Trust

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose trust is in the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Favorite Family Books

Thanks to Lydia Hayden, we've been "tagged" to post a list of some of our family's favorite books. : )

1. One book that changed your life. The Scriptures. God is so gracious to us to show us our blindness, convicting us of sin, enabling us to repent, and causing us to grow. Praise His glorious name! Most mornings and evenings Dad leads us in our family worship. Currently we are in the Proverbs. Dad will read 10-12 verses, us children will remember a particular verse that stuck out to us, then we will discuss them. On the Lord's Day morning, we read the passage of the sermon--Dad just started preaching through 1 Peter.

2. One book that you've read more than once. Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Books. We have probably read Little House in the Big Woods, On the Prairie and On Plum Creek at least 5 times each aloud as a family with the later volumes somewhat less. The first time we read them was when we lived in the middle of the city in California. I was around 10 or 11 years old and we would curl up with blankets around our wood stove, listening to Dad read aloud to us. We've continued reading that series over the years, but we should make another round for Andrew and Joel when they are a couple years older. Excepting the youngest two boys, we've also all read the series multiple times to ourselves. Our first copy of the series was a Christmas gift to me from my dear great grandparents, Papa and G.G. (stands for Great Grandmother). When they died, I used my "inheritance" gift from them to purchase a new hardbound series. The old paperbacks are well loved.
A word from the wise: Don't read the last book of the series The First Four Years. Laura did not complete the manuscript of that book before her death. Her feminist daughter Rose took up where her mother left off, but completely changed the sweet story into a bitter complaint against a biblical view of contented womanhood.
Correction: Sarah Girotti, thank you for the correction regarding the author of The First Four Years. You are right, it is Roger Lea MacBride! I was sadly mistaken. : ) I guess Laura wrote this book in the 1940's, then never completed it. Rose, Laura's feminist daughter, discovered it and after Laura's death gave it to her good friends the MacBrides. Mr. MacBride decided to publish this unfinished manuscript in 1968 and the project was complete in 1971. (Many thanks to the forward contained in the First Four Years for this information.) Mr. MacBride credits the vastly different style of writing with 1.)Potentially being written later than the other books 2.) Laura's never revising and completing the book. Our recommendation of skipping the last book still holds true, but many thanks Sarah for setting the record straight on the author!

3. One book that you would want on a desert island. Swiss Family Robinson. Dad read this book as a boy many times over, and is just finishing another round of it for the little boys and girls. Whenever he reads this book, the boys always say--"Awwh Dad!" when it suddenly becomes quiet in the middle of the chapter. Dad is graciously editing out some of the more un-ladylike parts for his gentle girls. : ) Full of adventure. Make sure to read the unabridged version as that one has all the parts about resting in God's providential care.

4. One book that made you laugh. Justin Morgan Had a Horse. All of Marguerite Henry's books are such fun--to read the antics of the horse Little Bub keeps us in stitches. The last chapter of this book also makes us cry.

5. One book that made you cry. Carry On Mr. Bowditch. This is one of our all-time favorite books, the story of Nathaniel Bowditch, a boy challenged by the hard providences of God, but an intrepid young lad who perseveres through difficulties growing into a wise man.

6. One book that you wish had been written. Hmm. We have many ideas for books that need to be written. Some, by God's grace we hope to write ourselves, and others we are encouraging other members of Christ's church to write. "To the making of books there is no end." Ecclesiastes

7. One book that you wish had never been written. Origin of the Species. 'Nough said.

8. One book that you are currently reading. Kon Tiki. A story full of adventure, Kon Tiki is the hypothesis of man from Norway on how the South Pacific Islands were inhabited. Mom is reading this book aloud to Ben, Sarah, Lydia, Andrew and Joel during their lessons. I also just finished Shepherding a Child's Heart, very, very excellent biblical view of child discipleship (i.e. parenting). Highly recommenced.

9. One book that you are meaning to read. Too many to count. : ) On my personal list right now is Every Thought Captive by Richard Pratt (introduction to presuppositional apologetics) and Be Fruitful and Multiply by Nancy Campbell.

