Something you should read

I read my sister-in-law's blog today. It was a good one. I think you should read it too. It will help you, it helped me!
Check it out the entry for September 9th.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
a full cup
It seems to me that I have been doing some ecclesiastical living lately.A time for laughter. A time for sorrow. A time for sowing. A time for reaping.A time for standing up. A time for backing down. There is a time for everything.But I seem to feel like I am see-sawing back and forth... (to read more)

More later.
VAN

Happy 70th Mom!

I have four brothers. As the story goes, out of the five of us, I was the only one my mom planned. This once again proves that planning is a good thing. :-) So thanks mom (and dad) for planning. (Sorry brothers, but accidents can turn out good too!) Today, September 6th, is my mom's 70th Birthday. The year was 1938. Big things happened in 1938:

• The first ski tow in America began operation in Vermont.
• Wilhelmina celebrated her 40th anniversary jubilee as Dutch queen
• A nylon bristle toothbrush became the first commercial product to be made with nylon yarn.
• The Looney Tunes animated short Porky & Daffy was released.
• Minimum wage was established by law in the United States (.25 cents per hour)
• Evelyn Sue was born in Artusee, Oklahoma.

That last one is the most signficant. (However, that ski tow thing is nothing to spit at.) Mom was and is the best. Always up for something new, ready to serve, ready to chat, ready to go. Maybe she's slowed a bit over the years... but I doubt it. I just wish we could be with her today. So the video snapshot will have to do for now, until we see her in a few weeks. Happy Birthday MOM! I love you. VAN

Assignment: Snapshot

We're issuing a challenge to the church on Sunday. We've called it ASSIGNMENT: Snapshot! "Our community through your lens"

Everyone has taken great photographs, even if by accident. Now those photos that would be tacked to a wall or found at the back of your desk drawer can instead help us begin to see our community together.

We simply want to have anyone with a camera to take it and show us how you see your hometown. Who are the people, what are the sights, where are the places, that you notice.

We want to utilize the photos on our new website, do a photography display in the foyer, and to use as wall decor for our ministry offices.

How can we bless this community? How can we begin to see our city with new eyes? I think having some snapshots from our people will give us perspective and help us know how to pray, believe and serve.

More later.

VAN

First Day of School

September kind of feels like the real new year. I can remember getting a new pair of shoes, new jeans and shirt, just hoping I would look cool enough to all of my grade school friends. I totally remember when I finally got my first pair of Nike's... white with blue swoosh! That was a good day. Yes, indeedy!

This morning I helped Sam (4th grader) and Hope (1st grader) sharpen no. 2 pencils. That smell brought back memories that warmed my heart.

New school clothes and new school supplies are great; I guess because of what they represent. A new start. That's what this month is about for me. In fact that's what this very day is about for all of us. Jeremiah said it well... "His mercies are NEW every morning." This is a good day. Yes, indeedy!

Pencils sharp and ready to go!

VAN

20 Year Milepost

August 12, 1988.

It was 7 PM hundreds of our friends and family gathered at Christian Life Center in Santa Cruz, CA. I played the processional on the piano as the bridal party walked in. The music changed and I stepped to the front and that's when I saw her. Erica looked, well... radiant!

What a great day that was. One of the most significant of my life.

August 12, 2008

And now it's been 20 years. Three different posts of ministry. Four wonderful children. And one best friend for life.

To say that God has been faithful is only beginning to tell the story. Twenty years! Wow.

God is amazing.

More later.

VAN

P.S. Picture is the kids at the beach this summer.

New Training

Just finished a big day. Revolution Number 2. Great attendance. Amazing halftime. Fast clean-up. Good feeling.

It's always good to finish stuff. I'll never forget crossing the finish line at the half marathon back in May. Never ran that far before. I can remember at mile 6 thinking... "I want to do this for the rest of my life." I was feeling great, having fun and dreaming of actually doing a marathon someday.

Fast forward to last Friday, July 4th. The 2008 Butte to Butte 10K (6.2 miles). I'll never forget just before mile marker 5 ,thinking "O GOD, please change this race into a 5 mile race... please Lord! You are able, God. Nothing is too difficult for You!" I was feeling awful... tired, dehydrated, and unmotivated. Then a friend ran past me and said "you've run twice this far before... you can do it!" That kicked me over the edge and I finished. I had hoped to do it in under an hour. I missed it by a measly 7 seconds. 1:00:07. AAARRRGGHHH!

Here's the reason why I stunk so bad at the Butte to Butte. I had not trained for it. I was running on the "aftermath/residue" of the training from the half-marathon. Not a good plan.

So, here's my resolve. Set a goal. Get a training plan. And do it.

I want to have that "mile 6" feeling I had at the half-marathon and the only way... the only way... the ONLY WAY... is to train weekly. So, Monday morning I'll start a 6 week training plan for 5 mile race in August. I don't want to be asking God for any "distance decreasing miracles" anymore. I'll let you know how the training goes.

Well, the spiritual implication is clear. You do the application. :-)

More later.

VAN

13 years ago today

13 years ago today I was back at Sacred Heart Hospital after long night (or a short one, however you see it.) It began on a Sunday morning at 1:30 AM, July 9, 1995. We got our second born back to the room at about 3:30 AM. We were exhausted and she was ready to go, but not to sleep. I wrapped her up tight in a blanket and laid her on my chest... and she cried and cried and cried. We finally called the nurses in so that we could sleep just a little. She instantly became "wonder child". Smiled for the camera and won her way into the hearts of the midnight shift staff.

She has proceeded to do the same with me for the last 4744 days. I like her more everyday. She had cute little curly red hair back then, and people always commented. Her hair's still red but now she straightens it, and people still comment. She loved chocolate then... she still does. She felt strongly about things back then... and she still does today.

She's smart, funny, beautiful and talented. AND she is now officially ... a teenager!!! Does it scare me? YOU BET! But the main thing that I admire so much about her is how her care for other people continues to grow and grow; how she loves so deeply and laughs so easily... at herself and others (especially at me!).

I'm lucky to have such a wonderful young lady to love, to care for and learn from.
Happy Birthday Claire!
Dad Loves You!

More Later.
VAN



P.S. the picture is b-day number 12. She looks much older now!