welcome the newest zondervan

No not a baby boy (yet), but a baby toy poodle. We recently welcomed charlie to the zondervan household in a half hearted attempt to level out the number of boys to girls=) He is only nine weeks old and literally smaller than my foot, (although that may not be a fair reference since my feet are huge) but he is teenie. He will probably only way 5-7 pounds full grown and although I am more of a big dog kind of guy, I think I'll have a soft spot for him pretty soon and the girls adore him already!!

Here's to the newest adventures to come in our home!!!

pajama friday

I love being the room helper at Ava's school. You get to help kids open their chip bags and fruit cups, and try not to think about what percentage of the taco meat is actually beef. Then you get to spend 18 of the 20 minutes of recess helping kids put on snowpants, zip up coats, find missing gloves and squeeze into winter boots before heading out.

Ava's class brought in the most canned goods for a food drive so they got to wear their pajamas on friday instead of the school uniform. I thought about joining the fun and showing up in my boxers and slippers, but then I remembered adults get arrested for that.

Ava was so cute and I tried hard not to embarrass her too bad. I had a little 6 year old boy come up to me and ask me if I was Ava's dad. I said yes and he replied with "does Ava have two dads?" I'm sure there are a lot of children that have to navigate the reality of divorce but it took me a little of guard. I patted his head and told him she just had me=) I love kids!!

teachable moment

As a parent, you always look for those moments with your children when you can interject with a wisdom nugget or biblical principle that will not only deepen your child's faith, but also their perception of you as a wise old sage of a parent.

Anyways, sunday after Church Addy was talking about wishing her room had big pink banners and unicorns or something like that and Kendra reminded her that while having things on earth is nice, no matter how much stuff you have, none of it goes with you when you go to heaven.

Ava then proceeds to add her theological slant by proclaiming, "yea, that's why if I had a bunch of candy and knew I was gonna die, I would eat it all really fast"

teachable moment fail, better luck next time parents =)

"Seek" 2011

We are drawing near to the close of the first week of our 21 day fast at Radiant Church. We are corporately fasting either food, comfort, or both for a period of 21 days to seek after God and put His presence FIRST in 2011. We also have prayer groups that are meeting in homes once a week for these three weeks believing God to move mightily in our church and community.

I can't wait to hear the testimonies. I believe Fasting is one of the most overlooked disciplines in the church (myself included) and I know something powerful is stirring in the hearts of God's people.

I am reading thru the book of acts this week and am amazed at how often it mentions people who thru prayer and fasting are seeing incredible miracles happen in their lives and incredible growth in the church!!

I encourage you to read five chapters of the book of acts a day and underline how many times prayer and fasting is mentioned and the miracles that follow. The church today is designed to be the same way!!!

God bless

the big give

I'm a little late on this, but I wanted to make sure I documented and shared the incredible impact radiant church was able to have on our community and the world this past Christmas. Each year we have asked our church to get involved in a service project we call the "big give". It includes several options for families and individuals to participate and this year our focus was on...

1. ministering thru song in area nursing homes with young children
2. a winter coat and clothing drive
3. a city wide food drive where food is donated by local companies, then packed and delivered by volunteers all over the city
4. the angel tree gift giving to families in need both in our church and the community. We also had the opportunity to not only buy the gifts, but also deliver them.
5. household goods drive where items were collected and donated to the deacons conference in Kalamazoo.
6. A big give offering where all proceeds went to build an orphanage in India where children literally abandoned on the streets will receive clothing, shelter, education as well as being used as a church to present the gospel.

I could not be more proud of Radiant church. Here are a few of the statistics,

1. we had over 80 people in two nursing homes singing to the elderly.
2. we had over 80 people volunteer at the food drive
3. we sponsored 50 families resulting in over 350 gifts purchased for families.
4. we had over 700 winter clothing items donated.
5. we delivered over 200 household items to the neediest in kalamazoo

Last but not least we needed fifty thousand dollars to build and furnish the orphanage in india to take 50 kids off the streets. We are currently at 80 thousand dollars with the possibility of being able to build two!! Our missionary in India literally cried when we told him.

Our church is not perfect, but I have to believe this is what Jesus meant when He talked about doing unto the least of these and laying up your treasure in heaven. I am so thankful to God for the impact we were able to make and when every one reaches beyond what they think they can do, miracles happen, people are touched for eternity, and God gets all the glory.

Amen and Amen!!!

Here are a few pics of my precious addy and me at the nursing home. (Ava was sick)

the gift receiving response

There's nothing quite like looking at your child's face as they open a gift and marvel at the wonder of Christmas. They can't wait to rip the box open (unfortunately they usually have about fifty twisty tie things in the back that you have to undo) and begin to experience the newness of whatever this new gift may be.

There are also those gifts you receive that do not quite elicit the same level of excitement. You know what I mean. The paper comes off and immediately your mind is racing to try to come up with a response that at least borders on appropriate. Here are ten things you hope you never hear after someone opens the gift you brought them.


1. I can't wait to wear this..........in the basement

2. If this ever catches fire, I'm gonna be sooooo mad

3. what is it? Oh of course. You know, I really don't deserve this

4. boy did I pick a bad year to donate all my gifts to charity

5. why do you hate me?

6. Christmas is about giving, does anyone else want this?

7. Wow, it cuts hair and it vacuums? I can't wait to try it

8. This will go so nice with that light up sweater you got me last year

9. It's perfect! What day is our trash pick up again honey?

10. get out of my house, now.

Hopefully your Christmas gift experience brought nothing but rainbow smiles and Unicorn tears.

Christmas 2010

Another Christmas season has come and gone. I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up=( There is nothing quite like being surrounded by friends and family and reflecting on all the goodness of God. Here are a few pics for you Jim and Amy, we missed you sooooooo much!!!!!=) (and my sister Laurie too=)