10. Now tag four people.
The Berkompas Family
The Girotti Family
The Howard Family
The Kerr Family
You are welcome to do it as a family, delegate one person to answer the questions, or skip it all together! : )

Flashback--Entrepreneurial Bootcamp

In keeping with CS Hayden's recent hearken to the adage "better late than never" we are trying to beat his record of how far back one can go. Yes, we know the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp is old news. In fact, it's so old that it would officially "outdated"--except for the fact of the wonderful relationships we have with all these dear people, and others whom our camera was not quick enough to catch!



We were so happy to meet new friends the Ford family. We didn't snap a picture of the Sanders or Powers, but we were glad to connect with these blogging families in person.


What a cute Carpenter!



After being inspired by Kelly and Andrea Reins's prairie muffin activities, we were thrilled to meet in person. What rich encouragement these girls give.


Dinner on the Riverwalk with some of the Haydens.


Two Hannahs and a Rebecca.



It was a deep joy to be with our Uncle Matt and cousin Daniel at the conference. We wish there was more time but treasure each moment with you guys.



What delightful fellowship over dinner with the Turley family and Phillip Bradrick.



It's always a treat to discuss things with Genevieve Smith. Her joyful spirit is infectious. : )


Ben enjoyed conversation with Phillip Bradrick and David Botkin.


Smiling Zes ladies.

We were blessed to stay for our time in Texas at the home of the gracious Monteufel family. Sunday afternoon found a bunch of people over for fellowship and . . .



. . . to celebrate Mr. Monteufel's birthday. Here he leads everyone in song. : )


Checking out pictures: Caleb, Ryan, Nolan.



Another highlight of our Texas time was visiting with the Grable family, dear friends from California. Here one of the Grable sons feasts on the birthday cake.



Singing Psalms. First, we sing through the Psalm with all the parts . . .



. . . then we split into groups. Here are the tenors--Mr. Montuefel, Mr. Grable, Mr. Short and Stephen.


Ryan Short and Stephan Montuefel


The guys scheming on a project.



Two precious mothers who glorify God: Mrs. Serven and Mrs. Montuefel.



The Schwartz family was so very kind to open their home in hospitality to us on the way home from Texas.

May the Lord richly bless all these, His people.

God Glorifying Normativity

Even though you may have already seen pictures of the Christ honoring wedding of Peter and Kelly Bradrick, we thought you might enjoy another perspective of that God blessed day.























The reception was held on the Brown's farm, under the tent sometimes refered to as "Barnum and Bailey Baptist Church". : )






Josh and Jessica Erber


Our girls and a sweet Carpenter






Some of the Walsh guys


Katie Valenti and Jeff Pollard


The Strackbein ladies


Bill Einwecheter and Howard Phillips














Chad Roach and Jim Bob Howard


Jessica Erber and Beth


Jessica Monteufel and Lourdes Torres


"Rebecca--You took our picture!"


The Howells


Rebecca and Molly Valenti


The time for leaving and cleaving has come.




Justin Turley





After saying goodbye to the new covenant family, we enjoyed talking and singing down at the house.


Josh Erber, Nathan, Tim Horn, Mark Stubblefield


Sarah Zes, Mrs. Elizabeth Fitzgerald, and Rebecca


Mr. Brown, Mr. Roach, and Mr. Serven




The Famous Teacup Chandelier . . .


. . . and Swing over the Dining Room Table




The end of a glorious day.

If you would like to see more stories from the advent of this God-glorifying marriage of Peter and Kelly, check out these blogs:
The Father of the Bride
An Elder
A Groomsman
A Groomsman

General Lee on God's Work in History

"My experience of men has neither disposed me to think worse of them nor indisposed me to serve them; nor in spite of failures which I lament, of errors which I now see and acknowledge, or of the present aspect of affairs, do I despair of the future.

"The truth is this: The march of Providence is so slow and our desires so impatient; the work of progress so immense and our means of aiding it so feeble; the life of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope."

Robert E. Lee, from letter c. 1865 to Charles Marshall

Jackson and Lee

Studying godly men of the past remains a blessed favorite pastime of the Serven Clan. Recently we had opportunity to visit some historic sites for Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee when we were in Lexington, VA.

