Superstars!

Just a cute picture of the girls wearing my sunglasses.

"She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you." Proverbs 4:9

Someone, quick call the police...

Allegedly someone just broke into my home, while we were all here (except Shannon), used my upstairs bathroom, plugged up the toilet, ran down to the downstairs bathroom closet and got the plunger (how did he know it was there?), ran back upstairs, unsuccessfully attempted to unplug the toilet, flushed a few times to check just in case, then disappeared.

I, of course, didn't see the culprit. I don't know how he made it out of the house without slipping on the icky poopy water on my kitchen floor, that had soaked through the upstairs bathroom floor, through the ceiling tiles, then dripped off of the kitchen table\ onto the floor.

No one else in the house has any idea how any of this happened, nor did they see any suspects.

I don't suppose any of you blog readers will be coming over any time soon to eat at our house.

"When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; but the righteous will see their fall." Proverbs 29:16

Old News

Alex went on his first date a few weeks ago. Jordin, a cute little blond girl who attends our youth group, invited him to Grundy Center's Homecoming dance. She's a really sweet girl.

He rushed home from his football game, showered, then headed out the door to the dance. Of course, being 15, his dad had to drive him to the dance, and pick him up afterward. Pretty cool, huh?

Who would have even thunk he could get a date?
(Just kidding, Alex!)

On his way out the door.

My babies are growing up.

"Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established." Proverbs 4:26

Getting their ears pierced

Katie and Naomi came home from church camp all excited about getting their ears pierced. We decided to let them do it, and then they chickened out.

A couple days ago Naomi came and told me she was ready to take the plunge and have her ears pierced. Katie wasn't ready yet.

Last night we decided to go into Waterloo, and Naomi piped up and asked if she could do her ears. She wanted her hair in piggy tails so everyone could see her earrings after she was done.

We loaded everyone up and headed for town.

Katie surprised us when we got to the store and said she was going to have hers done also and volunteered to go first. Katie chose pink "diamond" earrings.

First they cleaned her earlobes with an alcohol swab.

Then they marked where they were going to put the earring.


One down, one to go!


All smiles the next day.


Naomi was a little unsure of the whole process to begin with.


She got her marks on her ears.


In the process of getting the first earring.


The first one is done.


The second is done. She's sure glad there are no more!


It was worth it!

The girls did a good job. No tears, no crying. They were a bit disappointed to learn that they couldn't change their earrings for six weeks. They were busy picking out pretty new earrings already. They'll be ready for new ones right around Christmas time.

"...and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Proverbs 18:15b

For Mary

Reasons #23, #24 and #25 why I don't buy my children Cheetos.






















On this occasion, their dad brought them home from work. They ate them outside.

"Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly." Proverbs 13:16

Arthur R. Jensen

Arthur R. Jensen, 88, of Grundy Center, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital, while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice, of natural causes.

Services 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, Grundy Center, with burial in Washington Township Cemetary, Tama County. Public visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center.

My life has been, not outstanding in any way. Put on a chart the highs would equal the lows, the successes the failures.

Achievement level "C".

But the important part:

I have been, from infancy to the present time, totally enveloped in love. It has come from every imaginable source. First of all, the love of God. It was so intense that He came as a man, gave His life for mine that I could spend my life with Him. I Corinthians 13 best describes what love really is. It's not the easily said, easily forgotten platitude that it has become. But rather the most moving force on earth. I have been loved all my life by people who without reason did so. I have known 60 years of love from Pat. All of Polly and Karen's lives, my Granddaughter Lisa and her husband Brian and their children Reese and Robert. I'll not name other names. There are too many and I don't want to offend by omitting someone. My family, those related to me, everyone surrounding me that have given of themselves without reservation, without a precommitment and without condemnation, have been my great great source of strength. It has consumed, it has enveloped, it has totally brought me within its sphere. I don't think I need go any farther than that. I cannot tell you in words how much you all have meant to me. So you fill in the blank spaces.

Lou Gehrig, the "Iron Man" of baseball, in his final, probably only speech in Yankee Stadium, closed with this statement which I will paraphrase, "I believe I am the most blessed man in all the Earth."

Attainment level "A"

Wow. Isn't he cool?

Our youth group had the privilege of visiting Art Wednesday just one short hour before he went to Heaven. We sang to him, and even though he was not able to respond to us, we hope he heard the words that, we feel, were written just for him.


Thank You for Giving
to The Lord
Music & Lyrics by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to Heaven, you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the Crystal Sea.
We heard the angels singing, then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man, and he was smiling as he came.

He said, "Friend you may not know me now," and then he said, "But wait -
You used to teach my Sunday School, when I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you, he said "Remember the time,
A missionary came to your church, His pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took that gift you gave
And that's why I'm in Heaven today"

Chorus


One by one they came, far as your eyes could see.
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done, sacrifices that you made,
They were unnoticed on this earth
In Heaven now proclaimed.

Chorus


And I know up in Heaven you're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord
He said "My child look around you,
Great is your reward."

Chorus

Art's daughters asked the teens if they would sing this song at his funeral. They're going to give it their best shot.

