from the homefront

 

The boys were happy to start school again and we fell into routine very quickly.

This little lad has started kindergarten. How fast the time goes. On Andrew's first day of school, I was doing devotions with the boys in the morning and when I started praying especially for Andrew as he would be starting school that day - I got so choked up that I had to stop. Andrew just loves to cuddle and follow Adam around when Adam is working from home - but the good news is that Andrew is loving school - the social aspect of it!

 

 

 

 

 

On Labour day we went for a hike at Morning Star Mill with my parents. We have always lived in this area but have never visited this neat place.

Way back in July we celebrated my brother-in-law, Bret's 30th and nephew Zachary's 13th birthday.
Before they came we filled up a basket of water balloons and attacked uncle Bret when he walked into the back yard. The nephews and nieces were thrilled with this idea and I love the look of anticipation on these little boys' faces.

 

 

 

 

Here are our three nieces from Adam's side:
Eve, Michaela, and Bethany

 

 

This "no-climb" fence that we bought should of been tested on Tyler. This troublesome-two year old is something else. As someone so rightly put it "he has wickedly cute eyes." We are going to take the bottom piece of wood off of the gate and hopefully that will keep Tyler away from the pond. It will also help me from having a nervous break down:)
 

up north

While we were up north my parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. We are all so thankful for their support, encouragement, grace, and their godly examples. We have been so blessed to have parents that speak and live according to God's Word.

The boat rides are always a big hit. This year we bought kid skis that helped big time. They were attached together so that the child couldn't do the splits and a person in the boat held onto the rope instead of tying the rope to the boat. This way if the child fell down the person in the boat would let go of the rope so that the child wouldn't drag through the water, forgetting to let go. This could of gone a long ways for me if they had this invention when I was young. I had many traumatizing and embarrassing experiences trying to get up on skis...

 

As much as these four two-year-old cousins have fun together, you have to keep on top of them (or maybe it is just me having to keep on top of Tyler). They quickly want the toy that the other one is playing with and they will fight for it!

Liam and Luke. Luke is Dave and Renee's second son and he is a sweet, sweet baby.

Dave and Renee

Candy River. We have visited candy river ever since Nate was young and it is the most amazing river. You fish and you catch candy! This requires two adults - one to distract and one to quickly stick the candy at the end of the fishing line. This year we ran into two snags. When I went shopping for the candy I had Nate with me. I said to him, "Nate you are almost nine and you will probably figure out the truth. Dad and I put the candy in the river." Nate sucked in a deep breath and almost staggered. He could hardly talk he was so astounded that this magical river was not real. When we got into the van, Nate told me in a deep and dramatic voice that this was the saddest day of his life. Poor guy.
 The second snag.  When we got out to the river Adam singled for me to had over the candy. I took a deep breath. I didn't bring the candy, I thought that he did... We burst out laughing and tried to figure out what to do. We told the kids that the weather looked bad (there were very dark clouds) and that we would visit the river the next day. We arrived back at the dock just as it began to pour.

We had a cottage that had the biggest window ever. When you first walk into the cottage it takes your breath away. It almost felt like we were living in an aquarium.

                                              

All of these boys and this one girl are from two families. They have a great time together and it is neat to watch them play. Tyler refused to sit down with them and decided to stand there and cry.

And now it is back to reality and almost time to get back to routine. Gulp.

young peoples camp

Attending young people's camp as a teenager was always a highlight of the year, but going as a camp counselor is even better! It is wonderful to be part of this energetic group of young peoples, to hear of their struggles, to encourage them, and to have the opportunity to pray with them.

Kim and Pastor Hans

This year we were spoiled by Jeff & Sandy. There was a constant supply of cold refreshing water, and delicious snacks. 

On Saturday morning, the heat was oppressive. As we played sports, the sweat was pouring down people's faces, their t-shirts were soaked, and we went through many water bottles.

 

During ultimate Frisbee, Ryan managed to admire the nature around him.

He invited others to share the wonders that he had found.

I can't say too much because I didn't do the sport thing either. Actually I hardly cheered - it was just that hot.

Toilet brush hockey was the one game that our team won!