Jackson Memorial Cemetary



The Girotti family accompanied us to Jackson Memorial Cemetary. We discovered the obligatory lemons placed on his grave. Some unknown person in the city keeps a fresh supply of Jackson's trademark continually resting in the graveyard.



Thomas Jackson's first grave site. The body was moved years later when a statue was erected. Jackson's wife and daughter were there to dedicate the statue (pictured above).


Joel and Dad discussing the mortality of life. : )


Mom, Sarah and Lydia look at the Jackson family plot.


Sandy Pendleton's grave--Stonewall's dashing aide.


Beth, Mrs. Girotti and Rebecca talking about family history.


Benjamin found a marker from a man who fought in the 1st War for Independence!


How blessed are the dead who die in Christ.



Washington and Lee College



We next drove over to the nearby Washington and Lee college to see R. E. Lee's grave--Lee was president of this college after our 2nd War for Independence.



Lee's office was in the basement of the school chapel. The family vault is also located under the church.


Walking and talking.

Virginia Military Institute

The Virginia Military Institute was a must on our list of places to go. We had visted all these locations in the fall of 2004 on a Faith and Freedom Tour, but as our whole family had not been able to attend, we wanted to show them all around.



The kids pose with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, aptly named by Rev. Pendleton, artillery captain.


Rebecca and Beth pose with Stonewall.



We were fascinated with the George C. Marshall museum. This man was described by Stalin: "I would trust General Marshall with my life." In November of 1942 George Marshall boasted "We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle our flag will be recognized through the world as a symbol of freedom on hand--of overwhelming power on the other". The evidence of his world view of salvation by environment was so clearly evident.

When we visited VMI in 2004, Brian Howell took us behind the barracks to show us the cannon balls in the wall.



They were lodged in the building during the War Between the States and have remained there to this day (helped every year by the caretaker's plaster and paint. : )



"Old Jack's" room where he taught his students. He was not a favorite teacher as his methods of instruction were completely inflexible. If a class did not grasp the subject for the day he would teach it again the next, "word for word".


Little Sorrel, Jackson's horse.


The raincoat Jackson was wearing at the time of his fatal wound.

P. S. Ever heard of Lee-Jackson day? Click here to learn more about this fascinating holiday celebrated throughout the south.

Real Southern Hospitality

The Girotti family: Tom and Deb, Hannah, Jonathan, and Sarah

Meeting fellow pilgrims gives such rich refreshment as you labor in Christ's kingdom. The gracious Girotti family home was a delightful rest to our souls and glorious first destination on our trip. We met the Girottis first on our blog, then we connected with them in person at the History of the World conference. It was such a joy for our family to share the blessings of fellowship with them in the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley.

Because we left Missouri a little later than we expected (1 hours worth), neglected to account for the time change (1 hours worth), and miscalculated the mileage (1 hours worth) we were three hours late. : ) Wonderfully, the welcoming reception and delicious meal were not altered even though we arrived well after dark! We feasted into the night, sharing stories of how the Lord had worked in our two families over the years, then were shown to our rooms for the evening's repast. This was unbelievable! They had four rooms for us to use--just like a real Bed and Breakfast. How could we not sleep sweetly with charming surroundings and comfy beds?



The morning light brought such a surprise. Lydia and I peeked out the window of our second story bedroom and into the misty scene. A vast expanse of sky and rolling hills greeted us. The view of the Shenandoah Mountains from their home is absolutely incredible. I suppose that is one reason why the Girotti's blog is titled Mountain Musings. : )


Breaking the night's fast with a scrumptious morning meal.



An exploratory walk was the order of the day. Glimpses of the garden had tantalized us all morning so we wanted to stroll the grounds and get the official "tour". Hannah keeps the garden manicured to a "t"--nary a weed was in sight. The garden produce made a delightful addition to our several meals during the stay. What a treat!



The garden flowers inspired us to tackle the barren fields around our house at home. Mrs. Girotti gave me seed pods from several plants: Hollyhock and Indigo. Lord willing, we will be able to plant these for next year.


One of our favorite things about real Southern homes is the front porch.


There is nothing like visiting on a good ol' fashioned porch.


Sittin' on the porch a'swangin' .


"Do we have to leave?"

