but you don't have to take my word for it...

I have a Reading Rainbow book recommendation. I was asked to preach at a church during Lent and this congregation was basing their sermon series on Max Lucado's latest book, Fearless. My favorite book of all time is Lucado's, You are Special. Sure it's a picture book, probably geared towards 12 year olds, but every time I read that one I am convicted and reminded to stop this insane attempt to live my life for the approval of others.

Strangely, I've never read any of Lucado's other books. (Like the grown up kind, geared towards adults...) But this was a great read, full of stories and lots to chew on. I was happy that writing the sermon for this church forced me to read something I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own.

The book is all about living life with less fear. My word for the year is Trust, and I think about this often. Especially having a baby inside of me that I constantly have to Trust is growing healthy and strong. Fear can seep in amazingly fast if I let my mind wander, but I refuse to waste my time on what-if's. I choose trust.

The back of the book says, "Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, and doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, when you could trust more and fear less. Can you imagine your life without fear?" Just think: we are invited and asked by God himself to Fear Not. God has called us to Trust.

It's a good read, and was full of opportunities to give my fears over to the one who invites all who are weak and heavy laden to come to Him for rest.

the zoo was a zoo

I love the Minnesota Zoo and basically grew up there as it is just a half a mile from my childhood home. I even went to high school at the zoo school, an environmental studies school located on the zoo property.

It had been about four years since I had been back and with all of the baby animals this time of year, it seemed like a good outing for Heidi, Terri, Sara and myself. We went on Good Friday, and apparently the idea wasn't all that original. I have never seen the place so crowded! And then it started raining...pouring, really, which just added to the pandemonium. And then I lost Heidi's son. He had been holding onto the stroller, but then I guess he wasn't. I had just been boasting that I felt so maternal pushing a stroller. Heidi found him, crying and being helped by another mother. Terri said, "how maternal are you feeling now, Bec?" I replied that I was overwhelmed with guilt. And all three moms agreed that guilt is the chief maternal feeling, so I'm truly on my way to becoming a mama.

I still feel guilty for this whole episode. Maternal guilt. How do you get over that one? (You'll note maternal rhymes with eternal, so I'm not all that sure it ever goes away.)

The picture above is the only one I took. At this very moment Sara was sprinting with Ruby trying to get to the next covered area.

a very merry groves weekend

We just got home and I'm starting laundry, but I quickly wanted to right my mistake from Friday...

I guess the video I posted on Friday was not quite the video I was hoping to post. Although I did watch it and the painter is talented. But when I wrote, this sums up the Groves' family together time, I didn't mean that we sit around and watch painting videos...

So let's see if I can get it right this time:


We had a fabulous weekend home, and packed it full of great moments. Mostly, it was just family time and since I CRAVE family time, this was my perfect weekend. On our way out of town Sara and Troy were interviewed on Focus on the Family. It has been a while since I have listened to this program because it just became so politically divisive, but Sara and Troy are really excited about the new leadership in this organization and encouraged us all to give it a second chance. Their broadcast can be found here (April 5th broadcast) and I encourage you to take 30 minutes and listen. Rory and I listened on the radio as we drove out of Minnesota and it gave us good talking points to discuss the whole way home...

More later, but for now, HAPPY EASTER! CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

off to minnesota...

We're in Minnesota this weekend and filling it up with Groves family goodness. My family is all out in Seattle celebrating together, but as my niece Mara said, "You will have fun too because you are with Rory's mom and dad and that is special." I laughed when she heard her say this because I imagine my sister explained this to hear and she repeated it to me verbatim.

I am really excited though for a one family holiday. We always have two homes to hit every Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. It's not a horrible problem honestly. I'd rather we get to see both families on these special days. But this Easter it seems very calm and sane just to eat one Easter feast and lay low after the meal.

It's going to be a very Minnesota weekend. I have plans to meet friends at the Minnesota Zoo on Friday, Rory is going with his dad to the first Twins game in the new stadium and I am getting my haircut by my favorite hair girl Kari!

Easter Sunday we'll be at Sara and Troy's. The video below shows the Groves' family in true form. We were in Nebraska when they filmed this video and when I saw it the first time I nearly cried because a)I HATE missing family shindigs. This part of living in Nebraska has just about killed me.... and b)We missed our chance to be in a music video! I told Sara that I do hope for a minor role in a video for her next album. Maybe backup dancing?



(if the video doesn't embed, or if it's too small, you can watch it here: Setting Up the Pins.)