Merry Christmas!!

Today was a great day. The girls had so much fun opening their gifts and they got a lot more than we ever thought they would get. We got them some, then Kari's dad sent some and then some came from people at church. So they made out like bandits! I hope everyone had a great day and was as blessed with time with family as I was. We took a lot of pictures and they're on the web for you to see. Click here to watch the slideshow.

Well, I have to got to bed I have to be at work bright and early. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night :)

later...

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Greetings and Hello...

It's been awhile since I've made an entry. Things are good. I've been busy with work and web design. I have four open accounts and three potential new ones. Church is keeping me busy too. We're gearing up for the new year and I'm getting excited. We're putting a major focus on the children's ministry and bringing all the classes and events under one umbrella; a kids club called The Kids Zone. It consists of Super Church, at-home daily devotions, mid-week fellowship, monthly events and summer VBS. This coming year we're focusing on outreach, although we have seen growth in the last two years that we've been here. When we came we had 5-8 regulars and now we're seeing 15-20 regulars and we've seen most of them give their hearts to Christ and we baptised two of them last month. So, I'm excited about this coming year. I believe we've been building a foundation the last two years and now it's ready to build His church on. Also, keep in prayer that we can continue to grow our family and generationally intergrated methods of discipleship and church culture.

Normally, I leave the cute stories about the girls to Kari, but last night while Kari was at work I was cleaning the laundry room and Becca said the funniest thing. (Well at the time at least) She was sitting in the hall watching me and while I was clean the litter box Becca says, "Daddy!! You're takes Malorie's poop out of her mailbox!" After a good laugh I argued with her for a good five minutes that it was a litter box not a mailbox. As Bill Cosby would say, "Kids say the darnedest things".

later...

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At a Friends House

Just to say hi.

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Want to hear something really gross? At work our deli is going to be offering complete turkey dinners through the holiday season for only $35. A good deal I thought, if you don't want to do a bunch of cooking. But here's the gross part. The turkeys have a shelf life (unfrozen mind you) of 45 days. That's right 45 days! What their putting in those things I don't know. But I do know that I won't be eating them. Just thought you might want to know :)

later...

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AUSTRALIA
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(Religion Today)
A court case now underway in Australia is regarded by some observers as a legal challenge to Christians' freedom to question the validity of other religions. Two Christian pastors, Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot, are facing complaints in the state of Victoria brought by Muslims who accuse them of vilifying Islam. The complaints stem from remarks made at a Christian seminar aimed at explaining the teachings of Islam. Three Muslims who attended the seminar took the pastors to a tribunal, set up under the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act. They charge that Scot and Nalliah incited "hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule" of the Islamic faith. In response to the charges, the pastors pointed out that many of the complaints were about statements that are part of the foundations of Islam, some taken straight from the Quran. They also claimed they made a clear distinction between Muslim people and the teachings of Islam. Pray the court will clear Nalliah and Scot of these charges. Pray that publicity surrounding the case will spread the Christian gospel and many will come to know that faith in Jesus as the only way to gain eternal life.

If this is happening in Australia, a "free" country, how soon will we see it in our courts? Scarry thought.

later...

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It's been a long time since I was able to post and I don't have a good exuse. It's been busy. I've been getting another wave of web design projects and with our church going through the 40 Days of Purpose I'm teaching 3 classes a week and leading a Home Fellowship Group. I'd like to make more posts but I guess the say is true "the shoe maker's kids go barefoot." Everyone elses websites come first.

I was reading an article and I found a good quote.

“People don’t go where the action is, they go where the love is.” – Jess
Moody

Think of this statement and then look at Jesus' ministry. People flooded to see Jesus and hear Him speak, and on the surface it looks like the croweds came to see the miricles and feel good after hearing Him speak. And I'm sure there was a lot of those type of people. But those that came, listened and then followed, stayed for a bigger reason. It was Jesus' love that drew them. In churches today we have a lot of people chasing the new biggest goose bump ride. And those churches that aren't experiencing that feel less somehow and that they can't reach the world without that. But what this world needs and wants, what will drew the true followers is Love. We recently had a new person join our church. When they explained why they stayed at our church after being to other churches was that they felt a warmth there that they didn't at others. God's love is what its all about. And no matter what size church we are in, we all have the same mission and the same tool to get the mission done; Love. Our mission is to give God's love out as freely as God gave it to us. We are to love, not WOW the lost of this world.

later...

