Monday, July 21, 2008

Good bye Again

It was necessary to say farewell again on Monday. This is a very difficult thing, impossible, yet we lean on a hope that God-with-Us has taken up this child's cause for the long run, and The Advocate is able and willing to meet the needs and overcome the challenges here.
But me, I'm not giving up.
I'm sticking around to see what God will do.
I'm waiting for God to make things right.
I'm counting on God to listen to me. Micah 7:7




He thinks God has dumped him, he's sure that God is indifferent to his plight.

Time to get up, God--get moving.
The luckless think they're Godforsaken.
They wonder why the wicked scorn God and get away with it.
Why the wicked are so cocksure they'll never come up for audit.

But you know all about it--the contempt, the abuse.
I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday in you.
You won't let them down: orphans won't be orphans forever.

Break the wicked right arms, break all the evil left arms.
Search and destroy every sign of crime.
God's grace and order wins; godlessness loses.

The victim's faint pulse picks up;
the hearts of the hopeless pump red blood as you put your ear to their lips.
Orphans get parents, the homeless get homes
The reign of terror is over, the rule of the gang lords is ended.

Psalm 10: 11 - 18 The Message


He has never let you down,
never looked the other way when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
he has been right there, listening.

. . .

From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses
are running back to God.
Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word.

All the power-mongers are before him --- worshipping!
All the poor and powerless, too --- worshipping!
Along with those who never got it together --- worshipping!

Our children and their children will get in on this
As the word is passed along from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news--
that God does what he says.

parts of Psalm 22 The Message

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Illinois Performers Festival




We took a quick excursion into the city for a family concert and festival in Millenium park. Had to get a Rainbow cone before heading home!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Sunset on the beach



On the last evening we watched the sunset over Lake Michigan

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Janey Mac 2008




We spent another enjoyable week in Macatawa with the Lantings renting a cottage close to the beach and the marina. Douwe and Steve enjoyed the beach, the pool and playing with cousins.

Sailing Back North



On Thursday, we drove to South Haven and met the Rhumb Liner coming into the marina. Then Jeff and Steve sailed with Jim, Seth and Zach back to Holland. Steve enjoyed pretending he was charting the course.


Saturday, July 5, 2008

Children of Opa Douwe Groen Reunion





Jeff's parents hosted a weekend reunion for the descendants of Douwe and Anna Groen. We got a chance to meet and visit with the children and grandchildren of Grandpa Howard's sisters and brothers. Our day included a visit to Oak Ridge Cemetary, where Howard and Dora, all four of their parents, and several of Howard's siblings are buried.
The weather was perfect, we heard several interesting stories and baby Douwe enjoyed a crowd where everyone knew his name.

Friday, July 4, 2008

4th of July



Douwe enjoyed his first ribs at the Schutt's annual Independence Day feast.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Time for the Gates


"What's this new toy, Mom and Dad?"



"Oh, I see how it is."

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Kindermusik



Douwe and Steve and I have enjoyed a 5 session Kindermusik class, the first for all of us. Learning how to sing and play and bang on percussive instruments. Douwe LOVED it.