3 month checkup and glasses for Jesica

Today Sara had her 3 month check up. She is growing beautifully and passed all her "tests". Sara has now reached the weight of 13 lbs. 6.5 oz. and is 23.5 inches long.

2 weeks ago Jesi went in for an eye exam. She was having headaches while reading and doing computer work. Here is the result of that visit.

Miscellaneous Family Fun

It has been a while since I have blogged. Life has been busy and my laptop had to be sent away to be fixed. 8 people sharing 1 computer means time is really limited. Plus I really didn't want to download photos to this computer. Oh well...

Here's some updates and fun photos - Enjoy!

SARA: Sara is now almost 3 months old. Time sure flies! She is still our little cuddle bug. Especially when nursing or sleeping. At night she sleeps at least 7 hours, so she is keeping up with the typical Ryken baby!

CARA: Cara has learned to ride a 2-wheeler. Now if we could just teach her how to stop!

HOUSE: The house is still for sale. Please pray for the sale to come quickly, so we can move and not spend our weekends driving in our gas guzzling van.

A DAY AT THE EVANS' HOME

Here are some fun photos of our family from the past few weeks.

Rifle match and weekend events

This past weekend Justin and Daniel participated in a Rifle Match. There were 37 participants.

Daniel came in 9th and Justin in 22nd. During the competition they shot from standing, sitting and prone. The targets were large for standing, a bit smaller for sitting and small for the prone position. That way you felt like you were shooting from a further distance without actually changing the distance.

Yes, Daniel shoots left handed. Has something to do with not being able to keep his right eye open while closing the left........

Justin does shoot right-handed!

Jesi's new fashion statement. Her other glasses are so much better!

Melinda taking a picture of Jesi, taking a picture of Melinda, taking a picture of Jesi - way too confusing

Some of those not shooting: Ashton, Jared, Tiffany, Melinda, Jessica, Ashly, Jesi, Emma, and Grace

The ladies and young ladies who were not shooting, were able to enjoy sweet fellowship inside and out, while watching the babies and younger children.

After the rifle match we stayed in the Peoria area. The Prices were so gracious to open their home to us. The parents had good conversation while the older children played games until the adults were too tired. As usual the older (but not old!) adults faded before the young adults.

Sunday was worship followed by catechism baseball. The teams are guys against gals. The children go through the Westminster Shorter Catechism question by question. Just the answer get you to 1st base, Q & A gets a double, Q & A + 1 proof text is a triple, and Q & A + 2 proof texts is a home run. The girls won this time. It is a lot of fun watching them study all month and then team up together. Who knew that learning catechism could be so fun!

Providence also has a scripture memory program for the whole family. Each week members, young and older, say scripture they have been memorizing to those who are "trained" to be recited to. The following Sunday they are rewarded with a card that has the scripture passage on it. Each verse is a point, but only if you memorize the whole chapter. At the end of the year those with the most points are recognized. Two weeks ago Jesica said James 1. This past week Justin said the Lord's Prayer, Apostles Creed and Psalm 8. Ashly said the Lord's Prayer and Apostles Creed, while Josiah said the Lord's Prayer. It is so exciting to see the children so eager to memorize and hide God's word in their heart.

"The Lord's Prayer"

Check out this little girl as she sings "The Lord's Prayer". Her other videos are just as cute!

Mystery solved

People are constantly asking, "Which of the children's baby pictures do you think Sara looks like?" Too tell you the truth - no ones. There are eyes and noses that looks the same. And maybe a mouth or two, but no clear resemblence to anyone that we can see. That is until today!

She resembles her Mama!

Only One Way?

The following video was sent to me and is disturbed me. Even though we don't have a tv in our home (except to watch videos), I did know that Oprah did have some New Age beliefs. I just didn't know the depth at which she talked about them on her shows. Watch this:



Jesus....He is the only way...

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

It can't be any clearer than that. Here's more scripture that tells of our sinful nature and our hope in Christ for our salvation.

Rom 3:23
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

1 John 1:5-10
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

Ephesians 2:1-10
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Sounds like there is only one way....Jesus

Sweet Christian Fellowship

Yesterday was another Sunday of driving down to Providence Church in Peoria. It may sound crazy to drive 2 hours each way to attend a worship service. Especially with gas prices these days!

