Here are the Top Ten resources that positively influenced me in 2011: (in semi chronological order)
1) Runner from Ravenshead - DVD with kids as actors – very well done and good allegory of our part in helping lost people find their way to freedom in Christ’s kingdom.
2) The Orphans & the Ravens, Julia Francis – incredible account of the Father’s care for His children in communist Romania
3) Wings Like a Dove by Christine Farenhorst – riveting historical novel set in the 1500s during the Reformation struggles. Portrays the courage of Queen Jeanne D’Albert of Navarre in helping to establish a protestant refuge while France & Spain on either side were ruthlessly stamping out the “Huguenots”.
4) Tramp for the Lord by Corrie TenBoom – encouraged my faith & prayer life
5) Lord, Change My Attitude by James MacDonald – very practical excellent book that Liz & I are still working thru
6) Lamplighter Rare Collector books – proof-reading a bunch to find that special one for each of the kids (all 21 eventually plus my sibs)!
7) Which None Can Shut by Reena Goode - a missionary in an Arabic country shares remarkable true stories of God’s miraculous working in the lives of Muslims there. Brought tears to my eyes many times - so amazing and motivating!
8) Making Life Rich Without Money by Phil Callaway –hilarious personal accounts and tidbits to help the reader see just how rich he is! -even if so poor that the cupboards are bare and we don’t know how the next meal will come – which none of us have even remotely experienced!
9) The Very Best of Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan DVD – fascinating and inspiring. Seeing how a dog’s behaviour can be changed and directed helped us feel more confident in getting a dog.
10) Rev. Harry Zekveld’s sermons - very Christ-centered, Christ-exalting, challenging, encouraging, inspiring both contrition & joy, tying the Bible together - particularly in the 2009 Easter series.
* * * * * *
And Regulat – from Dr.N. in Switzerland - a special enzymatically-alive liquid concentrate that played a huge role in my rapid recovery from bacterial pneumonia last year, and in healing Mom’s chronic leg ulcer. It regulates the immune system, balances pH, breaks down pathogens in the blood… therefore promotes healing from many ailments. Ask me for it.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tia (pronounced Tee-ah)
Yes, Tia is my cute, sweet, crazy puppy! I can hardly believe it myself! But the fact is, there’s this cute little thing following me around, sleeping on my feet, trying to “kiss” my neck, cavorting with her green giraffe and/or Opa in the yard… and there’s all these puppy training books & videos waiting to be read/watched…. Thankfully she’s so quiet & good most of the time and sleeps thru the night. Tho she is extra work, she’s also good stress relief (& warmth!)
Here she is at almost 14 weeks - she loves romping in the snow!
and below at 11 weeks when we got her
Kenny was her first introduction to our kids - he's just tickled with her!
Josh is good with animals and helped raise their golden retriever puppies a couple years ago.
Maria loves animals too
Joanna is quite brave - can tell she's used to pets too - tho kittens are much less fragile than puppies!
Josiah's lap fits a little better! He sat so nice & still and she kept coming back to him. So cute! She also did that with Sarah - sorry no photo
She remembered Anna & Jo and was quite content with Anna. Willy was a little too hyper and timid to come too close - tho he did actually feed her a treat!
So she's met all the kids except 2 and she loves them all!
She's so social & friendly and gets so excited-spazy-hyper when anyone comes to visit - so you have to be calm, then she'll calm down too. 
We're still trying to train her proper dog etiquette! :)
Kara's golden-doodle, Zoey, helped Tia get started with walking on the leash outside - before Zoey motivated her & she showed her how, Tia refused to bunge! Now she loves going for her "walk"
We're still trying to train her proper dog etiquette! :)
Kara's golden-doodle, Zoey, helped Tia get started with walking on the leash outside - before Zoey motivated her & she showed her how, Tia refused to bunge! Now she loves going for her "walk" 
Romping & playing makes her tired quickly & she finds a cozy place to sleep - often on my feet - I love that - warms them up!
She's soo good & quiet at nights too and hardly ever barks - not even when strangers come to the door!
Thanks Ralph for the nice family photo! :)
I'm thrilled with my little puppy - we all love her and can't imagine life without her anymore! 
Christmas celebration & gift exchange
Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant...
Our family gift exchange was simplified (family to family) and combined with our Christmas celebration this year. It worked out quite well and as the gift giving didn't take up so much time this way, we still had time for chatting, playing/dress up, a nice turkey dinner and singing Christmas carols....
Very nice day! Too bad that John was sick! missed ya!
The creative gifts where even the wrapping counts!:
Thanks for having us, Maurice & Chris! and Sharon for the photos, and organizing food...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A legend about "man's best friend"
Oft-quoted legend about the special relationship between man and dog:
God summoned a beast from the field and He said,
“Behold man, created in My image. Therefore, adore him.
You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go, even unto civilization.
You shall be his ally, his slave and his companion.
“To do these things”, God said, “I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beasts:
faithfulness, devotion, and understanding surpassing those of man himself.
Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man.
Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.
Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of man with any other beast or even man with man.
Speak to your master only with your mind and through honest eyes.
Walk by his side, sleep in his doorway, forage for him, ward off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions, love him and comfort him.
And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants which shall be only food, shelter and affection.
So be silent, and be a friend to man.
Guide him through the perils along the way to the land that I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”
So spake the Lord.
And the dog heard and was content.
God summoned a beast from the field and He said,
“Behold man, created in My image. Therefore, adore him.
You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go, even unto civilization.
You shall be his ally, his slave and his companion.
“To do these things”, God said, “I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beasts:
faithfulness, devotion, and understanding surpassing those of man himself.
Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man.
Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.
Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of man with any other beast or even man with man.
Speak to your master only with your mind and through honest eyes.
Walk by his side, sleep in his doorway, forage for him, ward off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions, love him and comfort him.
And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants which shall be only food, shelter and affection.
So be silent, and be a friend to man.
Guide him through the perils along the way to the land that I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”
So spake the Lord.
And the dog heard and was content.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Rock Lake Lodge September 2011
For more pictures of our wonderful week together, click here.