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I'm happy to inform everyone that the snake I found in our living room turned out to be a fox snake. Which is ver non-poisonous. Thank God. we let it go across the river, so hopefully it won't find it's way home.

I took a new position within my store. I'm the department manager for the DSD/ICC. Basically I do a lot of paper work. I do all receiving. I also track all incoming and out going inventory and sales. Then I do a bunch of daily, weekly and period end reports that I send to corporate. It's ok. I took it because the hours were so much better. I only work 6:30 - 2:30. I really like that part.

later...

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Well this afternoon I had a bit of a suprise. I caught a snake in my living room! Yes a snake. And not just any snake, a rattlesnake. Malorie helped me catch it by corraling it in for me. I used a towel to cover its head so I could get a hold of it's tail.



Pretty scary eh? The thing is that this particular snake isn't suppost to be in this area. Although, they've been looking for them for over ten years. So if it turns out that it is, it's a pretty big deal. Click Here to find out more about the snake.

What can I say? No dull moments here.

later...

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Yesterday, my brother was finally laid in the ground. Just my parents went to the actual burial. I am having such a hard time putting into words the way I feel. I regret not being part of Nathan's day to day life. And I wonder if he understood That even though I wasn't able to be around much, that I loved him very much. So for me I guess it's not the missing of his presence that hurts so much, it's the loss of the opportunity in the future. And I hurt for my parents.

My mom is the bravest, most couragous woman i have ever known. Her faith in God through all of this has never waivered, never blamed or pointed fingers. She has always walked in thanksgiving. She's amazing. I pray God would continue to pour out His comfort on her, that He may help her get through the next few months and all the big firsts. (first Christmas, First birthday, etc.) I praise God that He has given me a mother that I can look up to and know that as long as I set my course in the direction she's traveling I'll be on the right path. She is my beacon.

My heart is absolutely broken for Jeff. He has lost his best friend. I have so much respect for Jeff. Jeff has become such a wonderful father. I think if I could go back and change things in the past and I could pick who or what my father would be like, it would be him..... I consider myself to be a good father, but I have learned volumes about fatherhood this week from Jeff. My prayer for Jeff is that God would comfort and bring healling to the pain in his heart. The hole will never be filled, but the next chapter is about to be written, the chapter of Ethan and Olivia.

It's late. I'll write more later.

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We are in IL now. The visitation will be Friday at 5pm-8pm and the Funeral service will be at 10am on Saturday.

The visitation is going to be at:
Ferrari Funeral Home
1044 Ferrari Drive
Coal City, IL 60416

815-634-4040

The Funeral is going to be at Christian Life Assembly of God in Coal City.

Thank you for your prayers please continue to lift the family up.

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At 8:40pm tonight Nathan entered eternity. Thank you for all your prayers, please continue to lift up my family in prayer and pray especially for Ethan who they will be telling tomarrow.

Nathan you will be missed.

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If you've been following my brother's condition you will notice that my mom's last posting was on there way to the ICU. Nathan is not doing well and they do not expect him to live. Everything but his heart is shutting down. They will know this afternoon more specific what kind of time there is left or if there is any hope of them being able to fight off the infection that is causing the problems, but they said the chances are very slight. Please pray for Nathan and my family. Thankfully, their Pastor and elders are with them at the hospital. Please cover them in prayer.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18

Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. Hab. 3:18-19

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Yesterday we took Kim to get her three year pictures. I couldn't believe how well she did. She was actually posing for the camera, I mean she was getting into it. I was really proud of her. You can see the proofs at our photo album (it's under Kim Year Three), but here's a teaser.



Isn't she cute?

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Well, many of you have been bugging me to update our pictures and I finally got around to it today. So go to our photo album and look under Summer 2003. Enjoy!

I also updated Kari's blog today. So check it out. I just made a few tweaks on the formatting and she wanted to add a welcome message at the top.

later....

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On my last post I put the link to my brother's website. I found a bit of a problem with it. You may need to login. The patient name is "wright" and the password is "NIW1news" (this is case sensitive)

later...

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As you all know my brother has been very sick with Leukemia. And his recovery has been going well until now. Nathan is back in the hospital. He is on chemo right now and we'll see where things go from there. This time though the hospital has added a great service where my mom is able to keep a blog to keep everyone updated and visitors can add messages too. http://www.thestatus.com/index.cfm?fa=patdet&pid=50814191109 Check it out for more information and to keep up to date on Nathan's condition.

