Birthday Party

Ron celebrates his 60th birthday on Sept 17. It's a busy season for us--A new grandson, doctor visits, work, home improvement projects.... I have been enjoying birthdays with this guy since he was 23. (37!!) I want to celebrate our time together by throwing a big birthday bash for him on the 8th of Sept. A back yard bar b que! If you're in the neighborhood please join us! You know, 60 is the perfect age...in China. That's because it's half of 120, which is the ideal age! Boy, if he makes it to 120 we're really going to have a party!! I'm also counting on the fact that he doesn't read my blog so he won't even know I posted this. Of course, if he's not surprised by the party I will learn, too late, that he looks once in awhile! Come on over for this end of the summer party.

New Grandson

We're so pleased to welcome a new baby boy into our family. His parents, Jon and Mindy, have chosen the name Jeremiah Ronald Joseph as his name. He is adorable. I'm sharing the pictures Jon sent to us, but hope to have some when we go down to see him this weekend. I love the constant reminder God gives us of his overwhelming love toward us. He has chosen us and adopted us as his own. Jeremiah is a living example of that incredible love!

buster

New grandson

We are excited! Our oldest son and his wife are parents! Two years + of waiting and God has finally answered this prayer, that they would have just the perfect baby in their lives. It's an 8 pound baby boy and they are bringing him home tomorrow afternoon. We don't have a name yet, but we will go down and meet him this weekend. I went right out and bought two of the cutest outfits you've ever seen!! We'll have a load to take to them as Nathan and Kristin will be delivering a bunch of stuff to take as well. So look for pictures soon...

Reviewing notes

I am a note taker. I have at least a dozen notebooks full of sermon notes! I feel pretty confident that if someone were to ask me to give a sermon, I could give someone else's without too much problem. (that is after I got over the petrifying fear of being in front of someone to speak!) But this summer while we were in Minnesota I heard the best idea ever for use of sermon notes! (and no, it's not as wrapping paper or wallpaper either) This sermon was called "Laying the Foundation for lasting change" and it was taken from Lk. 8:4-12, and Mt 7:24-27. (see, I told you I have really good notes) Without going over the whole thing, his basic idea was this: We need to be Doers not Hearers only. The difference between the man who built his house on a rock and the the one who built on the sand was not the foundation they built on, but that the wise man in particular took action on what he knew to be true. He offered this suggestion: We need to apply what we know. We need more than exposure to the word, more than just accumulation of more knowledge. Here's how to "DO" a sermon-

1. On Monday and Tuesday, with your spouse, friend, brother, review, discuss, lay open the text of the scripture used in the sermon and the basic points of the message.

2. On Wednesday and Thursday discuss how this sermon and thus the scripture can be applied to daily life. What practical steps can I take to actually implement what i heard on Sunday? How has this, or will it bring about change im my life?

3. On Friday and Saturday- Act. Then share with said friend, spouse, brother about that action and how it was applied. (or the lack of it)

There should be on going discussions and actions about all that's being heard in order to keep it out of the realm of religious duty. I must respond to God's word and that involves action.

Do I really believe that obeying God is my best choice? If I don't value God's word above all else, trust His wisdom and goodness, I won't obey. So. That's what I've been up to lately. It has been powerfully challenging! Today I was challenged to act in courage despite my fear and i actually had a successful opportunity to do just that. I was amazed at how God worked! Let the wind of the Spirit continue to blow...

Going Home

If I needed any evidence that the summer flew by, I got it today when I took my mom back to the airport for her to fly home. She got here just before memorial Day and spent the 3 summer months. I can't believe she's headed home already. But we did a lot. She said that often. Even though we were gone several times and she just stayed here and babysat Buster. I felt like there could have been more ... But here's a list-

1 "camping" trip

Lunch at her place on Wednesdays

Shopping

Thursday evening meals uptown at Woudstra's Brat stand

A trip to the Omaha Zoo with the whole gang

Sunday dinners together

watching movies at home

Having her visit me at the library

A trip to Mason City and a bed and breakfast

Malts and dogs from Bob's

I know plenty of people who don't really enjoy the company of their mother. I'm so glad I have mine, and have had such a time as this to get to know her!