Our Smiling Baby Boy

So we have realized a couple things. First, we have not done any posts exclusively on Carter. He doesn't even have his own label for crying out loud (which Carter can do). Second, this boy has some of the greatest smiles. We would be remiss if we did not share that with the world. Enjoy some of these great pics of a great smile.

How can you not smile when you have cereal fed to you by the world's greatest Momma?!?! This is one of my favorites!

 I think this shirt summarizes who gets him to smile the most.

 

 Daddy's future ball-player... he looks good in a hat!

Cooking w/ Liz -- 2 Birds at the Same Time

Tim and I have lived in Honduras for four years. During that time my normal way of cooking changed drastically. Buying frozen pizzas, frozen lasagnas, and ready to go boxed meals (just add meat) just couldnt happen any more. I had to learn how to make meals from scratch. Praise the Lord for internet! I tried new recipes all the time. It didn't matter to me how much time it took. I had all evening after school. Then my way of cooking changed again when our first child, Abigail, was born. I didn't have a lot of time for big homemade meals. Now baby number two is here, and I have very little time to plan and prepare meals. I figured out a way to make meals without taking too much time away from my babies. 

I would like to share some of my favorite recipes that have made my life a little easier. I start every week preparing two whole chickens. I could buy an already cooked rotisserie chicken, but I enjoy making them myself.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees
2. Clean chickens
3. Put them side by side in a 9x13 glass dish
4. Sprinkle garlic, salt, and pepper on the top
5. Add about a half inch of water
6. Cover with aluminum foil
7. Put chickens in preheated oven for one hour
8. Turn oven off but leave the chickens in without opening the door for 4-6 hours (I leave mine in while we are at church on Sunday mornings.)

This makes delicious meat for several meals throughout the upcoming week.  Bonus: I save all the juices in the bottom of the pan for chicken broth.

ISIS and Beheadings

I've seen some videos of my brothers having their necks sawed with a rusty blade. I get very literally sick when I replay those horrific scenes in my head. Truly, the world is not and was not worthy of these martyrs (Hebrews 11:38).

I'm experiencing an internal struggle with ISIS. I think a lot of American Christians, if they were honest with themselves and Scripture (like loving your enemy), feel the same tension. Do we want justice for these terrorist or grace for these sinners? The answer is YES!!!! Yes to both, says Russell Moore, to which I wholeheartedly agree. I encourage you to read his article.

In the end, this is why it is vital that the cross is central in our theology... in our life! It is at the cross where both love and wrath, grace and justice, enmity and reconciliation came together in a beautiful, harmonious way. We need this harmony when we think and pray for ISIS and our brothers and sisters being attacked by them.

How long, O Lord!

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!

Set the world to rights. Vindicate your believers. Restore paradise. Bless the nations with your presence.

Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus!!!