After the worship service, fellowship meal, and a rousing game of catechism baseball, we headed over to the Evans' home, along with the Sanford's, to continue fellowshipping. The adults sat around talking about the sermon, economics, and life, while the 26 children/young adults played Bluff, Refugees, football and capture the flag. We ate pizza, fruit, salad, and ice cream. Then some of the boys and men went out to shoot some rifles and other guns. I wish I had some pictures to show all the fun we had. There were a few casualties though. Daniel cut his head when the scope of one of the guns hit his glasses. That's going to look great on his passport picture (he had to have that taken today for work.) Mathias tripped and hurt his foot. He still can't walk well on it today, but there is no swelling or obvious points of pain. So we are just carrying him around.

Unfortunately, we eventually had to go home. So around 8:15 we left, which meant we arrived home around 10:40. It's times like this that I am thankful that we home school. If we didn't, we wouldn't have been able to visit as late as we did. The fellowship is also making us look forward to the day when we will be living closer and can enjoy more of the sweet fellowship.

Baptism

Today was a joyous occation for our family. We officially joined Providence Church and our infant daughter, Sara, was baptized. Some of family was able to attend and celebrate with us. At each baptism at Providence, the following song is sung to the tune of "O Sacred Head Now Wounded":

Beneath the blood-stained lintel I with my children stand;
A messenger of evil is passing through the land.
There is no other refuge from the destroyer’s face;
Beneath the blood-stained lintel shall be our hiding place.

The Lamb of God has suffered, our sins and griefs He bore;
By faith the blood is sprinkled above our dwelling’s door.
The foe who seeks to enter doth fear that sacred sign;
Tonight the blood-stained lintel shall shelter me and mine.

My Savior, for my dear ones I claim Thy promise true.
The Lamb is “for the household” - the children’s Savior too.
On earth the little children once felt Thy touch divine;
Beneath the blood-stained lintel Thy blessing give to mine.

O Thou who gave them, guard them, those wayward little feet,
The wilderness before them, the ills of life to meet.
My mother love is helpless, I trust them to Thy care!
Beneath the blood-stained lintel, oh, keep me ever there!

The faith I rest upon Thee Thou will not disappoint;
With wisdom, Lord, to train them, my shrinking heart anoint.
Without my children, Father, I cannot see Thy face;
I plead the blood-stained lintel, Thy covenant of grace.

Oh, wonderful Redeemer, Who suffered for our sake,
When o’er the guilty nations the judgment storm shall break,
With joy from that safe shelter may we then meet Thine eye,
Beneath the blood-stained lintel, my children, Lord, and I.

Here are some pictures from the day. Thank you to those who contributed to making this day special for our family.

Our family joining Providence Church

Pastor McDonald baptiaing and praying for Sara.

Sara was crying until he began to pray for her.

The baptismal cake

A few pictures of Sara in her baptismal gown

Grandma & Grandpa Fennema with Sara

Grandpa & Grandma Ryken with Sara

Cousin Tana with Sara

The many faces of Sara....

These are Sara's 6 week old pictures. She is wearing her Easter dress.

Here Sara is taking a bath. She loves the warm water, as you can tell by her big smile! Look at the rolls and chubby cheeks!

Now that Sara is 6 weeks old, we have been having fun watching her make all kinds of different expressions. One minute she can be happy and smiley, then the next serious or crying! These first few pictures were taken in just a matter of minutes.

Look at my big mouth!

Trying to smile

Pleeeeaaassssee Daddy.....

I am NOT happy!

Birth Control Pills

I'm sure the title of this blog caught you a bit off guard. Especially those of you who know Daniel and my stance on birth control. You can read about it in a previous blog post.

This morning while Daniel and I were listening to the local Christian radio station, the host had a discussion with Dr. William Colliton Jr. on the topic of the birth control pill being an abortifacient. Here is the article that was referenced in the discussion. Please read it with an open mind. Birth Control Pill: Abortifacient and Contraceptive

Home for Sale

Our home is officially on the market. It is a bittersweet time, as we are sad to leave our home. Yet we are very excited for what the Lord has planned for our family in the Peoria/Bloomington area. If you or anyone you know is interested in moving to the Sugar Grove, IL area, the details of our home can be found on the left hand side of this blog, along with a slide show of the home.

