Drive Free, Retire Rich - Automobiles - daveramsey.com

Believe it or not, I have never had a car payment. I've driven some pretty bad cars at times and I have driven a couple of really nice ones and they were always paid for in cash. This is something that Jeff and I have long felt strongly about.

This fun little video can show you how.

Drive Free, Retire Rich - Automobiles - daveramsey.com

What I'm Reading

Slave

by John MacArthur

There are often words in languages that don’t translate well between each other. The societal and cultural context connected with words can be very different. The word “slave” is one such word. John MacArthur attempts to present this word in a different and more biblical context than most Americans are used to hearing. MacArthur explains the use of the word during the 1st century church versus our current understanding and presents the importance of viewing ourselves as slaves to Christ.

MacArthur does a great job helping to distinguish the negative connotations of the word “slave” with the biblical meaning. The book is at times tedious and often he repeats the same concepts. There is also a chapter on Catholicism and a chapter on the “emerging” church movement that do not seem to fit with the theme of the book.

I would recommend parts of the book as a guide to understanding our relationship in Christ not only as slaves but as sons. This would probably have been better if the content had been cut in half. It seemed the author was at times stretching the content to fit a number of pages.

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9781400202072

http://www.amazon.com/Slave-Hidden-Truth-Identity-Christ/dp/1400202078/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289322234&sr=1-1

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

New Pics, Finally and some good news!

These are a little late in coming but I am finally able to post a few pics from our short trip to Cing Jing Farm in central Taiwan.

And in other news: Jeff and I just passed our language test.  On a scale of 0-6, (A "0" score would be someone who spoke no chinese and a "6" is a college-educated, native speaker) we needed to pass at a level 1.5.  We both scored a 1.9!  This means that we are both officially novice Chinese speakers.  haha

We will still continue studying as our final goal is to reach a level 4.  It will take several more years of study to attain but eventually we may actually be able to have a whole conversation in Chinese.

Cing Jing Farms

Nantou County, Taiwan

March 22-23, 2011

We tried to get Ava to put down the laptop and stop working but she is just so dedicated  to her work. She just had to finish a few emails while we were in the car.  :)

Chloe got to ride a little pony and absolutely loved it.  Her favorite memory from the trip was the pony urinating on the sidewalk.  "Hey, he's suppose to use the toilet," she said to Jeff as they walked.



Chloe and Ava got to pet and feed some little baby sheep. These sheep look large in the picture because Ava is the same size as them.  They were actually quite young lambs. 



And both girls got to feed the sheep with the assistance of Jeff.

In this case, the grass really is greener and the sheep knew it.



The happy family (just moments ago both girls had been crying).



Ava and Jeff taking in the beautiful scenery.

More beautiful scenery

As we drove on up to the mountain pass, the fog rolled in.

Chloe and Mommy at the top of the mountain.  Chloe is holding her new favorite toy, a sheep purchased at the Sheep Farm gift shop.  At least here in Taiwan little items like this only cost $3 instead of $13 in America.  :)