Happy 20th Ross. (click on the arrow for a famous TerBeek rendition of Happy Birthday . . . . which of course you all know means intentional BAD SINGING!)
Hello Everyone!! I wanted to put the word out, cuzz I know how efficient and thrifty this family is, that I"m looking for a few baby items. I would really like a double stroller (definitely #1 on my list), an excer-saucer and a floor jungle gym (something that the baby lays on with toys hung above it). These were all things I borrowed when Makayla was little but couldn't get them this time around. I'm obviously not opposed to used items and have been looking at garage sales but they must be few and far between around here. A little dirty is okay because it washes up but I would like them to be in fairly good condition. Anyhow, if anyone has one of them that I could borrow or knows of a good second-hand place to buy them I'd be grateful for the info!
Everything is well here.....we're all counting down to baby's arrival! =) Looking forward to seeing all your shining faces at the big bash at Stellies! Love you all! Kim
TO: The TerBeek Family
FROM: The Stellemas
SUBJECT: Food, Fun, Fellowship & Celebration of Grandpa & Grandma's 59th Anniversary
DATE: Saturday, September 15, 2007 @The Stellemas
HIGHLIGHTS: Friday night campfire & campout. If you choose to do so, please contact Aunt Donna to let her know of your plans.
OFFICIAL FESTIVITIES BEGIN - SATURDAY 1:00 PM
*BBQ's & Hotdogs
*Rootbeer Floats, Sundaes & Cake
*Swimming (weather permitting)
*Quads, Dirt Bikes, Golf Cart Rides
*Children's Craft Table
*Horseshoes,Bocce Ball, Washer Game
WHAT TO BRING? Bag chairs . . . Also, it has been suggested that you bring a memory to share either publicly or written down for Grandpa & Grandpa to enjoy later.
Please contact Aunt Donna ASAP to let her know that you are coming for both the camping and for Saturday so we know how many people to plan for - mom6996@aol.com
Hi! It's Stacey. I just wanted to post a couple of pictures from Andrea's shower. Thanks to everyone that came out and blessed Andrea and Tim with your gifts.
By the way, the last picture is of Tina at 25 weeks and Tashina at 38 weeks. Hopefully we'll hear something soon!
Hi. I just wanted to let you all know my brother, because he went to Argentina for 6 weeks this year on vacation, his boss wasn't able to let him off for another several days. He is the general manager of a restuarant in town...and that means he isn't coming. I'm sad because I really wanted him to meet all of you and you him. But, la vie c'est la vie, oui?
I love you all. Life is going good. I will see all of you on the 16th for Grandma and Grandpa's 59th anniversary bash! Wahoo.
Jenny
kATIE POLAVIN HAD A BIRTHDAY (25) ON AUGUST 4 ALSO ! we were up north so this post is late too. Love you Katie :) See ya next week. Mom
Jennifer's post made me think about a conversation that I have been sharing in and processing for a few years now. The struggle of living in a society that God calls us to be in but not of, calls us to go to them in love yet not succumb to their temptations, nor judge them because that is not our job. I think of freedom, wealth, security in these contexts, what does it mean for me to feel secure, where do I put my wealth and what does that word mean to me, and am I free. These questions seem to fit in or perhaps continue to spur on this conversation of "now but not yet". Jesus says differnt place that the kingdom of heaven is now, and he refers to the kindgom of heaven many times throughout his time here on earth, and even teaches us to pray for the kingdom of heaven to come here.
The conversation we have had has been what is now but not yet mean to us, as we see the joys and the people helping each other, as we see the faminie, pandemics, war and as we continue to feel the pull in ourselves, the battle that rages within to flip-flop inbetween these realities facing our world.
Today I have spent the day with my daughter, with her laugh at my antics and crying for seemingly no reason and I can't help but think what is her heaven going to look like.
One of Robin's family friends is facing death and he is an avid Michigan football fan. Last week they made an early morning trek to Ann Arbor, to the hospital there, that he has made so many times before to sit in the big house and watch his beloved Wolverines, he ws riding with his wife, which makes up his family having no children, and he looked over in pain but happy and said.
"Do you think this is what Heaven is like?"
Where do you all see heaven on earth, His kingdom come here, His now reality? And how are we helping to bring His kingdom here to earth in a more real way?
I think I am loving my wife and daughter the best I can, loving and being the best friend I can, trying to walk alongside folks and share moments of life with them good and bad trying to grab the moments of wisdom and teachable moments, I spend time in His glorious outdoors and I am reading this blog and continueing to share in your hearts and this community of electronic heaven. I pray for each of you a piece of heaven today and may you share it with another you love.
It's peaceful here in my little studio of 250 sq ft. It's cozy and quaint. I really like it. I guess it's home...the closest I've had to home in a long time. That feels good. I can hear the train blaring in the background, the distant sounds of the city and the 5's south bound traffic. It's become gently familiar, like the comfort I find in Barber's Adagio for Strings. My job is going really well. I'm happy and productive in it. I sleep well. I have wonderful friends. I'm finding my way in San Diego. Kind of feels like a bubble...
There is a fragility to life that surrounds me, lives in me. Security and freedom are illusions we try and protect not only as individuals, but as communities and nations. The reality of it all is that those things can change suddenly. I wonder who we would be as a nation if we lost the freedom and security we hold so dear. I don't think most people would survive. I live near an 81 year old woman who lived through the depression in the early 20s. She said people were committing suicide every day, jumping off buildings, didn't know what to do, despair and fear set it in so deeply they did not want to live.
How strange that we are what we buy?
I had a co-worker/new friend in my office today sharing with me the realm of watches. I was looking at watches the other day. I haven't owned one in a very long time. I thought it might be nice to have one. He had sold Rolex watches for a living, and asked me how much I thought an expensive watch was...and I said, $500.00. He said that some of the Rolex watches he sold were over $100,000.00. Yes, count the zeros. Given I grew up in a 3rd world country, those zeros represent to me a small school, hosptial, nutrition clinique, a well for fresh water and several teachers' salaries for a few years....all on my wrist. The grossness of all of it still amazes me. I think I'd have a hard time spending $500 on a watch.
The comment he made that stuck with me...that's rolling around in my head tonight was, "If you have a big diamond in your ear, a Rolex on your arm, Gucci shoes and a BMW, you're successful." I didn't say it, but I thought it... "Or really in debt to placate your insecurities or play a game that's swallowing you whole."
Nice things are not bad, but many times the motivation underlying their ownership is less than wonderful.
Here's to true security and freedom...the kind that if everything was stripped away from you... You'd still rejoice in being alive and capable of utterances of gratitude no matter what because you know what you are and who you are... That solidarity remains a precious possession that exists in places where no one can steal it, unless you let them.
Rest in the intrinsic value of you...as God declared over and placed within you by His breath and His Word.
Be encouraged. You are loved...today and every day.
Jennifer
2341 Irving Ave
San Diego, CA 92113