This past weekend we were house hunting again. Last time we went it was so discouraging. This time started out rough. The first home we went to had lots of character, but when you stood on the second floor, you felt as though you were going to fall over. The floors were so slanted! Obviously the house had settled a lot in the last 100+ years! After looking at a few more houses, we came to the one we think may be it! It has almost everything we have been looking for - land, large home with room to grow, and centrally located between church and work. The draw back is the lack of mature trees and it is closer to a town than we would like. However, we think we can get past those cons. So we are committing this house to prayer over the next few days and see where the Lord leads us.

Magazines and "Family Friendly" stores

How many times have you walked up to the check out lane at the grocery store only to be bombarded by smut? Particularly the newest "swimsuit" issue of Sports Illustrated? My friend Stacy wrote a post on her blog entitled "Soft Core Porn in our Family Friendly Stores?". Her husband, James, also has a post on his blog entitled "Stand up for Decency" In their posts they includes a letter that they wrote that can be sent to your local grocery and retail stores that carry these smut magazines. Here is the text of the letter:

Dear ________,

My name is ____ and I am [some personal information, family involvement with ministry or church, local civic activity, etc]

My husband and I, along with our children, live in [city or area]; and aside from this one troubling issue, we have always been happy shopping at your [city or location] store.

I have to say, I was absolutely appalled to see in your store, in full view of my children, a large display of magazines featuring a topless woman in a string bikini. Sports Illustrated is nothing more than soft pornography and I am outraged that families are subjected to this smut while innocently shopping in your stores.

The American Decency Association has this to say about the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue:

“Starting with the topless woman on the cover, SI gets to the real purpose of the issue – the pornographic exhibition of women for the pleasure of men. Page after page reveals erotically displayed young women in, at the most, barely there bikinis. Each lust-producing pornographic pose reinforces the message to ogling men and boys that women are nothing more than sexual objects to be used…

In addition to the nearly bare models, are dozens of photos of topless or completely nude women. There are also a number of pullout pinups… This outrageous display is basically no different than a Playboy…”

By carrying this magazine you are helping to promote a product that degrades women, harms families, and contributes to the moral decay of society. There are many others like me who don't appreciate companies that promote illicit sex and neglect the moral safety of families (and children) who shop in their stores. I plead with you to pull this offensive product from your shelves immediately.

Please know that I will be actively participating in a campaign to purge these magazines from the stores we frequent. At the very least, we insist that you cover the offensive magazines from view. For those stores that refuse to hear our pleas, we will be forced to boycott them; and we will actively push for others to take a stand and shop elsewhere.

I have always considered [name of store] a family-friendly store. Please, for the good of American families and society, please stop selling pornography.

Please pass copies of these letter out to your friends and family. Thank you for helping to make our stores visually safe for our families.

Westminster Catechism

Hands

Nursing Sara in the quietness of the night allows me the precious opportunity to think about what a blessing a Sara is. As I look down at her, I am so amazed at all the "grown up" features she has. Take her hands for instance. They are perfectly formed, yet Sara has no control over what they do. Even grasping my finger is a reflex. Yet in just a short amount of time, she will learn how to focus on an object and bring her hand to grasp it. From there she will learn to put objects in her mouth and eventually feed herself. All this happens in less than a year!

While studying her hands I was also thinking about her future. What plans does God have for these little hands? How many poeple will she bless with these hands? This little baby hand, that I hold so tenderly in mine, will someday be the same hand on which her husband (Lord willing) will place a wedding band. It is also the same hand that will tenderly grasp her own babies hands. Will she look at those little hands and have the same thoughts I am having? Will she be amazed at how fearfully and wonderfully we are made?

Tiny handprints grow so fast

Their awkward groping soon will clasp

A ball, a book a sweetheart's hand

A diploma, briefcase, a wedding band

Tiny handprints grow so strong

It doesn't take them very long

To snap a shirt, to paint, to draw

To work hard , to drive a car

Tiny handprints grow to be

A person that is quite unique

A wonderful mix of so many things

With his own feelings, thought and dreams

Tiny handprints grow to rely

On his parents to bring him up just right

His parents pray that when he's grown

He'll say their job has been well done

Tiny handprints are ours to love

The sweetest gift from God above

A miracle that never is surpassed

How sad they grow up way to fast