My daughter is once again surpassing me in her high school career...she is applying for a passport. I'm excited for her. She is planning to go on S.T.A.R.T. (Summer Training and Reachout Team) with IDEA Ministries to Merida, Mexico. This trip will be THREE weeks in July--including her birthday...might want to start praying for her mama who will miss her very much during that time!
I'm praying once again that God blows her away with the support she receives. Her letters will go out soon, hopefully this weekend. She's hesitant to send letters, though, so I'm also praying for boldness in faith for her to put it "out there" so if nothing else she has a lot of prayer support.
Total she needs to raise is around $1400, with about $1200 still outstanding. Pray with me?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Seeking truth from The Truth
My heart is heavy as I write this. Heavy for a friend. But all I can say is that I am praying for truth to be exposed, for what is being hidden to be made plain, and for grace and love to prevail.
Please join me in prayer, seeking truth from THE TRUTH...
John 14:6 (New International Version)
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Please join me in prayer, seeking truth from THE TRUTH...
John 14:6 (New International Version)
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Friday, March 12, 2010
Mariners
I have to share this picture with you. Mark is working on this to hang in his shop--he's a die-hard Mariners' fan, and has turned me into one as well. He meticulously scaled their logo up, pencil sketched it in, painstakingly cut out the letters from painter's tape, and is slowly working on filling in all the detail. He casually mentioned this possibly becoming a sideline for him. He might be right. I don't know what he would charge, but I do know he would do a stupendous job!
First the original...
First the original...
and the painting...
Monday, March 8, 2010
Success thoughts, again
What is the chief end of man?
"Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." -Westminster Catechism Q&A 1
Success. True success. Are you being successful today? Were you yesterday? True success=glorifying God. True success=enjoying God. For.Ever. Starting N.O.W. What have you done to enjoy God today?
"Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." -Westminster Catechism Q&A 1
Success. True success. Are you being successful today? Were you yesterday? True success=glorifying God. True success=enjoying God. For.Ever. Starting N.O.W. What have you done to enjoy God today?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Swagbucks--why not...
So I've started using a new search engine...Swagbucks. So far haven't gotten any reward, but have started "racking up" points to retrieve something in the future. Who knows. Click the above link to get yourself started.
This morning I was reminded of high school. Maybe it's because my daughter becomes a Senior next year, maybe it's because the word "success" triggered a long-lost memory of mine. I think that's more it.
You see, 25 years ago, as a high school senior class, mine voted me to be "most likely to succeed." This morning's sermon was about what true success is. Twenty-five years ago, I thought I had plans. I intended to go to either KU or K-State (I can't even remember which one...) towards a degree in interior design. I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. My class picked me as the one to succeed based on that plan.
But I didn't go to the state university. I don't even know if I applied. I did go to Dordt College, and began my career there as an education major. I lasted 1/2 a semester in that track. Then I floundered around for a while, finally settling on English literature. I thought I would become an editor in New York City. I never made that either, haven't come anywhere near the city. To this day, I would still like to go visit there, maybe.
True success. Have I reached it? No. Not by the world's standards. I am secure in my salvation, and one day I will succeed in making it to heaven. But here on earth, am I a success for him? I try to be, but I fail a lot.
What's your success story?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Location, location, location...
For anyone who's wondering, the drawing in the previous post is in Michigan, near McBain... the church is the Highland CRC, and the building in the foreground is what was known as the Highland Store. My grandparents owned & operated the store from the mid-forties to the day it closed, and as a kid, I remember my grandpa still selling gas to loyal customers--including us!
This photo was taken in 1955, and shows the interior of the store, with the proprieters, my grandparents, and my great-grandparents (my grandpa's parents).

(Not sure why it's so distorted, but you get the idea?)
This photo was taken in 1955, and shows the interior of the store, with the proprieters, my grandparents, and my great-grandparents (my grandpa's parents).

(Not sure why it's so distorted, but you get the idea?)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Half-way already
It is rather hard to believe that we're already half-way through February. And since this winter has been a cold and very snowy one, this does make me hopeful for spring. My mom saw a robin in Kansas...which made me go out and hunt for one of my own to see, but to no avail, they know better so far.
Not much has transpired since the new year, things have settled down a bit, since the drill team season has wrapped up for another year. This week marks the beginning of track practice for Peter, which means baseball is right around the corner--another sign of spring! Yippee!
Mark and I are in the middle of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. It has been both encouraging and disheartening, but has given us tools and the willpower to make our financial picture work...but it won't be easy.
Hannah and Michael are still dating, and we are enjoying their friendship develop.
I leave you with a photo of a print I asked a friend to draw from a stack of older photos. It's a representation of the store my grandparents owned and operated, and the home I have many memories of visiting as a child. In all actuality, I never saw it in this state, but honoring my dad's and his siblings' memories of their childhood home has brought me a lot of pleasure.
Not much has transpired since the new year, things have settled down a bit, since the drill team season has wrapped up for another year. This week marks the beginning of track practice for Peter, which means baseball is right around the corner--another sign of spring! Yippee!
Mark and I are in the middle of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. It has been both encouraging and disheartening, but has given us tools and the willpower to make our financial picture work...but it won't be easy.
Hannah and Michael are still dating, and we are enjoying their friendship develop.
I leave you with a photo of a print I asked a friend to draw from a stack of older photos. It's a representation of the store my grandparents owned and operated, and the home I have many memories of visiting as a child. In all actuality, I never saw it in this state, but honoring my dad's and his siblings' memories of their childhood home has brought me a lot of pleasure.
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