What Thirty is Like

Well, I am now 30 years old. What is different? Well, not much.

I had a nice birthday. I got some cards in the mail and a Lowes gift card from my parents... I am sure that Lydia suggested it. She has been asking for me to repaint the bedroom for a number of months. Now it will get done. Heidi got me some coffee and a new Starbucks cup. I love it. Irma and Lawrence sent some cash. That is always appreciated.

Bill and Paige Kamp (who are expecting in May) volunteered to watch our 3 little ones on Tuesday so that we could go out for a birthday dinner. We took them up on the offer and went out to Olives in East's Gas Light Village. It was a great time. We had Martinis and Mushroom Crostini as an appetizer. For dinner I had Tenderloin Napoleon and Lydia had Garlic-herb marinated steak. It was wonderful! The conversation was adult and the company was splendid! It was a good way to bring in my third decade.

From there we walked to Starbucks for some hot chocolate. We talked some more and really did not want the evening to end. Of course, with small children you cannot be away for long! We picked up the kids and headed home.

On my proper birthday (Wednesday) we did not really do anything. I had class in the AM and prepared for Bible study that I was teaching in the evening. We took a short break for a Mangiamo pizza for dinner, and then it was time for me to go to Bible study. Lydia made a delicious blueberry cake and a chocolate cake to send with me.

At Bible study Ray and Linda sang happy birthday in Dutch and Ray and James sang it in German. We also sang the 30th Psalm in commemoration of my birthday. It was a good night there.

Today (Thursday) was class and writing as usual. I got the mail at 5:20 and to my surprise there was a package addressed to Lydia. I opened it and found a splendid birthday gift! She got me a book that I have been looking for for about a year. I have NOT been able to locate a copy and was hoping to not have to pay $100 for it! She got it for me! The book is Sketches of the Covenanter Ministers, 1888-1930 by Owen F. Thompson. She found a minister in Kansas (Rev. Ken McFarland) that had two copies and was willing to sell one to her.

This is the follow up book to Glasgow's History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church that Ray and I wrote the introduction for upon its reprinting. What a great gift! It takes a very special wife to search long and hard for a bibliophile's gift. What I could not do in one year, she did in one quiet month of searching and emailing. It is good to start my 30th year of life with a woman who knows and loves me so much. She loves books and fine food too, of course.

Happy Birthday

Today our precious Anna Grace turns four.

Happy birthday, honey.

The Kids and their Cousins

I have been meaning to post these pictures for some time now. These were taken the week that we went to Pennsylvania to see my family and attend the Synod of the RPCNA. My mother likes to get pictures of all of her grandkids in matching clothes. We traditionally do it in front of her Clematis. It is a nice spot for pictures.
This is Owen with his cousin Wyatt. The 23rd is Wyatt's 3rd birthday. Happy birthday Wyatt.
Here is another one of the boys. I am sure that if these two lived in the same town.. or state, that they would be quite naughty together. The Lord is gracious.
Here is Anna and Hannah. When you look at the boys, you see Eshelman for sure. The girls look more like their mothers than the boys do.
Naughties again.
Here is all four of them. Next month there will be five of them- we will be home at Thanksgiving time so I am sure that there will be another picture then.
And... one for fun!

Happy Birthday Mrs. Pickering!

Happy Birthday Mrs. Pickering. We miss you very much!

SO MUCH to Talk About!!

So much has happened in a week and I could post 10 different posts about it all. I will try for one. Our little Owen turned 2 a week ago. We were in PA visiting my family and they hosted a party for him. He wanted a "Thomas Train" cake, so my mother had one made for him. It was chocolatey good. It was fun watching him opening presents with his sister's "help".

We ate at a really great restaurant that was minutes from Lake Erie. It was in an old lighthouse and had really good steak. It is one of the best local restaurants that I have eaten at in a long time there. Anna wanted to show off her love for the Desert Fathers who were famous for their hours of meditations while standing on poles. She also said that she could not wait for her friend, Brian, to see the picture! I am not sure if I should worried about having a little female mystic on my hands- how is that a form of devotion? Standing on a pole for hours???
These next three are for my aunt Debbie: We travelled around all week with this juice box on top of the car and kept forgetting to take it off. Aunt Debbie wanted to see if it could make it back to Michigan, so we gave it a try... The first one is the juice in Cleveland, Ohio.
Toledo.
In Indiana, just before the Michigan border.
We lost it within a hundred feet of the Welcome to Michigan sign. Lydia and I gasped as if Sedgwick had jumped from the Mountaineer! We really hoped to get one on Union Avenue, but it just could not make it. Oh well.

