Log Cabin

Clayton got an idea last week to make a little fort in the woods behind Grandpa and Grandma's house. Jeff turned it into a BIGGER idea of making a log cabin. So, the four generations set out to work. It has been pretty fun to see this project come together. Stay tuned for photos of the completed cabin.

Pottery Schmottery

Grandma Rack recently treated the kids and me to a fun afternoon at a local pottery painting store called Pottery Schmottery. Here are their finished plates. I love to see Clay and Em's personalities reflected in their plates. They were very happy with the results. Clay says he's going to use his plate everyday for the rest of his life! Thanks, Grandma Rack, for a great memory and plates to keep forever.

First Game

Clay is playing YMCA soccer this fall on the "Orange Crush" team, with Daddy as the assistant coach. He was so excited this whole morning and just kept hopping while he was out there on the field. His team won 2-1 and he even had a shot on the goal. The game was a comedy of errors, but very entertaining to watch. Thanks to the supportive fan-club (grandpas and grandmas, sister, and cousin) who braved the inclement weather (drizzly rain and 59 degrees) to cheer for #10.

What's after that?

Our kids have been asking us tough questions like these lately:

"Daddy, what's beyond those clouds? . . . And, what's after that?" (Clay-6)

"Where's heaven?" (Emma-4)

I am reminded of how small we are and how HUGE God is.

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness... And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?" (Job 26:7-14)

The outer fringe of His works, just a faint whisper is all we hear of Him. Anything more than that, and perhaps we couldn't handle it. "God, would You make us aware of Your presence today? Keep us mindful of Your Greatness."

Turtles

Today Jeff found some little turtles by the creek. Of course the kids wanted to make a home for them right away. They found a bucket and added water, rocks, and dirt. They even gave them the names, "Clayton and Emma."The real Clay and Emma waited 'til after dinner and then decided it was time to walk down the path to the creek and let their little friends go back to where they belong. I laughed when I heard the kids yell, "Bye, Clayton Turtle," and, "Oh look, there goes Emma," as the turtles happily swam away. We love these summery days!

Suitcase Lessons

We have been living out of these for about two months now.

It is not what I would have chosen, but God in His wisdom has us right where He wants us. Most days I am just longing to be settled and in our own place, with our clothes in drawers and everything in it's place.

Here are some things I have learned, and some of it is a carryover from our life in India:
1. You can survive on just a few t-shirts.
2. There is a huge difference between what I truly need and what I want.
3. My contentment and happiness must be based on God and not my own circumstances.
4. What's most important are eternal things, because everything on earth will someday slip away.
5. God is all that I need. The song "In Christ Alone" has gone through my mind a lot these days. It says,

"In Christ alone, my hope is found.

He is my life, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm...
My Comforter, my All in all,
here in the love of Christ I stand."

Jeff has been challenging me that as much as I long for that place on earth to dwell in, am I longing that much and more for heaven, and for things that matter for eternity? May this be our hearts' cry . . .

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18

Jr. High Camp

We just returned from 5 days at Camp Calvary in Newaygo, Michigan. It is a beautiful little place and we have great memories of taking the youth group kids there for several years. Jeff was the camp speaker for the 6th-9th graders from our old church. He urged them to totally surrender their lives to God--their futures, their dreams and goals, sports, relationships, everything. . . because God is worth it and He has great plans for their lives.Clayton found out he loves to play carpetball. There he is, standing on a chair at the far end of the game table. This made me laugh to see that he was playing against an older guy and not intimidated at all. He even yelled out on several occasions, "Who wants to play me now?" and said, "Mom, I keep on winning!" He doesn't have a confidence problem at this point!

I think he may get a bit of confidence from his father, who decided to try a ski jump while at camp. He put on the helmet, and tried three times to successfully complete the jump. It was quite a show and we laughed a lot. However, when he came back holding his chest and saying, "Is it bad that I have to do this when I take a deep breath?" it was not funny anymore! He may have hurt his ribs, but he says it was totally worth it! This is the picture I got of him flying through mid-air. He makes me proud. :)
Though Jeff was speaking to junior highers, I'm reminded that the lesson of "surrender" comes to each of us, every day. It's a choice we make to loosen our grip and remain in His Grip, where He holds us close. May we come to Him today with a surrendered heart saying, "God, I am Yours."

Little Eden 2

Here are a few of the highlights from our couple days at Little Eden last week. Emma and Grandma talk by the water.

Dad took this picture of the boats at Portage Point. Doesn't he have a good eye? I love the reflection in the water.Jeff is always the food conoisseur . . . he even toasts the bun for his bratwurst. Amazing.

Family "Fun Run" down the sand dunes

Jeff and Clay went kayaking. This was Clay's first time and he had his own kayak. He was a bit tentative and scared in the beginning but by the end he was enjoying it. And there's nothing like a sunset over Lake Michigan. This is my youngest sister, Audra and her buddy, L.T.

Amanda, Austin, and Kristina, we were missing you!