August 30, 2005

It's been busy, but I'm hoping for a slower week or two before the baby comes.

Today was Spencer's first day of school- only about 2 hours with a parent on day one. He was very excited and Doris brought him in. Wednesday will be the real test (for all of us) when he rides the bus for the first time and he stays all day.

Yesterday we had Children's Sunday for Church and it was a special day. We also served doing ministry at Deerfield Correctional Facility. I was tired at the end of the day, but I was blessed to spend time with the men in prison. It's interesting to start getting to know some of them. They truely seem to look forward to our coming, and most are eager to learn more about God.

Today I received one of those "Fwd:" emails. I almost never pass them on to anyone, but this one made me laugh, so I'm going to cut/paste it here. I hope Doris passes over today's blog entry............;-)

D
________________________________________________


At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.)
We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules!Please note... these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other way.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or monster trucks.

1. You have enough clothes.1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

August 25, 2005

We have a scheduled ultra sound this afternoon. Dr. wanted to check the amniotic fluid levels. If the fluid levels are dropping as he suspects we could be scheduled to get induced soon. That would mean that the placenta could be aging, and/or some other factor is reducing the amount of fluid in the uterus. We'll see what happens.

Still car shopping for a bargain on a car. A couples leads, but waiting for God to line everything up and show us the right one. Gonna look at another Escort Wagon later today. Been praying about what to do with the old Escort. It's making clunking noises and needs new struts and an outer tie rod end- estimate was $1200. It's weird, but I'm gonna miss the overgrown wind up toy. Maybe that's why I'm looking at another. Sure, I'd like a 4x4 super-cab truck, but I've been weird for a while now with cars, and I'm not hearing God tell me that is what I need. It would be an ego thing- that's all.

Monday night Rodney helped put the first coat of pain on the bathroom while I grouted the shower. I learned that I should have done the grouting in sections. Getting the excess off was a real bugger. I did some caulking and put on a second coat of paint yesterday. I hope to start the laminate floor tonight. Then trim, toilet, vanity/sink, sealing the grout, mirror, towel bars, curatin rod, etc... Looking forward to peeing upstairs during the night ;-) Doris much more than me!

Listened to some chapters in Acts (8 & 9) this morning during the commute. Was struck by the boldness of Phillip "preaching the word wherever he went" in Samaria after the church in Jerusalem was scattered because of persecution. The resulting life change of Simon the Sorcerer's and countless others are incredible.

August 23, 2004

It's Monday again. I guess I'm going to have to make a decision about this blogging thing. Am I going to do it or not?

Wade, thanks for the jab!

In the next 3 weeks I'm facing:

• A new baby joining the family.
• Trying to finish a bathroom before the baby arrives.
• Probably purchasing a replacement to my car.
• Spencer starts kindergarten a week from today (he's counting the days and each morning lets me know how many are left).
• Church leadership team preparing together for an important meeting coming up.
• Remaining connected to "The Vine" and not getting pulled away by the "to do" list.

I'm a little tired, and have not been doing so well with this last item in the past few days. Yet I'm so thankful for my life, my family, my circumstances, my God. I am truly blessed.

Rodney will be joining me tonight to do some painting and tile grouting in the bathroom. Wade may join us as well. We'll see. Looking forward to it. I'm thankful for my brothers!

I'd like to keep writing, but will have to go for now.

T'was GRACE that taught my heart to FEAR

And GRACE my FEARS Relieved

D-Fresh

August 16, 2004

It's Monday.

Just back from a weekend up north. It was a good weekend overall. Doris is getting very uncomfortable with around 4 weeks til the due date.

We skipped church at Ellsworth Wesleyan yesterday, electing to get home sooner. Think it was a good decision. Read the Word together in the car and found a old cassatte tape in the van with worship music old school style (Berkley Hills) that we enjoyed.

About to get back to finishing the upstairs bathroom. We'll see if it gets done before the baby arrives.

Haven't gotten serious yet about car shopping. Have done a little looking and some research. I heard (via Amy L.) that it was a great service at HCC with Wade leading all by himself.

Lawn to mow tonight. Yipeee. Gonna try to pick up some of the bathroom fixtures this afternoon on my way home.

