Oma, Opa, and Tante Heidi

We enjoyed a quick trip to Chicago this week. We wanted to see Oma for her birthday, plus the winter is coming which means that they will slip off to Florida and pretend that the snow does not happen. We may just show up at their Naples' door sometime this winter. Unannounced of course!

Of course, Oma spoiled the children. Owen was especially flirtatious towards her. He thought that his cuteness would outweigh the fact that he terrorized their home!

Anna and Opa had a great conversation about life and things. They seem to marvel at all of the attention that Oma and Owen require!

Here are the children outside of their home. They have a nice maple tree that we took some pictures under. Oma tried to get the kids to stay for a week or so, but we had to convince her that it was best they went home with us. (Could you imagine?)
We went out for drinks and dinner for Oma's birthday. I cannot tell you how old she is- but the year that she was born rhymes with rineteen morty.
I thought of VanTil's statement about the non-Christian's use of epistemology. He equates the unbeliever with a boy sitting on a grandfather's lap and slapping him in the face. (Both enjoying the benefits of his company as well as abusing that closeness.)

Anna quickly became a least favorite as she got frosting on Irma's new couch that she had custom made and imported from...Germany...of course!
Here is another of Anna and Larry. She thinks that he is a really neat Opa.
Tante Heidi showed up after hours of training people in the art of naturalpathy. We discussed the joys of training new hires and how it can be quite frustrating. (Not YOU though, dear Pine Rest reader, __insert__your___name___here, you caught on VERY fast!)

Anna really did not want to go home. When we got into the car and headed back to Grand Rapids, she continued to say that we were not going home and that we forgot to get Oma and Opa and Tante Heidi.

Off We Go!

We are off to Chicago to celebrate Oma's birthday! Be back tomorrow.

Owen and Nate

For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:12

Gretchen had her baby!

Congratulations to Corey and Gretchen Johnson on the arrival of their little girl

NATALIE ROSE!

Sorry that she was not the 300,000,000th baby in the United States, but that is not really all that important now is it?

Hope all is well with baby and mama!

Bunch o' Sickos

So the entire clan here on Union Avenue is sick. The process has been going on for over two days. Owen was the first to come down with hyper-emesis and he has graciously passed that on to the whole family.

We have spent many hours in the middle of the night changing sheets and washing towels- quite fun really. It sure does a great job at testing how patient and loving one can be towards the family.

While we we lay sick, Anna and I decided to go over her Bible verse for the week.

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART O, GOD (Psalm 51.10a)

Here is a little conversation that we had over the meaning of the text:
Anna: Papa, do you have a clean heart?
Papa: Yes, Anna.
Anna: Does mama have a clean heart?
Papa: Yes Anna.
Anna: Do I have a clean heart?
Papa: I hope so Anna.
Anna: Did Jesus buy me a clean heart?
Papa: Yes, he did Anna.
Anna: I want a clean heart.
Papa: Then you have to ask Jesus for one.
Anna: Can I ask Jesus for a blue heart too?

*Anna thought that the word clean was green!
Maybe theological discussion is not at its best when one is ill!

NATHAN'S HELPMEET blog has been deleted. If you link it, please delete it, as for some reason it has been taken over by an odd search engine. Plus, why link it if it has been deleted.

Danke.

Golth 101

Anna has become quite obsessed with what she calls golth. Golth for her is most fun on the driving range, but even kitchen utensils have become golth-clubs.

I cannot wait until next spring when I can take her to Indian Trails to golth with me. I already have her little pink set of golth clubs picked out (of course I cannot purchase it now since Lydia is less than satisfied with my last eBay purchase!)

There is still hope for making an ARP golf team- of course it will be in 13 years!

Work Makes Free

I worked from 3 pm Monday until 7:30 am Tuesday. I am too tired to do the math.

De Vos on Abortion

I was wrong in my interpretation of De Vos' words on the current abortion laws. We will see what tonight's debate brings.

I am so confused... why don't I just get an absentee ballot and sell it to the highest bidder!

Southfield Reformed Presbyterian Church

Please pray for us as we travel to Southfield Reformed Presbyterian Church this weekend.

Nathan will be preaching both services and hopes that the Lord blesses the people of Southfield through the preaching of the Word. I am quite excited to have the opportunity to preach in such an historical church in Michigan's history. (This church is older than our state!)

Pray also that as we get to know these brothers and sisters in Christ bridges will be built to further the kingdom of God in Christ. Pray for us.

*It was also brought to our attention that Rev. Rick Miller of Dutton United Reformed Church had a stroke this week. Pray for him, his family, and his congregation as they work through this tragic event.

