What is everyone doing?

Okay, are you looking at this and leaving because you can't think of anything to add? I have done that a few times, but it is no fun to not find anything there, so here I am....Bernie and I did the dam to dam on Saturday. It is a 20K race in which almost 10,000 people participate. 6,000 some finished and we came in in front of about 50 of them. No, we didn't do so great, but my body didn't even want to finish. It was trying to stop me in every way, but I zoned out and kept putting one foot in front of the other and we DID IT! That would be 12.4 miles in 3 hours and 11 minutes. Rianne ran/walked the race. She finished it also.

I am enjoying walking nearly everyday. I enjoy the weather and feeling like I am doing something positive for my body. I am not committed to any Bible Studies, classes, family, or organizations, so, at this time, my time is my own. Hopefully, I can continue when life sets in.

Brandon started a new job today. He is working road construction. He left at 5 this morning and it is after 9:30 tonight and he is not back. 5:00 am will come awfully early tomorrow at this rate.

Karen, how is the job hunt? Bonnie, are you recuperated from the wedding yet? Norma, how are things going? Joy, are you baseballed out yet? Diane, are your classes finished for a bit or are you going through the summer? Mom, enjoy your time with your siblings and your vacation from selling a house and the craziness of Pella.

Love you all!
Rosa

Something to Ponder

As Gold is essayed by fire -- By Rev. J.B Victor

The Nine Impending Yet Rewarding Tests That Every Christian Will Face

WilliamWordsworth, an American literaturist, if I may thus coin my own lexicon, said:

"This world is all a fleeting show
For men's illusion given;
The smile of joy, the tears of woe,
Deceitful shine, deceitful flow,
There is nothing true but heaven."

As it were, William Wordsworth understood the truth that true happiness is not of the mundane; it's not in either the physical, the materialistic or the visual which are only extrinsic and transient, but that it is in a vertical relationship, or heart connection with
Abba. He realized that even in the midst of happiness, sorrow can be knocking at your door. Thus, his resolution draws us to reason and thereby points us heavenward.

In this life, this pilgrimage, or trek, whatever you choose to call it, we are going to be tried.
And as they say, "A man's true mettle is known through adversity as gold is essayed by fire." Job for his part said, "After He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold..." That understands there is a beauty that comes from our trying times if we will embrace it all with the right mindset and attitude towards God.

Now here are 9 tests that can cause you to flinch and break but with a little bit of faith, positive attitude and trust in GOD, you won't break as you allow those tests to prepare your heart for your promised land. And it's okay to be flexible; flexibility does not mean weakness. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken.
The Nine Impending Tests Every Christian Will Face:

1 - The Wilderness Test
2 - The Time Test
3 - The Motivation Test
4 - The Failure Test
5 - The Self-will Test
6 - The Discouragement Test
7 - The Misunderstanding Test
8 - The Frustration Test
9 - The Servant Test

The Bible says that Those that trust in the Lord shall be like mount Zion which shall not be moved. The testing should not cause us to back out, cave in or backslide; they are only there to strengthen our roots, training us for the tougher and rougher Red Seas that lie ahead. N.B, every Red Sea you cross, your faith capacity is increased considerably and your mustard seed is multiplied. So, in our walk with the Lord, while being a fellow workers with Christ, we'll realize that Testing is:

* Inevitable
* Continual
* Necessary
* Productive
* Influential
* Transforming
* Crafted by God
* Purging
Tonight, regardless of what test you're going though, I encourage you not to get discouraged, but simply look at the result through the eyes of eternity. Sometimes you may have to encourage yourself by saying positive statements like "This too shall pass," or "It could've been worst" etc. And at times, you may bend like a reed under the influence of the storm, but you won't break because you know in Whom and how deep your roots are dug.

Dangers of the Testing
* People become DISILLUSIONED
* People become DISTRAUGHT
* People become DISTRACTED
* People become ANGRY
* People become BITTER
* People become HARDENED

The purpose of every test is:
* To reveal what we understand
* To reveal what we don't understand
* To reveal to us the applicability of the lesson
* To show our true color

After the drought, the rain,
After the desert, the promised land
After the tears, the rejoicing
After death, life,
After the testing time, the reward.

Just hang on

The will of God will never take you
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you

Lauren's Choir Conerts

Hi there,

I forgot to mention this today so I guess this is the next best thing and hope you all talk to each other at some point this week! :-)

Lauren has a Jr. Choir performance on Sunday evening at 6:00 at church. She has a couple of speaking parts and will be singing a duet (I think? I get confused b/c it was just a solo, then it was a trio...but now I think it's a duet). I know she would love to see familiar faces in the audience!

Also, on Monday night there is a free concert of the Pella Children's choir at 2nd Reformed church. This will be their spring concert. The concert doesn't start until 7:30 which tells me it won't be very long...maybe 30 minutes or so. Again, I'm sure she would love to see faces she knows!

Russ went to the Elzinga's without any trouble. He was a bit overwhelmed by all of you today. He said "Man Diane, your family is HUGE! Everytime I turned around there were more people!" :-)

Would appreciate prayers for all the kids this week. They are pretty set for food most nights. A couple of nights there are people bringing them food. And its a busy week with something almost every night so that should make the time go by quickly. I hope!

Love you!

Diane

Thanks!

Hey, I just wanted to thank each of my sisters for accomodating my request to laugh together. I had a great time and kindof wish I could see it again because I can't remember enough of it. I also loved lunch! I will go back there. The food and the service was great.

Today I really have fond memories of the great food because I have been fasting today. I have a colonoscopy and an upper GI tomorrow. I am looking forward to being on the other side of these tests, although I hear the sleep is pretty sweet. AND, I DO feel thin....if only I could actually be thin....

I had a great weekend with the women of my life. My girls make me laugh as only they can. And Jessa just warms my heart. She slept on my lap for over an hour the other night.

I hope you all get to meet Russ soon. He is a bit shy, but what a cutey! His timidity warmed my heart. May God Bless you, Diane and Bob, with what you need to show that young man a safe, caring home.

Hey, I am feeling some peer pressure on this college education thing. Everyone of you have or are doing your part at bettering yourself educationally. Maybe I should persue it....it could mean a new car....Hee-Hee. I don't know what to think. Well, you guys run ahead and let me know how it feels. I may join you or not.

Have a blessed Holy Week! I love you! Rosa

Still giggling?

What a great way to spend a Saturday! I don't think any of us will re-cork a wine bottle without giggling ever again!

Diane

Placement

Hi all,

Just wanted to give you a heads up that we had a 9 y/o boy placed with us this weekend. His name is Russell, he goes by Russ. Social worker seemed to think he'd be with us through the end of the school year, but we won't know anything for sure until after Tuesday.

Of course, we appreciate your prayers for all of us. Please don't ask us much about him, we really are not allowed to share. He's all boy and despite having his world turned upside down, is settling into somewhat of a routine. He had fun with the neighbor kids this weekend, adores Matt b/c he likes to hunt and fish. He has bonded with Katey, says she reminds him of a favorite cousin. He and Lauren play well together, tonight they were battling it out on Stuart Little, helping each other along the way and yet some friendly competition going on.

Love you all!

Diane & Bob

Mom's email?

Does anyone know Mom's new email address? I'm assuming it changed since she left MCHSI but I haven't heard what it is? Any ideas?

Thanks!