Beppe and Tante's Come to Visit!
Last Wednesday my aunts and Beppe came to see Baby Brie. It is a special day when they come to visit! :O) Thanks for coming!!!!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
This is Heaven!
You’ve heard it said ‘Now, this is Heaven!’ You may have felt such a thought as you held a beautiful new baby in your arms, or as you relaxed on your front porch with a steaming coffee. The thought may have entered your mind as you delighted in God’s spectacular creation on a peaceful vacation. There are so many pleasant, blissful experiences in this life that may make us think, ‘this is Heaven’.
I was chatting with Dan about our kitchen. He would like to redo it and I said ‘Is it really worth it-are we really going to live in this house long enough for it to be worth it. Will we really not be moving to the country anytime soon?!’ His answer was no. For a second, the image of country life flew through my mind and just as quickly God put a thought there that has stayed with me. “Heaven” He whispered sweetly to me.
Ahhh- Heaven! Who needs the country life when this fleeting world will be finished with, in the blink of an eye? Heaven will be so much more beautiful than the most awe striking country property-and it will last. That’s not to say that enjoying country life or any other pleasant thing is wrong. These things are meant to be enjoyed but in the contentment of knowing there are better things to come for God’s people. Suddenly my longing for the country felt like rags and our town home felt exactly where God wants me.
And it isn’t just the thought that Heaven will have more beauty-although that’s where my human mind can dwell. It’s that we have God’s presence to hope for. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God HIMSELF will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:3-4
Sunday we had a beautiful sermon on the reality of Heaven and this week Belinda has been mentioning teaching her kiddos about Heaven. These things have nurtured some thoughts on Heaven for me. My human mind is fickle and may not be dwelling on the most spectacular thing about Heaven but God will sanctify my thoughts and grow them to a fuller knowledge of the heritage He promises. God blesses us with things in this life that make us long for Heaven and if a simple thing like Micah wondering if we’ll be able to play baseball in Heaven directs our thoughts to the Heavenly kingdom, then praise God for the mundane.
Generally it is the suffering in life that makes us ache to trade this world for Heaven but if God’s Spirit dwells within you, the mundane can point you there, instead of distracting you from thoughts of eternity. Feel free to share things (suffering and/or the mundane) that have directed your thoughts towards HOME! And leave some verses too of the promise we have!
Here is a verse I love about Heaven:
"The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. "
Psalm 16:6
You’ve heard it said ‘Now, this is Heaven!’ You may have felt such a thought as you held a beautiful new baby in your arms, or as you relaxed on your front porch with a steaming coffee. The thought may have entered your mind as you delighted in God’s spectacular creation on a peaceful vacation. There are so many pleasant, blissful experiences in this life that may make us think, ‘this is Heaven’.
I was chatting with Dan about our kitchen. He would like to redo it and I said ‘Is it really worth it-are we really going to live in this house long enough for it to be worth it. Will we really not be moving to the country anytime soon?!’ His answer was no. For a second, the image of country life flew through my mind and just as quickly God put a thought there that has stayed with me. “Heaven” He whispered sweetly to me.
Ahhh- Heaven! Who needs the country life when this fleeting world will be finished with, in the blink of an eye? Heaven will be so much more beautiful than the most awe striking country property-and it will last. That’s not to say that enjoying country life or any other pleasant thing is wrong. These things are meant to be enjoyed but in the contentment of knowing there are better things to come for God’s people. Suddenly my longing for the country felt like rags and our town home felt exactly where God wants me.
And it isn’t just the thought that Heaven will have more beauty-although that’s where my human mind can dwell. It’s that we have God’s presence to hope for. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God HIMSELF will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:3-4
Sunday we had a beautiful sermon on the reality of Heaven and this week Belinda has been mentioning teaching her kiddos about Heaven. These things have nurtured some thoughts on Heaven for me. My human mind is fickle and may not be dwelling on the most spectacular thing about Heaven but God will sanctify my thoughts and grow them to a fuller knowledge of the heritage He promises. God blesses us with things in this life that make us long for Heaven and if a simple thing like Micah wondering if we’ll be able to play baseball in Heaven directs our thoughts to the Heavenly kingdom, then praise God for the mundane.
Generally it is the suffering in life that makes us ache to trade this world for Heaven but if God’s Spirit dwells within you, the mundane can point you there, instead of distracting you from thoughts of eternity. Feel free to share things (suffering and/or the mundane) that have directed your thoughts towards HOME! And leave some verses too of the promise we have!
Here is a verse I love about Heaven:
"The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. "
Psalm 16:6
Before She Came...
Brie's First Week
Day 2-we actually ventured out to AnnaMae's adoption party. We did not want to miss this happy occasion!
Cuddles with Daddy
A. Emily
A. Kara
Melissa-who's due very soon! (Brie is hiding her belly)
Ksena's 5th birthday!!! Happy Birthday sweet Ksena!!!!!!!! We LOVE you!
The birthday gift...
Oma Luiting came for Ksena's 'birthday coffee' and got to meet Brie.
Opening her gift from Grandma Luiting.
Grandpa Luiting and Esmé enjoying Ksena's new tent.
More snuggles with Daddy.
Ksena's sporting her new hat from Nana.
Day 5
The midwife weighing Brie at her second home visit. She had dropped from 7.14 to 7.8 and was back up to 7.10.
Day 6
Opening mail from A.Marlene and family who live in Florida. So fun to get real mail! Thank you!!!!! Ksena also got real mail from Grandma Zuidema but I don't have a picture-I actually dropped our camera!!! Thank you Grandma/pa Z.
The VanDyk's from Cambridge
Mia took this pic...Day 8-I week old!
Brie's First Week
Day 2-we actually ventured out to AnnaMae's adoption party. We did not want to miss this happy occasion!
Cuddles with Daddy
A. Emily
A. Kara
Melissa-who's due very soon! (Brie is hiding her belly)
Ksena's 5th birthday!!! Happy Birthday sweet Ksena!!!!!!!! We LOVE you!
The birthday gift...
Oma Luiting came for Ksena's 'birthday coffee' and got to meet Brie.
Opening her gift from Grandma Luiting.
Grandpa Luiting and Esmé enjoying Ksena's new tent.
More snuggles with Daddy.
Ksena's sporting her new hat from Nana.
Day 5
The midwife weighing Brie at her second home visit. She had dropped from 7.14 to 7.8 and was back up to 7.10.
Day 6
Opening mail from A.Marlene and family who live in Florida. So fun to get real mail! Thank you!!!!! Ksena also got real mail from Grandma Zuidema but I don't have a picture-I actually dropped our camera!!! Thank you Grandma/pa Z.
The VanDyk's from Cambridge
Mia took this pic...Day 8-I week old!
Friday, September 03, 2010
Brie Avery VanDyk has Arrived!!!!
Our hearts are overflowing! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!Little Brie was born Sep 2,2010 at 8:05a.m. She weighed 7.14
Big sister Mia
Ksena checking out the hospital bed....see the phone in my hand! Dan bought me a Blackberry!!!
Grandma Luiting
Aunt Elise (whose middle name is Brianne!)
Aunt Shaylynn
Aunt Amy
Belinda
Aunt Taunya (barely sporting a little baby belly!!!)
Chloe and Brie...born just over an hour apart. SO neat! Congrats Jenn and Paul!
At Home and chilling out with big sisters Sep 3:
The 3 oldest visited with Nana for a bit this morning. Mia was sad to leave baby Brie.
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