Room for Jesus

Mary rode on small donkey's back

Over the last hill towards Bethlehem

Joseph walked by small donkey's side

Wondering where they would stay that night

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Or is the master suite taken by somebody else

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Won't you welcome Him in, into your heart right now

So down the main street at the corner hotel

The sign on the window said no vacancy

The innkeeper told them that there was no room

They'd have to reside in the barn that night

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Or is the master suite taken by somebody else

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Won't you welcome Him in, into your heart right now

So off to the stables they stumbled that night

The animals welcomed the Saviour to earth

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Or is the master suite taken by somebody else

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Won't you welcome Him in, into your heart right now

Picture Crazy

What started as a normal Saturday night ended up in a "Creative Picture Scavenger Hunt". We decided on 10 locations where we had to take the most creative picture possible . So we had two teams of 4 and 1 hour to complete the hunt. As you can see from the first picture that we had to take a picture at Schraders . Unfortunately it was closed but the worker in the picture was not quite sure what to make of us. Team 2, Kyle, Paeter, Julie and Adrianne won this one in my garage. I'm glad the Integrate picture came in handy! (Preach it Paeter) I still think Julie was trying to escape into the trash can. Our team voted not to use the trash can because it stunk so bad.
Julie was a pro-skier when it came to the creativity in front of the Andrews Christmas tree.

OH boy! This was pure luck. The campus safety was awesome that night with all the lights flashing. I'm afraid that Cari and Tunisia were caught by Officer Reuben Vincent...New Zealand style! Now you all know just how "innocent" Kyle and Paeter are!

Berrien Springs car wash. I'm not sure if Kyle's car was up for washing or Julie :)

Reuben...how many times do we have to tell you that you can't go in the girls dorm. For cryin out loud...some peoples children...I tell ya!

J.N. Andrews was a little cold so Kyle shared his winter hat with him. They seem to all be taking a good look at the library. Interesting.

McDonald's was happy to give us some straws but they wouldn't let us come inside....hmmm...crazy people with ties around their heads.

Team 1 , Reuben, Tunisia, Cari and I, made it back first but we lost because we well... we... ummm... cheated. Actually we thought it would be okay to take the pictures a little out of order but that was not a good idea. ;)

This year the MI VIDA SMILE AWARD goes to Julie Christman and Melanie Towar.

So after the picture hunt we were actually worn out. I think we all slept good that night. Hope you got some great ideas to spice up your Saturday nights. We are planning another one because the first one was so much fun.

Have a very Merry Christmas and God bless you with His peace and love.

just exchange it

This is Christmas in the making. Today we are having a cookie exchange at work for Christmas. So last night I dipped a bunch of pretzel sticks and then sprinkled them with yummy sugar. So I will trade 4 cookies for 4 cookies and come home with around 40 other cookies. What to do with 40 cookies?!

Just an update. Today in Michigan it is snowy and windy. I just got back from eating my greek salad at Panera and I almost turned into a snowwoman out there. I wish we could exchange weather with California for Christmas but I guess the weather doesn't work quite like a cookie exchange. But I know what does.... I know for sure that Jesus exchanges my sinful heart for a new clean heart as white as the snow. That's why I like the snow. It serves to remind me of God's desire to wash me. :)

A Full Weekend

I'm so happy that I got to spend time with Tara and Ruan. We have been close friends for several years. They are back from Bolivia where they are serving as missionaries.

Tara really wanted to have some tofutti ice cream after being in Bolivia where there is no Apple Valley Market. I can't blame her... we all had some!

For all of you who pay someone to hang your christmas lights and spend lots of money at Walmart buying lights.... well... I got lucky this year. My car was decorated with 9 strands of multi-colored lights for free, plus all the trimmings. Christmas bows, splashes of lip stick, duck tape and christmas greetings where all part of the deal. WOW!

I forgot to mention that this was accomplished while I was in my house and my car was in the garage. Opps! Good job guys, you win. Just in case you wish your car was decorated for christmas let me tell you who to contact: KA, JLW, MLG, TS... I am not sure who else but information is coming in daily that continues to "unwrap" this christmas mystery!

El Dia de Gracia

Yes there is nothing like roasting your hotdog right inside the house. That's what we did during our Thanksgiving festivities at my Grandparent's house in Kansas. This is Lauren and I trying our luck with those oh so famous Loma Linda Big Franks.

It always thrills my Grandma when we use the old wood stove to cook food. I have to mention that although the weather was plenty warm outside she still had a raging fire to "keep the house warm". Needless to say, we kept opening all the doors and windows to keep from melting down.

My Grandma and her two girls. She was so happy to have everyone home! Her smile shows it.

My Dad and my cousin Tim made an agreement that if the Cardinals won the World Series that my dad would have to wear a Cardinal's hat. Of course the opposite was part of the deal too. Well, much to my Dad's dismay he had to put on a Cardinal's hat.

Jackson was the biggest highlight of Thanksgiving. He is the first great-grandchild in the family and much loved. He was having so much fun taking a bath and for us it was very entertaining.

I'm grateful for my family. God has blessed me beyond what I know.

Many Moons Ago

This is my first car. This is my first car after a big prank. No I am not into NASCAR or racing stripes.

