Fiona's Christmas

Here is Fiona after opening her presents on Christmas afternoon.

Hampsher Holidays

Fiona decided she wanted to help decorate for Christmas - she became enthralled with the lights for the tree. Grandma and Grandpa and Fiona enjoyed their time together. Get a glimpse of Fiona walking; the video is a bit old. She walks well now.

Fiona Attempting to Walk

Here we have Dad walking with Fiona, Mom giving directions, and the dogs helping. Sorry, the lighting is not too good.

Fiona Standing

New Indiana Jones Movie

I went to see the late showing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on opening night. First of all, I am a huge Indiana Jones fan. I grew up on Raiders of the Lost Ark. I was eagerly anticipating this new movie unlike any other. So, with a heavy heart, I am sad to say this movie SUCKED. I tried so hard to like it, but alas, I could not. The visuals were poor, the dialogue trite, the characters underdeveloped, and, worst of all, the story was so totally unbelievable I was ashamed to be an Indiana Jones fan. I waited twenty years for this piece of junk? Hence I am working hard to banish the memory of this movie from my mind. Bleccch!

Bounc'n Fiona!

Fiona's New Video

Here she is! Enjoy.

New Pictures

Here are some new pictures of Fiona. Everybody loves Fiona! The top picture is of Fiona and her babysitter, Barbara. They always have such a good time together. The bottom picture is of Fiona in her stocking hat (or toboggan down South) at Easter. The middle picture is when Fiona heard that the new Indiana Jones movie is coming out next month. Rock on!

Fiona is sitting nicely on her couch (beautiful slip cover I might add). Sunshine is sitting on the other end of the couch. The video is of Fiona licking a Ritz imitation cracker (we are too cheap to buy Ritz). Fiona thinks they taste the same anyway, so what's the difference? The sound in the background is the dogs dancing around; apparently they wanted a cracker too.

Fun with Cereal!

This is Fiona's first meal with cereal. Last week, the doctor told us that she could start on cereal if we thought she was ready. We went home and I asked BreAne, "Should we start her on Cheerios or Fruit Loops?" BreAne laughed at me in response. I have since learned that 'cereal' means a soft, mushy-like oatmeal, and not Cheerios or Fruit Loops. My mistake. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Fiona and Further Musings

This latest video is of Fiona playing with her inflatable ball. It is amusing; at least it was for her.

I have not included any meaningless rantings lately, so the time is upon us. I was assigned to read the book, Shaped By the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., for an upcoming class. First of all, I seem to have a bias against books that are "spiritual formation" books. They tend to leave a bad taste in my mouth. I need to state this up front lest you think I am a mere objective observer. Anyway, needless to say, I found the book odd. The author's thesis is that one needs to read Scripture 'formationally' instead of 'informationally' and allow God to shape our understanding of the text. You must "allow the [Scripture] passage to open to you its deepest dimensions, its multiple layers of meaning (p. 56)."

Firstly, I am not sure one can distinguish information from formation. I understand Mulholland's point that we can read Scripture simply for information without allowing ourselves to be transformed. But, this dicotomy cannot be pressed too far. In fact, when one encounters Scripture, one must begin with information (as Mulholland puts it). The importance of authorial intent is paramount; what did the original author intend to communicate? Unfortunately, Mulholland only dedicates less than two pages to this point. One cannot proceed to transformation (which I agree that this must be reached) until one establishes what God intended to say to the original audience. If we jump directly to 'formational' reading, we inevitably become lost in a sea of ambiguity and potentially land in a reader-response approach to Scripture. I hear enough of "what this passage means to me" already. Personally, I am far too warped a person to trust myself to "what this passage means to me." But perhaps this is a too conservative approach...

Lastly, I am beginning to appreciate the communal aspect of sanctification. I think often this gets missed by spiritual formationists. The typical approach is that spiritual formation is something that God does in me and then I turn and make the world better. Oh yeah, and it takes place in the church. But study your Bible at home. By yourself. In a closet. Pray there. It's personal. I am overstating my case, to be sure, but Scripture never portrays spiritual formation as something accomplished by myself. It is inherently communal and done in the midst of brothers and sisters in Christ, as is the act of reading and interpreting Scripture. Ha! How's that for a pastoral plug! I have ranted and raved far too long. Good bye!

Playtime

Here are the latest pictures and video of Fiona. The top picture is of Fiona taking her bath. She has now graduated from her newborn 'hammock' bath to her infant bath. I am sure she is proud of her accomplishment. The second picture is of Fiona reading with her father. She is quite the intent little reader. If you notice, she is holding the edge of the book. And lastly, Fiona is enjoying her pacifier and taking a good look at it from various angles. What a gal!

Fiona and Her Pacifier