Joe's Tribute

Today is the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. This solemn remembrance strikes me a bit differently this year, as for the last several months, I have been entrusted with the care of a young boy whose family is from Japan.

Today, I have thought about the history shared between our two countries. I have thought about the significance of this day and what my responsibility is to those who have served and sacrificed. I have thought about what it means to be an American, and how to reconcile our national patriotism with the broader scope of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is difficult. After all, 70 years is a long time. Our countries are no longer enemies. We have long since become allies and friends. And yet, people remember.

We ought to remember. It hurts to remember. Still, perhaps we need to remember. We dishonor the memory of our predecessors if we fail to remember.

I have been blessed to know this Japanese family. I have been moved by their kindness to me and impressed by the compassion they have for their son.

 

So I too will remember this day, only I will seek to do so through the lens of some powerful Scriptures. These Scriptures speak of a Day that's coming; one that I think we all long for.

"And he will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war." Isaiah 2:4

"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;" Revelation 22:1-3



Amen. May it be so.

A Picture Puzzle

In this picture of Aunt Linda and the kids,

can you find the two missing articles of clothing?
Hint:  Aunt Linda is the one person pictured who is fully dressed.

If you found that Henry is missing one sock and Claire is

missing her pants, then You Are Right.  Well Done!



More Pauly Pictures

Visiting with Paul and his parents.

Henry with Mr. and Mrs. Wagner.

"The Good Time Gang"

Saying goodbye at the airport.

Henry, at the airport, looking dapper as usual.

It was great to have you home again, Paul, though your visits always go by much too quickly .  Yesterday at dinner, Joe asked Claire who she wanted to pray for, and she said "Pauly".  So remember, if you ever get the urge to join us for dinner, you're just a short three hour flight away!   

A Smooch for Heavy

I have to share this cute Claire moment.  Just as I finished the previous post, I watched her approach Henry as he played in his bouncy seat.  She said, "I wanna give Heavy a smooch" (Heavy is her name for Henry for reasons unknown to us).  So she pulled the pacifier out of his mouth and leaned in for a kiss, but he started to fuss, so she put the pacifier back in his mouth and said, "Oh, I'm sorry Heavy.     Here ya go.  You ok?"  She patted his head and walked away.  I love my kids.

Here's a couple pictures from earlier this month of Claire holding "Heavy".

Is it just me or does Henry look worried? 

Claire on the other hand, doesn't have a care in the world. 

They are quite the duo.

{ Thankful }

Well, this post is a few days late, but regardless, I wanted to finish up last week's series on Thankful Thoughts.  So while we have so much more to be thankful for, here is our final { Thankful } post for the year.

Today, we are thankful for our home.

Here's a glimpse of our home as the kids must see it.

{ Thankful }

Today, we're thankful Joe's been fortunate enough to be in a career he finds both enjoyable and meaningful.

No, this isn't Joe standing by the school sign.  It's a Lincoln impersonator that visited the school - but you probably could have figured that out on your own.

  

We're also thankful for the four years Joe's worked at the Grand Rapids Press.  Even though he just works there when his school is on break, they've been good to him because they appreciate him and his work.  With all the changes they're making with Michigan newspapers, they actually wanted him full time, but he's happy at the school, and he's so close to finishing his Masters in Education, so he chose to say good-bye to the Press.  It's been a good run.  

I should also add that I'm grateful for my job.  And while the pay is terrible, it's totally worth it.  I'm still trying to figure out, though, who the boss around here really is! 

{ Thankful }

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.  Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.  Use his words to teach and counsel each other.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."  Colossians 3:15-17