Roman!

Here's a great picture of my youngest looking out the window.  Just love it!  He's growing up so fast. He isn't walking yet but is saying daddy and trying to talk in long sentences.

Family Shepherds - Catechism

Family Shepherds - 1

Calling and equipping men to lead their homes

Voddie Baucham Jr.

Pg 64-67

Catechism is simply a pedagogical method employing questions and answers to teach a set body of knowledge. It’s explained in the following terms by Zacharias Ursinus, the primary author of the Heidelberg Catechism:

The system of catechiszing… includes a short simple, and plain exposition and rehearsal of the Christian doctrine, deduced from the writings of the prophets and apostles, and arranged in the form of questions and answers, adapted to the capacity and comprehension of the ignorant and unlearned; or it is a brief summary of the doctrine of the prophets and apostles, communicated orally to such as are unlearned, which they again are required to repeat.

Ultimately, catechism is a means of teaching Christian doctrine in a concise, repetitive manner. As Martin Luther wrote, “In the catechism, we have a very exact, direct, and short way to the whole Christian religion.”

Harlan Photos - Winter 2012



Before we cut - with Daddy

This year we decided to go to a tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree.  The kids were extremely excited about this! I must begrudgingly admit that this was better than visiting the people who came up from North Carolina to sell pre-cut trees out of a trailer.  Thanks to Martin Luther for Christmas trees.

"Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth."

Spiderman!

Mark: I hope a spider bites me so that I can turn into Spiderman!

Friend of my Mom's: you have to watch out with that sugar free stuff - it has acetaminophen in it!
Mom: that is Tylenol
Friend: Oh.. you know what I mean! (aspartame)

Mark: Dad I want the pizza cutter
Me: No Mark that is dangerous please sit in your seat.
Mark (smacking head): uggh.. Dad.. you don't.. it doesn't have the sharp, it isn't even the sharp... Dad you don't under.. Daddy you didn't understanded me! I just wanted the piece of pizza.

Hawaii Notes - Maui

Here is the view looking up from a volcano in Maui.  My parents are on a trip to Hawaii and then off to a cruise.  Since I won't be able to do trips like this for a few years, it is great to be able to follow along with them through pictures my dad has been texting me.

Locksmith

We arrived home this afternoon and realized that our back door lock was acting up again.  For some reason it gets stuck in place if you apply too much pressure to it.  My father-in-law has already helped us with this issue a couple times.

Here's what happened...

Happy 5th Birthday Mark

Mark just turned 5 years old! Here are a few pictures of the big man.

or Fishing

Mark: Daddy what is this?

Me: That is a paper to help people think about God.

Mark: Hmm or maybe they can think about fishing right?

Me: uhh... yes Mark or about fishing.

Thanks to Church of The Open Door in Westminster, MD for sending some folks over to our house to invite us to church.

Instead

Mark:  Daddy why does hair grow in your nose instead?
Me:  What do you mean "instead?"
Mark:  Why does hair grown in your nose?
Me:  It just does... but why did you say "instead?"
Mark:  uhh Daddy... your hair doesn't grow on your head anymore but it grows in your nose right?
later...
Mark:  Daddy I think God wants your hair to grow in your nose instead of on your head... maybe.


Mark:  (wearing shin guards on his arms) Daddy! if a robot hitted me really hard on my arm when I am wearing these... he will break apart!