Dr. Jack Schaap is definitely towards the top of my “Heroes Of The Faith” list. Much wisdom from this man.

The Armor Of God is our protective coating. Who wouldn’t want a protective coating? I mean, how stupid would it be for a solider to go into battle without his protective coating? How stupid would it be for a football player to go out on the gridiron without his protective coating? Somehow us Christians think we are above injury until it is too late.

Thank God we have a free will, but with that free will comes a responsibility to make the right choices as Christians. God is not going to make me wear his armor, but I risk getting injured or even death without it’s protection.

I have been reminded I need to have good morals (loins girt about with truth). I need to guard myself from idolatry (breastplate of righteousness) by saying “I will” and “I won’t” to the right things.

Looking forward to future sermons on The Armor of God. I need MORE protection.

Now that the weather is getting nice, Carrie is taking more pictures. I thought this was a cool picture she took while on one of our walks in downtown Fremont against an old building.

We had a great time in Chicago for Carrie’s Birthday.

Our room was on the 23rd floor AND had a living room! Everything was first class, and the staff was perfect. Valet parking was very steep at $48 per night, but that’s normal for downtown.

After we checked in, we went right next door to Gino’s East for deep dish pizza. Normally there is a line out the door to get in, but we got there late, so we got to wait inside for a booth. It took an hour to get our pizza after placing our order, but was worth the wait.

The next morning we got breakfast in our room. After breakfast we headed to Target downtown to do some clothes shopping.

For lunch we went to Greektown for some authentic Greek gyros. They were huge! Carrie and I split one and still left with boxed leftovers. Our waiter was VERY Greek and friendly too.

After lunch we dropped the car off to valet parking back at our hotel and took a cab to the Sears Tower. Security to get in is like at an airport. It was about a 45 minute wait standing in line before we got to the 2 minute elevator ride to the top. Very cool! We took our time gawking and taking pictures of Chicago from 103 floors up before coming back down. Carrie DID NOT like the elevator rides up or down. :)

We took another cab back downtown by the river and got a coffee and did some more shopping. While drinking our coffee at Starbucks we were entertained by a strange  man holding pigeons.

We were pretty tired from walking and shopping, so we ended up back at our hotel room for some rest and relaxation. Since it was Carrie’s Birthday, and I am such a good husband, I let Carrie watch her Miss America on TV. Is there a greater sacrifice a husband can endure for his wife than watching Miss America? I think not!

Sunday after leaving Chicago we got caught in a 90 minute traffic jam on the Dan Ryan because of a tanker truck over turning. If that truck driver wasn’t injured already in the accident, I know of about 5,000 people that would be glad to injure him after having to sit basically idol for 90 minutes like sardines on the expressway.

We picked up Lyndsey from Nana and Papa’s and got home around 9:00. Watched the Pro Bowl the rest of the night.

Great time with my love.

As beautiful as I am, I still have my ‘baby moments’. I was not ready when Mommy took this picture of Daddy and I over at Grandma E’s house this Saturday.

Dad tells me I hold my head up good, and that I am very alert fro my age. Looking at my beautiful Mommy taking the picture does makes it easy for me to hold my head up though. Today we are going to see Grandma E. I miss her because we don’t see her enough.

I love to sleep on Dad’s big belly, it is very cozy. I like Sundays because we go to church and everyone tells me how beautiful I am.