Be At Peace

The following is found in "The Fruit of Her Hands" by Nancy Wilson, directed towards women, but applying to all Christians. This is in light of The Director's recent post on Wendler Cottage. This is quite helpful and we thank Marion for her summation:

Be at Peace

Nancy Wilson

[Wo]men who want to be at peace with other [wo]men must come to understand the very important difference between principles and methods. A dictionary defines a principle as "a basic truth, general law, or doctrine used as a basis of reasoning or a guide to actions or behavior." A Christian [wo]man must learn to think biblically; [s]he must derive her/his basic principles of living from God's Word. The world eagerly presses its principles regarding marriage and child-rearing upon us. But if we learn to think like Christians, we can discern between worldly and Christian principles.

A method, in contrast, is "a procedure or way of doing something." In other words, we use methods to apply our principles. For example, a sound mothering principle is "All Christian mothers should feed their babies." This principle could easily be substantiated in Scripture, and few, if any, would take issue with such a fundamental principle. In spite of general agreement on this and other related principles, however, much disagreement exists on the method of applying this simple precept. Some women breastfeed their babies; some bottle feed. And of course there is the question of schedule feeding vs. nonschedule feeding, when to wean baby, and so forth.

Within a Christian community, families will certainly share many common principles, but their methods will vary. Sometimes an overzealous allegiance to method will lead to confusion and controversy, for the method of feeding baby can become larger and more important than the principle of feeding baby. Suddenly, pressure is exerted to convince women to join the group and support a particular method.

Of course, this is not an argument that all methods are equal--they are not. Some methods are inferior to others. Rather, the point is that the methods of others are not really our business. If a friend asks for advice on a method, we may of course give it. But when sharing a method, we must remember we are not on a moral crusade.

Young Christian [wo]men are particularly vulnerable to this wrong kind of pressure. When the sisters get together they very naturally "talk shop" about children. This can provide an overzealous type quite an opportunity to apply pressure. If the young women feel inexperienced, a woman with "a strong case" for her method can exert a great influence. The young Christian woman can be made to feel that she isn't really dedicated unless she adopts "the method."

Because every family is a distinct cultural unit, it is good that our methods differ. God did not intend for us to walk in lockstep with one another. This is not altered when some families have inferior methods; we may deem their methods to be unwise. And remember, there are others, wiser than we, who see the inferiority of some of our methods! We ought to rejoice in a common commitment to biblical principles, and rejoice in the variety of methods God's people employ.

If we become overzealous for conformity to our method, strife between Christians will commonly result. I have talked to women who, because they felt strongly about one way of feeding babies, became critical toward their sisters who used a different method. This should not be! "Be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Certainly the [wo]men of the church ought not to be squabbling about whether or not to schedule feed their babies! Who cares? What someone else does in this regard is no one else's business. It is not a moral issue, and we have no business fighting over it.

We do not honor God if we are critical or defensive. How our friends feed their children is not our concern.

The biggest danger is when people begin to think their own methods of applying biblical principles are the most spiritual, for the really committed. If we fall into this trap, then it becomes an issue of first importance for us. The result is a feeling of superiority over others who differ. This obviously leads to self-righteousness, envy, jealousy, defensiveness, and quarrels.

As we grow in grace, may we all learn to discern the difference between principles and methods, and relax, and keep the peace, when our friends' methods are not our own.

(From A Hedge of Courtesy)

But another aspect to this whole question of different methods needs to be addressed and that is the question of common courtesy. How do we treat our friends when we differ with them over methods? Do we criticize them behind their backs? The Bible calls this backbiting. Do we openly criticize them? Do we tell them their method is inferior to our own? That can be arrogant or just plain rude. Do we make officially "polite" but loaded comments which express our displeasure and disapproval of their application of God's principles? Do we try to embarrass them to make ourselves look better? This is not courtesy.

Can Christians ever discuss their methods? Certainly! But the hedge of courtesy and good manners should be firmly in place. If it is not, defensiveness and hurt feelings will be the common result.

More here...

Lighter Than DeVos and/or Attachment Parenting

Nothing makes a better chaser to a couple of good blog-uments than pictures of our children playing. The best one is the action shot of Owen being thrown off of the merry-go-round. Enjoy!

Another Thought

A 'pro-life' candidate has said that if he were elected governor and the opportunity to change the abortion laws in this state were given to him he would not do it.

"The current laws in the state of Michigan are sufficient."

The question was then reasked and the response repeated by the liberal media questioner. It seems as though he was quite surprised by the candidate's response.

If you do not believe it- check the transcript. And, no, I am not a Democrat. I just cannot support any candidate that does not uphold what the LORD requires of us.

