In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Water

Recently heard a sermon on the virtues of the Ordinances. NO! Virtues is not the right word; this word means "goodness", as in something that is good. Baptism, one of the two ordinances presented, is a good practice. However, the way baptism is often presented is like this: "If you do not get baptised, how can you call yourself a Christian? After all, it is Christ's first command for all who profess faith in Him." I firmly believe that most proponents of baptism would not say that it is a condition of salvation, however the emphasis and subtle (sometimes not so subtle!) nuances that pervade some evangelical messages is clear: Jesus commands us to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Water. John baptized with water (Acts 1:5, 11:15-18) as a foreshadowing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit brought by Jesus. Jesus commands baptism not IN water but IN the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). So why is water baptism emphasized so heavily?

Too Much Time on my Hands!

When people found out we were moving to Edmonton and would be living in an apartment some asked, "What are you going to do with yourself?" Where we lived in Manitoba it was a rural community and people there have all sorts of chores to keep them busy, especially this time of year: gardening, yard work, etc. WELL, in response to "what are you going to do?" - whatever I want! I won't have to waste all my time mowing lawn, pulling weeds, fixing sewer pumps, and so on and on and on. We go for walks as a family in the tree lined ravine, we go to Fort Edmonton Park, we go to play parks, spray parks. We Blog! Last week I took the kids to the library and we all got library cards. So, we read! One of my favourite hobbies, yet have not had time for it until now. I just finished reading Grisham's "The Summons". I love reading John Grisham; he has a way of pulling me into the story and keeps me there. Right now I'm reading "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Some of my students were really into his books so I thought I would read some too. I have read 3 (I think?) of Paulsen's books.

Our Summer

Evi and I worked at a daycare/summer camp this summer. One trip was to the Eskimo Football stadium! We look awefully mean in our Eskimo uniforms! The family picture is from a Ristau family gathering in Edmonton this summer.

trailer

Don't Have a Cow Man!

More Kitten Pics

I think Josh is trying to show Abbi that Oreo might be with child. The kittens are growing so fast!

The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass, based on Philip Pullman's book "Northern Lights", has caused some ripples in our home. I heard a few months back some passing comment that this movie was "bad", but I paid no attention to it because I didn't care; the comment had no connection to my life. But, the other day I saw the movie in the video store and remembered my Good Wife expressing great interest in watching it; so I rented it. When I came home with the movie my eldest son says something like, "Oh, that's a bad movie. The girl in that movie tries to kill God!" Apparently, this movie has been maligned at his school. So, I have been doing some research (I have also seen the movie). In some circles the author of the book is accused of being anti-Christian and anit- Church and an atheist. Here is a link to an interview where he answers many of these questions. It's a long interview, but a good one.

I will NOT at this time share my opinion of the movie and the author, but if you have seen the movie and have some comments, let me know.

http://www.thirdway.org.uk/past/showpage.asp?page=3949

Regensturm

Heute haben wir einen Regensturm. Es ist sehr dunkel draussen und windig. Es gibt viel Wasser und dann auch grosser Pfuetzen (puddles?).

Ich habe zwei Paare Hosen gefunden fuer die Jungen an MCC. Ich fand auch ein schönes Hemd für mich.

Die juengsten Jungen gehen zum Assinaboin Zoo heute und dann zum einem Freundhaus nach schule.

Da, jetzt habe ich geblogt. Daran denken, bitte: Ich bin Auslaender, und spreche nicht gut Deutsch (Ich schreibe auch nicht gut Deutsch). Vergeben Sie bitte meinem schlechte Deutsch.

P.S. (Wie sagt Man "P.S." auf Deutsch?) "Ich bin Auslaender" ist ein Lied. Wir singen es in meinem Klassenzimmer.

Golf Anyone?

Joshua has been asking about getting golf balls so he can use our one and only golf club to golf on the yard. When we went to Winkler on the weekend we stopped at MCC Thrift store and browsed around. Joshua found some golf balls and we bought 3 clubs as well. So, I had mentioned in passing, "We should build a golf course on our ten acres!" Later that weekend we were watching the early episodes of LOST where Hurley builds a golf course. Well, if he can do it, so can I! So we starting building a golf course: this is hole 1, with 3 more in the plans. We dug a hole in the ground deeper than the depth of a Tuna can and placed the can in the hole, stuck a piece of rebar in the hole and fastened an old rag for a flag. I'm thinking Tiger Woods Invitational!

more kitty pics

New Additons

I saw four little ones, all scrunched up in a ball. I will try to take better pictures later.

