Camp Test

This is a test for camp. :)

Holy Week

It's very random how I stumbled across this reading, but these words hit home with me...

Mennonite song book called “Sing the Journey.” It reads,

This is the Welcome Table of our Redeemer,
and you are invited
Make no excuses, saying you cannot attend;
simply come, for around this table you will find your family.
Come not because you have to,
but because you need to.
Come not to prove you are saved,
but to seek the courage to follow wherever Christ leads.
Come not to speak but to listen,
not to hear what’s expected,but to be open to the ways the Spirit moves among you.
So be joyful, not somber,for this is the feast of the reign of God,
where the broken are molded into a Beloved Community,
and where the celebration over evil’s defeat has already begun.

http://gatheringinlight.com/2007/04/05/maundy-thursday-house-worshipprayer-service/

Spring Swim, Birthday, & Friends

On March 21 we watched people from the West Michigan community jump in Lake Michigan (33 degrees) at Camp Geneva! COLD!!!!!

It was also Tina's birthday. We celebrated the night before by having a game night with friends. The best part of the night was surprising her with a friend from North Carolina! She couldn't believe it! 

This is a game we learned from our friend, Carrie...a blast!

Chicago

Last weekend we went to Chicago with friends, Craig & Kate, to enjoy some time away from home and to see some sights in the Windy City. My Uncle John had a wonderful connection at my favorite hotel, the Hotel Monaco, and we stayed for a VERY reduced rate. It was beautiful.

We went to Whole Foods so Tina could load up on her version of goodies - for example, anything with ingredients that don't include gluten (wheat grains) or dairy. 

The Lincoln Park Zoo was a cool (free) place to visit and was better than we expected! 

Dinner at P.F. Changs to top it off! Lettuce Wraps - Mmm!

Presbyterian Church on Michigan Ave

What Claws?!

May we help you?

Majestic

Pondering

Trip to Lake Michigan

On Saturday, Tina's dad came to Holland to help me install some insulation in our basement crawl spaces. To reward our hard work, we took a trip to Holland State Park. Beautiful!

President's Ball

Last weekend, my friend Matt and I had the amazing opportunity to emcee the President's Ball and GVSU. It's a dinner and dance that celebrates the students and faculty who make GVSU a better place.  There were about 400 people at the dinner and 4,000 at the dance!

Isn't she beautiful?

Matt, Stephanie, Tina and I

 

Faith Like That

I dug out an old CD today and one of the songs on it was "Faith Like That," by Jonah 33. I've always loved the lyrics and thought I'd share them with you...

I have heard about the days of old

About the men who followed you

And how they saw the supernatural

And became the chosen few

So I come before you now

Tearing off my earthly crowns

For this one thing I have found

I want a faith like that

To see the dead rise

Or to see you pass by

Oh I , I want a faith like that

Whatever the cost

I'll suffer the lost, Oh I

I want a faith like that

I'm not looking for a miracle

Signs and wonders are things thereof

I caught a glimpse of what you want from me

And what I have is not enough

I read the story one more time

of those who gave to you their lives

with no fear or comprise

I want a faith like that

To see the dead rise

Or to see you pass by

Oh I , I want a faith like that

Whatever the cost

I'll suffer the lost, Oh I

I want a faith like that can move any mountain

and send them to the sea

I want the faith that can break every stronghold

That keeps you, keeps you from me

I want a faith like that

To see the dead rise

or to see you pass by

Oh I, I want faith like that

I want a faith like that

To see the dead rise

Or to see you pass by

Oh I , I want a faith like that

Whatever the cost

I'll suffer the lost, Oh I

I want a faith like that, a faith like that

Update!

I give people credit who can keep up with this on a regular basis! Here's my favorite way of updates...photos!

The snow this year has been ridiculous...me jumping off the roof into a snow bank!

Our family went to Costa Rica over Christmas and New Years to celebrate my sister graduating with her masters in occupational therapy.

A sloth in Costa Rica!

White-faced monkey!

Our friend, Derek from Arizona, hung out with Matt, Darcy, and I while he was in town. 

Grandpa

Reflection is a good thing. 2008 was a defining year. Probably the most significant event was losing my grandfather, Richard VanderKlok, on February 9 after a couple year bout with cancer. Here are some photos of he and I. He was a great man. I lived across the street from he and my grandma growing up and got to spend a lot of time with him over the years. He'd walk me to the bus stop for school, we'd work in the garden together, and he always made me feel loved as he was ALWAYS so excited to hear what I was up to. Most significantly he never asked me about what particular job I desired or what position I'd like to attain, but rather he seemed to always ask me questions that were related to who I was becoming and/or who I desired to be. I'll never forget that. So...job title/career aspirations aside, who are you becoming? Who do you desire to be? 

4 Generations...my grandfather is on the left

Grandpa and I near Christmas

Granpda and Grandma VanderKlok

Seasons

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Mr. Wilson

This is Phil, however I call him Mr. Wilson because he lives next door. We have a hedge that separates our property and it reminds me of a television show of old. Mr. Wilson is the perfect neighbor. He and his wife, Ann, refer to us as "The Kids," and they are always helping us with various home owner tasks. So, today, Mr. Wilson snowblowed my driveway because he didn't like seeing "The Kids" struggle through the 4th shoveling of the day. Thank you, Mr. Wilson. You're the best. 

Family Thanksgiving!

The highlight of Thanksgiving...deep fried turkey...cigars...football...family...ahh the joys of giving thanks!

Christmas Tree!

The Friday after Thanksgiving is the day to get your Christmas tree! So we did! 

Thanksgiving with Friends

Our friends got together to celebrate and give thanks a couple of weeks ago and it was AWESOME! I found a bird that weighed 24#...I am sure it was the alpha turkey in it's farm. We're talking a monster! I'm also sure it scared the smaller turkey's away. 

After 6.5 hours, it was ready for consumption...the 23 of us paused our "Dykema" game (the Dykema game is a large group game comprised of writing famous people on paper and trying to get your team to guess who you are describing...there are various rounds, but this gives you an idea.) We packed into our friends' quaint apartment and ate some tasty food made by everyone who attended. 

Once belt buckles were loosened and the pie was cut, we played a new game called "All in the Family." I am not even going to begin to explain it, but let's just say it was fun :)  We finished the night with MAFIA! 

Fall Fun

In early fall, we went to an event at the Fredrick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. It was hosted by the Grand Rapids Young Professionals as a networking event. We saw it as: Free Ticket to the Gardens! YEAH!