They had way too much fun getting the job done. Let's just say that my first car suffered a lot. When I worked at camp it was found on the beach one morning, locked in the fort, pushed to the other side of the lake another day, the tire was removed and put on top of a pole too tall for me to get, filled with balloons and much more. The problem was that it didn't lock and it was a standard. That was 7 years ago. I used to see it driving around in Berrien Springs, but maybe it finally died. I'm just glad to have my Vue now.
Back in the day....bowling!

Camp AuSable in the winter. This is me on the boardwalk just sittin and thinkin.

fall time

In the corn maze. Cornhuggers!

The all famous and getting more so Indian soup. This last weekend I was in Wisconsin visiting my friend Jennifer. They were having a womens retreat with an Indian theme on Sat. night. Thus the soup! People loved it along side their Nan and mango ice cream.

Next were the adventures on the farm. Jen and her family have llamas, goats, horses, dogs and cats.

Lily giving me a very unexpected kiss.

Jen and Sky

George. My favorite and probably because he is so curious. He is always checking out what you are doing, making sure he is not missing anything.

satisfied

Happy to be sitting by a fire with friends and have warm toes at the same time.

North Country Times

If all else fails try Stormy Kromer hats! On Tuesday I went to an Apple Orchard with Heidi and Christian. It's just something you have to do in the fall. Anyways, in the gift shop they had these crazy hats. I don't think I would buy a pink one. Of course we had to have fresh made apple cider donuts and the sign about the cooks caught my attention since I enjoy cooking myself. So for those of you who have the priveledge of trying cuisine at my house please take not of the sign.:0)
Yummy! There is nothing like an apple cider donut. I was eating fresh apple pie. We hardly made it out the door after all the food, not to mention the popcorn. Ouch! Hallelujah what?!
Bear hugs.

My new Champion Juicer and 8 ounces of carrot juice. Nothing compares to a fresh carrot juice, not even a donut!

all sorts of fun

Happy Birthday Princess Elizabeth! You are loved by many.

I now have my own plane...wink wink...

The season of change.

since when?

HI Everyone, I realize it's been forever since I have given my blog any quality time, but believe me that does not mean that life has been boring. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Since my birthday on August 28, and by the way it was my "golden birthday", I have been busy doing too much.
A little over a week ago I went flying over Lake Michigan. The colors were just starting to change. God is so creative and since I appreciate art, there is much to praise God for in this season of change.
I also learned how to make this awesome Indian soup. Wow! It has some 25 or more ingredients, and it really calls for a standing ovation. I have to mention that since the new school year has started Saturday nights have taken on a new twist. Friends truly provide the best times in life.
There have been a few weekends that I have spent with my family and those were the best of all. My parents are conducting evangelistic meetings in Grand Rapids right now, so last weekend I went there to pass the time with them. That was a huge blessing and praise God for so many people wanting to know more about the truth in God's word.
I have to mention that last night I juiced some freshly picked grapes in my new Champion Juicer. This was after an hour of removing all the seeds. Let's just say that Welch's doesn't stand a chance. It was so sweet that I thought I was drinking pure concentrate. Amazing!

So in the last month I have learned many lessons, some were fun and others were not so fun. I believe Jeremiah 29:11 is God's promise to me. So I'm thankful for all the surprises and every day blessings God has brought me since I have written last. Hope to hear from you.

Goodbye California, Hello Michigan

Joelle, Pieter and I before they took off for Arkansas and California. This picture was taken after we ate some awesome cheesecake....good memories of the Damsteegt Mansion. Even though Joelle and Pieter are gone I know that haystacks still await me on Sabbath!In August I went camping on the Pine River with some friends. This was my little campsite by the river. Rustic was the name of the game....and the raccoons tried to join in. Unfortunately for them we packed our food out every night so they were left fishing or digging for whatever else they could find.A very adventurous hike on the North Country Trail. About 8 years ago my family went backpacking on this trail. The only bear we saw this time around was Pastor Dan....a little grizzly but nicely shaven. hummmm....figure that one out. Bears are good trail guides unless they are hiding from the people.Everyone got off the river DRY! This is a world record for us. I heard the "lean bean" was paying New Zealand to tip my canoe, but the grizzly bear came to the rescue. I'm still glad! Life is fun and I am thankful to God for friends, wonderful nature and enjoyable times.

Happy Birthday

It was my Mom's birthday on Sabbath the 12th of August. I brought some of her favorite potato salad from Apple Valley, and we made some yummy strawberry/blueberry shortcake. Of course we added the candles that won't blow out so I helped her blow them out after they kept lighting up. The next day we visited yet another zoo. For some reason our family really enjoys the zoo. I was amazed by the size of this female lion, and reminded of God's creativity. Next to the lion was a cage of three tigers. And last but not least are some very interesting creatures of the sea. They are my partners in crime when it comes to cleaning teeth. It is a known fact that they actually have a special dance that notifies fish that they are ready for business. The fish evidently line up for a tooth cleaning to prevent disease. It's called mutualism. So if you ever wondered how fish got their teeth cleaned... wonder no more. God sure had fun during the creation week. I am sure that we serve an incredible God!