Used Cooking Oil Theft

About a year ago I saw a documentary on how used cooking oil can be used as a fuel to power an vehicle. The guy just added filtered used cooking oil straight to the fuel tank of a diesel car and it ran fine, on used cooking oil! Now, it costs $ to get what most resturaunts used to just throw away; and it's turning into big business for criminals. This is a prime example of how the whole fossil fuel industry will not soon change. As soon as someone comes up with a good alternative, it becomes too pricy and people start to steal it! Either way, we pay through the nose for gasoline or used cooking oil!

Ticked Off

The boys and I are supremely ticked off! These little buggers attach themselves to skin, usually in a warm nook somewhere, and then they proceed to extract nutrients from the hosts blood. I'm all for showing hospitality, but this is a bit of a stretch! Apparently, the tick season ends in June, just in time for the mosquito season; then in August we get flies!

Moratorium on Pig Farms

The Manitoba government has placed a moratorium on pig farms; no new pig farms can be built in Manitob.

This is what some Manitoban think of the government action.

The joys of living in a comm... sorry, socialist province!

Muffy

Can you tell that Muffy is quite large around the belly area?

Soccer

Jo Playing Ball

Jo wanted me to video tape him playing ball so that Mom and Abbi could see it. So the other boys also wanted to be taped. You may want to turn the sound down because it is very windy this day and the mic is picking up mostly wind. Jo does say something though so you could try to listen to his. The boys have been so proud of themselves because they have been playing basketball, baseball, soccer, and soccer/tramp with Dad. Toward the end you can hear Simon saying, "Nice going Jo!"

Jo Playing Ball

Simon playing ball.

Basketball Fun

Joshua playing basket ball.

Happy Days

A couple of weeks ago I was throwing balls at my boys as they tried to dodge them and jump on the trampoline at the same time. I think that is what caused my elbow pain, which is just now starting to get better, I think. So, they have been begging me to do that again, but I just can't throw. So yesterday I went out and kicked a soccer ball at them as they were jumping on the trampoline, and suddenly we discovered a new game! Today we fine tuned the rules a bit and decided that if I kick the ball and it hits the tramp and then the ground I get a point. If they catch it out of mid air, they get a point. After playing for half an hour the boys pulled ahead of me in the last 30 seconds of the game to win it 24-23!

Joshua's friend from down the road came over again today and all the boys played ball! This time I had enough brain cells still operational and was able to think of taking pictures. Jo's picture tells a story too: he loves to read, this book he got from his cousin at spring break and he reads it almost every day! He's my little Ferdinand, sitting and smelling the flowers (rather, reading) while the other bulls run and jump and butt their heads together.

The Greatest Joy

Working outside is one of my favourite things to do. I find it relaxing and invigorating, especially when I can use my tractor! Today after supper I decided to burn some of our tall dry grass to make room for new growth (two of my favourite things: working outside and burning things!). The kids joined me for a while but then soon got bored, and then Joshua's friend came over and soon all the boys were playing baseball on the lawn. I stood and watched the fire and the boys at the same time. They were all getting along and the older two were humoring the younger two and encouraging them and teaching them how to play! After a while I decided the fire would be OK by itself and I just sat down on the back step and watched the boys play. It was a beautiful, calm evening; warm enough to sit outside in a T-shirt, and no bugs. The were all playing together and not one disagreement between them! This was the best few hours I have experienced in years. It's hard, no impossible, for me to explain how this evening has affected me. I knew it had to end, but wanted to just continue to sit and watch and soak in the evening!

Joshua's New Friend

What do you think of Joshua's new friend? Seems like a friendly sort, eh? He's a bit stiff, but a ball to have around!

I Had a Dream

I dreamt that I was in Japan! Some sort of teacher's conference, I think. It was lunch time and people were heading out to some local restaurants to eat. As usual, I went by myself; but, don't feel sorry for me, I choose to go by myself. I like to be by myself, plus I don't have any friends to go with! Anyway, I head out and the only way to get to where I'm going is to go down this steep Roller Coaster type hill that has a very narrow valley and very steep upswing. I'm afraid of heights, but because its a dream I go anyway. I get the top of the hill and realize I have no clue where I am or where I am going. There is nothing but houses all around, no restaurants. But up ahead I see what looks like a major intersection and I start to walk there (I don't know what happened to the car I was in, it just vanished). I turn left onto that road, which is a divided 8 lane highway, and as soon as I turn left I see up ahead a strip mall. I go in to partake of some authentic Japanese food, but find only A&W and other such North American establishments. I'm dissappointed but soon see an Edo restaurant. Well, still not good enough. I walk around and find an authentic Japanese deli style store. I go in but all they have is crayfish and muffins! So I leave and wander arou........ Dad, I peed in my bed!

