My soon to be Superhero Daughter

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Black Phantom Your Superpower is Extra-terrestrial Your Weakness is Alcohol Your Weapon is Your Fire Armor Your Mode of Transportation is Snowshoes

What's your Superhero Name?

My Superhero Wife

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Light Shadow Your Superpower is Witchcraft Your Weakness is Garlic Your Weapon is Your Force Amplifier Your Mode of Transportation is Love Van

What's your Superhero Name?

Me as a Superhero

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Quick Cow Your Superpower is Rapping Your Weakness is Women Your Weapon is Your Light Crowbar Your Mode of Transportation is Cow

What's your Superhero Name?

Love what you do. Do what you love.

At church on Sunday, our little group had “discussion.” I’m still thinking about it, so I thought I would post and extend the thought process. The topic we ended up discussing is an ad slogan from some clothing company. It says, “Love what you do; do what you love.” At first, it seemed like a positive statement and we set out trying to discern what exactly that looks like. If I could do what I love, what would that look like? I started thinking about my hobbies – photography, cooking, reading,… Strangely, or maybe not, I have a fear of doing/focusing on any of those things. My fear is that I will lose enjoyment of these activities if they become my primary concern. In American culture it seems we have associated the word “love” with “pleasure/fun.” We’ve even carried this into relationships, which could help to explain the rising divorce rate. Since when has love ever equaled pleasure or fun? I mean, sometimes that is what comes out of it, but it is by no means always that way. That idea gives love a very selfish definition. We would end up living completely consumed by what we want and enjoy. Although those "hobbies" are good and healthy to commit time to, it would be horrible to shut out other things for that.

So if we step outside of American culture, and look at this statement, what does it look like? And once we establish a picture of that statement, are we succeeding? As individuals, are we loving what we do, and doing what we love?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LYDIA

We were just remembering a year ago tonight when you arrived--in a real hurry! What joys you have brought to the whole family. You have been so loving and so well loved. Your special smile lights up the room. We pray that God will guard and guide you all the years of your life. Happy First Birthday! Love, Grandpa and Grandma W.

Fundraiser

Thanks for asking, Ang. It went so well! We had a great time eating and laughing and sharing and eating some more. It was really comfortable...everyone new someone. Randy made it look so lovely in there with flowers on each table. His community took care of food and we brought yummy desserts. Brian told part of our story (I love how he sounds on the microphone!) and it seemed very well received. Then I left to put the kids down, but I hear there was a tour of the building, which these pictures prove, and lots of mulling around. Randy's friend made these funny pledge cards with a cute puppy dog on them that said something like, "Yes, the cute puppy has convinced me to give...I cannot resist his big, sad eyes..." It was really funny. There was just a lot of honesty about where we have come from and why everyone was invited. Randy was amazing...we are so thankful for his friendship. Several people were so supportive vebally that night, and to top it all off we have received almost $5000 towards the roof! So we are making plans to have that done before the snow flies. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Back to the Future

Today I have been thinking about my now very distant youth. I bought a pair of jelly shoes at the mall because I just couldn't resist revisiting that wonderful part of the 80's. They sell them in exactly the same style I wore in 5th grade. Also, we've been at camp this week and that has really brought me back as well. The kids played on a giant slip-and-slide which also reminded me of 5th grade which is when I first remembered the slip & slide becoming a part of summer. To be honest, I only played on the slip & slide once because the pain of diving onto it was too great. While I'm being honest, I might as well say that I never went to summer camp. However, I did go to a youth conference or two in middle school, and this camp had the same sort of feel to it. Whether Christian Camp or Christian Youth Conference, there is always a challenge to examine whether you're living your faith or not. As I watched the kids at the conference and their emotional response to these challenges, I felt like I was watching my younger self. I can remember leaving a youth conference with determination to really change the world for Christ. I always left wanting to be kinder, stronger, more devoted, more courageous and more of a light. I still felt like that as I left this this camp despite the fact that I'm 30 and this camp was aimed at 13-year-olds. I always imagined that by this age, and especially if I was working in full-time Christian work, that I would have become that person that I dreamed of being after a few days of inspirational messages. I guess I can't go into conference speaking yet because I'm not quite that person.

Monkey Face

It seems Lydia has inherited Brian's hair, but
my monkey face. (I used to do this when I was
her age.) She is much more beautiful than I,
though. I am so smitten!

Nothing Special

I guess the week has been somewhat like the title of this entry--just an ordinary week. After reading about yet another hurricane, I feel blessed by the ordinariness of our lives right now. We are all in our homes, have electricity, water, etc., and have been able to go and do the assignments we've been given. I hope no one will refrain from writing because nothing major or exciting has happened. A blog can be about our thoughts--and our thoughts about our thoughts.

We so enjoyed the shower Sunday. Aunt Pat, Sara, and Mardy did such a great job with everything, and seeing Grandpa there was a real bonus. I talked to Bette last night, and she said he has improved even since Sunday. She has even left him alone for a short time to go play tennis. His appetite seems to be improving, and he continues to get some PT a few times a week. They are even hoping to come to the birthday party for Sam and Lydia. I am amazed.

