Mother's Day (yeah, it's late)

Erika and Rolland at the church's Mother's Day Baby Parade.


Erika and Rolland enjoying the Tulips in Holland on Mother's Day!

Erika, Rollie, and Dave enjoy the lilacs at Meijer Gardens for Dave's Birthday.

Rolland has been enjoying lots of new sights and sounds as we take advantage of the warming spring weather.

Rollie was actually awake to help check out our "vegetable investment" Trillium Farms.

Dave's Birthday

Happy birthday to me! Erika, Rolland, and I have finally finished cashing in lots of great freebies that we found for birthdays in the Grand Rapids area. It started with a free burrito last week, and then this past Thursday we collected a free Red Robin hamburger (not pictured).

May 2009 Newsletter

Here's a recap of our latest newsletter for those who are stopping by...

SUPPORT UPDATE

We’re letting the freshness of Spring breathe new life into our support raising! In order to turn our almost 40% into 100%, we’re redoubling our efforts and God is blessing!

60% by September

When we hit 60%, SEND will pay us a salary (separate from our support). This will free Dave to focus his prime hours on working toward 100%.

100% by January

Our new support goal date is January 2010. We aim to depart in February and start language school before the next camping season begins.

One-Time vs. On-Going

At this point, our one-time gifts are right on track, so what we really need are on-going promises. Would you pray about dividing your one-time gift into an on-going pledge?

CAMP UPDATE

Spots are almost full for MK Camp again this summer, making us all the more eager to get there and be part of it!

FAMILY UPDATE

Dave is still working fulltime with 4^th graders, and has been blessed with the opportunity to work part-time for Summer School. This will give him more hours to work on support raising, and will keep us on the school’s insurance!

Erika and Rolland are enjoying the daily pleasures of babyhood. At 5 months, Rolland is rolling over, sleeping well, and growing like the cutest little weed you ever saw!

ALL ABOARD

If you’ve been waiting to invest in this work, please consider starting on-going support now to help us reach 60% by September and keep us on pace be fully supported and flying off in 2010!

Just comment on this post, and we'll contact you with information on how to give. May God multiply your gift!

From Dave's Devos

I recently enjoyed reading Psalm 30. I think like Psalm 22 (a messianic prophecy as well as a prayer of David) Psalm 30 gives a bigger picture than just its literal meaning to the author, David.

King David probably considered himself a representative of all Jews. After all, he was king and Eastern thought is all about community and not individuals. So when we says, "You have made my mountain firm" in vs. 7 -- for example -- he is probably referring to God's work in the nation of Israel as a whole.

The bigger picture is about God's love for redeeming, reviving, and restoring. It's like God's hobby. Not that I want to devalue the importance of these amazing acts, but think about how much God enjoys doing these things! The Psalm is filled with references that remind me of God's reconciliation with us through Christ, and God's ultimate plan to restore the world (Eden) to perfection. It is a reminder for me about loving (and appreciating) our Loving God and showing that love through praise, which is what King David is doing in Psalm 30.

Something from Rollie

"Is she still touching the chair?"

"The plan is simple: a) wait for Dad to feel comfortable and then 2) Spit up on his tie."

"Check out my commando moves! Over, under, squirming, rolling, grabbing, pulling, and even taking off my own sock!"

"Well, I better get back to work."