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Boy have I been busy. It seems like I haven't been able to take a breath lately. Too much to do and not enough time. I think part of it is the sense of urgency I've been feeling when it comes to ministry. I really think we're on the edge of God doing something in our church and community. Ya, I know how corny that sounds, but I really do. And I don't mean the big church services every night for the next five years thing either. I think God is going to move in ways that we aren't expecting. I think He wants to shatter the box the church has put Him in. I don't know when or how but I believe its coming and I'm excited.

Web design is going well (part of the reason for my busyness). I have a couple of accounts and I'm finally to the point where I'm looking at going more commercial. I have only been getting word of mouth accounts, but now that I have a bit of a client list and experience in a wide range of types of sites I can now start to advertize and I'm going to setup a new site and run it as a business, not a hobby that pays. So that's exciting.

Kari called me at work today to tell me that Kimmi had puked. I felt so bad for Kim and hated that I couldn't be there. Well, when I got home I found out Becca wasn't feeling good either. When I went to check on them Becca woke up and when she saw me she got the most beautiful smile and did her little giggle and climbed into my lap and I was in heaven. And then when I picked up Kim to take her to bed she gave me a huge hug and just held on.

I love being a dad :)

Well, it's now 2 in the morning I'm going to bed I have to get up and go to work in the morning.

later....

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I was surfing around and found a really neat site. It lets you play all the vintage NES and arcade style games. Check it out.

http://web.utanet.at/nkehrer/

later...

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I just got home from work and I was surfing around and came acrossed a neat website, Emode.com. They had an IQ. test, so I took it. I'm not sure what it means but I got a 127. The site said:

During the test, you answered four different types of questions — mathematical, visual-spatial, linguistic and logical. We analyzed how you did on those questions, which reveals the way your brain uniquely works.

We also compared your answers with others who have taken the test, and according to the sorts of questions you got correct, we can tell your Intellectual Type is an Insightful Linguist.

This means you are highly intelligent and have the natural fluency of a writer and the visual and spatial strengths of an artist. Those skills contribute to your creative and expressive mind. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results.

Then they tried to sell me a "special" IQ report that was going to tell me stuff all about me. Why would someone pay to find out all about themselves? What secrets could they possibly keep themselves from knowing? This feature must be for those with a lower IQ score :)

Anyways, it was fun. Take the test yourself and let me know what you get.

By the way, if you look at the bottom of each post you will see a "No Comment" or "Comment(#)" if you click this you can leave your comments concerning my posts and others can read them and comment on your comments and you on there their's. Sounds like fun eh? Well, try it out.

later....

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Don't you just love moms? I love mine. She's always there to give me a quick slap on the back of the head when I need it. Even when she's 400 miles away! I recieved an e-mail from her this morning.

It read:

Just want to point out that you need to refer to your previous entry
regarding the lost. While the people at the parade may have been "idiots"
and very rude people, "the truth is, they are lost". It is certainly much
harder to put inspired words into practice. Just my thoughts.
Love, MOM

Ouch! That's OK. I needed it. In my frustration I often (and I mean often) vent from my flesh and speak before I think what it is I'm saying. OK! the truth is out; I'm not perfect. Ssshhhhh...don't tell anyone. :) Well, I am sorry if I offended anyone and I have made changes to my previous entry.

Thanks Mom :)

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Well, although the day began with disappointment the end went with a bang. (no pun intended :) ) When I got home from work we watched the fireworks and they were pretty good. Here's a play by play I cought on our camera of one from the end.



ooooouuuuuuuuu!!!!



aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!



oooooohhhhhhhh!!!!

They were nice. And then we went to Pastor Jay's house to watch his neighbor burn up a couple paychecks on more fireworks. Now we're home and the family is in bed and I'm relaxing. All in all it was a good day, even with it's minor frustrations.

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We just got back from the 4th of July parade here in town and I must say it was less than I had hoped. Not the parade itself, but that we had planned on enjoying it a lot more. We went down an hour and fifteen minutes before it started so that we could have good seats and so the girls could see. And we got a great place.

Here's our view at the beginning of the parade.


The girls were loving it and we were having a good time, then shortly into the parade people started letting their children run into the street and in front of everyone. I really got mad about it. In hind sight I see how stupid it was for me to get so mad, and as I blamed them for ruinning my day, it was actually me and my attitude. Well, lesson learned. Next year I'll remember to take a cattle prod. (just kidding :) )

We're going to grill now and then I have to go to work. Hopefully I can get home in time for fireworks.

later....

