Favorite Moments of 2009

1. Finding out we are expecting another Baby Bartling (July of 2010 :)

2. Meeting Chad's birth mother, Terri, and her precious family. (I will post the story soon, I promise!) She is such a special lady!

3. Moving back to Central Texas (an experience that was both bitter and sweet)

4. Enjoying the blessing of having so much more time with our families...especially celebrating birthdays and holidays!

5. Every time our friends from Fort Worth came to visit us! We don't know if we would have made the transition as smoothly without all your visits. What cherished time!

6. Reconnecting with Central Texas friends and meeting new one's!

*The Baretto Family

*The Grubh Family

*The Walker Family

*Small Group Friends

7. Every single Sunday at the Austin Stone Community Church

8. Moving to Austin (such a great city!) We are living on a ranch in a brand-new house on over 1/2 an acre! Luke loves all the room to run and play outside...that, and there are cows to go visit nearby. We also see deer, rabbits and we've even seen an owl a couple of times. It is so serene and tranquil here. We are really enjoying our new home! Anyone who wants to come visit is welcome. We have a very comfortable guest bedroom and bath.

9. Summer Concert in the Park in San Marcos - great family fun (live music, lawn chairs, coolers filled with favorite beverages...what could be better!) Also, playing/swimming/floating in the Blanco, San Marcos and Comal River. *Check out more pictures from a previous blog post: Summer Concert in the Park.

10. Watching Luke grow and develop. He is the greatest blessing of our lives. Everyday is filled with so much laughter and love. Here are some current pics of him (can't believe he will be three in four months!)

11. All the answers to prayer!!! It is truly AMAZING to see God work and experience the comfort of a Savior during difficult times. We are so thankful to the Bartlings for providing a roof over our heads for seven months! You can't thank someone enough for that kind of blessing! Through all the struggles of this year, we have seen that God DOES always have our best interests at heart, but sometimes you have to go through a storm to experience and enjoy the calm that follows. We pray for all who we dearly love that 2010 is full of God doing great things in your lives. Not only can you trust Him with your storms, but you can know that for as many tears as you sow through the storm, you will experience equal joy and so much more. We have found that C. S. Lewis was right when he wrote in The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses:

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition (entertainment, busyness, money, materialism) when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

*italicized addition mine

The fact is, Chad and I really loved the life we had in Fort Worth. Many parts of it were very good and Godly, but there were parts of it that weren't. As many have heard Chad say, "I was really fine with the kingdom I had built for myself." Well, that kingdom fell, and it really hurt to watch it fall, but God had a great plan for a holiday at sea in our future. In order for us to experience that great adventure, our kingdom needed a new KING. It wasn't a very pretty takeover, either. We held on to it until our knuckles ached. It is such a tempting tendency to claim and reclaim the position of king in our lives, isn't it? Honestly, it is a daily battle. We have found in the last year that the more we give the throne up to it's Rightful Owner, the better off we are. We ARE far to easily pleased. God has great adventures in store for all our lives. We have to be brave and step out of the slum in order for him to take us on those great adventures. We also have to recognize that the slum we too often settle for sucks and is a cheap thrill at best! By slum, I mean sin. We have to recognize and pay attention to those areas in our lives and fight against them so that we can experience the "infinite joy that is offered to us." A joy that we didn't even know was possible. The way to fight is through repentance. Acts 3: 19 & 20 says, "Repent therefore, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus." *emphasis mine. This is a process that we have really come quite familiar with this year. Repentance has lead to refreshment and the presence of the Lord in our lives. I highly recommend going on a repentance test drive if you are feeling distant from God. You will no doubt find His refreshment and His presence soon after. It is not fun to see the ugliness within, but it is so worth it to be brave and face it! Not many people have the guts to do this, and for them, the slums may be the best they will ever know. I am so glad that our God is a God of all kinds of love, and at times, that love is a tough love. He will go to extreme measures for us not to settle for the slums. That is exactly what happened in our lives this year, and it is a blessing that we are eternally grateful for.

