Trip to Texas

So...Brooklynn and I are flying to Texas on WEDNESDAY! We are excited to see family and friends as we visit Canyon! We are flying in on Gigi's birthday!! As I am thinking of flying with sweet little girl alone, I have to imagine there can be nothing as long as going to Texas in the car....with a dog...

Bella did good traveling to Texas last Christmas, but things sure do change when you have a kiddo! Keep posted for some good Stephens family pictures!

Also - for those that haven't discovered skype yet...it rocks! We have LOVED talking to friends and family - and actually getting to SEE them!! Plus - everyone gets to meet the Brooky!

Womanly Dominion

I have recently finished a book called Womanly Dominion: More than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit, by Mark Chanski. After Ryan was recommended to read Chanski's book about Manly Dominion and LOVED it he picked this up for me. While many of us will quickly cast aside the thought of reading another book on how to be godly women, let me say that this is NOT like all the other books. I found it encouraging, thought provoking, convicting, and enthralling. He does a great job of debunking our cultures subtle, and yet pervasive attempts to convince even well-meaning Christians of feminism. Now I may have been more highly exposed having received a degree in science, which is not the best atmosphere to find a Christian worldview. But you might be surprised how YOU react to how Chanski presents the Bible's instructions on a woman's role in the world.

Have you wondered:

Does culture influence how I am to act as a woman?

What Biblical role models am I to follow in this pursuit?

What lies have I believed about being a godly woman? or even what it means to have a gentle and quiet spirit?

Submission?

How to approach my husband boldly and yet humbly if I don't agree with a decision or action?

What does this look like if I'm single? a wife? a mother? a single mother?

Chanski challenges women to "Play their position". But to play your position, you first have to know your position. Chanski's book is a great place to help you understand scripture and the Biblical call for womanly dominion.

Check out the Girl Talk's blog post also recommending this book!

Nonnie & Bawbaw's Visit

Don and Debbie were able to fly in from Texas on Saturday and spend a long weekend with us here in Louisville!! We loved getting to have breakfasts (Brooky's FIRST meal - see below), lunches, dinners, coffees, and desserts! It was a fun-filled and packed few days.

We spent lots of time with Aunt Boo and Uncle Cheeze! Ryan had the opportunity to preach at ABC on Sunday night, and it was a blessing having friends and family in the pews. It will be posted here later on this week. He did a great job preaching on Psalm 128. On Monday, we made the rounds to Sunergos, Nord's Bakery, and then the BOOK NOOK! All three are must visits for all Louisville tourists!

Here are a few picture highlights.

Time with Nonnie...
and Bawbaw...Brooklynn getting ready for the summer in her SWIM SUIT!! We are headed to the zoo tomorrow with the Auburndale women, and we are prepared for the splash park!And the very first rice cereal meal!!!