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Can we take a break from John? Okay then!
I love being a Dad; never thought I would but it's great! Today I was washing dishes and Leif and Annika were begging me to play with them. "Just hold on, I'm working!" was my reply to their pleas. Immediately I was reminded of how I always wanted my Dad to play with me, but he had work to do. For a while there, I guess I kinda held that against him, thinking he was too busy to spend time with me.
Man, I was too critical of my dad; parenthood is not easy. Now that I'm a dad, I look back and realize that my dad is pretty incredible. My older brother rebelled a ton, to say the least. He'll even admit that his high school years were mostly about doing everything my parents taught him not to do. One night he was REALLY mean to my parents and he left them devastated. Just thinking about it right now makes me tense! I'll never forget my dad's reaction: I walked by the living room, and there he was at the piano, playing "Be Still and Know That I am God" and crying his eyes out. What a man. My respect for Dad grew a ton that day; he taught me right then to bless God when things are good, and to bless God when things are rough.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. -Philippians 3:17

Now that I'm a dad, I find myself asking myself what my Dad would do. It's important to think WWJD, but it's also important to think "What Would (insert godly person who you know here) Do?" Take note of them, don't forget them, and live your life like theirs.
And allow me to tag one more thought on the end here: don't be so hard on your parents like I was. Rest assured they're probably trying their hardest to do what's best for you, and even though they annoy you, they're some of the only people on earth who love you no matter what.

John 8 - Part 2

You probably don't know this, but my son's second name is Abram. Yeah, he's named after my grandpa, and we all think that's pretty great. In the Bible, Abram had faith in God and his name was changed to Abraham, which means "Father of Many" because it was with him that the Israeli nation was started. So Abraham was a pretty important guy to the Jews, because he was their "father".
So when Jesus says that they aren't, they take offense:

"Abraham is our father," they answered.
"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does."
"We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."

It's important say that we put God first, but it's even more important to follow who we say we follow. If God is our Father, our lives must look like his. Also, if we claim allegiance to Ranger, our lives must reflect the good choices that the Ranger leadership makes.

A Poem by Cindy Taekema

Twas the eve before take off,
and all through the house,
no one was sleeping,
not even a mouse.

So much commotion
as final preparations were made
running around aimlessly,
like in a circus parade!

Visas are still pending,
not yet coming through
should flights be changed?
what ever should we do?

Maybe we could sneak
in the belly of the plane
then it would be free,
...yet a little too insane

After hours of stress,
nothing else can we do
yet alas, a glimmer of hope,
could it be true?

a window of opportunity,
the visa has come, horray!
Now we can leave legally
on the plane the next day

I had made my list
now am checking it twice
realizing I should have
taken mothers advice

"take only the essentials,
and not too much more"
for now all my luggage,
won't fit out the door!

Stressing now about luggage weight,
and what not to bring;
"should I pack my rock collection,
or my precious diamond ring?"

so many decisions
and things left to find
feeling so unprepared,
I was loosing my mind!

then there was a noise
could it be? is it true?
yes, up on the rooftip,
I found my lost shoe!

Now gaining back the confidence,
I pulled myself together
reminding myself
I was leaving to warmer weather!

No more of this snow
and famous Canadian winters
no more sneezing and shivering
and freezing my knickers!

now squeezing my last item
in the top of my bag
I quickly zip it closed
before it will snag.

Things are simmering down now
at the Taekema household,
feeling a more prepared
and a little more bold

"Am I ready to go?"
I ask to myslef
ready to leave all the teddies
and books on my shelf?

Well I guess it's too late
to start changing my mind
so I guess here I go again,
leaving you all behind.

But now all is calm
no more a big fright
and I say "best wishes to all,
and to all a good night!!"

What?

Sorry, we didn't notice that the blog was all messed up until halfway through Christmas! So here's hoping that craziness doesn't happen again. And if you have no clue what I'm talking about, just smile, nod, and have a happy New Year!