• Grace in Daily Life

    How Can I Not be Grateful?

    Today was an interesting day emotionally. In one way, it was extremely stressful and at times, depressingly sad. I’m coming off of two nights of poor sleep (so my mind is tempted to race) plus I was up super early trying to figure out major financial issues we’re facing. I’m feeling the weight of unpacking, plowing through mail and bills and to-do’s, all with an eye on the month of May which has some HUGE deadlines for me. I haven’t seen a friend here in town in weeks, so I had this (really dumb) fleeting thought of, “Do I even HAVE any friends?” I’m starting a new regimen of physical…

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    Last Pics from our Trip

    Auntie Kali treated us to a super fun time in Chicago—the Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, The Field Museum, The Aquarium/Oceanarium, the Children’s Museum … we are museum’d UP! Plus, we loved getting to spend time with Grandma Chris and the extended Barthel family during the Easter holiday …   Our drive home with a stop at Mount Rushmore wasn’t quite what we expected/desired, but we made the best of it. Nice view, eh? Here’s the view that made the whole thing fun anyway …  

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    Chicago Museum Days

    We were sad to leave my mom and Charlie—I can’t help but wonder how many more visits we will all have together. The brevity of life seems particularly short these days: Since we were driving right past it on the way to our hotel, we stopped for a short visit to The Museum of Science and Industry (where my sister and I both used to work): We then enjoyed a restful night and a fancy-schmancy breakfast delivered to our room:   And headed out to The Field Museum:  

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    Born in 1970

    I’ve been thinking a lot about my childhood / teen years lately because: 1. I’m chewing through books on the teens of this generation: The Millennials, Generation iY, and also reading Tim Challies’ new book on The Digital Explosion … so I’m thinking about our old black and white television, our first VHS machine, our first microwave, Pong, Space Invaders, and using my sisters box-of-a-Mac. 2. We’re in Fred’s childhood area and a friend of his from high school died this week so we’re having all sorts of conversations about high school, the brevity of life, how grateful we are for God’s grace in our lives, etc. 3. In a…

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    Nancy L. Won!

    Just a quick note to let you know that the Random Number Generator I use chose Nancy L. as the winner of the $25 iTunes gift card. Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey on teens & technology & relationships. Blessings on your weekend! Yours,  Tara B.  

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    Titus 2’ing

    After a fun-filled night with some young ladies from my church, as usual, I I was WAY blessed (even though I was trying to be the one blessing them) …   Thanking God for the Body of Christ …  

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    No Vacation in the World Will Lead to This Kind of Rest

    While walking Lilikoi this morning (in the pitch-black, 32 degrees of a Montana spring morning—BRRRR!), I listened to a sermon that I am sure I will listen to repeatedly in the coming years: Work and Rest by Dr. Timothy Keller I had been thinking about this idea of “rest” a lot lately. Mostly because I haven’t had much rest (and I know that isn’t good!). But also, I have come to the conviction that even when I DO have time to rest, I don’t rest. I am active. Doing. Moving. This past weekend I started to get a little scared: Don’t I even know how to rest anymore? What kind…

  • Momma Tara~Parenting

    Do you own technology or does it own you?

    I just received word from Westminster Bookstore that my pre-ordered copy of Tim Challies’ new book, The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion is on its way and I can’t wait to read  it. In the interim, this interview by Paula Hendricks has sure given me lots to chew on (as I set my laptop DOWN … 😉 ): Do You Own Technology or Does it Own You?