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Lost People Matter. Their value determines your intensity.

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:8–10).

When I lose my car keys or my wife loses a contact lens, “operation recovery” immediately goes into effect. I have taken apart traps in bathroom sink drains, returned to restaurants, and even dismantled our living room furniture. On the other hand, when I lose a blue sock deserving retirement anyway, I don’t fret until I find it. The value of lost items determines the intensity of my search-and-rescue efforts.
When the religious leaders of Jesus’ day criticized him for hanging out with sinners, Jesus told three stories about lost items: a lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7), a lost coin (Luke 5:8-10), and a lost son (Luke 15:11-32). The shepherd left 99 sheep in a secure place to search for one lost sheep. He didn’t say, “Oh well, 99 percent isn’t bad. You’re going to lose one once in a while.” The peasant woman swept the reed-covered dirt floor until she spied the lost coin. She didn’t say, “Oh well, it’s only a day’s wage.” The father checked the road for the sign of his lost son’s return. He didn’t say, “Forget him. If he’s going to be such an idiot, then I’ll pour my life into my older son.”
In each case, the value of what was lost dictated an intensive search.
Jesus is saying that the value of lost people demands an intensive search for them. Our failures to reach our communities stem more from faulty perspective than from faulty technique. Intensive searches happen only when we place a premium on the lost item. Technique usually takes care of itself when we share Jesus’ perspective.
When we bump into people during the day, how do we view them? We notice that Todd is unfriendly. The truth is, he is lost. We know that Katie grew up in Buffalo, New York. The truth is, she is lost. We think of Rob as a kind grandfather and a reliable neighbor. The truth is, he is lost.
If people are really lost, and if these lost people are valuable, then an intensive search-and-rescue mission is in order. When we value lost people as Jesus did, outreach will happen, and more people will sing, “I once was lost, but now am found, ’twas blind, but now I see.”
—Steven D. Mathewson

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Don't You Get It!

Mark 8

14 But the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any food, so there was only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. 15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod." 16 They decided he was saying this because they hadn't brought any bread. 17 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said, "Why are you so worried about having no food? Won't you ever learn or understand? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 'You have eyes – can't you see? You have ears – can't you hear?' F36 Don't you remember anything at all? 19 What about the five thousand men I fed with five loaves of bread? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?" "Twelve," they said. 20 "And when I fed the four thousand with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" "Seven," they said. 21 "Don't you understand even yet?" he asked them.

Don't you understand yet? What chilling words. Jesus' frustration shows through very clearly. The disciples had seen Him do so much, and yet they lacked faith. They had seen Him feed thousands and yet were concerned that they were going to go without when their supply came up short. Now it is easy to read the stories of the Bible and pick on the disciples and wonder what they were thinking. As if we would have been such better disciples. Remember Peter, the rock in which God built His church, denied even knowing Jesus the very same night he said he was ready to die to protect Jesus. We all have had our moments.

When I see ministers that are seeing great results like salvations, healings and miricles. I have wondered what their secret is. Why I don't see that in my own minstry. I think their secret is simply, they get it. They understand. So what's to understand? Jeus tells us in the next verse.

Mark 11

19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city. 20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it was withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Teacher! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. 23 I assure you that you can say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and your command will be obeyed. All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. 24 Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. "

Did you see it? "Have faith in God" It sounds so simple and it is. But it's not so much the believing part we need to worry about. In the first part of chapter 8 Jesus warns the disciples to not let the yeast of the Pharisees and Harod get into them. What is the yeast you ask? Doubt. Asking in Faith means to ask without doubt. Now all of us would say that they believe God heals, but when we pray for healing don't we in the back of our minds think, "I wonder if it'll work?". Don;t we hesitate when that person in the wheel chair comes up to get prayer? Why? Because we forget who Jesus is and who we are and doubt creaps in.

There is another point made at the end. Jesus tells us before we pray that we need to forgive others first so God can forgive us. This is all about relationships. Not only do we need faith without doubt, but we need to have right relationships between our fellow humans and with God.

So what do we do? We forgive, repent, and do what God has called us to do.

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A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words.



An unidentified Afghan child cries near a grave at a local cemetery in Kabul, Afghanistan. During the civil war more than 50 million people were killed in Afghanistan.