Meme

The meme tag topic is to share six unimportant things about myself and then to tag six other people to do the same thing. I apparently have rules I need to follow and need to post them here for those whom I tag to follow. So here they are:1. Link back to the person who tagged you. 2. Post these rules on your blog. 3. Share six unimportant things about yourself. 4. Tag six random people at the end of your entry.

Here are my six unimportant things:

1. I wear clothes based on how they feel, not how they look.

2. Too much white sugar gives me a headache (I heard, recently, that honey, white sugar and brown/yellow sugar are all the same thing because their chemical make up is the same. BUT there must be something in the way it is processed - by the food company or maybe by my body, or both!).

3. I LOVE trees. I watch fishing and hunting shows just to see the trees.

4. I write just to watch the letters form on paper. I've been experimenting with cursive writing because I like the way it flows; it's so organic! I LOVE organic.

5. I like watching religious programming on TV for its entertainment value.

6. Tomorrow is pajama day at school for my boys; I can't wear pajamas.

Lobster Anyone?

Joshua goes out to feed the cats and yells back that Muffy has caught a mouse. A little while later he comes in and says it looks like a scorpion, not a mouse. So we go out and this is what we find the cats playing with. Looks like this one is great with child! Cray fish, I think they are called.

Click on the picture to see enlaged view.

Busy Day

Yesterday (Saturday April 12) was a busy day. I sanded some drywall (which made a huge mess), got the car tire fixed, did some laundry, had a weiner roast with the boys, got them bathed and off to bed. In between these activities I did my usual housewife duties of making meals, washing dishes, cleaning floors, and harassing the kids to clean up. At the end of the day I sat down and watched the last two minutes and overtime period of the Canadien's game. Then I tried to watch a movie after the kids went to bed, but got so tired I couldn't finish it.

I fell asleep quickly but was suddenly aroused by a noise. When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was the wall, with a huge CRACK in it! You know how it is when you just wake up from a deep sleep that has just barely set in. The mind is not quite functioning properly: it sees things differently, it imagines things that are not real or accurate, and it jumps to conclusions based on these distorted views of reality. Well, in this state of half sleep (or for you optomists, half awake) I saw a crack on the wall, imagined that the house was falling apart and then had visions of the house falling down upon me. Then I imagined what would happen if the house dropped in on me: would I live through it, what would happen to the kids. Of course I'm too lazy to get out of bed and check things out so I told myself it was just my eyes playing tricks on me, and fell quickly asleep.

In the morning I awoke and the first thing I saw was our big bedroom window. It has a large curvy crack in it, oddly, the same shape as the crack in the wall I saw last night. Then I looked at the wall and the crack was gone! So, my conclusion in this matter: think positive thoughts and your problems will disappear!

Re-Tired the Car

Ich habe gestern ein neues Reifen gekauft fuer meines Auto. Den alten Reifen war ganz platt und haltet nicht mehr Luft. Den neues Reifen kostet nur funfundzwanzig dollar!

Why would you do that?

We had 10 minutes left in class so I let the students play on the computers. I sat down beside one student and started writing in my notebook. He looks over and asks me what I'm doing. "I'm writing a story in German, just for fun and to practice my German."
"Why would you do that?", he says. He just could not fathom the idea that I would be writing a story for fun and practice. We argued for about 5 minutes; me trying to convince him I was writing for fun and practice, he arguing that was crazy!

Recent Developments

According to the kids, the cats have grown soooooo big! We've only been gone a week! The snow has disappeared a lot; I can actually see the bottom of the ditch! Our yard is muddier than ever. I hear Pastor Pillow will be preaching at Bedside Baptist tomorrow; haven't heard him in a while, think I'll lend him my ear.

Home is where the heart is!

It feels nice to be back "home". I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, it's relaxing to be sitting on my own couch, I feel comfortable cooking at my own stove. But somehow it all feels rather ... EMPTY! I don't feel at home. I feel like there is a big empty hole in this house that is just waiting to swallow me whole. I can't quite place my finger on it. Evi is always better at expressing feelings, maybe I'll go ask her how she would express it. Oh! but I can't find her, nor Abbi! Ah, now I see the hole for what it is. The old saying finally has personal meaning to me!

Deutsche Websites

Ich habe Heute viel gute Deutsche Websites gefunden (wie sagt man "website" auf Deutsch?). Schauen Sie unter "Links". Diese Websites haben Bücher zum lesen und hören. Auf ein (oder eine?) Website kann man auch Deutsch lernen. Ich brauche diese Website; ich kann nicht sehr gut Deutsch!

Walking the Line

I recently watched "Walk the Line". I had been reluctant to pay money to watch it, but when a friend lent us the video I took the chance! WELL, I was not disappointed. Here was a man who struggled with life, yet was not afraid to show his true colors. I think that is why I liked the movie and his music so much.

I'm Confused

... because I don't know what to write.