we love going to church on Saturday nights. Here are some reasons:
1. We then have all day Sunday to spend together as a family. Whether that be a baseball game, a soccer game or just hanging around the house. It has created "margin" in our life for time with family.
2. We are excited that Amy has found a small group she enjoys on Saturday night.
3. Saturday evening after church is wonderful. We play games or watch a movie together.
4. If the schedule does not allow our attendance on Saturday night we can still go on Sunday mornings. We like that flexibility.
We had grown up in a church where if you were not in church at 9am on Sunday mornings then you really werent worshipping. May God bless those.... but in this stage of our life..... this just fits and feels right.
It may not be right for everyone, but we really have enjoyed it.
completely off topic but... I am not going to my 20 year high school reunion...my brother says I should...
Joe
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Bremen Vs. Westfield
As I had mentioned before, there are a lot of good and some bad things about living here and living there. I thought I would jot down a few things.
Bremen:
You can ride your bike any where
You know everyone(can be good and bad, but mostly good)
Save money by having only a few choices nearby
Close knit community
History/ past
Community pool
safety
Fireman's festival
small town- felt like I was in a box
Not convenient for shopping
Parks, but don't seem like they are used much.
4H
Westfield:
Good schools
good health care/more convenient specialists
relative safety
have to drive everywhere
beautiful trails and parks that are used a lot
Convenience to stores(spend more money though)
Affluence-ugh!
Drive to keep up with the Jones's
More Church choices
More choices- period
better sports competition
COLTS!
The town and area have history, but I don't!
Now, I love both areas and am not thinking of moving at all. I was thinking about this with the kids the last time we were up to Bremen and thought I would post about it. We came to the conclusion that God can use you wherever you are. And, that you need to be where He wants you, whether you like it or not.
I feel we have more opportunities here, but miss the small town and small school. In the end I feel this is where God wants us at the moment, and look for ways praise God in it.
Bremen:
You can ride your bike any where
You know everyone(can be good and bad, but mostly good)
Save money by having only a few choices nearby
Close knit community
History/ past
Community pool
safety
Fireman's festival
small town- felt like I was in a box
Not convenient for shopping
Parks, but don't seem like they are used much.
4H
Westfield:
Good schools
good health care/more convenient specialists
relative safety
have to drive everywhere
beautiful trails and parks that are used a lot
Convenience to stores(spend more money though)
Affluence-ugh!
Drive to keep up with the Jones's
More Church choices
More choices- period
better sports competition
COLTS!
The town and area have history, but I don't!
Now, I love both areas and am not thinking of moving at all. I was thinking about this with the kids the last time we were up to Bremen and thought I would post about it. We came to the conclusion that God can use you wherever you are. And, that you need to be where He wants you, whether you like it or not.
I feel we have more opportunities here, but miss the small town and small school. In the end I feel this is where God wants us at the moment, and look for ways praise God in it.
Praises
Two big praises today and too many more to write about. Aaron's appointment with the cardiologist for his heart murmur went well. He has an "innocent or benign murmur" and there is nothing to worry about. No restrictions and he will probably always have it. I say it is the way God made him, the Doctor said it is just the way he is. They did an EKG and an echocardiogram and there were no holes, or defects. Which is good news talking about your heart. Aaron was a trooper, he didn't think it was a big deal, since he feels fine. Good news, especially for how active he is. I can't imagine having to limit his activity. He kept saying "Tell them I feel fine". Definite Praise to God!
Second, our friends the Watts got to see what their new baby girl from China looks like. They finally got matched up after 3 long years of waiting. We are so happy and excited to meet Jessa Li Hope in the next few months. She is a definite praise and answer to prayer. It has been very cool to see this whole process pan out. The waiting has been so hard for them, but to see God's hand in picking this perfect little girl for them is amazing. From her birthdate to her age when they will get her, God's fingerprints are all over it. They have 3 other children Andrew is in 3rd grade and Hollyn is around 18months. Hayden lives in Heaven with Jesus since he was 18months old. We are so happy for all of the Watts.
Second, our friends the Watts got to see what their new baby girl from China looks like. They finally got matched up after 3 long years of waiting. We are so happy and excited to meet Jessa Li Hope in the next few months. She is a definite praise and answer to prayer. It has been very cool to see this whole process pan out. The waiting has been so hard for them, but to see God's hand in picking this perfect little girl for them is amazing. From her birthdate to her age when they will get her, God's fingerprints are all over it. They have 3 other children Andrew is in 3rd grade and Hollyn is around 18months. Hayden lives in Heaven with Jesus since he was 18months old. We are so happy for all of the Watts.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Turned in
I turned in the remaining money we owed on our trip today. We received an "anonymous" donation of over $300. a few weeks ago that put us over the top. We now get to use our garage sale money as spending money. Our next meeting is Friday night. If someone hasn't made their required amount we will give them the rest of the cash we have. Now we are focusing on collecting books, trinkets and such to take to the kids at the orphanage. I am getting a little nervous, not sure what of. Calm my anxious heart Jesus.
