Zijls on the zijl, 2007
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Big Wonders
This past weekend, we were able to soak in many of the wonders in the northern Michigan gallery of art. I was in awe of the thousands of shades of blue-green that contrasted with the zillions of grains of sand. The cloud formations themselves were a beauty to behold.
Our great Creator also gave us soothing ripples on the lake, a colorful rainbow, and a setting sun to take our breath away. Oma always told me I could "make" such nice pictures and that always made me laugh because it was such a cute way to translate from Dutch. I know that taking pictures isn't so much creating as it is trying to capture and enjoy and share the gift that lies before us.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Maria World Traveler
Maria & Alejandra in Segovia, Spain
Maria flew into Chicago O'Hare this past Wednesday from Madrid by way of Philadelphia. She successfully navigated customs and getting her GIANT suitcase re-checked alone. I was so excited to talk to her on the cell phone when she landed in the United States. It went like this:
Me: Maria, you've done something I've never done - traveled internationally alone.
John(grabbing the cell phone from me): Maria, you've done something I've never done - traveled alone internationally alone in flip flops.
Har har, he's so funny.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Better Country
Note: A very good friend of mine is an editor for Discovery House Publishers, and I have agreed to promote this book on my blog with the following:
Dan Schaeffer, author of A Better Country: Preparing for Heaven, will be visiting my blog on August 7, 2008. Please help me out by posting any questions or comments you may have on heaven. Let’s have an interesting blogosphere conversation—ask the questions about heaven that you’ve always wanted to ask! I have two free copies of this new release from Discovery House Publishers to give to 2 readers. Leave a comment or question and I'll draw 2 names.
What picture comes to mind when you think about heaven? Most of us have heard that heaven is a wonderful place and everyone wants to go there, but we don’t know much else about it. Maybe you’ve decided, like author Dan Schaeffer once did, that there is little that can be known about heaven in this life, so there really isn’t much point speculating. He observes:
“I think if the truth were known, many Christians are at best ambivalent, or at worst afraid, of heaven—or at least of the vision they have in their minds . . . We’re far more attached to earth than we think. This may partly explain why it can be so hard to get Christians to think beyond this earthly life to greater spiritual realities.”
And yet, Schaeffer reminds us, there is a restless yearning in our hearts that moments of pleasure cannot long quench and sorrow only intensifies. And that desire has been planted by God Himself—a universal “longing for a better country—a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).
In these pages you will discover the thing you’ve always wanted; the world you’ve longed for; the life you were meant to live; the goal you were meant to pursue—in a word, heaven. Based on biblical evidence, Schaeffer’s insights about our heavenly desire, the heavenly location, the heavenly life, and heavenly preparation, show us that God wants that “better country” to be the passion and purpose of our present life. As we understand what heaven will truly be like, our priorities will shift and we will no longer live for this life alone.
THE AUTHOR Dan Schaeffer pastors Shoreline Community Church in Santa Barbara, California. He is an award-winning writer whose articles have appeared in Reader's Digest and A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul. His books include In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas, When Faith and Decisions Collide, and Defining Moments.
Dan Schaeffer, author of A Better Country: Preparing for Heaven, will be visiting my blog on August 7, 2008. Please help me out by posting any questions or comments you may have on heaven. Let’s have an interesting blogosphere conversation—ask the questions about heaven that you’ve always wanted to ask! I have two free copies of this new release from Discovery House Publishers to give to 2 readers. Leave a comment or question and I'll draw 2 names.
What picture comes to mind when you think about heaven? Most of us have heard that heaven is a wonderful place and everyone wants to go there, but we don’t know much else about it. Maybe you’ve decided, like author Dan Schaeffer once did, that there is little that can be known about heaven in this life, so there really isn’t much point speculating. He observes:
“I think if the truth were known, many Christians are at best ambivalent, or at worst afraid, of heaven—or at least of the vision they have in their minds . . . We’re far more attached to earth than we think. This may partly explain why it can be so hard to get Christians to think beyond this earthly life to greater spiritual realities.”
And yet, Schaeffer reminds us, there is a restless yearning in our hearts that moments of pleasure cannot long quench and sorrow only intensifies. And that desire has been planted by God Himself—a universal “longing for a better country—a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).
In these pages you will discover the thing you’ve always wanted; the world you’ve longed for; the life you were meant to live; the goal you were meant to pursue—in a word, heaven. Based on biblical evidence, Schaeffer’s insights about our heavenly desire, the heavenly location, the heavenly life, and heavenly preparation, show us that God wants that “better country” to be the passion and purpose of our present life. As we understand what heaven will truly be like, our priorities will shift and we will no longer live for this life alone.
THE AUTHOR Dan Schaeffer pastors Shoreline Community Church in Santa Barbara, California. He is an award-winning writer whose articles have appeared in Reader's Digest and A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul. His books include In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas, When Faith and Decisions Collide, and Defining Moments.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Scenes from Cinderella: Oh, the Drama!
Bridget played the roles of both good and evil in the Cinderella play. Her first role was as an evil, conniving Chinese stepsister...
After a non-speaking role as a Russian horseman, she stepped in as Broken Wing, the Native American Cinderella...
Good triumphs over evil and we went home very happy.
After a non-speaking role as a Russian horseman, she stepped in as Broken Wing, the Native American Cinderella...
Good triumphs over evil and we went home very happy.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
One Happy, Sad, Excited Broken Wing
Bridget & John after the performance
The cast & crew of Cinderella
Last evening, we went to see Bridget in the final on stage performance of Cinderella at the Master Arts Theatre. She was sad when it was over, but still happy and excited. She does get to perform one more time at the zoo on Friday.
When she came home after the cast went out to Steak & Shake, she proclaimed, "This is the best thing I ever did in the summer..." Tomorrow, I'll post more photos - I got some very dramatic ones!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Starting Line
Byron Bank 5K, 2008
This morning, John & I went to watch Edward run in the Byron Bank 5K. The photos I took came out blurry, probably because he was running by in a blur. Duh. I did get this still life at the starting line. He finished in 18:25 on this muggy morning (24th of about 900.)
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Get Your Game On
Edward gets a hit, 2008
Edward has been playing softball this summer for our church team and we've been able to watch him a few times and cheer him on with the wave and stuff. Our fave cheer is
Hey Eddie, It's your birthday, get your game on, hey Eddie...
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