Hidden Wives by Claire Avery

This is a book I read a few weeks ago. It was such a great book. It was so interesting to learn more about fundamental mormons. It's fiction but backed on a true story. I was shocked by so much. Totally recommend it!



Below is the summary on this book.


Fifteen-year-old Sara and her beautiful sister, Rachel, are too young to legally drive a car—but are approaching spinsterhood in Utah’s secret polygamist Blood of the Lamb community. Having long since reached the “age of preparedness,” they will soon be married off to much older men chosen by the hidden sect’s revered Prophet.

As Sara, chosen to become her uncle’s fifth wife, grows more distraught over her impending incestuous marriage, she begins to scrutinize the faith she has followed blindly her entire life. But for Rachel, who will be married to one of the many powerful community leaders vying for her hand, disobeying the Prophet means eternal damnation. Her friendship with the newest member of the community, the young and handsome Luke, starts as an attempt to save his agnostic soul, but ends with the pair falling helplessly in love. When Rachel is forbidden to see him, her absolute faith in the Prophet is severely tested.

When Rachel’s future husband is finally announced, violence erupts, and the girls must find the strength to escape the only life they have ever know…before it’s too late.

Claire Avery has woven a stunning tale that could be ripped from today’s headlines. Shocking and empowering, Hidden Wives is a page-turning debut that will stay with the reader.

Year One of our Church!

North Village Church: Year 1 from Tim Birdwell on Vimeo.

4 Years Baby!

Tim and I have been married for 4 years. Wow, so much have we experience in four years.

- We have lived in 3 different cities (Nacogdoches, Dallas, and now Austin)
- Tim completed DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary)
- I have had four jobs
- Tim has started his own business
- we had our first child
- Started a church (North Village Church)
- Paid off our car
- Have a new car (mini van... a post coming soon :))
- Do ministry in our apt complex
- Traveled to Seattle, Virginia, India, Disneyworld-Florida, and Las Vegas
- Met Kirk Cameron
- Have gone to 20+ Dallas Maverick games
- Been to a Cowboys game
- 2 Dallas Cowboy training camps
.... and so much more!

So thankful for a husband who desires to know God more daily and glorifies God. Amazing father who Neela adores. Yay!

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 2010

Birdwell Family Tradition: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

I love that Tim loves the Cowboys. I knew it from day one. This has never been a surprise to me. It's been fun for this to be an important bonding activity we do in our marriage. So to honor this commit I made in my vows, we have made it a family tradition to go to the Cowboys Training Camp every year. (well, if it is in driving distance. If not, then we will try to work it into our family vacation that year :))

We took Neela when she was almost 3 months old and now as a 1 year old. She definitely enjoyed it more this year. :)


It was hilarious, 3 people approached us and asked us if they could take a picture of Neela because they thought she looked/is so cute. It was so cute because Neela would kind of pose saying, "Yeah you're right, I am cute." :)


Neela following in her Daddy's steps.


We stayed at the La Mansion off the River walk. (The same hotel we stayed at after our wedding) It was so fun! Neela loved walking out our room to the balcony and walking around.


Pool time at our hotel.



Can't wait till next year!

Virginia Trip

At the beginning of July two of my really close college friends, Lisa and Diana, and I went to go visit our close friend Faith in Virginia. She has lived in Virgina almost 2 yrs now and we had yet to visit her, so we took a trip. We had a great time of touring Charlottesville, Virginia, hiking, wine tasting at the vineyards, and touring Washington. All in all, a good trip. :)

It was my first time to be away from Neela for 5 days! It was really hard, but good for me in the end. I was able to let loose a little, spend quality time with friends, and get a little extra reading in. :) But I was definitely ready to be back home with my little girl and my man.



Virginia is full of beautiful vineyards! We went wine tasting to 3 different vineyards. It was so fun! Of course Faith, the preggo girl, was unable to participate. :) We did wine tasting at Jefferson's vineyard, Dave Matthew's vineyard, and a really nice place that served their wine like this:




We had a fun hike at the Shenandoah National Park. It was so beautiful! We were attempting to hike to a waterfall, but it turns out the waterfall went dry. :( but we had a great workout!



See all the beauty behind me!


As beautiful as Virginia is, Texas still has bigger desserts. :)

The last day we toured Washington and stayed the night there. I am not a huge history buff, but I really enjoyed all the history found in Washington. It makes me proud to be an American. :)

Here are a few pics:

Welcome Home

Below is a blog from a Wive's Tips blog on tips about loving your husbands.

Enjoy!

Welcome Home
Filed under: acts of service — The Generous Wife

Make your husband's transition from work to home as peaceful and nice as possible. Maybe take a little time to tidy up the living room or put on a fresh blouse. Give your kids a little bit of attention, so that they don't rush dad the minute he walks in the door. Turn off the TV and put on some soft music. Do whatever will make you and your home a welcome respite after a long day at work.
A prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14b NAS
(prudence: cautious practical wisdom; good judgement; careful forethought; discretion)

Be generous! Lori