AP Photo/ Rafiq Maqbool

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Well I've had a chance to decompress a bit this week. Everything has been cleaned up from VBS and summer is in full swing. I've got all the pictures from our VBS online now. The weather has been beautiful this week. The girls have been busy swimming and playing at the park. And having Kari at home was deffinently the right choice. Although, I have to admitt that I miss not seeing the girls as much. And they are getting so big. Becca is no longer a toddler; she's a little girl :( , and Kimmi is getting be a very active and talkative toddler. Well, I got to go. We're off to Walmart.

later...

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I have been so busy lately. The new job has not worked out schedule wise like I thought. I still haven't seen the schedule that I agreed to. And the last two weeks I've been busy with this years Vaction Bible School. It's really going well and I'll have photos up this weekend. Our van was broken into and some money stolen from Kari's purse. And I'm trying to make a big update to the church website as well as I finished a site for a client of mine. So not much time to blog. I've got a lot on my mind that i want to share but I just wanted to make a post so you know I'm still alive.

later...

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We had a really good day today. We took the girls to the beach and we were the only ones there. The entire beach was ours. The girls loved playing in the sand and they took to the water much more than I thought they would. Then we grilled out for dinner and to finish off the day we went over to the church and had a fire and made smores.

I'm feeling better about my job. I really like the job. I just get frustrated when things aren't in my control and I see they need changed. Let's hope that they get my paycheck right this week.

I took a fun test tonight that test how geeky you really are. Believe it or not I only scored a 25.24655%. Which only makes me a Total Geek. :) Test to see how you rate.

later...

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It's almost 1:30 am. I closed the store tonight. I just can't seem to just come home and go to bed. I have to read or do something (like blog) for awhile before I can sleep. And to make matters worse I have to go back in tomarrow morning. Things are going OK, but today was not the greatest. Actually I wanted to quit and walk out. I'm getting a bit frustrated with the administration team above me. They just don't seem to care about want happens and there is no communication at all. Know one knows what anyone is doing. The left is blind from the actions of the right and it's driving me crazy. What frustrates me the most is that I'm in no position to change it. I don't know what to do. Do I just let it go and "do my job" and go home? Or can I be a catalist for change some how? And if so, how? I don't know. Oh and the fact that they keep getting my pay checks wrong isn't helping matters any.

Well, thanks for letting me vent. I feel better. Good night :)

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I'm done with my training and I start regular management hours this week. In fact I have to go in in about a half hour. I like the job so far. But enough about work :)

The other day when i got home from work Kari told me a story that really moved me. Her and the girls were in the garage and as Kari was reading Becca was at their play table and she started to pray. She prayed for along time; for our family and for the trip that Kari and the girls are going to be making to Michigan among other things. When she told me about it I felt so proud. The bible says that is we raise our children up in the knowledge of God that they will not depart from it. I believe this is true. We as parents need to both model and teach our children, a develope and foster spiritual habits in their lives so that when they're on their own they'll not depart. The earlier we start, the better. This story enchourages me that even when the girls are busy playing with shadows, trying to read a book or are busy picking their nose while I try praying with them before bed, they are listening and learning. It's been almost three years since we started the habit of praying before bed and we are finally beginning to see fruit. And the girls won't go to sleep without spending time with God now.

I wish I had that problem. Don't you?

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I just got home from work. And Kari left this picture on the screen for me to see. She took it tonight while I was at work. I just can't get over how fast they grow up and how beautiful Becca and Kimmi are becoming. God has truely blessed me beyond my own imagination.

Well I'm tired so I'm going to bed.

later...

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It's been a busy week. My new job is going well. I'll be finishing my training this week and starting my normal schedule next week. Kari is done at the bank and is at home. The girls are thrilled. There is still some adjusting having to happen though. Kari is getting used to being home and I'm getting used to having less time at home. Next week will be better once I start normal hours and we can get back into a routine. Well, I'm off. We're headed out for a picnic.

later....

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God's blessings never cease to amaze me. Today I went to pick up our WIC coupons and as I was getting ready to leave I found out that they were giving food away to everyone that came today due to a grant they received. We got three full bags. God is good.

And if that wasn't enough I found out that my brother Nathan is home and doing great. He has gone throught he healing process in half the time the doctors said he would. Praise God.

later...

