epic a capella pic

Silent Night

Ok, so it was only the last verse that we sang a capella....but it was so cool!

I was so excited to get this picture today.  For how many services there were that day, this is the first photo I've seen of the singers.   I'm so glad to have it because it's such a nice memory of the candlelight service.  We might be getting a video too.  That will be really wonderful to have so I can hear how it sounded...

What an absolute joy and honor it was to be a part of this amazing event!

Jonas, the blizzard of 2016

the old NJ homestead

That was taken early in the day before the snow got super deep.

the old Kubota, which got us out 

 Again, this was taken early in the day.  If you notice the fence around the garden in this picture...well, after the snow was done coming down that fence was completely buried, and the Kubota was about half way buried.  Darryl was up to his waist to go and get it started up.

our back deck...that railing is 4' high

 So, that gives you an idea of how deep the snow was.  Pretty cool, considering this was the first snowfall of the season.

I think I'm an eskimo

flying home

We're sitting in the Grand Rapids airport waiting for our flight home.  I'm coming back in a month, so I'm not as sad as I would normally be about leaving.  I do love the life in Michigan.  I love being with my boys and being involved in their lives...not looking at their lives from a distance.  It was wonderful to spend the week there with them, and Hilary.  And even though I was so sick all week, we had a lot of fun and made nice memories.

We watched every Star Wars, except for the new one.  I got to play guitar at church.  Ryan showed me some cool guitar stuff to learn and practice.  We got songs picked out for next month.   I played Cranium with Kyle and Hilary.  Lots of conversations.  Lots of laughs.  Lots of looking forward to the future.

Oh and I almost forgot, we had a Frontline meeting here last Friday.  I got a Frontline T-shirt...haha.

Well, I am boarding soon.  See you on the other side.

My Lighthouse

Today was the day I played with the Frontline praise band.  This is the last song we did.



This was such good experience for me! Even though I was sick for both practices, and still no voice today, it was a blast being able to play guitar with the band.  I felt so lousy this morning that I seriously did not want to get up early to go to church and try to play... but I am so glad I did it!  I am so thankful for the last minute guitar surprise.  And the last minute learning of a few new songs so that I could be a part of this awesome worship time.  It was not easy at all, and there were many struggles, but it all came out great, and I wasn't terribly nervous.  Everyone was so supportive, and the band was a pleasure to work with.

Thank you God for working out the details and seeing this through!
Thank you Darryl for the guitar!
Thank you Ryan for the opportunity to use it!
Thank you Kyle for taking the video!

Now I need to get my vocal cords on the mend for future singing!

my new Ibanez

I got the greatest surprise last night.  Darryl secretly bought me a new guitar so that I'd have one in Michigan for when I'm here.  I was shocked.  He got me an Ibanez which is the same brand that Ryan's purple one is.  I was so excited, I've been playing it all morning and it sounds sweet, and doesn't even need to be setup... super stoked because if I can't sing on Sunday at least I might be able to do some strumming... But still, I'm hoping to sing!

January Christmas

on the 2nd flight

view from NJ sky

very snowy Chicago sky

celebrating Christmas in Michigan

a funny family photo

very snowy deck

Our trip to Michigan was delayed as we sat on the tarmac in Chicago waiting to leave our plane. We were stuck there for an hour waiting because there was so much snow and ice that the planes trying to leave had to spend extra time de-icing, and there were snow plows all over the place. When we finally got off the plane we literally ran the whole way to our next flight, which ended up being at a different terminal. We were able to get 1st class seats on the flight from Chicago. That was really nice after the tiring night we had. The boys came and picked us up past midnight. And of course we had to stay up till about 2:30 talking and getting situated. It's definitely winter here in Michigan. I don't mind, but just saying, it's certainly different here.

Hilary came over for our little Christmas celebration, and that was super nice. It's wonderful to be here with everyone. The sad thing is that I'm super sick and have lost my voice. So, unless God heals me in the next few days I won't be able to sing with Frontline this Sunday. And trust me, that will really suck.

Facebook vs God

I have fallen prey to some silly things on Facebook. I don't know why I do it.  I realize how stupid and pathetic it is. But then I think of all the people who read these things and take it to heart, and maybe they have no idea what the Bible says. So, here it is. This is who Facebook says I am.

 If you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are so much more than what the world says you are.  If you are saved, you are beloved of God, and you will spend eternity in his presence with all of those in God's family.  Are you a child of God?

I am a child of God.
I am a friend of Jesus.
I have been justified and redeemed.
I have been crucified with Christ, and no longer a slave to sin.
I have been set free from the law of sin and death.
I am a fellow heir with Christ.
I am a new creature in Christ.
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
I am chosen.
I am forgiven.
I am sealed with the Holy Spirit.
I am seated with Christ in heavenly places.
I am a member of Christ's body.
I am a citizen of heaven.
I am been made complete in Christ.
I have been raised up with Christ.

So here we are, already into the first week of 2016.  As most folks do, I tried to look back over my year and see where I really slipped up.  It seems to be the same things over and over again.  I wake up some mornings and feel really discouraged and upset with myself.  But God tells me I'm forgiven, and that my life is abundantly valuable and precious.  But while we are here in these fleshly bodies we still mess up, we still fall.  We pick ourselves up and try again, don't we?  God tells us to cast our cares on him.  And I do that... for a while.  I shrug things off.  I wish I could always stay in that cool, calm, and collected place...but there's always sin.  There's always doubts and fears and anxiety that eat at me, even while keeping a cool exterior.

Father, I trust in your good plan for my life.  Help me to be patient, and not to worry about things.  I know everything will work out just fine, even on the days I feel scared, confused, weak, or angry.  My life is in your hands, and I know you will finish what you started in me!