Seriously, Though...: small group

I think I've mentioned before that Steve and I are in a small group at our church. We were asked to join the small group in 2003, and quite honestly, we almost said no. We just couldn't picture ourselves in a group of "Super Christians." You know, the kind of people who have monogramed carriers for their well-worn Bibles (no offense to those of you who own a monogrammed Bible carrier, because I'm envious of and intimated by you, all at the same time). It's just that Steve and I didn't even own a Bible at that point, even though we had been going to church for three years. We just didn't think we'd fit in with the "Super Christians." And so, our immediate reaction was to say no.

However, at the same time, we were in the middle of our struggle with infertility, and we desperately wanted a baby. We were at a place in our lives where we were in need of some hope, some support, some...well, something. And (since I'm being completely honest here), I figured it couldn't hurt to spend some time with the "Super Christians" (because, in my mind, God might just hear the prayers of the "Super Christians" and grant us our one wish). And so, for completely selfish and ridiculous reasons, we found ourselves saying "Yes" to the small group (and making an immediate trip to LifeWay to purchase our very first Bible).

I know, now, that all of it was part of God's plan for our lives. Our struggle with infertility caused us to go out on a limb. God used our selfish desires to draw us closer to Him. We met the "Super Christians" and learned that they were pretty much the same as us. We bought a Bible and we actually started reading it. We discussed God's ways and God's truth, and we all prayed hard for Steve and I to have a baby.

I will never forget the night that Steve and I told our small group that our first IVF cycle didn't work. That night, before our Bible study, every member of the group prayed for us (out loud). I sat there with tears streaming down my face, knowing that our pain was shared by others and that our friends would continue to lift us up to the Lord. I will also never forget the day I walked into small group, with a ginormously round belly, to see the most beautiful baby shower, complete with a three-tiered pink cake, a college-fund piggy bank, a basket of gifts, and some crazy fun shower games that still make me laugh just thinking about them (picture grown men in a race to see who can chug apple juice from a baby bottle the fastest...very funny).

Over the years, our small group has changed. New couples have joined as others have moved on. Today, there are three couples in the group and we have all gotten to know each other very well. And so, because of my comfort level with the group, I decided that I would suggest the book that we should read this spring. It's a big step for me, going out on a limb again to suggest a Christian book that I had heard about over my lunch hour on a Christian radio talk show.

The books arrived this week, and I anxiously started flipping through the pages. My eyes about popped out of my head when I saw Chapter 7: Punctuating Her Period. Oh my. So, apparently, this book is for Moms to help guide their little girls...except our small group is a couples thing and the guys participate as much as the girls.

This blog post is my way of telling my small group about my mistake. Apparently, this spring, thanks to my brilliant book choice, the "Super Christians" will be discussing menstruation (and other girly, girl topics). We have moved from infertility, to baby showers, to discussing our daughters and their upcoming menstrual cycles. I just hope, that after reading this post, they will agree that God always has a plan for us (even when we make mistakes). And, at the very least, our upcoming small group meetings should be quite entertaining, right?

So, Katie & Kristi, when can I drop off your books? I'm sure your husbands will be excited to start reading : )

Steve and I are a part of a small group at our church...which means that we get to hang out, eat good food, and have interesting discussions with other couples from our church on a regular basis. Our group takes a break from our usual routine in the summer and we plan fun "field trips." This month we planned to go to the Big City Zoo, but it was raining. So we ventured over to different Big City children's museum. The kids had a blast. My camera battery died, so I didn't get a ton of pictures, but the museum was awesome. If you want more information, let me know. I was even impressed that they had activities that were appropriate for Ellie (age 19 months). Her favorite was a drum room (very loud, but so fun). She also liked the ball pit, potatoe picking, and the water room. There was so much to do there. Kate loved the water room - she got to stand inside a big bubble! And she loved climbing the slides and rock walls with daddy. But I think her favorite was the art room (who doesn't love a room filled with glue and glitter...especially one that you don't have to clean!). Here are some pictures: