She is 26!

I remember the day they told Sue and I that we were expecting. I remember the days as we explained the growing life to our oldest boy, Kenny. I remember the appointment (routine) that ended in the doctor saying "you are going to have this baby today." I remember the waiting room, the delivery room, the doctors and the nurses. I remember Sue as she lay smiling up at me as she waited for another command to push. But I will never forget the absolute joy I felt when the doctor smiled and said that the new baby was a girl! I don't belive I touched the ground for a whole week. See back in the days before modern ultrasound you did not know very often what the child was going to be. Looking back, if I had it to do all over again I would choose not to know. Wow what a feeling! God had given us a girl. We felt complete. Later we would realize that we needed a Timmer in our life and home but for the time being it was complete.
She has grown up! We are so proud of her. But she is still my little girl.

International Dinner

Tonight is the bi-annual international pot luck dinner at school. The building is full of the smells of Asia, Mexico, Jamaica, Iran, Canada and of course McDonalds. Each year we marvel at the participation of the students as they get the chance to brag on their homeland. This year we have some new ones to honor. Iran and Jamaica join the flags on the wall in the gym. This brings the total to 36 countries represented by our students and alumni. Not bad for a small school. We may be small but we have a big vision. And we serve a big God. He said "Ask of me and I will give the nations."

Funny but scary!

I stumbled onto a bunch of cartoons today. They deal with computers and security. It is worth a look. Go here and enjoy.

It is gone!

For those that remember the "Iris" colored dodge caravan, it is no longer parked out in front of our house. It made the offical move to it's new address at 11:15 PM on Sunday night. The prespective buyer, Bob, called for th first time at 7:30 PM on Saturday and came over to see it right then. Flashlights in hand we toured the caravan and started her up to prove her mechanical soundness. He asked about plates and I had to inform him that the plates had been stolen from her just that week and as the insurance was to expire on the 22nd I saw no reason to replace them. He agreed to take it and stated he would arrange the money the next day. (Sunday!)
Sunday afternoon came and went with no call back from Bob. I had given up on this latest "almost deal" and settled in to watch TV. Good movie on and then at 7:30 the phone rang. It was Bob stating that he still wanted the van but was having trouble finding a bank open that day! (Sunday) He was still trying and would let me know if successful. (Yeah, right)
Well at 7:45 he calls again, can I meet him at the van at 8:00, he had the money. Whoa! No problemo!
Again flashlights in hand we meet, test drive and sign over the title. I count the cash, all $20's and we part with a handshake. He is off to try for insurance, (8:30 on a Sunday!)and I to stow away the greenbacks! ($20's are green in Canada)
I arrive at the house only to realize I don't have my copy of the sellers agreement. Rats! I phone Bob and he agrees to return it after his trip to the insurance agent. Well at 10:50 PM he phones and is on the way to the van to drive away and if I want the paper I can meet him. I do, he does, I help install the plates, cuz he can't, I watch as the "Iris" van leaves for what I hope is the last time at 11:15 PM

All that remains of the van are fond memories and of course the smashed up door from Sue's encounter with a parking structure piller three years ago. It is in the garage still leaning against the wall.

The Cartoon Debacle

I have watched the uproar about the anti Prophet cartoons and decided I would post a link to help with a balance. Mostly I stay away from political posts and from the Cagle cartoon page lest I find myself wasting time. But it is a sunny Friday afternoon and quitting time is only minutes away. So here goes. Click here for political cartoons that give a different perpsective on issue. Be warned you might find your self shaking your head in wonder and amasment.

Whine or wine

It depends on whether you are a steeler fan or a Hawk's fan. Of course we live just nort' of hawk country and getting only one side of the story we are getting only whine. My son, blogged about his feelings and it seems to be echoed by everyone from Mike Holmgren on down. In fact a "craigslist" poll showed 78% of the respondents felt the officials favored the Steelers, whom are now referred to as the Stealers. The majority, again on the craigslist poll felt it was the worst officiated game super bowl game ever. Now I have never seen Craig or read his list but others seem to quote him as an authority.
I saw two out of the three plays that form the trilogy of complaint and the only thing I can say is the ref's were a whole lot closer to the action then I was. I could complain but I don't think my opinion ranks very high. (Really only my wife and my dog cares about it and some times I wonder about the dog.)
As my brother-in-law has said, he hasn't heard this much whine since he toured the wine country of Napa valley.

Where does this fit?

I wonder where this type of futuristic view fits in the accepted eschatology of most evangelicals. It is a page and half commentary by a contributor to the Washington Times in which he outlines some of the behind the scene religious underpinnings of the Iranian President. It is well worth the read and is not too time consuming. The rest of the world needs to try and understand what makes this guy tick rather then blow him off as a radical. There are radicals who spout off and never follow through and then there are those who seem to have the where with all the back up what they are saying. What say you?

Great Coffee

Thanks to our "Bean counter" at Starbucks we have been enjoying a very limited release coffee today. It is a brew from Thailand, only for sale there and the head office in Seattle. (Ours came from there)
Watched a bit of the superbowl, cleaned the grill (neglected way to long) and cooked a steak for supper. What a treat. What brought this on you might ask? Well the sun was shining today! believe it or not, we actually have a dry back yard. The weather dog comes in with dry feet, much to her disappointment. She gets a treat if she waits to get her feet wiped off and if they are dry, we forget to tell her to sit by the door. She is so funny, she comes in, runs around and then remembers her treat and goes back to the door to wait for it.
Hope your team won, if you care. Hope all is peaceful in Seattle after the loss, if lose they do and the kids there are safe.
Shalom

5000 already

Well the Element went in for its first oil change. It was a test to see if the local dealer would like servicing a US model. I was questioned as to the reason why I had purchased a US model. Lots of reasons come to mind but basically I told them it was not their business.
It is a great car! We love to drive it and it is fun.
Thanks Tim and Rachel for recommending it to us.

Open Calendar

Sometimes it is nice to have a free evening. Take last night for instance. On Tuesday I got a call from a good family friend who was popping in to the area and wondered if we were free for dinner on Wednesday. Yes! Score!
It was a blast from the past, we had not seen him for nearly two years and while the name may not mean anything to most of you, it was Randy Remmington. We first met Randy while we all worked for CCFNI, that is Caribbean Christ For The Nations, in Reading, Jamaica. Reading was a wide spot in the road just out side of Montego Bay. In fact the school campus had one of the most spectacular views of MoBay. Think postcard.
Randy has done many things since including becoming a husband and father to Sandy and the boys. He is currently pastoring a small church in Beaverton Oregon
But he is still one of the most humble and fun people to hang out with.
We talked and laughed for hours and today is brighter because of friends like him.
Open up your life to friends and you will never be sorry.