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In the book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala writes:

If our churches don't pray, and if people don't have an appetite for God, what does it matter how many are attending the services? How would that impress God? Can you imagine the angels saying,
"Oh, your pews! We can't believe how beautiful they are! Up here in heaven, we've been talking about them for years. Your sanctuary lighting--it's so clever. The way you have the steps coming up to the pulpit--it's wonderful ..." I don't think so.

If we don't want to experience God's closeness here on earth, why would we want to go to heaven anyway? He is the center of everything there. If we don't enjoy being in his presence here
and now, then heaven would not be heaven for us. Why would he send anyone there who doesn't long for him passionately here on earth?

I read this this morning and I thought I'd pass it along. A little something to ponder for the day. How hungry are you for God?

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Have you ever been stuck on a particular food? Recently my wife made pizza bagels. I can't tell you how many times I've had these in the last week. I've had them for dinner, lunch and for snacks. They taste great! I highly recommend them :) The wierd thing is that after this week I probably won't eat them again for years. Next week will be some other wierd item of interest.

I started training for my new job this week. I'm so tired. I've been with the girls all day and then I'm at the store all night. I just want to sleep. I like the job so far. I'll just be glad once I'm on regular hours and Kari is home. then I think it'll be a great situation.

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This weekend I decided to checkout what P2P (peer to peer) was all about. So I signed up with Kazaa and played around with it. I must say, in a minute of playing around I was searching, finding and downloading music. But I can't help to feel bad about it. There is so much debate about file swapping out there and now with record companies trying to go after individual swapers, that's a bit scary. I don't know if I like it. I like the idea of getting the music, but I think I'd rather pay for it. Apple's new music service is very interesting. I think I'd use that type of service and I'd feel better about it. I really like using mp3s and having my computer setup as a jukebox. Well, I think until I can find a service that is legal, I'll just keep ripping my own CD's.

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I have some exciting news. I just accepted a position as a night manager at our local Econofoods. This will allow Kari to be home more with the girls, and the bank has agreed to let her still manage the bank in part-time hours - working around my new schedule. We're very excited and hope that Kari will eventually be able to stay home full-time. We've been wanting to be able to have Kari at home for some time now and I am very thankful to God for giving us this opportunity.

later...

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Update on Nathan: Nathan is doing really well. In fact he might even get to come home this weekend! The doctors ar shocked at his recovery. He hasn't had any sickness or discomfort that most people get when going through treatment.

On a much lower note, my wife's grandfather is dying of cancer and is not expected to live but a few more months. So, please keep Kari and the family in prayer. Her grandfather is the glue that holds her family together so it's going to be very hard when he's gone.

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This weekend was beautiful. Saturday we ate lunch at the park and the girls went crazy on the play ground. I'm amazed how much Kimmi can do now; the things she can climb on now. And she is talking so well now. I can't believe the complete sentences she comes up with. It all seem like it's happened over night :( It's both exciting and sad to see them grow up. My babies are becoming little girls and I don't know if I like the prospect of that.

Isn't it weird that when our children are first born we can't wait for them to do stuff; first word, rolling over, walking, riding a bike, writing, reading etc. But then we find ourselves wishing they where still that little peanut curled up on your chest sleeping, and looking like a little angel, instead of acting like a little imp :) I guess we need to always remember what a treasure they are and enjoy the ride while it lasts. Never rushing it, but never looking back. If you do you lose the little moments that mean so much.

So, I guess the morale of the story is enjoy your children right where they're at, good and bad :)

I've added a few more pics to the Spring 2003 album. Click on the Pictures link on the right.

later...

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Hey everyone! I have good news about Nathan. The e-mail from my mom is below.

Just want to let you know how Nathan is doing. He's doing great! The doctors and nurses are amazed at how well he is feeling. His counts have hit bottom but he is still doing well. He has needed platelets but that is it so far. God has truly done a miracle. This is just so unusual. I don't know what might happen next but I know that God has spared him so far.

So thank everyone for their prayers and praise God for his goodness.

Thanks everyone :)

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Just testing to see if this works.

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We had a pretty good Easter. The girls were fun to watch, hunting eggs and going through their baskets. The Easter service at church was really good and we had a lot of visitors. But as we went home for a quiet afternoon and Easter dinner we found Malorie had nocked the crock pot lid off and dinner had dried up. So after banishing Malorie to her room we went to the store to stock up and start over. Needless to say, dinner was late, but Kari did a great job and it was good.

