September Recap

I didn't post many pictures this past month, so here's a handful

of my favorites that I selected for a quick September recap.

 

Henry loves the slightly cooler weather.

Claire practicing her "hoopa loop".

 

The boys hanging drywall in our

basement bathroom and laundry room.

The Big Day!

 

Walking to school on a rainy first day of class.

 

Getting right down to business.

 

Henry works diligently to build a road for his

cars while Claire is away for the morning.

First week of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)

Kids are excited to begin a new year.

 

Next stop: Robinette's!

 

Picking apples.

 

 

"Jesus Loves Me"

To Live Well, To Die Well

 

I've been procrastinating.  I really didn't expect to get the sad news we did last week, and now it's a struggle to put it in writing.  We got the call last week that our dear friend Don does have a very rare type of thyroid cancer.  It's not treatable, and unless God intervenes, doctors have given him a year at most to live.  Needless to say, this just broke our hearts.  We love this family so much. 

 

Last week we sat down with Don and Lynn.  I expected to be sobbing through the entire conversation.  Though our visit did have some tears, there was also so much hope and even laughter.  Certainly no pity party.  Don and Lynn have incredible faith.  Don is concerned for his family, but he is ready to meet the Lord face to face.  He said his prayer through this is that he will die well.  He hopes his death will be a testimony to his faith in a living Lord.  And Lynn, struggling to figure out where to go from here, says her prayer is to live well.  For now, the Lord has called her to live, to continue on in the faith, even if that means doing so without her husband.

 

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the prayers of Don and Lynn are really to be the prayers for each of us: to live well, and when our time comes, to die well. To do so with the help of Jesus is truly a holy calling.

 

I may not post regular updates on Don's health, but I'll post if something major happens.  Of course, if you're wondering how he's doing, please feel free to ask. 

For now, here's a few fun memories we've made with Don over the past year.   

 

Don teaching Claire the art of Wii bowling.  Henry in the middle, laughing. 

Don's grandson, Lyndon, on the right.

 

 Bedtime books

 

Don showing the kids how to feed their chickens and collect the eggs. 

On the right, Claire shows off her prize egg!

 

Don's Health

I don't typically post prayer requests like this on our blog, but because I had just written about our friends Don and Lynn in the previous post, I thought it would be good to do so.  We just received word this morning that Don is being admitted into the hospital.  When he was here recently, we noticed he had lost his voice, which he attributed to allergies, but said he was feeling fine.  Well, apparently, his condition had worsened, and doctors have found a mass on his thyroid which they are checking for cancer.  We're praying that tests come back showing no cancer.  If you're willing and able, please pray with us.  Thank you to our faithful friends and family!

Wheelbarrow Rides

Recently, friends Don and Lynn, from our care group, came over and introduced our kids to a whole new level of outdoor fun.

 

Kids all set for an adventure.

 

"Off Roading" as Don called it.

 

 

 

Our kids had such fun in that wheelbarrow.  A reminder to me that it doesn't take a lot of money, or even toys, to make our kids happy - just our time, attention, and, of course, a bit of effort.   

 

Camp Cousin 2013

The summer of 2013 has been one of highs and lows.  We've had great times but we've had our rough patches too.  Camp Cousin was definitely one of the great times; it was just what we needed to round out our summer.  In short, we designed Camp Cousin to reflect a traditional day camp for our nieces and nephew.  Our nieces from Wisconsin couldn't make it, but we had our two nieces and nephew from Grand Haven.  The campers came for 2 days and completed a number of camp activities to fill their badge books. 

 

Campers: Andrew, Gracie, Sylvia, Claire and Henry (not pictured)

The Camp had several staff, including the camp cook, Big Bertha, shown here rustling the kids up for some grub, as she called it.

Other staff included Ranger Joe, Camp Director Jen who organized activities, and Camp Counselor Aunt Jenni who spent time with the campers.

As Ranger Joe said: "a seat for each kid and a kid for each seat."

Henry working to complete his swimming badge.

 

Claire performed a drum solo to complete her talent show badge.

 

The kids slept in Cabin #1, Cabin Stinky Skunk.

Actually, Henry was a bit too excited and had to be

relocated to Cabin #2, Cabin Busy Bug.

 

Ranger Joe led chapel.

Our theme verse for the year was Psalm 113:3

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised."

Working toward another badge, a nature scavenger hunt.

 

What would camp be without crafts?  Here the kids made bird feeders by spreading peanut butter, then bird seed onto pine cones.

 

The happy campers heading home.

Claire's Artwork

Claire's been doing a lot of coloring lately.  Here's a sample of some of her work.

 

"Rainbow"

"Mommy"

"Spider stuck in cage"

 

I just love seeing her imagination take off.

We never know what she'll come up with next!