As I tutor Debra who is trying so hard to get her GED, I appreciate anew the mastery of language exhibited by all of you who write on this blog. You all write so well and can find just the right word to express your thoughts. This in turn will be passed along to your children. Dad and I were just commenting the other night on how well (correctly) Sam speaks already. Trying to help Debra (age 47) "catch up" in this language area is so daunting. Just yesterday she discovered that "idea" and "ideal" are two separate words with different meanings. We take so much for granted--even in the area of our language skills.

Well, time to get into the real world of laundry and grocery shopping. We hope you all have a pleasant weekend and share some thoughts if you have time. We agree with Eric and Ang that this blog helps keep us in one another's "loop." Mom

It's Raining Baby Things!

As most of you witnessed, yesterday we had the “family baby shower”. Aunt Pat, Sara, and Mardy so graciously, creatively, and elaborately designed it. From a clothesline of colorful onesies to Grandpa winning the belly-measuring game to disgusted faces of the baby food we had just tasted to lots of laughing. We all had lots of fun! Let me tell you. If you have never tasted much in the way of baby food (that you remember), Turkey Dinner tastes like mud!

Anyway, it was so good to be surrounded by family and to feel so supported as our waiting time gets shorter and shorter. Kevin and I were talking last night about how blessed we feel. Elinore is not even here, and yet all these people love her and are celebrating her. How wonderful to enter the world so loved and anticipated. From all the gifts we have received, so joyfully given, and the things we have been able to borrow (thank you Lydia!), we have had minimal financial expenses. That alone is such a great relief, besides the fact that everyone has such good taste! After being in this place, I feel so grateful. I cannot wait for someone else to have a baby shower, so that I can go and bless them!

I’m sure others got more pictures, but here are a couple I wanted to include!

Fall Cleaning

Angela reminded me that although we haven't had any amazing events to blog about either, the little things are still important to write about. It's often those little things that make up our day to day...the real stuff of life. So, even though everyone else will know about this, I wanted to let the wolTHAIs know what's going on here this weekend.

One of Brian's good friends, Randy Buist, initiated a fundraiser for the back building this weekend. He has taken all the trouble to call, invite, gather and feed some of our friends and some of his and some friends of friends...all who know why they are being invited: to hear what we believe God wants us to do with the building and to participate in that work by helping financially. We honestly have no expectation as far as money is concerned. We just hope people don't think we're silly or insane and atleast encourage us in our journey that way. We simply want eveyone to be inspired, weather it be for this cause or their own.

So, for the past week, here and there, we have been tidying up the place. With Brian's magnetic tendency to anything remotely usable and free, we have collected quite the stash of stuff, all of which he assures me we will use and save us money. I have seen that to be true and I trust him. Lots of moving, organizing, vacuuming and dusting and a little pitching and donating has really got the place looking as good as it can right now. My one fear is people will walk in and turn up their noses to our hard labor, of which still much more is needed. For example, the upstairs level has a new roof and ceiling and massive beam to support the once caving ceiling and finally has insulation and is swept and organized, but there is no drywall and it's still pretty dingy. Will people say, "Eww....needs drywall, huh?" Rather than knowing how far we have come.

I guess what I am feeling is a bit vulnerable for this weekend...letting friends and strangers into a piece of our hearts, inviting them to walk around and look, give their opinion, and then decide what they think. But no matter what, we will keep our eyes on Jesus who planted this dream in us in the first place.

Sorry so long...how typical of me :)

Prayer

I feel like I haven't written on this blog for a while, but there hasn't been anything too exciting to report. We have been rain-free for a week now, which is quite good. I did want to ask you all to pray for this part of the world. I can't be too specific, but some governments around here are really clamping down on religious freedoms and religious people. It's quite discouraging. Sometimes you feel like you're really moving forward and the next you're back to square one. Please pray for religious freedom and for God to move his work forward when we cannot.

Shower

The last week or so, I have felt so tired and uncomfortable that sitting down to compose something for the blog has seemed a bit of a feat! I am starting my 36th week of pregnancy, so the countdown is really on. This past weekend (as most of you already know) Nen flew down from DC for my baby shower. She and Amy put the whole thing on, and it was so much fun! From beautifully iced dragonfly cookies to pomegranate juice to CD favors to laughing with my friends to learning how to multi-task, it was something I will cherish! Everyone was so generous with their words of support and their gifts for my little Elinore. It is so bizarre to imagine that all of these sweet, tiny things will be hers.

Sunday Morning Quarterbacking

I can't say that I KNEW MSU would lose, but I was not nearly as sure they'd win as so many others were, including the media. Because of the way everything was written all week, U of M had to be incredibly fired up. I guess it's better for MSU to go into a game as the underdog. I did record the game, Eric, but you probably don't want to spend your time watching it. Well, at least Bob, Mark, and Chad are happy. Mom