Favorite Books read in 2009

1. Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker
God used this book (and our church - Austin Stone Community Church) to awaken an area of my relationship with God that I blindly didn't realize was not really making the jump from my "good intentions" to my actions. If you feel like something is off in your walk with God, read this book!!! It is about the author and her family's journey to rediscovering their faith, and how God redirected their focus from protecting their comfort and climbing the social ladder to serving "the least of these." The author is local, too (Austin area)! If I could afford it, I would give everyone I know a copy of this book, then relentlessly ask if they read it yet :) I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read it :)

2. Desiring God by John Piper
I had to put on my big girl panties for this one :) Super theological and takes some time to go through, but completely BRILLIANT and transformational! Very convincingly makes the point that perhaps the greatest commandment in the Bible (outside of loving God and loving others) is "Delight yourself in the Lord." Most likely, I will come back to re-read this book A LOT in the years to come. Piper's contributions to Christian theology are such a blessing!

3. Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Trip
Great parenting book! Focuses on the heart behind a child's behaviors instead of just correcting a child's behavior. Helps parents bring the Gospel into their parenting. It also has a very helpful study guide that would be great to go through for your family.

4. The Tangible Kingdom Primer by Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
This is an eight week study that is wonderful small group material. It will help your small group get on track and missionally (outwardly) focused. If you feel like your small group is stuck in a rut, definitely check this study out! Would also be a great study if you are starting a new small group. It will definitely get everyone started on the right foot. NOTE: not available on Amazon. Only available on The Tangible Kingdom website.

5. The Blessing by John Trent & Gary Smalley
A great opportunity to reflect on your own childhood and the way your parents raised you...especially what could have been missing (meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, an active commitment). Then, through that reflection, you find inspiration on how you desire to raise your own children. It is so important to honestly look at the past to decide where you want to go in the future.

6. Premeditated Parenting by Steve Nelson
Another great parenting book. Very practical advise! Encourages parents to be proactive in their parenting, not reactive. Very funny, too! Author doesn't act like he is a perfect parent that has it all figured out and shares many of his own experiences where he dropped the ball.

7. Thomas Jefferson by R.B. Bernstein
Really interesting biography on T. Jefferson. Less than 200 pages, so it is not a big time investment.

8. Ester by Beth Moore
This is a 10 week womans' Bible study that is AMAZING! I went though this study right when we moved back to central Texas and going through a really uncertain time. God used this study of Ester to speak a lot of vision and encouragement to me, and in turn, for me to speak vision and encouragement to Chad. It was such a blessing!

9. A Celebration of Sex by Dr. Douglas E. Rosenau
Every married couple should have a copy of this book!!! Dr. Rosenau doesn't leave anything out. He writes very directly and openly. It will transform your bedroom life :) Bow-chika-wow-now!

10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (still reading this book, great fiction!)
I hardly ever read fiction, but I got a Kindle for Christmas (thank you, thank you, thank you Mom and Dad!), and this was the first book I downloaded. So far, I can't put it down! It is set in Mississippi in the 60's, and explores the social tension that existed in the south during this time. A different character is the narrator of each chapter, so you see the story from many different angles. LOVE THIS BOOK, so far :)

Books I am excited to read in 2010:

The Irresistible Revolution
Holiness by Grace
Same Kind of Different as Me
Death by Love
Vintage Jesus
Sacred Marriage
When People are Big and God is Small
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Blanco River Weekend with the Lewis'

The Lewis' are our dear friend and sweet neighbors when we lived in Fort Worth. After our move back to the Hill Country, a precious little girl joined their family...Annalee. Luke and James had a BLAST playing in the river with their daddies, riding on their bikes and wearing Matt out with jumping/lifting/crashing games. The mommies really enjoyed their mommy float time with cold beers and good conversation (and no kiddos!). This was such a great weekend, and we honestly can't wait until the next Lewis visit!

CLASSIC PICTURE!!! It is going on the wall, for sure!!!

Imagine the boys 20 years older and the sippy cups are replaced with bud light. Funny thought, although I really don't want to think about them being grown-up too much.

I think this was the only time Annalee got a little frustrated! She is such a easy-going baby! I love the honesty in her eyes.

It was such a fun weekend, but by the end, both boys were exhausted! This sweet picture proves it!

Barber Shop

This barber shop is where 4 generations of Bartling men have gotten their hair cut. I thought is was definitely a good opportunity to bring my camera along, and I am so glad that I did! I got some really great shots and I just love the old-school feel of the barber shop.

