First Dance
Groom with most of the groomsmen - where was his best man?
Siblings
The happy couple!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Scenes of Christmas
No Christmas is complete without Charlie Brown.
This book is the traditional movie version story with
sound effects, including Linus reciting the
Luke passage of the true meaning of Christmas.
This book is the traditional movie version story with
sound effects, including Linus reciting the
Luke passage of the true meaning of Christmas.
Here's our Christmas tree with lots
of homemade ornaments.
We bought it from the Boy Scouts this year,
at a reasonable price, I must add.
of homemade ornaments.
We bought it from the Boy Scouts this year,
at a reasonable price, I must add.
When the children were young I liked to have
them make some kind of ornament or decoration
to hang on the tree every year. We still have quite
a collection. This ornament was painted by one
of the boys 17 years ago when he was 7 years old.
them make some kind of ornament or decoration
to hang on the tree every year. We still have quite
a collection. This ornament was painted by one
of the boys 17 years ago when he was 7 years old.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thanksgiving for 2011
About a year ago I thought to myself, and probably to the Lord, that everything was so calm in the family - we needed more action. I was thinking we hadn't had a wedding in 3 years or a new grandchild in 2 1/2 years. Weddings and babies were on my mind.
Providentially, not too long after, we found out that a new grandson was on the way. Then low and behold a few months later, on Christmas day, a son became engaged. I was thrilled! I thought this is more like it!!
Ezekiel was born in early summer becoming a book end to his older brother, with the two princesses in between. What joy spending time with the grandchildren - a promise fulfilled to gray-haired ones.
A twist in the mix came with my surgery in late summer - that wasn't exactly my idea of putting some action in the family - but then I'm not the story teller so I can't complain. I'm truly thankful for the Lord's amazing care for me!
Over the summer and into the fall another son jumped the fast moving train to start a whirlwind courtship. It culminated into an engagement in September. Wow! Now that's what I call some excitement!
For the beginning of 2012 we have 2 weddings coming up within a month of each other. Winter family reunions will be enjoyed by all - hopefully the weather will cooperate! We're gaining two new lovely daughters and what a blessing they will be! If this is the start of the new year I'm expectantly looking forward to what else the Lord has in store. As the Author of all authors continues to write our family story, it will to be a page-turner, I'm sure. God has blessed us greatly this past year and I am very thankful.
Providentially, not too long after, we found out that a new grandson was on the way. Then low and behold a few months later, on Christmas day, a son became engaged. I was thrilled! I thought this is more like it!!
Ezekiel was born in early summer becoming a book end to his older brother, with the two princesses in between. What joy spending time with the grandchildren - a promise fulfilled to gray-haired ones.
A twist in the mix came with my surgery in late summer - that wasn't exactly my idea of putting some action in the family - but then I'm not the story teller so I can't complain. I'm truly thankful for the Lord's amazing care for me!
Over the summer and into the fall another son jumped the fast moving train to start a whirlwind courtship. It culminated into an engagement in September. Wow! Now that's what I call some excitement!
For the beginning of 2012 we have 2 weddings coming up within a month of each other. Winter family reunions will be enjoyed by all - hopefully the weather will cooperate! We're gaining two new lovely daughters and what a blessing they will be! If this is the start of the new year I'm expectantly looking forward to what else the Lord has in store. As the Author of all authors continues to write our family story, it will to be a page-turner, I'm sure. God has blessed us greatly this past year and I am very thankful.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Caedmon College Class: John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion
Cor meum tibi offero domine prompte et sincere
"MY HEART I OFFER TO YOU LORD
PROMPTLY AND SINCERELY!”
PROMPTLY AND SINCERELY!”
The background of the man behind the books helped to set the stage for this class. Being a young man, the 26 yr. old Calvin first published his Institutes in 1536. The completed books, five times larger, were published in 1559. The Prefatory Address of the first book was written for King Francis 1 of France - as he addresses him "most glorious King" Calvin writes, " My purpose was solely to transmit certain rudiments by which those who are touched with any zeal for religion might be shaped to true godliness, and I undertook this labor especially for our French countrymen, very many of whom I know to be hungering and thirsting for Christ; but I saw very few who had been duly imbued with even a slight knowledge of him. The book itself witnesses that this was my intention, adapted as it is to a simple and, you may say, elementary form of teaching."
This basic instruction for Christianity is not simply raw theology, as some would think. It is written almost as a devotional guide. The biblical teaching is applicable to life and cuts to the heart. Readers are drawn into the persuasive character of Calvin's writing. He brings out the Bible's clear teaching and allows the mysteries of God to stand. Behind the explanations we see a humble man who was truly sincere about his faith and desired others to know the God who is Creator and has revealed Himself in His son.