Here is Marion, Anna, and Maggie at Paige and Bill's wedding. It will be interesting to see how Anna maintains a relationship with these two women as she grows. With Moey going to the land of Aqua Net and Moon Pies and Maggie living in Motown it changes things for our little girl. She loves these two SO much. Anna already has plans for writing Ms. Moes letters.

Here is Anna with the beautiful bride. Paige looked so lovely. I am very happy for her. She could not have found a greater man than Bill. He exemplifies the Lord Jesus in the way that he lives and interacts with others. He is quite well read too (which gives him extra Nate points). I am sure that the Lord will use them in great ways together.
Anna is not quite sure whether Paige is lawfully married though. I guess that in a 3 1/2 year-old head, a bride without a vale over her face is not really getting married. Anna informed Maggie, Lydia, and I today that she would have one over her hair and her eyes when she gets married!

Birthday Wishes

I purchased a really great woven pith for Owen for his 2nd birthday. What little boy does not need a pith for exploration?

I was really happy with this pith and was very excited to have him wear it places. I was even considering getting myself one for gardening. Nothing says gardener like an adventurous pith!

But, the story goes, it seems as though a certain dog that was brought into this marriage does not like pith helmets. This dog prefers to eat non-food items despite his age. Owen still may be getting a pith for his birthday, but I will have to go buy a replacement- and keep it high enough to avoid being shred all over our second story floors.

A Birthday Song for Papa

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY!!

PSALM 29

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.


The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!"


The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Celebration!

Anna Grace is now 3 years old! We all had a splendid time celebrating with her. We asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and we attempted to accommodate within reason.

She wanted a pink cake- so Lydia made her a yummy pink cake.
She wanted new boots and a pink coat for her birthday- no problem!
She wanted soup to eat- we went to Panera Bread (cheap date!).
She wanted to see Happy Feet- so we saw it in the IMax....worst movie I have seen in a long time. The anti-Christian message is outrageous. The premise is that religion is a farce that is trying to cover up the true meaning of existence- which happens to be rebellion and partying with penguins with Mexican accents. I could talk for hours about how much I hated that movie, but this post is about how Anna's birthday was ruined by a ridiculous movie... I mean this post is about the great time we had celebrating Anna's birthday.

She now claims that she is a big girl which means that she has a lot of new things that she has to do and things that she will no longer do- such as wear diapers to nap (that is scary).

Lydia is the one that made the day so great for her though- she even decorated the house while Anna was asleep so that when she woke up she would be surprised. It was fun.
(Click on the image to see a larger collage).

Three?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA GRACE!

Psalm 3:3

But thou, O LORD,

art a shield for me;

my glory,

and the lifter up of mine head.

Happy Birthday, Mackie!

We hope that you have a great day and want you to know that we are thankful for you in our lives! You have been a joy to be around and, of course, our children love you, too!

Psalm 22

So, how old are you? We guess 22? Weren't you 21 last year?

November Isn't THAT Far Away...Is It?

Calvin College Book Store now offers John Calvin bobble heads. I cannot think of anything more inspiring for my study desk than this. I am sure that I will go from an A- student to an A+ student overnight as well as be able to prepare sermons and lectures that would make your head spin...or bobble.

I am getting excited just thinking about it.

Visitors in a CAAR from ChiCAAgo

Before we left for our vacation we had the Chicago family come to visit. It has been a while since we have seen them- between trips to Florida, England, and Germany it has been difficult to get all of our schedules aligned. But, we did it!