I just finished getting my computer working. My daughters thought it would be a good idea to stick a floppy in the CD- Rom and use the Floppy as a piggy bank. So I had to dig the change out of the floppy and I put in a new CD-ROM. I also put in a second hard drive.

Well, it's late.

later...

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Well I talked to my mom and Nathan is doing well. It will still be a while before we know if it worked. He'll be in the hospital for a few weeks. Pray for a swift and uneventful recovery.

The site is coming together nicely. I hope to get it finished and a domain by next week.

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A quick update on Kari. She went to the doctor yesterday to get the results from the test she had last month. The doctor said that she has lost 84% of her right ear and that the other problems like falling down is because of the ear damage and not brain problems. That's good news, and they think they'll be able to fix it with just a couple trips to the rehab center. Unfortunitly, it will only fix the falling down and dizziness problem. They can't doing anything about the hearing. We're still praying that God will take care of that end.

Also, my brother had the bone marrow transplant yesterday. I've not heard yet how that turned out. I'll update you when I hear anything.

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OK folks bear with me a bit longer the site is almost complete. It will be read to go shortly and I'll be regerstering my domain name soon. Sorry if some of the links aren't working yet. They'll be up soon.

Also you might want to check out our pictures. We are at the park the other day with the girls and got a lot of great shots. You'll find them in the Spring 2003 album.

later...

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As Christians we are not to act differently than the world, were to be different. When people choose to become Christians they segregate them selves from the world and do "Christian" things. Like go to church three to four times a week, give money, teach a Sunday school class, but usually it's in the safe environment of the church building. And when the church does step out to "outreach" it is usually in away that turns people off to the church. Why is that?

It is time for the church to leave their pew and go back to the back alleys and bars that they came from. You see the world doesn't like the church because we do stuff they have no interest in and when the real things they are watching us for fail they loose faith. Christians and non-Christians alike have to deal with life. We all have the same problems; sickness, finances, children, career, marriage, etc. But should we both respond the same way to these things? This is the fall back of the church. Christians should respond differently to life, according to the fruit of the spirit. But we usually freak out and stress out just like the world. That's what the world is looking for. Peace under pressure. A struggling marriage becoming strong. Loneliness being filled with fellowship. The world doesn't care about what we do or don't do. They care about how we live, and how we respond to life. Because that's what they need. I they won't see it unless we walk among them.

So what do we as Christians do? First we need to get out from under our shells and get back involved with the community. Become part of the community, not a segment of the community. Secondly, we need to be Christians. That is, live life in the spirit and producing the fruit of the spirit in our lives. That's what attracted people to Jesus and that's what will attract people to us. Then they'll want what we have to offer them.

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After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No."

He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish.

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."

Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:1-14, RSV)

There was a purpose to the disciples catching nothing. It was so they could have something—but only from Jesus. Their efforts came up empty, but that’s so Jesus could be the one to fill their nets. That’s what Jesus wants for us, too: He wants us to stop trying to fill our nets with our desires. He alone wants to be the one to provide for us. He wants us to recognize him on the shores of our lives.

Two great quotes from http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/spiritual_life/breakfast.php Take some time to read the article its really powerful.

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Well it's a new year and like most people I've tried to make some goals for postive change in my life for 2003.

I will set goals within the areas of relationship and stewardship, they are as follow:

1. Relationship with God, family, people in church and colleagues/ friends ...
-I'm going to keep a more consistent time with God and protect that time; not allow other things to take priority.
-I will be more affectionate to Kari. Like I use too. To romance her.
-I will create a loving, safe environment for Becca and Kimmi to grow up in.
-I am going to be proactive in building relationships with families in both the church and community.
2. Career
-I will get my credentials through IMF.
-I am going to begin advertising my web design services.
-Promote my website and create income through advertising.
-Continue looking at potential of writing children's books.
3. Financial matters
-Stay on a working budget.
-Retire all credit card debt.
-Increase income through side jobs in order to increase debt reduction.
4. Personal interests/past times
-Begin exercising and work on eating healthier. I want to lose a 100 lbs. by the end of the year.
5. Home Schooling
-Begin looking at what we need to do to home school.
-Estimate costs and begin looking at curriculum.
-Begin formal teaching with Becca in the Fall.

On top of these, I've decided to start blogging. I can't say it'll be interesting but stop by from time to time and check in on me.

Happy New Year!

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