Mike & Jackie's Blog

John 21:15-17

November 12, 2008 - 11:47 AM

I read this passage this morning and thought one of the notes about it from my study Bible (Life Application Study Bible, 1991) to be really insightful. I just love hearing about and understanding the original greek--seems to unfold new meaning. So here's the passage and the note.

John 21:15-17 (New International Version)

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more
than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

Note: "Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. The first time Jesus said, 'Do you truly love (Greek agape: volitional, self-sacrificial love) me more than these?'; The second time, Jesus focused on Peter alone and still used the word translated into Greek, agape. The third time, Jesus used the word translated into Greek, phileo (signifying affection, affinity, or brotherly love) and asked, in effect, 'Are you even my friend?' Each time Peter responded with the word translated into Greek as phileo. Jesus doesn't settle for quick, superficial answers. He has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when Jesus confronted him. How would you respond if Jesus asked you, 'Do you truly love me?' Do you really love Jesus? Are you even his friend?

Potty training?

November 12, 2008 - 11:22 AM

A mommy friend passed me an article saying the prime time to potty train is between 18 and 24 mo. Let's just say that potty training has hit me upside the head. I didn't think kids were potty trained until they were 2 or 3. But maybe that's just when they finally "get it".

So I just wanted to make a shout out to some mommies for some potty training tips:

1. Any books that you found especially helpful?

2. What kind of gear was helpful for you? (I know there are little potties, seats that fit right on the toilet, dolls, toddler books... what worked best for you?)

3. Anything else?

Thanks for any tips!

Pictures from the past 1/2 year (May 2008 - Oct. 2008)

November 1, 2008 - 3:18 PM

Joy will be 1 1/2 this coming week and I realized that I haven't even posted pictures from her birthday. So here are pictures from the past 1/2 year, in chronological order. There are twenty-or-so pics, so get ready for a slideshow!

Joy's birthday at Hickory Park. She got a stawberry sundae. Yummy!

After Luke and Holly's wedding at the Golden Corral in Boone

Birthday cake with the Biang kids as we're moving out of the Beach Ave. duplex.

peek-a-boo with Daddy at our summer rental

Not sure why she's upset here. Gosh, one thing that's been hard for me is to not laugh or smile when she's upset because she's just so stinkin' cute!

Joy's first tent camping trip. Wisconsin. This was the beginning of our tour de Lac Ontario.

Mining for amethyst in Canada. That's her aunt in the purple, and you can see my back a little.

Stop sign in Canada, eh.

Driving around Canada

That's our car below the helicopter. A helicopter landed right by our motel room! Some people who wanted to drop in for dinner at the nearby Austrian restaurant. Joy thought it was kinda scary. The rest of us thought it was pretty sweet!

This is a VERY common sight. Joy smells her pony (Po-po)'s tail for comfort.

Joy is sharing some "tail" comfort with me ("Mommy, you can smell the tail")

We found this little red car between a tree and a fence in our new back yard. As soon as Joy spotted it, she fell in love with it. After scrubbing the whole thing (it was seriously covered with the stickiest caterpillar cocoons), I ended up having to bring it inside to get any unpacking done. Joy just didn't want to get out!

So happy. new favorite toy. (notice the pony in the back)

Oh the joys of moving into a kitchen with a toddler. Notice the basting brush? She was brushing the wheat thins around.

Joy decided to rub spaghetti sauce in her hair. I think that Mike and I's screams just made it more fun for her. (Ah!) We went outside afterwards and the neighbor thought she had had a head injury and needed stitches! Fortunately, no!

I'm willing to bet that all kids "really" use their toy dishes at some point. Here we're having a tea party with a little sweetened lemon tea. Yummy! Oh yeah, and this was definitely one of those days when I was inspired to wear my striped, cotton hoody because Joy wanted to wear her striped, cotton hoody.