The LORD hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? -Micah 6.8

Naughty Naughty

This picture was taken Sunday before we left our house for church in the morning. It totally reminds me of the kid that would be type-cast in a movie as the uber-brat that does nothing but defies his parents and reeks havoc on the entire neighborhood.

Good thing that our Owen is so sweet that he would never be mean or raise a hand to anyone.... even baby George who visited this evening. Okay, so maybe he is totally 'boy' and tries to hit, throw, punch, and break...but he is held accountable for these things!

Mr.Sandman Bring Us A Dream

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?

And Another

Here is another sleepy time photo that I thought would be a great follow-up. Notice there are no Elton John glasses. Also observe that Owen is sleeping and that Anna is totally faking. Think how many muscles it takes to make a fake sleeping face versus a real one like Owen's face.

Just A Little Thought

Despite the social prejudices against the practice, the verdict is in with our children:
Co-sleeping is the Coolest!

Anna loves it so much that she offers her brother a celebratory kiss!

Wendler Paint-A-Thon

We have many people to thank for coming out for the beginning of the Wendler restoration. We are hoping to have new tenants by the beginning of November. Brian did such a great job getting the living room cleaned out that Maggie and Anna celebrated with a few naps and some dance moves on the floor.
Brian was quite overwhelmed. According to legend he stayed awake for two days in preparation for the event. Notice that he has gone a little crazy. (I cannot tell you more due to health-care privacy acts- I could get sued.)
Here Maggie and Lydia work on the hallway. We repainted, patched some holes and tore out the carpet. Fun, fun.
Oma had one of the most important jobs of the day- keeping the monster that we love and know as Owen out of the way of the painters. She loved it!
Anna tackled covering Paige's stage of life called Army Green. Picasso had a Blue Period and Paige had an Army Green Period...Wendler is the result of this creative time in the life of Paige Jaquith.
Here is The Director and Nathan's HelpMeet working on the living room. Notice the color- Army Green. We have replaced it with a nice cadmium Leather. Very Nice!
Here are the two from the design team going over all of the swatches and choices to make this place look great. Marion is chief of Design and Lydia is chief of Financing.
Here my dad patched a ceiling that was the tragic result of an unclosed shower curtain. My dad wears these stilt things to plaster- he has done so for over 25 years. He actually fell to the ground for the first time. Anna said "opa fell down?" Yep! This is the reason that we tore out the carpet- too muddy after the fall. (I know you can only see his hands and his head- that is because he is wearing camo.)
Janna had the best jobs of all. She cleaned a bathroom that changed from gray to white. She also taped away. She could not stay as late as the rest of us, and she missed out on some greasy-licious Sluggo's Pizza because of it.
Here is the result of the living room. I think that it is 100% improvement. I am hoping to finish the rest soon. Anyone up for another party?

Thoughts on the Governor's Debate

Not to be obnoxious, but...

If the vote for governor was today, and I based my vote soley on who mentioned God and talked about his or her faith...

I would vote for Jennifer Granholm. Too bad for Mr. De Vos, he even claims to be a Reformed Christian.

Public Service Announcement

Remember the Wendler Paint-a-thon will be this Friday from 12 until around 6-7-8pm.

We will provide paint, a brush, and some pizza. Hope to see you there!

You provide the (wo)man power.

Highschool Art Class

This is a picture that I came across from an old highschool friend's MySpace account. Wow! What memories soar back into my head. (Some of which must be repented of.) I am the fat guy in the middle with the Venus of Willendorf apron on. I remember this picture quite well. It was right after a haircut when my hair went from beyond shoulder length to right under the ears. Notice the side burns.

These were the creme de la creme of the Corry art scene at the time. At least two of the girls in the photo went on to become artists by trade. One in fine arts and the other in commercial art.
Of the guys in the front row- the one that is laying across the others, that is Jason Hepler- he was one of my best friends in highschool, but we have lost touch over the years. I know that he is secondary school teacher. The guy leaning into me is Jason Miller. He sells cars in Erie, PA now and has recently settled down according to reports. His parents were one of the first 'real' Christians that I ever met. I am the next guy, and you all what I am doing- still in school- working on that Master's of Divinity- oh so far from where I thought that I would be.

I was under the impression that I would continue to mess around with hallucinogenics, listen to classic rock all of my life, go on for a PhD in art history, all while living alone in a studio apartment while popping antidepressants. Wow. The life that the Lord Jesus Christ can make out of someone. In the words of Jerry Garcia- what a long strange trip its been.

The last guy in the row is Steve Vancise. Steve was (is?) a brilliant thinker. He went off to college and then found his way back to Corry, PA to own and run the local Dairy Queen. (If he reads this I hope that he sends me coupons- or one of those funny visors that he makes the girls there wear.)

