Some more hike pictures

Surprise Visitor from Holland

"A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

A quiet, restful, do-nothing weekend was in my plans last Thursday afternoon (Mar.25) when I got up from a nap after comig home from a total work-over, work-out therapy session that morning.
However, God had other plans. As I looked out of my front window, what did I see but an unfamiliar shiny orange jeep, and walking up the driveway, a man who looked remarkably like Dad’s oldest brother -Of course it couldn’t be him as last we heard they were getting "a dagje ouder" and not going out much – from home, let alone the country/continent!
Unsuspecting, Mom opened the door as I hid to get changed – just in case, tho of course it couldn’t be him…. I heard her exclamations and laughter and then "Natuurlijk!" and "Hoe lang kan je blijven?"
Then I knew - it was Oom Reint!

and shortly it was my turn to laugh & laugh and hug a dear uncle who I haven’t seen for 13 years (’97, and Mom since Oma’s 95th in 2000, Dad since Oma's funeral 2003). Then Mom & I watched from the window as Reint snuck up on Dad in the backyard and gave him a shock too! They laughed & cried & hugged….
Aside from the state of the house, the timing was just right! Had he come earlier - even a day, I wouldn’t have been up to it at all, and just a couple hours earlier no one was home. Also, this weekend our families "happened" to be free at some point or another or previously scheduled to come here, so Reint could visit most of the family (except Betty&John and some of R&S kids). His "Scruzol" business meeting "happened" to be cut short so he could come here when he did and also still fit in a visit to his son in St. Maartin, who he hadn’t seen in some years. Providential....

Here's the first reuinie: Ralph & Sharon came over for a special supper Friday

(to celebrate his 40th birthday! still)

They actually stayed with Reint & Truus during their Holland trip in 2002

when Sharon was expecting their 4th child, and now they introduced their 6th and 7th!

Bethany quickly won "Opa Reint"s heart with her big smiles and hugs.

Saturday morning Dad & Mom took him to meet Maurice & Rachel & kids (sorry, no photos).

By the time they came back, we were all quite ready to eat lunch and all too soon it was time for my uncle and I to say tearful goodbyes - knowing we might not see eachother again.

Dad & Mom then took him to meet Christine & Maurice's charming clan, be wined & dined again

and to be musically entertained/moved by the gifted teens

We really enjoyed having him for those 3 days. What interesting stories he had to tell – he and his family have gone through quite some experiences! – which he’s documented in his "Story of Our Lifes" – neat! Dad’s already done reading it but we’re not lending it out yet – Mom isn’t through yet (nor I).
I’m hoping it will inspire Dad & Mom to start writing down some of their memories, life story.

Anyway, we had a special time together and see God’s hand in it and trust He has a special purpose for bringing Reint here and moving him & Truus "onto the front burner" of our prayers. Hopefully, we can all keep better contact too.

Can you see the resemblance? :)

Peterborough

We had a wonderful time with all the family 2 weeks ago, 

although we missed Marguerite & Heidi & Maurice, 

and John & Betty & their kids, who had the flu. :( 

Samuel & David were so cute together... they are only a month apart!

Tante Marianne & Oom Evert, Selina, Chris & Krista, and Tony & Theresa made a delicious turkey & ham dinner for all of us -- thanks so much!  We really enjoyed our day with all of you! :)

I AM

"I AM who I AM... I have seen ...and I will bring you out of the affliction..."
Exodus 3:13-15-17,


I was regretting the past
And fearing the future...
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"MY NAME IS I AM." He paused.
I waited. He continued,

"WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE PAST,
WITH ITS MISTAKES AND REGRETS,
IT IS HARD, I AM NOT THERE.
MY NAME IS NOT I WAS.

"WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE,
WITH ITS PROBLEMS AND FEARS,
IT IS HARD, I AM NOT THERE.
MY NAME IS NOT I WILL BE.

"WHEN YOU LIVE IN THIS MOMENT,
IT IS NOT HARD.
I AM HERE.
MY NAME IS I AM"

by Helen Mallicoat


"Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us."
Psalm 62:8

Welcome, David!

With thanks & praise to our covenant God,
we welcome David Calvin, our 7th child,
born on December 14, 2009 at 8lb 3oz.

And yesterday we welcomed David home again, after he'd been at the hospital for a week because he has bronchiolitis. We are so thankful that he is doing so much better now! We've been really enjoying his sweet smiles. :)

Top Ten Inspirations from 2009

Top Ten for 2009

Here are some of the resources by which the Lord helped/encouraged/challenged me this year (and which I recommend to you):


1. Isaiah 40 - meditating on it over the year has made it a very real part of my thoughts and life - highly recommended to get a better sense of our smallness/mortality and God's greatness and incompareableness! Really puts things into perspective!

2. Also Louie Giglio's Indescribable and How Great is our God YouTube videos give an incredible view of God's awesome beauty and power and His amazing grace/love for us.

3. "Living as if Heaven is your Real Home" by Randy Alcorn, and many other MP3s from NewAttitude.org

4."Conversational Apologetics" audio by Michael Ramsden – listened to this over and over while camping – good place to practice sharing our hope in Christ in everyday conversation

5. More Love to Thee by Elizabeth Prentiss – her handling of her struggles & illnesses encouraged & challenged me

6. Narnia series – Dad & Mom & I are going thru the Focus Radio Dramas together and reading each book first. We just finished Prince Caspian. The Horse and His Boy resonated with me the most, and this year, like Shasta & Bree, I felt a keen sense of un-belonging and a longing for "the North" – for my real Home!

7. "The Blazing Center" DVDs by John Piper – his theme speech broadened and adapted for teens – tho still challenging enough and relevant to adults. Seeing the face that belongs to the voice I have loved listening to for many years now was a bit of a shock – but not a disappointment!

8. "Be Still My Soul" song blessed me richly as I listened to it over and over during the long, hard nights.

9. "Love Worth Finding" came onto our radio station this fall – Adrian Rogers has some really powerful sermons –"What will you do with Jesus?" is excellent for fencesitters and skeptics….

10. 50 ways in 50 days to Save Your Family – explains how parents can protect their children from the culture's negative influences. I haven’t read the book but after listening to author Rebecca Hagelin discussing it on Focus on the Family, I know if I had kids or teens, I’d definitely get it.

With these, His Word, other books and the encouragements of many of you, the Lord has carried me through a difficult yet blessed year.

I pray & trust He will carry each of us through the next year as we trust in Him – whatever He has in store for us. And may we grow closer to Him and to eachother in 2010 - for His glory and our joy!

Blessed/Happy New Year!