Joel summed up our feelings exactly. We are blessed of God to know you Girotti family. The fellowship with the Lord's people all over the country is a foretaste of heaven. Eagerly, we look forward to the next time that we will be able to visit with you. In God's providence, we hope that it is soon. Remember, we'll leave the light on for you here in St. Louis too. : )

Car Time

This last week was filled with our first "real" family vacation this year--made real by the fact that Dad was able to accompany us!!! Hooray!!!!! Nathan joined us half-way through the trip for a very special event . . . but I am getting ahead of myself. That will have to wait for a subsequent post.



Speaking of traveling, a road trip is one of the few times that some of us have a chance to do long neglected reading. Of course, some others of us (Ben in particular) keep up a steady diet of book reading, averaging at least a book a day.

For myself (Rebecca), one of the people belonging to the former group, reading is one of the favorite perks of traveling. The last several trips have afforded some profitable time diving into books that have challenged my thinking, made me distrust myself and trust Christ, broken my heart with the knowledge of my sinfulness and helped me to learn to rely solely on Christ's righteousness.

Peacemaking for Families, by Ken Sande. A very practical work on Christian families, Ken Sande looks at all the different relationships within a family, children to children, children to adults, adults to adults, giving a "biblical guide to managing conflict in your home". His simple concept of peace-breakers, peace-fakers and peace-makers is worth the price of the book alone. Use discretion with younger readers--sections of the book are quite helpful to read aloud as a family. However, you may want to skip around for you little people just because of examples that are not their current life situation (rebellious teens, divorce, marital infidelity).

Knowing God, by J. I. Packer. Knowing God, a brutally honest book, challenges your supposed reality of God to who He has actually revealed himself to be in scripture, not who you think He is. The chapter on wisdom was especially applicable--a big paradigm shift for me. My dad gave me this volume when I was 11 years old. Needless to say, it was a bit above my level. : ) What riches are delved from its pages now that I have learned to carefully read! Not a light book, but well worth the effort.

Idols of the Heart, by Elyse Fitzpatrick. This book is a life changer. I would highly recommend this to any person struggling with besetting sins and even those who think they are not. : ) Mrs. Fitzpatrick's book is dripping with scripture and applies God's law and grace to the struggles we have in our flesh. Idols of the Heart is not littered with lots of Christian counseling examples, for which I was grateful; thus, even a older child/young adult could greatly benefit from the wisdom. I was challenged by this book so deeply, that I am reading it for a second time. The author speaks of how when ones desire grows into a demand we have created an idol, following John Calvin's term of our heart as an "idol factory". This can happen with perfectly good and godly desires (i.e. obedient children, a clean house, God glorifying relationships, financial success) as well as wicked desires (revenge, covetousness), but when a person elevates these desires to an all encompassing level of importance, it is idolatry. After leading you to confront your sin, the book spreads the salve of Scripture and points you to Christ's work, the Holy Spirit's sanctifying grace, and the ultimate reality of the Father's glory and goodness. This book is my pick for most vital book of the year.

Equipped to Love, by Norm Wakefield. Equipped to Love paints a picture of tough, honest love; not love that seeks its own by manipulation or self promotion, but an agape love that loves others because one is ultimately loving Christ. This book fleshes out the term "loving the unlovely" and brings it to full flower. Not for younger readers because of the examples he sprinkles throughout, but a helpful book in dealing with the nature of truthful loving relationships.

Forgiven to Forgiving, by Jay Adams. When I was a little girl I did not understand the difference between apologizing and asking forgiveness. I first learned about this vital concept at the West Coast Christian Worldview Conference several years ago, where this book was recommended. The concept of forgiveness has so many implications in our everyday lives. Jay Adams walks through all the scenarios and brings you back to scripture. Also not for young readers, this volume remains a foundational book for understanding biblical confrontation, forgiveness and restoration.

War of Words, by Paul Tripp. War of Words is not just another communication book. Mr. Tripp starts with the tongue but quickly cuts to the heart. Each and every single word you speak is to be redemptive, spoken as an ambassador of Christ. Use discretion with younger readers.



Of course, what would a road trip be without a little levity? During last week's drive we broke out the bubble gum for a good old fashioned competition.