Summer Concert in the Park

Last night we went to city park in San Marcos to watch the Derailers. You just may find us in the very spot every Thursday for the rest of the summer, we had SO MUCH FUN (not to mention it was free)!!! Luke literally danced the ENTIRE evening (non-stop!). No one there made use of the dance floor more than Luke...I am not exaggerating! We brought a couple lawn chairs and a small cooler with a few beers and some wine. It could not have been a better time! I took the opportunity to take some portraits of Luke with the beautiful San Marcos river as our setting. I included one of my favorite nature shots as well...enjoy!

Aren't these plants beautiful!?! Once they bloom, they have little white flowers.

Luke hardly ever leaves home without his "yee-haw" aka cowboy hat or Ernie, who you will find in most of the shots below.

Lots of my shots of Luke dancing were blurry because he literally never stopped moving!!!

He clapped after every song (not sure if it was for the band or himself ;)

Luke and Jenna

Friends Forever

We went to Fort Worth for a dear friend's 30th birthday two weekends ago, and I got some precious pictures of Luke and his good friend Jenna. They are so sweet together and play so good together, too! Even though we have moved, and it has been six months, Luke and Jenna still get really excited when they see each other. Tera and I had a ball watching them play one morning on the bed. Most of the pictures are from that morning. I thought it would be fun to commemorate their friendship with a blog entry, not to mention they are two of my favorite subjects to photograph : )

Psalm 90

I had a friend point me in the direction of Psalm 90 this week. It is really powerful, and I am praying this over my family right now, and I am praying it over the lives of friends and loved ones as well. Verses 12-17, especially.

Chad is desperate need for God to bring certain situations in his business to a close. Mainly one situation that we are praying will be completely resolved by May 15th. If it is not resolved by then, more drastic action will have to ensue. We are desperate for God to intervene. Please join me in praying Psalm 90 over the next couple of weeks.

Psalm 90: 12-17

12 Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

13 Lord-how long?
Turn and have compassion on Your servants.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love
so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us rejoice for as many days as You have humbled us,
for as many years as we have seen adversity.

16 Let Your work be seen by Your servants,
and Your splendor by their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish for us the work of our hands-
establish the work of our hands!

With love,

Darsey

Living becuse of God...

I have got to share with you something that has been rocking my world since I read it this earlier this month by Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North. It is a journal entry from the band's website about not living for God, but living because of God. Here it is:

Break Me Down

“Come, let us return to the LORD.

He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.”
-Hosea 6:1

Excuse me, what?!!
Who has torn us?
Who has injured us?
The Lord?!!!
Wait a second there Hosea, didn’t you mean to say Satan has torn us?
Or maybe bad people?
You sure that’s not a typo or something?

Personally, I think one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to reconcile in my head
and my heart is this idea that a loving, merciful, compassionate God
would hurt me.
And not on accident either, but purposefully and willfully.
God will unapologetically tear me into pieces so that He can heal me.
And you.
Strange huh?

And I suppose it isn’t so terribly surprising coming from a prophet who was made
to marry a harlot. If anyone would know something about being hurt by the
Lord it would be him right?
I don’t know if you know the story, but
I mean, just put yourself in his place for a second.
There you are. The man. The dude. You’re the prophet over all of Israel, and
you’ve been keeping yourself pure, praying every day for the woman that God will
give to you and then He finally speaks, but its not at all what you were hoping for.

God: “Hosea.”
Hosea: “Yeah Lord?”
God: “It’s time.”
Hosea: “Ahhhh Yeaaahhh! That’s what I was hoping you were gonna say.
Time for a wife right Lord?”
God: “Yes Hosea, it’s time for a wife.”
Hosea: “Ooohh, I can’t wait!!! Just tell me though God, is she hot and holy?
Cuz you know, I’ve been keeping myself pure, and I just know you’re gonna
reward me with a wife that’s hot and holy. That’s all I’m asking for because,
hey, that’s what I deserve right?”
God: “Well, not exactly. I don’t think she’s quite what you had in mind.”
Hosea: “Wait, what? …..Oh… I see! She’s even hotter and holier than I thought!
Oh yeah Lord, I know how you work!
God: “Well, no.”
Hosea: “What you mean, no?”
God: “Hosea, I don’t know how to tell you this, well, of course I know how to tell you this,
I’m God, it’s just, well….she’s a prostitute.”
Hosea: “prosti-what?”
God: “Prostitute. Whore. Lady of the Night.”
Hosea: No, no, I know what it is, but a PROSTITUTE!!!
God: Yeah, I know that’s not what you were planning, but its what I was planning, so you’re
gonna marry her.
Hosea: “I’m gonna do what?”
God: “you’re gonna marry her, but then of course, she’ll cheat on you, and sell herself
so you’ll have to go buy her back.”
Hosea: “Go what?”
“Yeah, you’re going to forgive her and buy her back and when she cheats on you again
and has children with other lovers you’re going to love them and take her back again.”
Hosea: “Come again?”
God: “you’re going to love her kids and take her back.”

