Our original plan for Saturday was to go hiking and enjoy the crisp Autumn air and colorful trees. However, it looked like rain on the other side of the state, so we hung around near home...which led us to explore one of the most fun Grand Rapids events we've seen yet: ArtPrize!

Our main purpose in going downtown was to register to vote for this piece by one of our friends:

He made his wife's face out of over 6,000 unaltered wine corks. Impressive.

But we also saw the Grand River Monster...


...a big red ball...
...a bunch of people...
...a praying mantis (good work, God!)...
...a balloon that dwarfed the Caulder...
...Rolland's first attempts at stairs (When did he learn to do that?)...

...our new dining room set...
...a rhino made out of tires...
...faces made out of pushpins...

...an awesome bike rack (not part of the competition)...
...the cutest little bum in the world...
...and, perhaps, 2 of the most unsuspecting wedding parties ever (both groups are in this pic).

Yet Another Brush with Fame

When I (Erika) lived in Chicago, I got to go to a taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, an NPR news-quiz radio program that I never listened to. It was a fun experience for of the novelty of it, but I didn't really get the ongoing jokes, and it wasn't a thrill to see the "star" personalities.

So, imagine my excitement yesterday when I got to experience a live taping of one of my favorite radio programs! I've been listening to Moody Radio ever since I moved away from Chicago (go figure), and one of the shows I look forward to is Midday Connection with Anita Lustria (left in the photo) and Melinda Schmidt (right). They interview people every day at 12:00 Central on various topics of interest, and they're always so kind, even when people say things I would be forced to make fun of. I've admired their ability to keep conversation going, and to find something redeeming in every caller's comment.

Well, yesterday I drove out to Holland at lunchtime by myself (since I have no friends who don't work and don't have kids) (thank you, G&G Sterken for babysitting!), parallel parked a huge Impala, and joined about 64 other women for a lunch/taping of Midday Connection. We had fancy Cobb salads with the ingredients laid out in rows, and then we clapped on cue and provided a "live audience feel" as they taped the program. (It will air next Tuesday, the 29th. I didn't ask any questions or cough loudly enough to be heard, so don't tune in just to hear me.)

They interviewed Shelly Beech (center), a local author who has written The Silent Seduction of Self Talk, which, after hearing her speak, I think I recommend. I got to talk to both Anita and Melinda personally for a few moments during the luncheon, but I suspect I made them a bit awkward with all my staring. I wasn't star-struck; I just couldn't get over seeing their so-familiar voices coming out of their totally random faces.

They were every bit as nice in person as I had suspected, and it was fun watching their signals to each other for who was going to talk while they were taping. I was shocked to see them read the intro and outro from a script! They always sound so natural; I had never guessed. I'm a little relieved about how it all went. It's always a risk, meeting people you admire in person, but I've concluded that I'm a bigger fan than ever, esp now that I can tell their voices apart.

www.middayconnection.org

9 Months on 9/9/09

Today is Rolland's 9 Month Birthday!!! It also happens to be 9/9/09. Coincidence? We think not. To commemorate the event, Rolland decided to do things in 9s today. Here's what he came up with...

First, he had 9 teething biscuits for breakfast. (Dave thinks he has a top tooth coming in; Erika isn't so sure.)


Second, he read 9 silly books. (Is Your Mama a Llama has a bat named Dave who lives in a cave.)


Third, he played with 9 colorful balls. (When heavily assisted, he can "put the green ball in the basket." Clearly, he's a genius.)


Forth, he got dressed in 9 shirts (and no pants).



Fifth, he set up playdates with 9 friends. (Apparently he's more popular than we are.)



Sixth, he ran 9 errands with Mama. (Eyes on the road, buddy.)



Seventh, he ran 9 miles with Daddy. (He probably kept his toes curled the whole way.)



Eighth, he helped set out 9 diapers for tomorrow. (He probably used that many today... seriously.)


Ninth, he went to bed at 9:00. (That's not true. He's actually in the middle of melting down in this picture, and it's 7:45.)


Overall, it was a successful day of celebrating 9s. Certainly better than chopping off one of his fingers.

Better Than Free!

What could be better than free training? How about getting paid for training?

As we continue to wait for God's timing to send us into ministry in Croatia, we have done lots of training with SEND International. We have had cultural training, language training, conflict training, teamwork training, orientation... you get the picture. All of these learning opportunities have been excellent, and several of them have been expensive (but well worth the cost).

As we wait, I (Dave) have also been blessed with work. In our first year as "appointees," I found substitute teaching jobs that fit perfectly with our trainings, travels, and ministry presentations. As we moved into our second year of preparation, I got a full-time job working at Vista Charter Academy. This job has blessed us in many ways, including: providing a paycheck, insurance, friendships with staff, and the opportunity to be involved in the lives of young people.

At the end of August the school also paid me to attend a "Capturing Kid's Hearts" training in Holland, MI. Not only was this a great way to get ready for the classroom, but, in a way, it was also preparation for ministry! I learned about relationship building , effective communication, team building, group facilitation, and I was encouraged towards personal growth. The facilitator even used some quotes from the Bible in his presentation (though he did not mention the references).

We are so thankful for all God is doing. This training was another example to us that God is in control of the agenda and that there is a reason for us to be in Michigan right now. We trust that when He has completed all that is necessary, then we will move to Croatia. For now, we continue to thank God for His blessings and seek to be obedient to His calling for today.

Still Going...

This may sound strange, but I used to feel a little defensive when people asked us, "So, how's it going with support raising?" I know what they said, but I often heard, "Hey, why are you still in the States? Why should I have confidence in you?" I was believing a lie. Praise God for His ongoing work in my heart, and for using the people on our prayer team to teach and change me! A partner asked the question in a more specific way this past month and it helped me understand the genuine concern behind the inquiry. When this person asked if we were in "good spirits," a light bulb came on for me. I both knew and believed that our partners want to pray and be involved and get us to Croatia.

Let me answer the question, "How is support raising going?" God is so good! Over the past summer He has given us a sense of peace and confirmation that we are headed in the right direction. He has lifted our spirits and used partners and friends to encourage us as we wait for the Lord and press on with the activities planned out for each day. We have certainly been working/waiting for our departure longer than we had expected. At the same time, we have seen God doing unexpected and wonderful things in us and through us while we are here in the USA.

It has been an awesome summer!