Shall We Gather at the River

Today, my sister Danielle was baptized. As her younger sister (by almost 10 years), the thought about her being baptized or not never crossed my mind. I always assumed she had been baptized before or shortly after I was born therefore, I didn't remember it...

It's amazing how you can live with someone almost your whole life and still discover new things about them every day...

The seriousness of the occasion really struck me as we stood beside the lake on this beautiful hot August day. A simple act of submersion that symbolizes so much more. The process is over in about 5 seconds, but the grace and forgiveness that Christ gave to us is everlasting.

As we stood on the shoreline, I began to daydream about what it would have been like to be baptized by John the Baptist- or better yet, Jesus Himself. My dad is a close 3rd though, and he has had the honor of baptizing my entire family- including his own mom and dad who came to Christ later in life.

Wyndham stood with me amazed as we watched 6 other young people from church profess their faith publicly.. it made me want to get baptized all over again-- I feel like I have learned so much more since I was 12.

My mind wandered back to last Sunday when my dad had a small commissioning ceremony for Randy and I at church as we are leaving for Ohio soon-- He quoted from Isaiah 6:8, "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, 'Here I am! Send Me!"

That passage is often quoted for people entering the ministry (such as ourselves), but truly, it is for all believers. I think of my sister and the 5 others who were with her today-- God has a plan for all of them, whether it be here in Muskegon, some distant land far away. We can show the salvation and grace of Christ in our every day lives, wherever we may be...we are all called to go forth for Christ.

One of my favorite memories from this day was shortly after the service as over. Wyndham ran up to Danielle and said, "You went under the water Auntie! You love Jesus Auntie".





A child's prayer...



Today we were at the River... someday, we'll all meet again at the real river...I can't wait...

Child of the 80's

So, as you all know, we have been living with my parents these past several months... as we are preparing to move out in a week, I decided it was high time for a garage sale around here. Not only do we have several items we personally need to ditch, but my parents still have a basement FULL of clothing and toys from our childhood.

Let me take you back to a decade you're all familiar with...one filled with Top Gun, blue eye shadow, tight-rolled pants, scrunchies and side pony tails...the 1980's.


These are my very first kindergarten book bags... Does anyone remember "The Getalong Gang?"...


A Vintage Hello Kitty-- (the original) and my glowworm. I used to huddle myself up in my mom's huge dress jacket during church service and play with the glowworm in the dark perfume soaked caverns...


Dude.. not only did I find Teddy Ruxpin, I found his friend Grubby too! I also found a matching raincoat for Teddy as well as several books that go along with them... Do you think I could sell these for some serious cash?


Every girl's friend- Rainbow Bright- though she's absent from this picture, I found everyone else I had- Starlight the horse, a Sprite doll and a card game with all of the characters... Is it just me, or is "Murky Dismal" a weird name..even for a villan?



SHE-RA!! Princess of Power! She could kick He-man's rear in a street fight:)


Polly Pocket and Charmkins anyone?


A random 80's smattering... yes, that is a Fraggle in the carrot car...


Carebears, Launchpad McQuack, My Little Pony Pencil case, and the "Mac" Moon guys from McDonald's.


Muppet Babies-- anyone having flashbacks of Nanny's green an white-stripped tights? They never showed above her knee...?


Voltron...I think that this was kind of like the Transformers if I'm not mistaken...

This New Kids on the block memrobelia was "Hangin' Tough" in the basement too... I used to have a pin of Jordan Knight as well...

Some other items I found- not pictured: Mall Madness, Clue,Cabbage Patch Kids, a half decayed JEM doll, a Barbie waterbed that converts to a keyboard (that one was a REAL stretch), many MANY McDonald Happy Meal toys, and my "diploma" graduating from the Nursery at my church.

It was fun walking down memory lane before we move out- even if I had to have 3 asthma attacks in the process!

Toddler Flashdance

Striped cotton dress...headband...lace leggings...need I say more? Please excuse the horizontal view- I haven't quite figured this whole "photobucket" thing out yet!