As I mentioned in my previous post, I am loving the series we are currently doing in our Sunday group. I figured it was time to bring back my Goodlife Sunday posts to share a bit about what we're studying. Disclaimer: I do not intend to force my beliefs on anyone, but I do believe it is part of my "job" as a Christian to share what I can. Each of you can take what you want from anything I write. Fortunately, the Bible and the topics it covers are very relative to everyone. Plus, I know some of you reading may not get to church as regularly as you might like or be wondering what there is to being a "Jesus lover" and what exactly faith is all about. It's not always the stereotype you might think of.

Currently we are studying a video series by Ray Vander Laan called Faith Lessons on the Promised Land.

This series focuses on different historical facts about the time period and events in which important people such as Abraham, Moses, and Joshua lived. The concept behind the study is the more we are able to understand the context in which the events of the Bible occurred, the more we will be able to accurately apply them to our lives and use the lessons to strengthen our own faith and understanding of who God is and all He can do. And I would have to agree with this. I have never been big into history, but the things I have been learning in this study are so helpful and have certainly worked to aide my understanding of the Bible and things I am expected and desired to do in order to more fully live the walk of a believer.

The thing that stuck out to me the most from this past Sunday's lesson was how God can and will use even the meekest and seemingly unworthy of people. We looked at the genealogy of Jesus that is listed in Matthew 1:1-16. In the genealogy there are 42 generations. Of those,  not including Mary, only four of them list the mother. You would probably think that the women listed were mighty believers, women of an immense faith who had done no wrong, who were "worthy" of God's grace and being included in such a masterful plan. Ummm.....wrong!! Let's take a quick run down of who these women are. Tamar = pretended to be a prostitute and slept with her father-in-law to pay him back for not marrying her to his other son when her husband died. Rahab = actually was a prostitute for her living. Ruth = worshiped other gods and was part of a people who God despised. Bathsheba = committed adultery with a king (king David in fact) and didn't get too upset when her lover murdered her husband. Sounds like these ladies should be The Real Housewives of the Bible instead of the women Jesus would eventually come from, eh?

Now, have you ever thought poorly of yourself? Come on! We're ladies here. Of course we all have!! I think it's 100% in our nature to think something negative about ourselves or doubt ourselves on a daily basis. Why do we do this? If we consider that God can turn around the lives of women like Ruth, Rahab, Bathsheba, and Tamar (come on - sleeping with your hubby's daddy??!!?)....then why can we not accept that we are loved by the most important man EVER? God CREATED us, carefully and with pure love. He allowed his one and only son to DIE for us, so he could save us. He wants you to be fulfilled more than any person could ever do so. You are worthy. You are so worthy that the creator of the universe is always by your side, whispering to your heart that He loves you and will do great things for you. So, lift up your chin....pull those shoulders back....stand up straight....smile big....and know that no matter what your past looks like. No matter what you are struggling with now. No matter what anyone else tells you. You are special. You are worthy. Amazing, huh? Who doesn't want to hear a message like that? Right on sister!!! Be beautiful! Be strong! Be who God created you to be....100% YOU!

This weekend was a whirlwind! Where exactly did it go? Thank goodness it is a three day one for the hubs. Which I guess doesn't mean a ton for a stay at home mommy like me. But just having the hubs around helps out...even if he is busy occupying himself with the various household projects on his annoyingly never ending ambitious list.

Back to the point. What have I been up to the past two days? I know you all are just yeah whatever positively dying to know. Right? Right! Well, Saturday started off with a nice cardio sweat session. 10 minutes on the crosstrainer plus a 45 minute spin class. Awesomeness. Canceled out the cardio with a nice serving of homemade blueberry waffles. Yum! Note: those are not all mine. I did have three of those bad boys, though.

After that, some plans changed with Peter's family, which opened up my afternoon. It was a nice change because I was able to finish my book which I was anxious to do.

Although predictable, it was a sweet story that just made me feel good. If you're looking for a good chick book that is easy reading, give it a shot. Now time to devour another.

Saturday night, we headed out to drop M off at my parents' place and visit for a few before heading out for a fun evening.

Why does that dress look like a tent on me? Sorry...moving on. Peter's best friend is getting married in about 2 weeks and they had a couple's shower going on. It was a nice time catching up. Some wine was enjoyed - 2 glasses of some uh-maz-ing Spanish wine. I soooo wish I had taken more note of specifics of it because I would have a bottle in my fridge regularly if I did. And if it was cheap. I'm not afraid to admit I can be a "three buck chuck" kind of vino gal. Sometimes it is good stuff! Who knows how much this kind was. My guess would be $$$$$. The host's place was fancy schmancy. Like a $5000 chair that you can't even sit on kind of schmancy. For the record - it wasn't made of gold. The night ended because we were lame and tired at 10 o'clock had to pick Makenzie up, so we headed out and crashed at home.

Sunday was yet another eventful day. Started off right with some Sunday school teaching action. I always feel odd calling myself a Sunday school leader or teacher. I'm not teaching kiddos. I'm "teaching" my peers....most of whom are older than me. I guess it is more just facilitating discussion and figuring out/organizing topics for different series. Well, Sunday school was a goodie. I'm loving the series we are currently in (post on that coming soon). Unfortunately, after class, we did have to dip out of the worship and sermon service to drive an hour for some family celebration with Peter's side. It was our niece's 7th birthday this past week and we had a gathering of gluttony craziness to celebrate.

It was lots of fun watching all the kiddos play and laughing with family. Also, I didn't mind the ice cream cake. Although, oddly I think I would have preferred normal cake with gobs of yummy icing. I used to always be a cookie cake or ice cream cake lover, but then being preggo changed all that. Makenzie made me a fat kid at heart. Aw, heck! Who am I kidding? I've always been a fat kid at heart. Now, there are just more things to love.

The weekend eventually ended with the hour drive back home, then plopping on the couch for a movie. The Taking of Pelham 123 with John Travolta & Denzel Washington - not bad, but not great either. The end.

• What good movies have you seen recently? 
• What is your favorite type of cake?
• Do you ever drink or like the cheap-o stuff?