The counselors had a run-in with each other with Ineke taking a bite out of Bill's head. She wanted to shave part of his head so she could clean it better but Bill adamantly refused saying that each hair was precious to him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we had much fun, and moments of hysterical laughter, there was time for reading, praying, encouraging, listening to God's word, and singing.
Our speaker was Pastor Hans Overduin and our topic was on Joseph. I cannot say enough about how we all appreciated Pastor Hans. He has a true servant's heart and is a walking example of humility. He spent many hours mingling among the youth and gave speeches that we will never forget.
Friday night: Joseph's Sweat
Here we saw that Joseph was a hard worker and that he was diligent. He didn't lapse into self-pity or play the blame game for the way his life was turning out. Instead he worked hard so that ran Potipher's home despite coming to Egypt as a slave. After being thrown in prison he became in charge of the prison and later on he was given the task of planning for the famine.
Are we diligent or are we a sluggard who desires nothing? Do we leave jobs half done or are we diligent with our time? Do we read wholesome books, take time for daily devotions, fill our mind with wholesome things?
Saturday night: Joseph's Tears
We read that on seven different occasions Joseph wept. He never wept for himself but it was always for others. What you cry about or not reflects a lot about your life. Strong and mature people know how to weep - even in your heart. Joseph's tears proved that he would not hold grudges and that he had a tender heart.
Sunday morning: Joseph's Coat
The eyes are the gate to the soul. Mrs. Potipher set her eyes upon Joseph and lusted after him. Joseph was a young man, alone in a foreign land. He intensely refused her advances and that must of not been easy for him. Joseph did not want to do great evil in the eyes of God but he knew how quickly he could falter so he tried to have other people around him in the household. Mrs. Potipher took drastic measures and caught him alone. Joseph, by the grace of God fled, leaving his coat behind.
Pastor Hans pleaded with the audience to keep themselves pure. Sexual temptation is enticing, ensnaring, enslaving. It has caused huge heartbreak and words cannot express the devastation that it leaves. Pastor Hans also talked about David and how he received complete forgiveness from God when he committed adultery. Guard your eyes and pray for strength. When we met in our groups after we encouraged our group to have someone to be accountable to weekly whether or not you are dating.
Sunday evening: Joseph's Bones
Later on in life Joseph kept the faith while embedded in riches and pleasures. Life is frail and short compared to eternity. We all have to die, and some may even die young. To die in faith you need to live in faith, so Joseph requested that when he died that he not be buried in a foreign land but that he believed the promise of God - they would be brought to a promised land. Joseph's bones were a testimony that he believed God's promises.
Pastor Hans is a big fan of acrostics to help you learn. Here are the ones he shared:
Joseph by grace resisted the temptations of sin in the way of:

H - High view of God! Keeping in mind God's attributes!                                         
O- Owning sin for what it is! All sin is great wickedness!                                         
L- Little view of self! Too weak to hesitate at sin's door. RUN!                              
I - In consideration of those who respected & trusted & loved him!                        
N- Not expecting ungodly to prize God's ways; the world rejects it.                        
E - Entrusting self to God, believing God honors those who honor Him!                
  S-Saviour Seeking! Saviour-supplied!                                                                       
S- Saviour-strengthened! Saviour- sanctified! Saviour-serving! Saviour-satisfied!


HOPE - helping others persevere expectantly

B - Believe in the Lord right down to your bones       
 O - Obedience to God's law without wavering             
N- Not unequally yoked                                               
E - expectantly waiting on God & eternally minded   
S - sense of mission and spreading the gospel of hope

A big thank you to Kim and Jan for all of the preparation for camp. It must be a lot of work but it all pays off! We also appreciated Pastor Tim. He and his wife took the time to talk with the young peoples and mingle with them. Until next year...

wordless wednesday

Tyler knows that he is not allowed to climb onto the counter. This time he got caught in the act...he couldn't move.
Flies are terrible, so you know that you are desperate to get rid of them when you hang one of these ugly fly strips right above your kitchen island. Most of the time I remember to move it before company comes:)

Liam in a profound manner told me
that there was no way that Adam and Eve had flies in their house.

the pond

On May 10 the boys excitedly marched to the pond - this was the first time that the pond was ever swam in! Aunt Rachel was brave and swam with the boys. (Take in the fresh green grass!)

Adam thought of making a rock wall for jumping into the pond and it was an automatic hit.

At first the sound of Canada geese landing in the pond made my heart swell but soon they invited too many of their friends and the pond became a battle ground. Not only did they poop everywhere, but they hissed at each other and us! We needed to do something and quick...

