posted by James on 01/31/10

Nope, I haven’t forgotten about posting the Pics of the Month! I just figured it would be better to post them on the last day of the month instead of the first; that way, each picture will actually have something in common with the month it’s supposed to represent. When December rolls around, how can I post a picture of the spectacular fall foliage I shot in November? In March, are we are not slightly tired of seeing the glistening snow of February? It can now just as well be the Pic from the Month as it is a Pic of the Month.

Moonlit Midnight

Every year, it has been a goal for me to get a new, cozy picture of our house nestled in the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia at wintertime. You know, it’s like getting a family picture. Sometimes there is never a good snowfall, so you have to get creative. But this year, there was the most phenomenal combination of environmental elements I had heretofore experienced: a full moon hanging in a partly cloudy sky spread out over a charming landscape blanketed in deep snow. Completely enchanted. The last time I ever remember a similar combination (that met my standard of perfection) was seven years ago. Seven years ago! The fact that the temperature was in the teens that night didn’t deter me from venturing out into the dreamy wonderland.

Using a tripod was essential. Turning on all the lights inside the house helped it to look extra cozy. A wide angle lens reached into the sky to lasso in the moon. And a little processing in Photoshop developed the sky, making it look exactly as it did on that glorious, enchanted, moonlit midnight.

10 Comments » | posted in Photography

posted by James on 01/29/10

The Father’s Conference here at the Indianapolis Training Center is progressing very well! It is quite exciting that Robert, Esther, Daniel and myself have been able to help out, from washing dishes and  preparing food to running video cameras and manning book tables. It’s a first for all four of us to be working on the same Conference together, and  we are greatly enjoying it! Please pray that the truth would continue to be spoken and that these mighty leaders of the future would be encouraged and equipped to be a Psalm 112 father:

“Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth:
the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth:
he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
until he see his desire upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;
his righteousness endureth for ever;
his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;
he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:
the desire of the wicked shall perish.”
~ Psalm 112:1-10

10 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Donald on 01/28/10

Wall space is wonderful space. In Israel the Ten Commandments were placed on the doorposts, which, like walls, are conspicuous places that children and adults would both see often. I also remember the story of a widow whose husband and sons were all lost at sea. Even when her youngest son grew up, he too wanted to be a sailor. Trying to dissuade her resolute son she finally asked him what motivated him so strongly. He pointed to a picture on the wall that he and his brothers had beheld often: a picture of a beautiful ship at sea.

Here at home Dad and Mom have hung a lot of our pictures and this January picture-hanging was one of the first things we did when we had a free weekend. There was one picture however that was not of our own making.

On my next-to-last evening in Chaojhou, Taiwan, a Taiwanese teacher painted an original picture in the traditional Chinese style, titling it with his signature, stamp, the date, and my life verse, Matthew 6:26. From there I rolled it up and carried it on the train, through the rigor and heat of summer camps, and finally on the long trip home in August. Mom had been waiting to see it in it’s place on the wall ever since.

Using another scroll of tapestry material and an adhesive similar to Elmer’s glue, we found a way to hang it, completing the project last night. It is hanging up now. It is a tribute to the birds and plum tree blossoms in Taiwan and also to a friend who would not let me leave without a gift. Most importantly, it “pictures” the wondrous way God uses His Word, creation, and our common interests and skills as a daily reminder of His glory.

6 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Robert on 01/24/10

We just received a wonderful call from our good friends the Bates in Tennessee. We rejoiced with them when we heard the news: their 18th child is on the way!

The love that Gil & Kelly Bates have for children is reflected in the love that each of their children have for each other. May the Lord bless them with many more! “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3).

6 Comments » | posted in Tidbits

posted by Donald on 01/22/10

Grandpa didn’t keep a high-paying job with Boeing when he felt called to duty–though he could have.

Nor did he claim the Purple Heart–though he could have.

And when he came back from the service, Grandpa didn’t have to share his experiences with us–but he did.

His stories reflected his understanding of having a just cause and the fulfillment that came from making his superior officers successful in their mission. Another memory I have of Grandpa was the day he took us outside as young boys and showed us how to pick up the sticks in the lawn for Dad before he mowed. He always served to the best of his ability and that was his motivation on the job, in the army or at home.

Recently was Grandpa’s 86th birthday. We rose early on that Saturday morning, made a fruit salad, and pulled together the dry ingredients for pancakes. Normally it is our tradition on Friday morning to have pumpkin pancakes for breakfast at home but this week we decided to take it to Grandma and Grandpa’s for a “breakfast lunch”. Since Grandma has often made pancakes for us during our visits, we were more than happy to return the favor.

Other relatives were there too. We joined to honor a patriarch. It was good to see that Grandpa was in an agreeable mood and it only grew as the smell of frying eggs and ham began to waft through the house. From then on the time went quickly. The fellowship was enjoyable and after cake and ice cream we had a discussion about creation that reminded us of how perfect God’s timing is.

A more sobering reminder came when Grandpa said that he felt his time on the earth would be short. It is a reminder to us all that we ought to be thankful for every opportunity we have to honor our Savior with our service. This is praiseworthy.

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