From the rising of the sun to its going down
the Lord's name is to be praised!



Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Ta-Da!

We have been reading the book 'Leading Little Ones to God' for Family Worship time. Tonight's story was about Jesus showing His disciples that He had risen from the dead. One of the questions following the reading was 'How did Jesus Surprise the disciples that Sunday night?'

Esmé answered "He said ' Ta-da.' "

As silly as this kiddo sounds, the fact that Jesus arose, has been very important to her as we read through the stories of Jesus' death. She would poke me (interrupting the story) and reassure me that "He will come back Mommy!"

We serve a risen Saviour and even a four year old can tell you this! It gives me confidence that a young child finds surety in the Resurrection. He has conquered death-now that is a true Hero.



Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Brie Boo
Aunt Amy took this picture-we still don't have a camera. The hat is from Grandma Zuidema.

(Not sure what is up with the position of her arm! Hehe. :O))



Thursday, January 20, 2011

Just Wondering…

I like our Prime Minister. He seems to me like the teacher that nobody at school likes, except for the kids who are willing to learn. The kind of teacher that does not play ‘friends’ with everyone and does not try to earn your attentiveness by making everything fun. Instead, they play hard ball. You have to work for a good grade and when you get that grade it tastes sweet. When you’re diligent in class they give you a wholesome break-something constructive but a break from the norm.

I imagine Mr. Harper is like that. He doesn’t give the media everything they want just so they can make easy news stories that have no content other than to destroy. He makes them work for an interview and is not easily accessible.

People who don’t like him accuse him of being a ‘yes man’. I think this means that the people who don’t like him, assume he stacks his parliament with people who bow to him and his ways. I have the feeling they are wrong and that the people who work for him respect him and that in general there is co-operation.

Ok, so I’ve said I like him and I really mean it. I admire him but…there is a BUT-a big one. I watched Peter Mansbridge’s interview with him on CBC. Maybe you did to. The tension between the two seemed tangible. Mansbridge is a tough interviewer and generally his questions are intriguing. In this interview, I find Peter rather bored with his job and got the feeling that he knows Harper is one of the better choices for Canada but it makes him squirm. ‘Coldly objective’ is what I would label that interview. (This is simply opinion-I do not pretend to have any knowledge in journalism or politics-but I do LOVE ‘people watching’ and this is the general feeling I had when I watched the interaction.)

In this interview Peter wonders what the current government would do if they had a majority government. He asks specifically:

PM: WOULD YOU RE-OPEN THE ABORTION ISSUE?

Harper answered:

PMSH: No, no. Look, Peter, I have spent my political career trying to stay out of that issue. It's one on which people, including in my own party, have passionate views. They're all over the map. And you know, what I say to people, as you know, many people I know are pro-life. What I say to people, if you want to diminish the number of abortions, you've got to change hearts and not laws. And I'm not interested in having a debate over abortion law.

Huh. Nice- it sounded good enough to give me something to think about. Could he be right? I am Pro-Life so this didn’t sit well with me but the way it was worded sounded almost right. Then this morning I came across this article: Abortionist arrested for stabbing newborns to death in clinic


Among the many things that struck me was that there was a ‘lack of records’ which means there are many crimes for which Gosnell cannot be charged. So that got me thinking that if there had been laws in place to keep records at abortion clinics, to actually keep detailed MEDICAL RECORDS regarding this procedure, then MAYBE, just MAYBE, at least more justice could be done in this case.

As far as I know, abortions require very little paperwork even though they are a major surgery. The amount of paperwork required for surgery (other than abortion) in Canada is significant. When I had my gall bladder removed I remember having my ‘pre-op’ with a nurse and it involved a lot of paperwork. It makes you think that the surgery you are planning on may have more risks than you had first thought. It makes it feel like a big deal. This pre-op happens way before the actual procedure which also makes you feel a little uneasy.

So WHY is it possible to have an abortion on demand in Canada! Is there a ‘pre-op’ required days in advance? Is information given regarding the possible health risks of this procedure? Is this something a government could regulate?

Could it be that a lack of paperwork in the abortion clinics might make a patient feel like this is a simple procedure, with minimal risks? Is a simple lack of paperwork, regulations and laws, deceiving women about the ‘surgery’ they are undergoing? Do they have any idea what effect this surgery could have on their future health? Do they even know that the ‘procedure’ is a surgery?

Could it be that a lack of laws regarding abortion are what make our hearts so callous or uninformed to the issue? Could changing laws not change hearts, Mr. Harper? Just wondering…


Monday, January 03, 2011

Beginnings-2011

Welcome, 2011! We are breathing in the fresh air of routine this morning at our house. Back to the school room for us! The year is new and the holiday rush is mostly over (we have one more party on the weekend). God is gracious, isn't He, in giving us a tangible new beginning? His mercies are new EVERY morning but doesn't it hit you more strongly at the beginning of a New Year. It makes my heart full of praise. I've seen this verse quoted more than once in relation to the New Year and I am going to quote it too:


Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's
Psalm 103:1-5

Thank you Lord for the mercy of a New year and a new day!

Some things that make my heart glad about this new year:

  • Mr. Vandoodewaard is still with us! God is kind.
  • Taun's baby is almost due!-and she (they) will be living in Port Stanley this coming February so that we can see them so that the baby can be born in Canada.
  • Joel & Lynette are expecting a baby in July! (July 6)
  • Micah is here!!! (that one is singing in all of our hearts eh!)

Some things that have made my heart glad in 2010:

  • Brie Avery VanDyk was born in Sept! Thank you LORD for another child to raise in a covenant home!
  • Belinda had Gracie!!!! Eeeee. So fun to have babies in the same year!
  • Fellowship at our church which has been extra sweet lately.
  • Sisters-just love sister time!!! (Derek, I love you too...!)
  • True Woman Conference!

May God bless you in the New Year and may you remember the gifts He gives that can NOT be taken away! (read Lisa's blog post if you haven't. A sweet reminder of God's blessings!)




P.S. No pictures of Christmas or of our sweet Brie! Our camera (among other things) was stolen on Dan's birthday! BUMMER.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

An Overview

The reason I haven't been blogging....
...is because we've been much too busy snuggling our delicious new girlie!...keep scrolling to see an overview of the snuggles and a few more happenings.



Two weeksish old

An evening at the park in late September


Three weeks old

Fresh from the bath-she loves 'tubbin'

One Month Old


7 weeks old

Brie had been screaming and then suddenly quiet. Big sister Esmé had quieted her by rocking the car seat.

2 Months Old


A. Marlene made this cozy blankie for Brie. It has her name on it. Brie LOVES it...she loves to snuggle with blankets and this is one of them.
"Take our picture!"
Baptism-Oct 24

Thank you Lord for the blessing and promises of Your Covenant! Are there words for the beauty of God's love shown to His people?!

"So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations."
Psalm 79:13

Thank you Nana and Papa for hosting and feeding a huge crowd of family and friends for Brie's baptism!!!!! It sure took a load off of us and we REALLY appreciated it!

Brie with her sweet Nana


"Let's get the picture done so we can get this girlie out of her dress!" (the dress was worn by some of my sisters which makes it special. Grandma Zuidema made it when my sister Emily was born. Taunya's kiddos have worn it too.)

A. Becky held Brie for the church service. A. Dani held Chloe which was super neat because Becky, Dani and I go 'way back'.
Great Grandpa and Grandma Zuidema Visit

A special picture of Brie with her Great Grandma Zuidema. Don't pictures with grandparent's say SO much on so many different levels?! They speak of history, love, God's grace...
Church Picnic-Sep 2010










Tuesday, September 21, 2010

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!!!!


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
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!