August 11, 2004

There was an early morning HCC leadership meeting yesterday to squeeze in before 2 of 3 members head out for the weekend. Wade has the fun task of seeking God's will for a Sunday service with no worship team. I wish I had some idea to suggest.

We are finally thinking about car shopping. My 1994 Escort wagon with 212,000 miles has served us well. Parting is such sweet sorrow. After 8+ years, I'm not sure if I'll be able to adjust to a new spot for the rear-defog button on an upgrade. Anyone have suggestions on a make/model on the next car? It will be used primarily for commuting and running around W. Michigan for work, but should also be able to haul the family if neccessary? Something with good MPG. Oh, and I'm Dutch at heart, so I'm looking for a steal on a low miles car that will take me until Jesus comes back.

Gonna take a long weekend up north this weekend, leaving Thursday night. Staying with Doris' parents in their new house. They just relocated back to northern michigan. Should be a nice time. They are great in-laws. Will see my side of the family some too.

Doris is hangin' tough with just over 4 weeks left to the due date. She and Collete (both very pregnant) have been co-leading a mini-Bible school at the church office this week with around 20-25 kids. I love that girl!

Fighting Car Fever (It's been a looonnngggg time),
D-Fresh

August 9, 2004

It's been a week since my last blog entry. I guess I'm a slacker.

God has been really speaking to me about my personal need to be more potent salt, and higher wattage light to lost people. I have had conversations this week with others about the topic as it relates to them and our church, and have learned quite a bit about myself in the process. Then yesterday's service happened.

It was baby dedication Sunday and five babies were being dedicated. As a result we had quite a number of "visitors" with us including some unsaved spouses and relatives that were attending for the special occasion. One of those individuals I have been praying for and interacting with for a couple years now (off and on). He is not a Christian, and does not believe in God. He is a very "nice" guy. I was praying that he would attend, but not stand up with his wife until he truly knew what it meant to experience salvation through Jesus. That's exactly what happened.

I know that there were a number of others just like him there as well.

Here's what's interesting though. I, personally, had a hard time worshiping and listening to God speak BECAUSE of the presence of these individuals. I was trying to do what I could to welcome them before and after service. I was very self conscious about my own body language during the worship through music time, and several times found myself pondering, "what's going through their head right now?".

Should I care what they think? Should I NOT care what they think? Is it proper to create a church setting that makes unsaved people "comfortable" and "non-threatened"? If we ignore those issues, does that mean we will be ineffective witnesses that are missing opportunities to be salt and light? If I'm thinking about them, will I miss what God is trying to teach me? The message was on the topic of "Judging Others". I definately have been guilty of that lately. How do we speak the truth boldly without alienating people before the Holy Spirit has a chance to soften their hearts? I know that most of the work of evangelism is truly "living the life" in front of them, as opposed to delivering the perfect sermon. Am I missing something else though?

For the three people that might read this post.....help me out here. Please.


D-Fresh
(ressurected nick-name from long, long ago- thanks Deurty)

August 2, 2004

Well, the camping weekend with extended family was a good time. Nick (brother in-law) and I took a bike ride following a sign marked "mountain bike trail" rated "intermediate" skill level, and it was 7 miles of fun and excitement that nearly killed me several times. The kids played well together, and we had some good times around the fire and at the beach. My parents did join us Saturday afternoon and went to church with us on Sunday. My brother did not make it. It's now Monday, and I'm still sore. My bike has a flat tire, and the seat needs to be tightened before taking another ride.

I found myself thinking about wanting a camper. We have a tent, but this weekend we choose to rent the little cabins they had for $35/night. My wife made an interesting observation. The camp ground was filled with very nice, and very expense camping units. We watched and listened to a bunch of campers scoping out other camping units in the campground. People who had tents wanted po-ups, people with pop-ups wanted larger hard-body models, and people with larger models wanted even larger, 5th wheel versions. I heard someone say that their smaller, new hard-body model cost $13,000. I wonder how many nights the average camping unit is in storage, and how many nights it gets used? For $13,000 I could spend 371 nights in that cabin with no towing or storage space required. Maybe I don't NEED a camper.

Spencer rode his bike a lot too, but the training wheels did not make it off. Getting closer though I think.