Long awkward silence

Hosea: “What’s her name?”
God: “Gomer.”
Hosea: “Oh Come on!!!”

Now I apologize if you’re name is Gomer, but you do have to admit,
it’s a rather unfortunate name, and an even more unfortunate situation.
But the Bible records that it did happen.
Maybe not exactly like that, but God did tell Hosea to marry an adulterous wife.

And the reason that the Lord supplies in Hosea 3
Is that their marriage was to show us how he loves his people.
He loves his people like an adulterous wife.

And the story is so insanely beautiful when you see it from that angle,
but when you look at it from Hosea’s angle it’s just plain crazy.

Think about what you’d say if your pastor got up in front of the congregation and
announced that he was about to marry a whore. What would your response be?
Now, I’m not suggesting that every one go out and marry someone from the local
street corner, but I am saying that it is evident that God will do whatever He has to do
to bring you to a place where all you want is Him.

He’ll break you, He’ll hurt you, He’ll ruin your plans, and He’ll tear you into pieces,
and He’ll do it all out of a perfect holy love.

And look, I know that sounds crazy, but think about it for a moment.
A lot of people want to use God to give them something other than Himself.
If we’re honest, we’ll admit that we all do it on some level.
For instance, we don’t have sex until we’re married, because then God owes us a virgin.
We give 10% of our income to a church, because then God owes us prosperity and wealth.
We pray and pray and pray, and then God owes it to us to answer and give us what we want.
And in all those cases, Jesus is no longer the end, but simply a means to something else.

You’ve got to see that in Hosea’s case, or perhaps in the case
of that one friend of yours who thinks marriage is the goal of their existence.
Don’t laugh. It might be you.
But if you think about it, It would actually be unloving of God to go
and make our marriage perfect and make that person fulfill our every hope and dream.
Why?
Because that person will die.

That marriage will end, and if your whole life and existence and joy depends on another
human being, you will inevitably be in for heartache.
Just read the Twilight series (it’s true. I’ve read it, though I’m not proud of it)
and see how the heroine Bella, how her entire life falls apart when her vampire
lover leaves her. Put simply, If our joy rests entirely upon human love or
vampire love, or any other kind of earthly love for that matter,
then one day, our joy will be destroyed.
Is this making sense?

Of course, marriage is just one example.
Money. Security. Fame. Obedience. Sex. Drugs. Worship Music.
If our hope is set in anything but the living person of Christ, then we’re just setting ourselves
up for failure. And so God, in his infinite and everlasting love, will do whatever He has to do
to break, bend and conform his people’s hearts to Him.
He will no longer be the means to some other end, but the end Himself.

Like a surgeon who has to cut you open,
so God must tear us apart to create in us a new heart.
A heart that is obsessed with Him alone.
But unlike a doctor, He doesn’t just use a knife. He uses the most bizarre people,
circumstances, and tragedies to change our hearts until they only treasure Him.

He will break us down.

And it will be painful, scary, and altogether beautiful.

Friends, if the Lord is tearing down your world today,
if all the walls on your so carefully constructed plans are caving in on themselves,
then ask Him in faith, God, are you my treasure?
And if you find the answer is no, then ask Him to bring it on.
Break out the scalpel. Tear down the walls. Let loose the storms.
Ask Him to do whatever He has to do, until you can proclaim with the psalmist,

“Whom have in heaven but you,
and earth has nothing I desire besides you.”
(Psalm 73)

All this world is fading away anyway right?
Then take heart.
This life is not about succeeding.
It’s not about changing the world.
It’s not about living with purpose, or leaving a legacy
or making the maximum impact with your life.
It’s actually not even about living your life for God.

Did you hear me?
Don’t live your life for God.

Live your life because God.

Because He has loved us, redeemed us, and because He is all that our hearts are longing for.
It’s no longer about what you do with your life at all, because He is your life.
May He do whatever it takes to open our eyes to see that.
He is the means and He is the end. And everything in between is from his hand.
It can be terrifying at times, I know, but its worth it.
Believe me, and I guess more importantly believe Him.
It’s worth it.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
-Romans 8:18

“”Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.