Opa was glad to get to see Owen again. It is amazing how much he has grown since they have seen him last. Owen was glad to see him as well. He cannot wait to be his fishing buddy! Here is the Malysa clan. This picture will probably be deleted by my loving wife- so save it to your hard drive now!
Here is Oma and Tante Heidi with the children.
Anna loves her new 'night-time dress'. She wants to wear it out, but we will not let her until she can get her hair up in curlers to complete the look.
Owen got a new book that plays polka music. What one year old does not love polka? They all enjoyed it together.
Opa played tea party with Anna and Owen. Anna always serves coffee at her tea parties. Why? Who knows.
Here are the two Malysa girls sucking up to Oma. She surely keeps them in line- and they need it!
Here is that Polka book again. Larry enjoyed it as much as Owen.

Owen showed off his new sweatshirt from London. He knows that a hoodie is really needed when playing in our house...even in August!

I am sure that we will see them again soon. It is our turn to go there next.

Happy Birthday Miss Moes

Happy Birthday Miss Moes! You have meant so much to us as individuals as well as a family. We think on all of the great memories that we share from Harvester to Paris to Wendler! It has been a pleasure to watch you go from a precocious, pastor's kid to a woman who is wise, caring, and a joy to all who know you.

We thank you for your friendship to us and we hope to have many years together working for the cause of Christ in Grand Rapids!

Owen's Birthday Weekend

As many of you know, last weekend was Owen's first birthday. We are amazed at how this time has flown by. He enjoyed his cake and party, but what he enjoyed mostly was the pack of family from Pennsylvania that came to spend the time with him.
His cousin Hannah, my brother, Preston's daughter, came to visit as well as my parents and my grandmother. Here Hannah and Anna climb the amphitheatre at Meijer Gardens.
These are the four ladies looking pretty. Anna, my mother, Hannah, and Grandma Ruth.
Owen's girlfriend, Maggie, came to see him from the east side of the state. Paige was happy to see her as well. Mags gives free hugs to Paige.
We forgot to get a birthday cake for Owen, so one hour before the party we send the family to get one from Baskin Robins. I gave my dad my credit card and he came home with a $35 cake. (It was good...but not that good!)
Lydia and Owen played dress-up at Meijer Gardens. Owen liked all of the strange clothing that there was to dress in.
Here the two girls were getting along splendidly. Let's just leave it at that.
Owen as:
a) Harry Potter
b) Seminary Student
c) Nerdy ballerina
d) all of the above

Meijer Gardens has play houses for the kids. Anna calls this one 'Anna's house'.
Here is another one of Anna and Hannah getting along perfectly....let's just leave it at that.

Happy Birthday Owen!

Happy Birthday Owen. We love you and are so happy to have you in our family and in our lives.


Psalm 1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Twenty-seven? That CANNOT be right? Is it?

Happy birthday to a wonderful woman. Lydia turns 27 years old today and we wish her many more. Lydia is the one that keeps this family grounded and sane. She is a loving wife and mother who has sacrificed SO MUCH so that she can be the best wife and mother to me and to Anna and Owen. We love and thank her today for her sacrificial love towards us.

Happy Birthday Buddy

Brian Anderson of Poor Man's Blog and Abdicating Sanity and long time friend and brother turns 27 years old on Sunday, April 23rd. Brian is a friend from my highschool days and has been a friend to me and my family as adults as well.

When B is around we can count on Anna having a good time with one of her best friends. We can be assured that Owen will have a nose to pinch and ears to pull!

B also is always willing to help out with all things that need to be done. He paints, cleans, hauls, chops, and sweeps. Brian is a great friend.

On this day, his 27th birthday, we wish him the best!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HEIDI!

We love you Aunt Heidi! Have a great birthday! Hopefully soon we will see you. Today Anna said "Happy birthday Heidi, Anna open presents?" Is that not super cute?

Happy Birthday Shannon

Today is my Shannon, my sister's 26th birthday. I love her very much and hope that this year brings much reflection and meditation on who she is and who she wants to be as a person. (She is contemplating some life changes that would bring her thousands of miles and into new places.)
Shannon's birthday Psalm: Psalm 26:

Vindicate me, O Lord,For I have walked in my integrity.I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.
Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;
Redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place;In the congregations I will bless the Lord.
Feel free to email her and tell her happy birthday and how much you miss her! sreshelman@yahoo.com

Or you could write her: call if you want her address.