One of the last things I ever said to Art was, "I want to be just like you when I grow up".

"For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you." Proverbs 3:2

Golden Birthday

On October 14th, Jackson turned 14.

He started off his day on the garbage truck. It's no fun having to work on your birthday. Welcome to the real world!

After work, we took the family shopping. JCPenney was having some good clearance deals. All of the children got something new. Jackson got a new pair of tennis shoes, but no "official" birthday present.

It had been our intention to give each child something special on their Golden Birthday. We just can't decide what to do for Jackson. If we were to choose give him a monetary gift, how do we determine what the equivalent amount will be when Katie has her Golden Birthday in 2032? We've thought about going somewhere with only him, but can't decide where, or more importantly WHEN? So, poor Jackson hasn't collected his present yet. He's such a GREAT kid, he hasn't even complained.

He just started studying for his driver's permit today.

Any ideas on what a 14 year old boy would like for his Golden Birthday?

"Blessings are on the head of the righteous." Proverbs 10:6a

So proud

On September 21, 2008 Bryce made a public statement for Christ by following Him in believers' Baptism. He shared his testimony of salvation with the congregation, then was baptized by Pastor Nemmers.

There are some things in life that make parents SO proud. Of course we want our children to learn to read and write, be kind friends, excel at sports, etc., but if nothing else of acclaim occurs in Bryce's life, at least we know that he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Nothing else really matters.

Bryce asked Jesus to take away his sins a couple years ago. This year at Jr. Boys' camp, he made the decision to be baptized. He understands that baptism has no bearing on his salvation. Only trusting in Jesus is going to get him to heaven.

Please join us in celebrating with Bryce, and guiding him in his spiritual walk.

We're so proud of him.

"I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths." Proverbs 4:11

Ink Stains

Last week Hudson found an ink pen on the floor and proceeded to draw some lines on the seat of my new dining room chair. I was hesitant to buy upholstered chairs in the first place, but the saleswoman at the furniture store assured me that microfiber is the best possible fabric, and nothing would stain it. We bought the extended warrantee just the same.

I had had good luck since June cleaning spaghetti sauce and such off of the chairs when the stain was fresh by just washing with a wet towel, but ink?

I googled ink stain on microfiber, and was instructed to use Purell hand sanitizer on the stain. I didn't have any hand sanitizer. I attempted to bring some home from the fitness center, but it all turned into a watery mess in my hand. After several days I remembered to get some Purell at the store, AND IT WORKED GREAT!!!

The original lines.

Making some progress.

Almost done.

The final results.

I'm a believer in microfiber. If I ever am in the position to purchase new furniture, microfiber is going to be at the top of my list.

"...write them on the tablets of your heart." Proverbs 7:3b

Apples at Art's

On September 24th, we loaded up the van (that was very stinky because I spilled about 2 gallons of gas in the back of it on my way home from the gas station), and headed out to Art's house to pick apples. He has two beautiful apple trees that he has given us free reign over.




It was a very breezy day, but the sunshine was warm. The boys had a hard time waiting until we got home before sampling some of the apples.



The best part of the trip was spending some time with Art and admiring some of his woodworking skills and sculptures. He's very talented, and very hospitable.


Art has recently been having some health problems. His lungs "are shot", (his words), and he has been placed on oxygen and is in the care of the hospice workers. Our youth group had the privilege of visiting him Wednesday evening during church time. We surprised him by showing up with about 15 teenagers in his room, but he had just the words to say to the teens. He challenged them to never be ashamed of Whose they were, and to share Christ every chance they got.

Art has done bible studies with a lot of the teen boys in our church, and has been a faithful helper in AWANA. He has touched a lot of lives, and is excited about going to meet Jesus.

Today Art was able to return to his home in the country. His daughters will stay with him until the end. He is an incredibly neat man.

During the late 1920's and 1930's Art's family lived in the house we live in. He lived in Chicago, but would spend the summers in Iowa. We had the opportunity to host Art at our home this fall, and he walked through each room and reminisced about how it used to be. It was a really fun time. He's promised us there are hard wood floors under the carpet in the dining room. One of these days we're going to get brave enough to rip up the carpet and see what condition it is in!

Please pray for Art's comfort and peace in the coming days.

"Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye." Proverbs 7:2

Finally

I keep making resolutions to blog more regularly, although it doesn't seem to make much difference.

We've been really busy this fall. Middle school football is over, soccer is over, and Bryce's football is over. Colton has one more week of flag football. Alex has his last JV game tomorrow, and will continue to have varsity games until the Rebels lose in the playoffs. It's pretty much for sure that they are going to make the playoffs, unless a string of unlikely events takes place.

I'll try to get some football pictures downloaded. I've filed the pictures away already, and failed to scan them into the computer. Some days it just seems like way too much work to go upstairs, get the pictures, scan them, then blog them.

I've got a bunch of pictures on my camera that need to be downloaded, but right now I have Katie, Naomi and Hudson on my lap, so they're not going to get downloaded tonight. That generally inspires me to post some updates.

I don't feel too bad, because the Kamberger's haven't updated their blog since June 28th.

Until next time.

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion." Proverbs 8:12