Our little suga is 2!

Here are some of the highlights from her Circus Party on Feb. 14th.

Becky and I are so blessed--healthy little one, great family, and great friends. Children are a gift from the Lord!

PS-We've made the transition to the digital age around here. If you click "HD" on the video and then click the HD icon that comes up... you'll see a pretty sweet video in HD. We figured we'd do our part so that those dumb commercials would stop.


Bella's 2nd Birthday Party from jeremy lucarelli on Vimeo.

My mom came over last night to watch Bella while Jeremy and I went to our small group. Mom walked in the door while we were all dancing to "Single Ladies." Oh how glad I am that I'm not in that category any longer!

We talked to Ma Ma again today on Skype, so we thought we'd take a few shots in front of the tree. Near the door we have an olive carving of Mary and Jesus. While putting our shoes on, Bella starts waving and saying, "Hi Christ! Bye Christ!" Of course, we were in a rush to get to wherever it was we were going, so it took a few times for us to clue in. Then, I realized that she was talking to the baby Jesus! On Monday, she and Becky made a Red Velvet Cake for Jesus. We were celebrating Christmas with Bible study at The Oak Project. Bella, who can't quite get out "Merry Christmas," kept saying "Happy Happy Christ!"

We're celebrating the end of the semester over here... Jeremy has nailed Greek 3, with only one more language semester left thank God!

I just finished editing his eternal paper on "The Unity, Diversity, and Progress of Redemption." When I say eternal...
We're also pumped around the house because the Veracity Group has finally finished writing our study on Exodus, which will be available from Precept the first of the year. 5 studies are rolling out Jan. 1--Joshua, Judges, Abraham, Joseph and now Exodus! To check 'em out, go to Precept's estore

Through out every year of college Jeremy would celebrate the end of the semester with a little dance. Over the years, the family has started to join is as well. So, we've been dancing a lot around here, especially the little one! Those of you with photobooth... some video responses may be in order!

We've really been working on the alphabet around here ('bella English and dad Greek). Here are some of the results:

Last night I was humbled to speak at the second week of Precept's Boot Camp. A fresh crop of 14-18 year olds learning how to mine the depths of God's Word for themselves prepared to go home to the reality of a generation that does not love truth. In my typical fashion, the last time I spoke I barely got through my introduction. In try number 2 I felt that the Lord gave me clarity of thought, economy of time and precision in regards to the application of treasuring Christ. We looked at Luke 12, focusing on the parable of the rich fool where Jesus states that life is not about accumulating stuff. We concluded that the individuals in James 5 who were labeled as rich were definately not belivers because of both the context of James and Jesus' radical call to discipleship in Matthew 16--"If anyone wishes to come after Me He must first deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me."

So, if they are singing the repetative song of the world, "Money makes the world go round" then they aren't believers! Man! Well, what is a beliver, a James type real, genuine, faith in action believer look like? We jumped to Ephesians 5:15-17 and Colossians 3:1-5--SINCE you have ben raised with Christ... keep seeking the things above. In the life of the believer, Christ is our life according to Paul. The son or daughter of God rejects the song of the world and realizes that, "Where your treasure is there lies your heart!"

James gives encouragement to the bros in James 5 to wait patienty, endure and wait for the last days through prayer. We jumped over to 2 Timothy 3, making the connection that we are in the last days... men being lovers of pleasure and lovers of money... but we are to continue in the sacred writings--the word of God that brings one to salvation. So, if we are listening to the song of materialism that is all around us and being influenced by it, we are not intent on the things above or treasuring Christ. Finally, the treasure of Christ shines more vividly and brightly in the midst of suffering and loss, not prosperity. The following is a video that I used to get past my 39 minute introduction! (I'm not sure why there is no sound... I'll get to the bottom of it)

This is from Christmas (Dad hasn't been updating the videos... for over six months!). A little background--mom loves Elvis. This year, her Christmas consisted of Elvis memorabilia out the wazzo. One of the interesting finds was a lamp that shakes it like a polaroid picture. Throughout our time in NC, I kept telling mom that I was going to put it on the internet for all to see. Let the record show, though I am late... I keep my word!

This was the video I made while Becky was asleep in the hospital... after having our little one! I can't believe it has already been a year and a half!!! Children really are a gift from the Lord.