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posted by Esther on 01/19/07

The opportunity arose for my cousin Karen and her husband John to tour Israel and I was honored to be asked to baby-sit their four boys at their home in NC. Realizing that I needed help, I asked my friend Emma Isitt from Oregon to come with me because of her zeal for working with children and like-minded desire to encourage them in righteousness.

We were blessed with safety on the drive down and were warmly welcomed when we arrived. The days that followed were filled with wonder, excitement and discovery! It truly was a joy because of the Godly training the children have received in displaying good manners and playing together kindly.

The time passed quickly reading stories, flying kites and playing invisible baseball with our big helper Josh (6), giving horsey and piggy back rides to Caleb (4), and holding the sweet twins Jonathon and David (2) who loved “helping out” and playing peek-a-boo.

It was amazing to see all the character qualities the boys demonstrated. They greeted us with enthusiastic good mornings when we finally let them get up. Josh was diligent in his school work. Caleb patiently waited for meal time and contentedly played by himself. They all exercised responsibility in cleaning up their toys.

One evening we were having a marvelous time playing Bible charades. It was all very exciting from Goliath crashing to the floor off of his step stool to rocking back and forth in an armchair on the stormy Sea of Galilee. To everyone’s great disappointment, bedtime came which meant clean up time. So to break the monotony of normal bedtime routine, we announced “Grand Inspection”. If their rooms passed inspection they would get a “Grand Surprise”. The anticipation mounted as everyone enthusiastically put away their toys. With imaginary magnifying glasses in hand Emma and I inspected every nook and cranny. When they passed with flying colors, we gathered in the kitchen to announce the “Grand Surprise” (drum roll please) ICE CREAM!!! (Cheers and wild clapping!) What fun!

This was just one of many enjoyable moments during our learning experience together. Investing in children is so much fun and also a chance to be a Godly example in the small areas of life.

10 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Esther on 01/19/07

We learned many things about caring for children during our stay with the Altizer boys. One of them was the importance of keeping baby powder, among other things, out of the reach of little hands.

On a pleasant afternoon as the twins were supposedly napping, Josh and I were playing play dough when Emma suddenly interrupted us with some unusual news. “What?” I asked. “You don’t want to know!” she exclaimed; David had gotten hold of the baby powder. We peered into his room at the snowy whiteness that was on the floor, all over his bed, and covering him. Outside we created quite the cloud of powder as we vigorously shook out the blankets and everything. Back inside to give David a bath, I found him emptying the trash into the toilet! Soon that problem was solved and he was powder free, so we turned our attention toward washing his blanky, pillowcase, comforter and clothes and vacuuming the floor. 

Needless to say, after that we were more careful to keep the baby powder put away - that is, what was left of it.

4 Comments » | posted in The Bright Side

posted by James on 01/15/07

Despite its beauty and extraordinary singularity, snow can be rather difficult to take pictures of, especially while it is still snowing. Cameras are quite delicate. Water ruins delicate equipment. Snow is just another form of water. In other words, you can’t take many pictures until the snow stops. In my situation, because the temperature hovered above freezing, it meant that the snow would start melting before I even had the chance to get outside! Well, I must say I did not have a very successful photographing excursion that day. But I did learn an important lesson: you can not create with a camera what does not already exist. I was seeking a captivating snow-scape, when all there was to look at was ugly, melting snow! So I turned my attention to capturing what was really there and that was the only way to get a good picture.

Another important lesson I am learning is that I can not create with prayer what is not already a part of God’s will. To pray in faith is an unparalleled challenge! Turning my attention to praying what God really desires is the only way to glorify God through prayer.

7 Comments » | posted in Photography, Tidbits

posted by Robert on 01/14/07

I wonder why sharing the wonderful news of the Gospel is sometimes so difficult? Perhaps it’s because that often I don’t do it the way Jesus did.

Recently our family has enjoyed watching the fun videos at www.wayofthemaster.com. Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron have a great sense of humor, but they really know how to motivate, challenge, and equip us to effectively share the Good News of salvation.

What better news can you share with those you meet today?

4 Comments » | posted in Tidbits

posted by James on 01/12/07

The first snow this year of any significance fell on January 9. After snowing an inch or so in the morning, the clouds thinned and it appeared the day would be rather dull. However, come late afternoon, a sudden darkness of clouds came in and within a few minutes, it began to snow again. By January 10, there was quite a bit of snow, perfect for black and white photography

As I walked and biked through the forest and fields around our home, I was impressed at the intricate and abstract designs the snow created on the gnarly tree branches. This snow fall was the perfect time for this kind of picture.

Having walked to the very top of Buffalo Calf Road, I noticed the interesting shapes that the tire tracks and tree shadows created. Pointing the camera almost directly into the sun, I had to be careful of lens flare because it was mid morning. A little manipulation of exposure was all it took to make the desired, and most effective mood.

It was getting late as I walked home from an evening photo trek through the woods. The wind had blown horizontally blanketing the trees on one side with snow and leaving the other side bear. This made for a unique, natural pattern which in the growing darkness became a wonderful image of mystery.

For the past few days I had been aspiring to create more color and vivacity in my pictures. However, as my eyes scanned the black and white snow-scape, my hopes diminished as I realized the fact that there was very little color to be seen anywhere! But then I saw Michael’s bright green bee hives. They became a perfect subject to portray how life is still carried on amidst the harsh elements of the winter season.

4 Comments » | posted in Photography