amusement and her current favorite word ("bottom"), which makes her sister laugh hysterically. You can see a brief slideshow of my two precious princesses on the home page, here. 
Bella Rose My third...is due December 4th! We've discovered we're having another precious girl! We've settled on Isabella Rose ("Bella") and greatly look forward to covering her with kisses. Here's her ultrasound picture at 20 weeks (profile). She "waved" at us during the ultrasound, which Elena thought was hilarious. Cameron's first response was "Great! We already have all the stuff!" followed quickly by "Shoot! That's another wedding!" I told him we have a LONG time before we need to really worry about that. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. ~ Proverbs 10:14
My husband and I have a passion for knowledge. We also have a passion for truth. What sweet rewards lay for those who go mining for God's truth and His revelation! I'm constantly amazed by all the things I'm learning and have yet learn. All Truth is God's Truth. Since we believe that, we're not afraid to go searching into the depths of dark places for the Truths of the Scriptures to shine their flooding light.
Finding TruthSeeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,
through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. ~ 2 Peter 1:3 I am convinced that truth must exist. Otherwise why do we exist? Why do we not murder our neighbors and steal from our friends? After all, if there is no "truth", than that moral assumption (that murder and stealing is wrong) is an abstract concept that has no meaning. And yet, ask anyone WHY murder and stealing is wrong, and they'll say "It just is." But what is that truth (that murder is wrong) based upon? What makes us believe that life has value? That there is more than life than just the random floating of particles. (For what value can there be in randomly floating particles?) That science can serve something greater than itself. (Science is not to be discarded, but used objectively. ) There is a God, and He thinks we have value. So much value, that He sent His perfect Son to die, to redeem for himself a people not rotting away from the emptiness inside, but who can be renewed day by day by the good news of the Gospel. A truth that I cling to every day - a truth that gives my life deep meaning and purpose (beyond a simple website!). These PDF documents answer with detail some of the first questions many have when searching for Truth. (Note, you must have a PDF Reader to view them, if you don't have one, you can get Adobe Acrobat Reader here for free.)
is an entertaining-yet provocative book that everyone (including Chrsitians)
should read.
Adding to Your Faith...KnowledgeAdd to your faith, virtue, and in your virtue, knowledge..." ~ 2 Peter 1:5
As American Christians, the temptation to become theologically lazy is strong. Learning "why" we believe things is a lot of work! (Besides, Mythbusters is on...). Oftentimes I hear sermons and read books that are less interested in the deeper waters of "why" we believe something than the shallow waters of making us "feel good". But good emotions only last so long. If your faith is built on "happy feelings," beware! Your house is built on sand and will wash away with the first storm life throws your way. When you are facing trials in life, those previous "good emotions" will be next to meaningless. What will get you through is a deep understanding of God's Word and the power of the Gospel to carry you through the fiercest storms. That comes from studying His Word, and how to use His Word in your daily life. The time to learn CPR is not when your child has passed out! Prepare ahead, and be blessed. Cameron and I have delighted to discover (and me most of all) that learning about God (aka theology) doesn't have to be a boring! My husband will attest, I'm not much of a studier. I'm an action-girl. I like things that are interesting. These resources below have captured my attention and have taught me much about this great beautiful book (The Bible), and this great beautiful world we are called to be CHRISTIANS in. (Note the emphasis. I'm not called to be a "kind person," I'm called to be "Christ's person". Which means I study the Bible to see what that being "Christ's person" looks like, and then behave that way in the world. - and yes, that does involve being kind. ;-)
Websites and Podcasts for Growth
Someone I admire said once that if a "Christian" book doesn't make you want to read your Bible more, it's worthless. I'm sad to report that I've read
a LOT of worthless "Christian" books. However, Cameron and I have found some real gems worth sharing.
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~ What could be better than to start with this? We love this Bible. It the most comprehensive study Bible ever published, and
has over 2,752 pages of accessible Bible resources. This version was edited by much-respected theologians like Dr. Wayne Grudem and J.I. Packer. It's
also a favorite version for John Piper, R. Albert Mohler, Randy Alcorn, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
~ An old favorite that explains the amazing transformation that occurs when your life is hidden in Christ.
Wonder why "Christianity" isn't working for you? Perhaps you're not looking at what "Christianity" really means. This book started a MAJOR
paradigm shift for Cameron and I in regards to our walk with Christ.
~ Another fun-yet-helpful book that we've used in our marriage to strengthen and sustain us through the difficult
times and provide an outlet for praise and worship in the good times. Since we're ALL sinners, everyone who is married or thinking of
getting married, can benefit from this book.
~ for when your baby gets a little older! God has used this book so much in helping us learn how
to "train our children in the way they should go, so that when they are old, they won't depart from it." There is such sweet happiness in a life lived
according to God's perfect will.
~ this teeny tiny book (only 58 pages) has had a HUGE impact on how Cameron and I consider our...wait
for it...duties as parents.