When I first thought of studying John Calvin's Institutes I expected his writing to be way over my head. Surprisingly most of it is not. The fact that we are discussing what we read is an added bonus. We have talked about the knowledge of God and answered questions like: What feelings prompt us to see that true wisdom rests in God alone? What is innate in all of us? What is the straightedge to which we must be shaped? May God be known without piety? What does Calvin mean by piety? Can you describe the knowledge of God to which we are called?
Another sample of our class centered on how Calvin sees the close bond between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, as seen in this quote - "Therefore the Spirit, promised to us, has not the task of inventing new and unheard of revelations or of forging a new kind of doctrine, to lead us away from the received doctrine of the gospel, but of sealing our minds with that very doctrine which is commanded by the gospel" Other topics so far have included: the Trinity, creation, and man's sin.
Calvin's Institutes are widely revered by many because of their straight forward teaching with nearly 7,000 Bible references. John Calvin set out to help his fellow countrymen and in the process has touched countless others across the globe. We are privileged to have a group of students interested in taking up these discussions at Caedmon College.
This basic instruction for Christianity is not simply raw theology, as some would think. It is written almost as a devotional guide. The biblical teaching is applicable to life and cuts to the heart. Readers are drawn into the persuasive character of Calvin's writing. He brings out the Bible's clear teaching and allows the mysteries of God to stand. Behind the explanations we see a humble man who was truly sincere about his faith and desired others to know the God who is Creator and has revealed Himself in His son.
When I first thought of studying John Calvin's Institutes I expected his writing to be way over my head. Surprisingly most of it is not. The fact that we are discussing what we read is an added bonus. We have talked about the knowledge of God and answered questions like: What feelings prompt us to see that true wisdom rests in God alone? What is innate in all of us? What is the straightedge to which we must be shaped? May God be known without piety? What does Calvin mean by piety? Can you describe the knowledge of God to which we are called?
Another sample of our class centered on how Calvin sees the close bond between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, as seen in this quote - "Therefore the Spirit, promised to us, has not the task of inventing new and unheard of revelations or of forging a new kind of doctrine, to lead us away from the received doctrine of the gospel, but of sealing our minds with that very doctrine which is commanded by the gospel" Other topics so far have included: the Trinity, creation, and man's sin.
Calvin's Institutes are widely revered by many because of their straight forward teaching with nearly 7,000 Bible references. John Calvin set out to help his fellow countrymen and in the process has touched countless others across the globe. We are privileged to have a group of students interested in taking up these discussions at Caedmon College.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
College Classes Extraordinaire!
We've been taking classes at Caedmon College this fall. There have been 4 classes offered:
1) John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2) Defending the Lion: Christian Apologetics and Worldview, 3) Latin I, 4)Introduction to Rhetoric
It's amazing how the classes have gone together well. What we're learning in Calvin's Institutes is helpful for Apologetics. What we're learning in Rhetoric is beneficial for Apologetics. The Latin phrases and roots are useful for all the classes. Keeping up with the homework is a challenge, but well worth the time.
The instructors have been excellent! There are more classes planned for the winter & spring terms too. Maybe in years down the road Caedmon will be a thriving college with many eager students. Right now there are about 11 eager students who are enthused to be able to take these classes and participate in the lively discussion.
We'll be writing on here some of the things we've been learning. Deo volente!
1) John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2) Defending the Lion: Christian Apologetics and Worldview, 3) Latin I, 4)Introduction to Rhetoric
It's amazing how the classes have gone together well. What we're learning in Calvin's Institutes is helpful for Apologetics. What we're learning in Rhetoric is beneficial for Apologetics. The Latin phrases and roots are useful for all the classes. Keeping up with the homework is a challenge, but well worth the time.
The instructors have been excellent! There are more classes planned for the winter & spring terms too. Maybe in years down the road Caedmon will be a thriving college with many eager students. Right now there are about 11 eager students who are enthused to be able to take these classes and participate in the lively discussion.
We'll be writing on here some of the things we've been learning. Deo volente!
Friday, September 9, 2011
More Austen...
Excerpt of letter from Persuasion:I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you...I have loved none but you.
Doesn't that make you want to sigh? This is the highlight of the story. Of course much has happened up to this point--now the guy takes a step of faith to communicate with the girl he loves. She could snub him; she could laugh at him; or she just might be swept off her feet by his soul-bearing words. He's not sure, but he goes ahead and initiates hoping she will respond positively.
This takes a lot of guts for a guy to take that risk, but if he doesn't he will never know what she's thinking. God has made the man to initiate and the woman is to respond. It shouldn't be the other way around. Gals have to be patient for a guy to pursue her, and guys need to take up the call to take the lead and not be afraid of rejection. Miss Right, be in prayer for Mr. Right, wherever he may be, that when the time comes he will be strong and courageous to pursue you with his God-given responsibility.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
My Mommy had surgery
And she did awesome! :)
Mom had surgery this past week to remove a tumor, and by God's grace everything went well. We are very thankful to now have her home and she is resting comfortably. Thanks to all who were praying for her!
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