Adam picked up this scary looking coyote and staked it by the pond.
The boys didn't know about this, so when they came home from school I waited a bit and then shouted, "there's a coyote by the pond!! Boys- do something!"
They quickly ran to the windows and Andrew burst into tears. I was mean and kept on going with the joke. The boys talked excitedly amongst each other. They finally decided to call a brave man. Their dad. Nate's fingers shook as he was dialing Adam's phone number and his voice rose with excitement.
Adam came running out of the barn and faced this ferocious coyote head on. He jumped on it and tackled it to the ground. The boys eyes were round with wonder and their mouths hung opened. What just happened?! I laughed and laughed. They did not see the humour of it.

This ferocious coyote did not do it's job so Adam "resorted" to plan B.

We do not have anymore Canada geese in the pond...

 

 

But now we have another problem. The water just kept on draining no matter how much we pumped water in from the back stream. Adam found two spots were he thought that it was leaking but now the stream is dry and we can't pump more water in. The jumping rock has become more dangerous. Diving is absolutely forbidden. Cannon balls are recommended if you are tall. If you are short, you should be okay. The water level should be covering the small rocks along the edge but with this drought we might have to wait until next year. We need rain and lots of it.

We love having a pond and the boys can't get enough playtime in there.

worth reading

This past Sunday the members of our church received a letter from our consistory and I thought that it was written in such a loving and caring, yet exhorting way that I wanted to share it with you. It is about dressing with modesty.

"Dear Congregation,
   Several years ago a letter was forwarded to the congregation from the Consistory regarding dressing modestly. Reference was made to a speech entitled "Modesty Matters" by Pam Hardy, wife of a Pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley California (where the well-known John McArthur is the senior Pastor). You can still find this speech on-line at http://www.biblebb.com/files/ModestyMatters.htm.  The Consistory recommends this speech.
   This speech is primarily addressed to ladies. It provides some very clear and definite Biblical teaching and principles on the reasons and importance of dressing modestly as well as gives some good practical suggestions and advice as to how Christians should be discerning in their dress.
   Summer time  is a beautiful season but it does bring with it inclinations towards immodest and even provocative dress, perhaps also among us. We may not go along with immodest trends (Rom.12:2,1Tim.2:9-10). Rather let us always dress modestly thereby honouring God and not tempting others to sin (1Cor.10:32-33). This is part of our Christian calling and shows our love and respect for one another (1Cor.13, Rom.15).
    Though the speech was given at a Ladies Conference, the Consistory strongly urges the husband and father of the family to read it as well. As a leader of the household, he has a great responsibility to see to it that the family is honouring God also in the matter of appropriate clothing. In addition, the Consistory would like to remind the men of the Church, that they too should, as examples showing leadership (1Tim.3:4; 1Peter 5:2), consider carefully what they are wearing and their motivations in wearing what they do.
    The goal of every Christian should be to glorify God in all things (1Cor.10:31). If we are "not our own, but belong to our faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ" (Heidelberg Catechism QA 1), then our body is also the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19-20). Clearly, how we dress also has to do with the glory of God and how we reflect the image of God to others.

    Dear Congregation - Let us seek to be heavenly (godly) minded and not worldly minded, and that it be our Christian desire to not needlessly offend others or tempt others to sin (Matt 18:6-7; 1Cor. 8:13, Rom.15). In speaking to one another about these matters, as a Christian church we are exhorted to do so in Christian love and on the basis of Scripture. Let us esteem the other higher than ourselves reflecting the "mind of Christ" (Phil.2:1-5). In so doing, we become living examples of modesty and love for others (especially our children) in all that we do.

For additional information several books can be found in our library including - "Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America" by Jeff Pollard.
Two articles on-line are also recommended:
From Nancy Leigh DeMoss: http://therebelution.com/blog/2007/02/nancy-leigh-demoss-free-to-be-modest/
From John Piper: http://www.therebeution.com/blog/2007/02/john-piper-the-purpose-of-clothing/

May the Lord grant us much wisdom and discretion in these matters.

In Christian love,
Your Consistory"


There is a lot that has been said and that has been written about modesty. This is a matter that is very dear to my heart.  I was raised in a home where modesty mattered and after receiving 4 sons I have spent a lot of time reading about how boys think and visualize. Now modesty means more than ever! It is important to teach daughters not to lower their standards and dress in ways that only impress guys in one way, but it is also important to teach sons to be courageous enough to tell their future girlfriend that what they are wearing is tempting to them, and that they want to treat their girlfriend with much class and dignity. Let your smile, your countenance be what is attractive!