Kenny checking out the supplies 

Pakjes Avond at Ralph & Sharon's 

Esther's 'tent'. Each compartment had 4 'kids' in it. 

Sarah's birthday present. 

Oma & Opa gave a fancy present to Sarah (bought by us actually :) ) and we wanted to share what we could do with it. Pretty neat stuff, eh? 

The girls made gingerbread houses. Well, I made most of the houses and they helped put it together and they decorated, mostly on their own. Took a lot of time, but it was fun and they turned out really nice. 

Our little elf. 

Josiah just loves to walk around with a head band hanging from his neck. (He also likes to wear bracelets, but we won't mention that.) :) 

The family driving in their van. 

I wonder....

Here is a poem i wrote at Christmas, and it's a little late, but here it is!

Today is Christmas day,
and a story comes to mind,
how God turned man came down to earth,
to rescue all mankind.

I wonder how it would’ve been
for a girl to become a mother,
to give birth to the Son of God,
with just a stable for cover.

and how did Joseph feel,
to be like a father to the One,
who came to save and set us free,
to make His eternal sons.

Shepherds sitting with their sheep,
on the dusty ground,
what was it like to see that light?
to hear that heavenly sound?

And wise men from the east,
why did they come so far?
how did it feel to see the Child,
or to chase that shining star?

and what a bunch of hypocrites,
who had memorized The Book,
who talk the wise men where to go,
and didn’t take a look!

Wicked, wicked Herod,
did you think you would succeed?
Does God not know your jealous heart?
your selfishness and greed?

And what if I had lived those days,
how would I have been?
Would I rejoice to see my Lord?
Fall down and worship Him?

Or would I go about my work,
like every other day,
not care that Jesus Christ was born,
to show the world the way!

But wait, what difference does it make?
if I live now, not in B.C.
Christ’s message is the same right now,
for all eternity!

My life right now, it matters,
what I think and do and say,
I can worship Christ and spread the news,
or I can just go on my way.

Lord help me to live my life for You,
to love You for all of my days,
help me to know You, to show you to others,
filling my life with your praise!

All by herself! (well, almost...)

Though Anneke has shown much interest and capability in learning her letters and their sounds, she has not had any desire to learn how to print them herself. (Trying to get her to do so on our school days with Ashleigh and Hannah is worse than pulling teeth!) But this afternoon she surprised me by coming to me with a paper in hand and claiming she had written her name. Oh me of little faith! I confess to doubting... but lo and behold, she really had written her name! All but the last "e", which I advised her to add, so she did. I had to be to borrow it off her so I could scan it in, as she didn't want to part with it! I don't know which of us is more proud!

More Pakjes Pictures

We had a great time last Friday! 'tho as Rachel mentioned, we missed you, John & Betty & kids. You're in our prayers!
Cute wrappings, eh? We especially like the "piano" you made for Rachel, Elisabeth! :) ||

Anneke's First Pun

"We shouldn't touch plants, right? They should just be 'leaved' alone!"

Corny, I know! And unintentional, of course. Her grammar leaves something to be desired at times; especially her frequent references to size, age, etc: "I'm big than Jo. Ashleigh said she's big than me, but I said, 'no, you're not big than me, I'm big than you!'" She is great for keeping track of the pecking order... As she often reminds Joseph, "you only get one toy because you're only one year old, but I get two 'cause I'm big than you..."

Thanks again everyone for the great gifts at Pakjes. Anneke plays with her new doll and blocks almost every waking moment. And Christine, Joseph loves the garbage truck. I think he's especially pleased to have a toy for his very own. Woe to the soul who dares touch it in his absense! The moment he detects that it is being meddled with (as is evidenced by it's striking up one of it's familiar tunes), he comes charging over shouting indignantly, "My! My!"

Bets, sorry you couldn't be with us! I hope you are nevertheless enjoying this Christmas time, with your own family of five and your Church family and Community there!

James is growing well, and is smiling for us occasionally, too. So sweet!

Merry Christmas, all!
love Rachel

Some silly kids!

Carole showed me how to edit photos using Picasa, so I've been having fun with that!

James Theodore

Anna and Jo at one of their favorite hangouts...

An interesting poem by H.L. Gradowith

The Wretched Preacher

He was a bit awkward, and, oh! how he dressed,
This even a friend writing of him confessed.
He did not fit in with "society's cream;"
But this did not bother him, so it would seem.
He chose to live in the wilderness alone,
The ways of wicked folks he would not condone.
He spoke God's word to one and all without fear
But often the crowds would ridicule and jeer:
"Oh, his awful beard! And his dreadful attire!"
Now, that is enough to raise the member's ire!
"Who does he think he is?" and, "Why should we go
Out of our way to hear him, when he looks so?"
Yes, they were exalted, high and holy men --
But in our God's eyes these folks were steeped in sin;
They could see the things they did not like in him
But not their own sins -- to these their wits were dim.
Oh, how they rejoiced when at last he was gone,
That awful man, you know, the Baptizer, John.

From the Thanksgiving Day hike...

Yummy apples!

Family picture time. 

This warm weather has been wonderful! 

Our pirates. 

Daniel loved the water! 

On the dock 

More summer cottage memories 

Relaxing in the sun and sand. 

Oooh, Oma & Opa's spot is great! 

I just love this beautiful soft sand! 

Sandbanks 2005 Just a reminder of summer. :)