Christianity Today: Faith and Pop Culture

In 2008, Christianity Today released another book in their study series titled Faith and Pop Culture. This book addresses the conflict between being Christian in a world overrun by entertainment. This study hoped to “facilitate lively and engaging discussion on the various facets of entertainment and how it connects to our lives as Jesus’s followers.”

I liked how each session was laid out. First you read an excerpt from Christianity Today about the topic to be discussed. Then the group did an ice-breaker activity, which led to questions about the issue. Then scripture passages were explored that connected to that issue. It ended with a forward thinking section or, in others words, what are going to do about it?

Because I personally did not agree with some of the CT articles presented, this produced a livelier discussion. I thought some of the issues did not relate well to the scripture passages. However, many of the questions were thought provoking and enlightening. Even though we have different ideas of ‘good’ entertainment, we found none of the questions to be offensive. The ice-breaker activities set the mood and helped the group feel more connected.

I would recommend this study if you’d prefer to do something light and entertaining. This helped me to better define my values when living in a world surrounded by pop culture.

Tecko the Gecko

We kill fish and rodents. Not ready for dogs or cats. Too many heath risks with messy birds. So lets try reptiles!

We now own Tecko the Gecko. We bought him with a tank and other accessories for $25 from a neighbor. Whats with the name?? Because everyone else in our family has a T name (except for me).

He is a Super Snow Gecko. He is 8 weeks old and very friendly. He eats mill worms and is nocturnal. Gecko's are not fond of the sun and likes minimal contact. He actually poops in he same corner of his cage. He will shed his skin about every two weeks, but he'll eat. He is, supposedly, a good starter pet! The kids like him.

PS Dawn and Melissa - Do you recognize the lamp?!?

SOLD!!

Today, after much drama, we have sold our house! The deal closed at 3pm Eastern time. It definitely was a learning experience. Our house was on the market for about 2 months, then it closed a month after we accepted the offer. It really hasn't sunk in yet. But it will be nice to get that check in the mail! Lets just say that all the hard work Travis did paid off. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped us get the house ready and kept an eye on the house after we moved. We're so glad this is all over!!!

KTT: Cleaning the Microwave

If there is one appliance that get avoided most during the clean-up process, its the microwave. It never crosses my mind unless I open it to reveal mess of exploded spaghetti sauce and caked on melted cheese. So to do an easy clean up I follow these simple steps:

1) Put 2-3 drops of dish soap to a mug of water and and put in microwave.
2) Microwave on High heat for 2 minutes or until boiling.
2) Without opening the door, let the mug sit for 5-15 minutes in the microwave, depending on dirtiness.
3) Remove mug and wipe down microwave using a wet cloth!

Repeat steps as needed!!

Sunday Visitors - Jen and Family

On Sunday we had some great company! Jen visited with her children and parents-in-laws. We first met Matt and Jen at Vandenberg AFB. Matt and Travis got orders to Minot and we've been friends ever since. Matt and Jen are from a little town North of here. So whenever they are in Ohio we hope to able to meet up. Matt was gone for work, so Jen decided to go home (to OH) for about two weeks. We've met Carol and Mark (Matt's parents) on several occasions in Minot. So on Sunday they drove the two hours down to visit with us and check out our new place. That made us truly feel special! We chatted and let the kids play. After dinner they headed home. She will be back in OH in September, so we're going to make a trip up to see them instead.

Thanks for the visit!!

PS I didn't post her wonderful children's names or their last name for security purposes.

KTT: Cable Ties and Chicken

I come from a long line of 'Macgyvers' (and married one) so cables ties (AKA zip ties) are a staple in the old tool chest or 'junk drawer'. So Sunday I made a whole chicken roast and couldn't find my kitchen string so Travis suggested I use a cable tie to tie the legs back. It was very easy to do and worked perfectly! It was easier than the string because I formed the initial loop with the tie, stuck the legs through and pulled the tie tight!

To get that really crispy chicken skin, I coated it butter and rubbed garlic all over. A quarter of the drippings in the pan was butter. It made awesome gravy! It was so good I felt my arteries clogging!!! Yum!

Friday: Work, Museum, Camping!

Travis only has one class on Friday. We get so much done on Fridays because the kids and I try to be all ready when he gets home from class at 11am. I mean eat, dressed, clean faces and brushed hair, workout, and house orderly. So that leaves the rest of the day to do...whatever! Plus he's usually ready for anything put school work at this point. Then he buckles down on Saturday and has Sunday free for the Sabbath. So far things have worked out well.

Anyway, today Travis mowed the law because we got our first 'pink ticket' for having an un-mowed lawn...he just mowed last Friday! Then he proceeded to take out our neighbors fence. We thought it would be a good idea to have a fence, so we asked our neighbors if we could have their since they are moving. They said yes! He has 6 more poles to dig out. It will be a luxury to have a fence at this point because the kids stay in the yard anyway. I'm more worried when Backpack starts roaming. So this is essentially a preventive measure.

This evening we wanted to go to "A Night at the AF Museum"! Afterwards Travis was going to take the Trouble camping at the father-son campout with our church. Travis got all packed up and we headed to the museum. HOLY COW!! The line of cars to get in was backed up practically to our house!!! Maybe 3-5 miles? So we drove past and realized waiting wasn't worth it and headed to home to drop me and the other two kiddos off at home. I was disappointed, but didn't voice my opinion too loud because I wanted Travis and Trouble to go camping.

So they left and the other two hopped in Travis' car with me at we went to Michales to get materials for a card swap. On the way there we saw that there was a concert at Wright State. All I could think was, everyone has somewhere to go but ME! So to comfort myself and Dynomite (she wanted to go with Daddy and brother) we went to Steak 'n' Shake and treated ourselves :-)

On the way home I wondered if the museum was still packed. So I drove past the turn to our house and went toward the museum. What luck, we found a parking spot near the entrance. I have to tell you that I am not one to take the kids by myself to public places. I much prefer the accompaniment of my husband or family. I do take them places by myself, but I really have to talk myself into it! (I've never really told Travis my fear, but I think he suspects it but has no sympathy!) Plus the double stroller was in the van that Travis now had. I thought, what is the worst that can happen...I walk in, I walk out. Why is this such a struggle!! So I took one last slurp of milkshake, turned off the car, and took a deep breath.

We walked to the entrance and the first thing I heard was, "Would you like a stroller? It looks like you have your hands full. We're leaving and don't need it." How cool is that?? It had one seat with a swivel wheel in front and a little basket in back. So Dynomite and Backpack took turns sitting or being held in various ways throughout the museum.

The museum was incredible! There were a ton of planes. (Duh, AF!!) It started out with the Wright Brothers and ended with Space and Missiles. In the Wright Brothers section there were actors posed like statues. At certain times they would 'come alive' and act out a scene. I thought that was pretty clever! When we entered the Cold War exhibit there was a German guy telling us the Americans were bombing children. WHAT!?! Yeah, with candy!! Ha Ha! Then we saw an alien that gave us his signature. When we entered another part of the museum there were these 'Men in Black' people roaming around asking if we had seen any 'alien life forms'. If you did they made a big deal out if it and gave you something. I just really liked how everything was tied together and very organized. There was so much to see and do, we really just did a walk through (even that took an hour!). We'll be going back next week when Papa comes for a visit.

Travis won't believe me that I went back without him! Not typical behavior for me. I'm really happy that they went camping. Its great for Trouble to get some guy time. I sure hope Travis and Trouble have fun tonight. I guess we'll see when they get back in the morning :-)