2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.

3 Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
-Hosea 6:1-3

There is more expounding on the idea of not living for God, but living because of God. Here is the link to Mike Donehey's Journal:

http://tenthavenuenorth.com/blog/2009/02/28/dont-live-for-god-chapter-6-continued/

Love,

Darsey

Two post in one day...

I guess I am making up for lost time, and I have something else to blog about.

Recession + suffering = a gift??? Check out these links and let me know what you think...

http://media.austinstone.org/

http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/rebels-guide-to-joy/the-rebels-guide-to-joy-in-suffering\

My thoughts:
It is encouraging to know there is a reason/purpose to today's recession that includes a gift/blessing/promise through the suffering some are experiencing today. Being a direct casualty of the recession, I am encouraged from these messages to suffer well, and that this experience should not be wasted, but instead, used to gain perspective on the life I was living pre-recession. Wasteful...yes, fearful...yes, entitled...yes, really trusting God no matter what...no.

I am so glad that God is teaching me so much during this time. It isn't pretty sometimes. I've had at least four temper-tantrums in the past six months that rival my two-year-olds daily outbursts. I've never seen a purification process that is pretty. A diamond comes from black coal being pressurized over a long period of time. In order to get all the impurities out of gold, it has to undergo a melting process. Many people feel like they are experiencing pressure and melting in their lives today...including myself at times. Could be due to the recession, or maybe something else. Maybe its your health, maybe its the death of a loved one, maybe its debt, maybe it's and unhappy marriage...whatever. Could it be that this pressure and melting is a blessing? Each and everyday we forge through this trial, I am finding that it is.

A New Start

Well, it has been FOREVER since I have made a blog entry. Most of you know how crazy our lives have been the past few months. We said a sad "goodbye" to Fort Worth and "hello" to the Texas Hill Country, Wimberley to be exact. Our lives have changed dramatically. We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us. We definitely have needed you prayers. We have good days where we can see God refining us, sustaining us and starting something new in our lives, but then we have bad days when we can't understand why so much has been taken away, or why Chad's business is still a mess, or why we can't move on with our lives until EMG is straightened out in whatever way.

There is no way around it, we are going through a trial. We've been frusterated with God at times. We've heard it said that He is big enough to handle however we feel. God knows us better than we know ourselves, so we figure we can't fool him with a contrived facade of how we think he wants us to feel. In all honesty our hope has been bruised, and it hurts to hope sometimes. As I was driving home from helping my Dad at the restaurant last week, I expressed to God that my soul is just groaning and aching for for Him to redeem and restore...not just what is going on in our lives, but for others we care greatly for as well. We know that is what God is in the business of doing...redeeming and restoring, and we are beyond ready to see that happen. A lot of the Christian cliche's have been hard to stomach, but God's Word has been faithful to encourage and support us through this difficult time. Here are some promises we are clinging to right now.

Psalm 9:10
"Those who know your name will trust in you; for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Isaiah 41: 9-10
"You whom I took from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners, saying to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off.' Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah43: 18-19
"Forget the former things. Do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing!...I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

And good ol' Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness not for evil, to give you a future and and a hope."

Although we desperately miss all we left behind, we are forging ahead with our lives here. We are really enjoying our families. Over the past few months, we have gotten to celebrate birthdays and holidays that we haven't gotten to celebrate together in years. We are really enjoying the outdoors. The pics below are of an afternoon visit to Perdenales Falls State Park (only 30 minutes away). We are really enjoying our friends who have come to visit us from Fort Worth. We are glad to be the Hill Country connection for everyone!!! We are really enjoying the church we've been attending...Austin Stone Community Church in Austin. Jesus is moving in powerful ways at this church! If anyone wants to go with us, there is always an open invitation. There is an awesome energy there, a young crowd, alternative/rock music and a message that will surely penetrate your soul.



It is my hope to be better about keeping up with this blog and share our lives (the good, bad and ugly) more consistently. I keep up with a few blogs where people are open and vulnerable enough to share their struggles, and it really is inspirational to read how God is working in their lives and circumstances. We do live in a fallen world where people suffer and go through painful experiences. I do believe that God uses struggle and pain to make us more compassionate and loving people, and also to reveal his power in our lives. I hope this blog finds you all doing well.

Love,
Darsey