Does anyone have any other old highschool pictures that they can send me? Or does anyone know what has happened to the rest of these people?

EschKIDology

I am unsure where Anna has picked up her eschatology, but yesterday she kept asking if someone was trying to take her away.

We assured her that no-one was going to take her away from us.

She seemed pretty serious about this- and it was kind of weird, because we have no idea where she was getting the idea that someone was trying to take her from us.

She then said, Jesus is coming to take me away?

We assured her that if Jesus comes to take her away that Papa, Mama, and Owen were going to go with her.

A New Life on Union Avenue

There comes a time in all families lives where they feel the need to add another member to the family. Some people are able to supress this feeling with new house plants or a little cuddly puppy.

But there are those in families that desire to feel a little life growing within them. They desire to experience the development of new life and of reflecting a sense of the Creator.

Life is worth passing on to a new generation. Life is worth extending to little feet that will scurry up and down Union Avenue. Life is good when one is going to pass life on to another.





Congratulations to Steve and Janna Birn. May the Lord bless your family, keep baby from harm, and give you much grace as you carry on in the building of a Christian home.
(Did you think that Lyd and I were going to have another baby?)

Ode to Miss Emily

"Mama, papa.. I want to be like Miss Emily and wear baby on my back."


It is good to have a healthy attachment to a plastic and cloth baby. Plus, we all know of the benefits of skin to plastic skin contact.

Maggie's Sense of Humor

Sunday we had our dear friend Maggie over...all day. We really enjoy her company and her fellowship and it stands that she has an open invitation at all times.

We were discussing various topics, some that were good Sunday topics such as Scripture and Bible studies. At times our conversation would slip into things like our schedules and school.
Maggie said that she has been riding her bike to school so she does not have to pay the $170 (or some such figure). This has been really working out for her because she has to ride up 'Michigan hill' and that will help build strong muscles in the legs.

In typical Maggie fashion, she shared the humor of this all in that her bike does not have any brakes! She bikes up and down that hill and through downtown Grand Rapids without brakes. She said that her dad told her that they cost only about $3 at Meijer or Walmart or some other such retailer. We laughed with Mags at how carefree she is at times. Lydia said she had better go get them so that she does not kill herself! Maggie laughed and said that she would go get them this week.

Well, she has not purchased them yet.

They may be a good gift to get her when you go visit her this week on the 4th floor of Spectrum Hospital...which happens to be on 'Michigan hill'.

(She hit a car...couldn't stop!)

Are You Ready For Some Football

Anna and Owen have had some great times playing football. Owen is the one that seems to get the most battle wounds. They are having a great time though!

Anna and Owen

Congratulations!

Congratulations are in order for our friends Aaron and Lisa Bishop. We ask for prayer as they embark on one of the greatest journeys of life! You can email Aaron and Lisa to congratulate them: aaron.bishop@thproperties.com .

Seminarian Basics: Hebrew 101

Pastor Lanning knows the trials of seminary life. I have begun Hebrew this semester, and Lydia and I have been searching the net to find a singable Hebrew Alphabet. There is nothing online that I have found to be too helpful.

Pastor Lanning recalled a little song that he learned from O. Palmer Robertson at Westminster Seminary. The method that he learned was with the aid of Robertson's 'Happy Hebrew'. Sounds great, huh? Ahh...the joys of seminary life!

It's Hot

I am not an electrician, and I do not pretend to be one; but my wife tells me that she smells smoke, I listen. Last night, after a very long day, at 1am, we were ready to crawl into bed and call it a night.
Lydia came up stairs from taking Sedgwick for his late night trip to the outside and tells me that she smells smoke in the bedroom.

Recall a late October night in my college days when I arrived home from Lydia's apartment to find a smokey mess in the kitchen. My house-mates and I preceded to the basement to find some flames shooting up a bathroom wall that could be seen from the ceiling boards. We called 911 and were homeless for a few months as the contractors repaired the damage.

Back to yesterday:

I told her that I did not smell it but a sense of fear and paranoia fills me at the thought of another house fire. I began to sniff around and to my surprise a lightswitch had an added feature. It seems that when you turned this switch on now, a really noncomforting crackling sound would precede from the wall as well as that horrid electrical fire smell that sends terror down my spine.

I took off the plate and looked for flames, which there were none. I then noticed that Owen had decided to join me in the hallway. (For the record here is Owen's complete lexicon- night-night, Anna, and dog.) Owen decided that he would add 'hot' to the lexicon as he pointed up to the lightswitch. Good Owen! Hot.

The long and 'short' is that I replaced the switch and all works fine again. I do need some training on the two-switch to one light though. It seems that you cannot control the switch from either place, only one at a time. I am sure that Gerald, my new electrician will give me some free advice!

Hot!