Happy [belated] 4th of July!!!!!
Hello All,
Happy Independence Day to everyone!!! I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday!
This year, for the 4th of July, we were very laid back. On July 3rd at 8pm we went to Symphony on the Prairie! They were having a 4th of July celebration. They sang songs like; 76 Trombones, God Bless America and the National Anthem. We brought our dinner and had a picnic, us kids played tag...a lot, we looked at Howitzers [which are large canons], enjoyed the music, and watched the fireworks display at the end! Before they did the fireworks they fired the canons with blanks! It was very loud! Then we all went back to our blanket and watched the fireworks!
On 4th of July, we woke up to rain. Not a pleasant feeling when its supposed to be 90 and burning, but instead its 60, cold and rainy. But we still went to a parade. We got candy. [which is a major part of the parade, or else there would be no purpose]
After the parade, we went home and chilled. Grandma and Grandpa came over, we had lunch and then the girls went to go see Kit Kitteredge! [A very good movie, I might add] Aaron had a game at 6 and we all went to watch that. His team won 13-1! Then we all went out for ice cream at DQ, then went to a nearby parking lot and watched fireworks.
That's all for the 4th of July, not very interesting. But fun.
Grandma and Grandpa left yesterday after Aaron's game at 4. [which he won that one too] Today he has a tournament. Joy. A game at noon, and if they win that, at 4, and if they win that, they go to the championship. So we are all getting ready for a day at the baseball fields. But I don't mind, I like baseball!
Bye!!!! Have a good 4th of July weekend!!!!
Amy
Happy Independence Day to everyone!!! I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday!
This year, for the 4th of July, we were very laid back. On July 3rd at 8pm we went to Symphony on the Prairie! They were having a 4th of July celebration. They sang songs like; 76 Trombones, God Bless America and the National Anthem. We brought our dinner and had a picnic, us kids played tag...a lot, we looked at Howitzers [which are large canons], enjoyed the music, and watched the fireworks display at the end! Before they did the fireworks they fired the canons with blanks! It was very loud! Then we all went back to our blanket and watched the fireworks!
On 4th of July, we woke up to rain. Not a pleasant feeling when its supposed to be 90 and burning, but instead its 60, cold and rainy. But we still went to a parade. We got candy. [which is a major part of the parade, or else there would be no purpose]
After the parade, we went home and chilled. Grandma and Grandpa came over, we had lunch and then the girls went to go see Kit Kitteredge! [A very good movie, I might add] Aaron had a game at 6 and we all went to watch that. His team won 13-1! Then we all went out for ice cream at DQ, then went to a nearby parking lot and watched fireworks.
That's all for the 4th of July, not very interesting. But fun.
Grandma and Grandpa left yesterday after Aaron's game at 4. [which he won that one too] Today he has a tournament. Joy. A game at noon, and if they win that, at 4, and if they win that, they go to the championship. So we are all getting ready for a day at the baseball fields. But I don't mind, I like baseball!
Bye!!!! Have a good 4th of July weekend!!!!
Amy
Thursday, July 3, 2008
biking etc...
yes... 4 days in a row.... they have enjoyed the hour each evening we have went on a bike ride.... and I must say I have as well.!!!
However, I confess that I keep waiting for the next big accident to occur and this time to one of our children.
To watch them smile and exercise at the same time... well now that is a rare event!
Joy to all and go for a bike ride!
joe
However, I confess that I keep waiting for the next big accident to occur and this time to one of our children.
To watch them smile and exercise at the same time... well now that is a rare event!
Joy to all and go for a bike ride!
joe
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
biking
When I think of Biking I think of pain. The reality of our lives is Tia and I have both had severe bike accidents. So I have never been one to encourage the "family bike ride" nostalgic idea. In fact, I would say that I have been pretty cool to the concept by suggesting that we are just not a "biking family!".
Yet with the cool weather the last 2 days and with Tia's encouragement I pumped all the tires (only one bike had a legit flat that wont inflate at all) of our 6 bikes and we headed out for a bike ride.
Joy.
seriously. Joy.
maybe the nostalgia is not so bad after all....
there is a pretty good chance that we will make it 3 days consecutively tomorrow.
Pray for us....that the bennett biking curse doesnt descend on our new endeavor.
joy... never would have thunk it!
joe
Yet with the cool weather the last 2 days and with Tia's encouragement I pumped all the tires (only one bike had a legit flat that wont inflate at all) of our 6 bikes and we headed out for a bike ride.
Joy.
seriously. Joy.
maybe the nostalgia is not so bad after all....
there is a pretty good chance that we will make it 3 days consecutively tomorrow.
Pray for us....that the bennett biking curse doesnt descend on our new endeavor.
joy... never would have thunk it!
joe
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