Broken and Out of Tune

Lately I have noticed that my piano needed some attention. That is, it was a little bit out of tune. So last week when I was complaining to Sarah about that, she recommended that her mom should tune my piano. That was great news since I really didn't want to pay some expensive company to come and tune it. So last night I had a fabulous time playing on my piano. It was so in tune that to me it sounded out of tune because I was so used to it being for real out of tune. Did you catch all of that?!

Another interesting event of the day happened to my mom. While at work, she got locked in the elevator between the 5th and 6th floors. Of course there were two other people in there and you know how it is in elevators... no one talks to anyone else. After 45 minutes they were finally rescued and my mom went back to make sure her patients hadn't died or anything.;) During experiences like these a good sense of humor is the name of the game, so they sang "If you're happy and you know it...." and then they were ringing the emergency bell to "Jingle Bells". And all the while, the security man was trying to keep in contact with them to make sure the oxygen levels were sufficient. Life is so interesting.

So as for tuneless pianos and broken elevators, well the lesson is going to be stretched but whether you're just a little out of tune or completely broken, you need help both ways. Spiritually speaking, there are many times the Bible talks about a broken and contrite heart. That is when we are able to be worked on, when we know our true condition, broken and out of tune.

Five Great Men

Just wanted to share a picture of five great men in my life. That would be Christian (Heidi's husband), Dallas and Tim (my cousins), my Dad and Grandpa. They are all super cool and lots of fun. Christian always has a funny trick, joke or a great idea to share. Dallas, well he is just easy going and treats you really well. Tim and his wife Heather have a new baby boy named Jackson. My Dad has a huge heart of tender loving care, and my Grandpa is just very sweet. When we were little, he would lift all the cousins up on this huge stool they had. That's a great memory. The neat part is that they each show me a little different part of God's heart.

Love Revisited

Happy Valentines Day! I think this day might have slipped by today if my co-workers wouldn't have reminded me that I wasn't wearing anything RED!!! "We're going to pinch you...". Wait, I thought pinching was for St. Patricks Day. What's with all these saint days anyway. Well, I can remember one Valentine's Day from 9th grade. That seems like forever ago, but that year I had a crush on this certain guy in my classroom of maybe 18 kids. It was also on that day that we were taking off for a weekend of Junior Academy Bible Camp. So right before we left, I received my first rose. Of course, I was super happy but really... I had no idea what love was all about, and I'm sure he didn't either. Anyways, it stayed there on my desk all weekend and by Monday it was shriveled up or at least it had lapped up all the water in the vase. One thing I know, the water in God's vase is never gone. There is plenty of love to be lapped up over and over again. He knows exactly how to love each person perfectly. So today, on Valentine's Day, I'm putting myself in His vase... I tried to tell those camels that the longer your "no big deal" list is before marriage, the shorter your "very special list" will be after marriage. Actually this is a great thought from Joshua Harris.

Alpenarctica

Surprise! Happy Birthday. Thursday night was so fun. On February 9, 1977, Heidi was born, so 29 years later I was hoping to make it to Alpena without her finding out. Throughout the day, Christian had called me several times with the big plan ( note: he suffered great chills out in the shed to not be found out) . I was to arrive at 10 p.m., park in the neighbors garage, find the garage door opener for Heidi's garage in the flower pot, then find the box in the family room and get inside. Meanwhile, Christian was supposed to take Heidi somewhere during this time. Luckily the box was big enough and the plan was executed perfectly. Oh course, Heidi was suspicious after noticing that the box was a slight 6 inches to the right of where it had been. opps! So quiet as a mouse , and trying not to breath too loud, I waited in the box with my video camera and finally Christian pulled off the box. That was so fun and she was really surprised. So today we went shopping at some yarn stores and then we went to Lake Huron to open the Sabbath. It looks like Antarctica minus the penguins. The beauty of the north is so pristine and it was so nice to spend time with my family. Then when we got home we had another surprise for Heidi. My dad and mom had parked their van in the garage where Heidi and Christian normally park . I think we really pulled the wool over Heidi's eyes this year. The most important part is that she know that we really care about her and love all 29 years of her. Praise God for His goodness. Happy Birthday Heidi!

Flowers Needed

It's a beautiful day! However, I think I am under the weather...sore throat, runny nose, sleepy, etc. So today before leaving for work I drank a huge amount of EmergenCy. I was pretty fizzed out after that. This is a vitamin C drink that gives you a double dose of C, so hopefully I can kill this cold sooner.

I think I have been burning the late hours too much. Saturday night was another 2 a.m. debut, and then Sunday I left my parents house in Lansing at 10p.m. and finally arrived in Berrien at 12. So I think I know why I am a little sniffly today. And besides all of this, I really can't wait for spring time. That is the reason for the flower picture. I was thinking that if it stayed warm too much longer that my tulips would start getting confused. There are about 50 bulbs that I planted last fall just waiting to spring up around my house.

Oh, something neat... when I arrived home last night my driveway was all shoveled. Someone was thinking of me. I'm blessed.

A Quiet Mind

Lord, give me a quiet mind,

That I might listen;

A gentle tone of voice,

That I might comfort others;

A sound and healthy body,

That I might share

In the joy of walking

And leaping and running;

And a good sense of direction

So I might know just where I'm going!

- Ruskin Bond

He is Perfect Peace

To Kill a Dodo Bird

Good Morning. We are sorry to have to bring this report about our dear friend Mauri the dodo bird from Mauritius. In May he was rescued from his island home to live in Berrien Springs,MI. The reason: the Dutch were out to eat him (yum yum). However, it was told that this actually happened many years ago and that no dodo bird remained. Well, Mauri made it safely on his long trip from Mauritius to Madagascar, then to United Arab Emirates, through London, and finally to the United States of America. wow!
We have to cut this report short to tell you that last night there was an attempted hanging of Mauri the dodo bird. Fortunately it is believed that he was only hanging from the venetian blinds for about 5 minutes. He did suffer minor neck and spinal injuries due to the strain of the string but seems to be recovering quite nicely. In fact, he hasn't said a word since it happened or since he arrived here for that matter. Investigations have shown that there may be some Dutch "wannabees" in Berrien Springs. For some reason the FBI doesn't want to get involved with this one. Oh well.

Fine Print: Reality statements have been released revealing that this nice little wooden souvenir from the Island of Mauritius is doing just fine. No harm rendered. He seems to hold together even after being vibrated off the piano several times, thus his relocation to the other side of the livingroom. We hesitate to mention the fact that he had to get restrung for the picture.