Treasures in Heaven

We had two bikes stollen out of our backyard this summer. It made me very angry and sad. The other day I noticed the top had fallen off my plastic bin of sweaters under my bed. Moths and bugs got into them and ate holes in almost all of them. I was sick to my stomach about it, and spent alot of time thinking about it. I seemed to remember there was a scripture somewhere about something like that...

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 6:19-24

My God is really working to reveal something to me and I am trying so hard to get my finite little mind around it. It feels like if I can begin to understand what he is saying, it will forever change everything in my life and family. We are praying that God will help us to grasp what these words really mean in our life and everywhere we turn we are confronted in some way by this truth. I am learning to let go of the control I have always tried to have over my life and truly surrender to God's will. I am trying to focus only on Him, and not letting my eyes wander. I am learning to live in God's kingdom now.

Really Free Market!

I am very excited to tell you that someone else is going to be having a 'free sale' this month. It was a good thing that we did not try to have our freedom celebration because we ended up spending the whole last part of that week cleaning up our yard after the big storm. There is no way that we could have pulled it off this year. But when started the whole thing, we were really hoping that other people would try it out too! So if you are able, please participate in this event, especially if you have stuff you had set aside for the Freedom Celebration. We are planning on going, hopefully we'll see you there!

GF Bread

Thank you Shari for the brown rice baking mix! The girls loved the bread. It was so good straight out of the oven with margarine and honey. So far I have only found it at harvest health, but it is only two dollars and some change and the recipe on the box works great.


We also tried the muffin recipe which was very good with cinnamon. Next time I make them, I will add some fruit, but Lily never enjoys that. Bummer.

Vacation

We just got home from our annual vacation in Indian River, MI with my Dad. This is the 2nd year in a row he has rented a cottage there for a week in July. It is on the Inland waterway which is a system of lakes and rivers that go from Petosky all the way across the top of the state to Cheboygan . The cottage is right on the river. We spent some time on the boat, but Daisy hates being in her life jacket and Rich got a horrible sun burn, so we didn't go out as much as usual. I thought I'd share these pics:


Daisy waved when I pointed the camera at her. She's so funny!


I found the girls nets at the dollar store and Lily spent the whole time hunting for new pets. She wanted to catch a bunny or a duck so bad! Thank God she didn't!


Rich brought his fishing boat. My sister Julie and her husband Davie were up for a few days. Rich took them out fishing. I don't think they caught much, but Rich did manage to catch a few Pike and broke one of his poles in the process.



The girls had lots of fun playing on the little playground. Daisy really enjoyed the swing! We had fun, but we are glad be home! It's hard to be away with three little ones. I felt like I had to pack up my whole house. Rich remembered someone saying to him once that once you have little kids vacations aren't for you anymore. It was alot of work!

The Big Storm

That big storm last week made a huge mess of our neighborhood and ripped our phone line right off the side of our house. We lost HUGE tree limbs and they all came down on top of Rich's truck. You could only see the tailgate sticking out the back of the pile. It was an absolute miracle that it was not damaged. The windows were all intact. The drivers window was left down a bit, which sucked cause the seats got very wet, but where it was open a crack a tree branch was sticking right in and none off the glass was even cracked!

This is the tree in the driveway of the house next door:



Check out all the photos on Amy's blog too:

http://thevanzoerens.blogspot.com/2008/07/first-storm-of-july.html

We spent ALL day Thursday in the yard cleaning up. My Dad came down with 2 chainsaws and he and Rich and our neighbor Rick Beerhorst cut and cleared the wood. We loaded all the cut firewood up and dropped it off to Rick and we still have a giant pile of brush to clear. I think we might rent a wood chipper, since we need wood chipper for the yard anyway?

I am on vacation now for the week in Indian River with my Dad and sisters, hopefully when I get home my phone and internet will be restored!!! The only way to stay connected up here is the free wi-fi at Burger King!

babies

I took photos of my nephew Cody last week. He is 4 months old. He is such a little cutie, I had to share these with you.




The most amazing thing is that just 4 months ago, he started out life like this:


He only weighed 3 pounds and spent weeks in the NICU. I took this photo after he had been home for a short time. He was so tiny!


His chubby cheeks are so special because they are a sign that he is growing and healthy. Praise God! Here's a photo of his big sister and brother, Brieanne and Kyle.


Since I had the camera out I decided to take a few photos of Daisy. She is so quick these days , it wasn't easy. My yarn kept her busy long enough for me to take these:


Daisy is 9 months old already. It is so sad and exciting all at the same time how fast she is growing up. She is crawling all over and standing up to things.


She is even starting to talk. She says Momma and Dada and Luna whenever she sees the dog. She waves and claps and says hi and something that sounds like yeahhh when she does. We are also teaching her some baby signs. So far she has figured out more. She is a very silly girl!

And thank God at least one of my children still takes a nap!

Studio Apartment For Rent!!

Cute East hills lower level studio apartment on Lake Dr. Close to Eastown, Bus lines, restaurants, entertainment and Colleges. This unit has a great layout, large storage closet in living room, large closet for clothes, new appliances, fireplace, big front porch.

Rent includes ALL UTILITIES!!! Gas, electric, water, trash removal, off street parking, non-coin operated laundry, basic cable and WIRELESS INTERNET!!! This is really a great deal, it saves you money every month and you only have one check to write. No gas bill to budget for in the winter. Your housing costs stay the same every month.

$520 per month and $500 deposit.

This is a great location and a great house to live in. Great neighborhood. There is a nice backyard with a big picnic table and a garden area. You'd be welcome to help with the growing and / or share the fresh homegrown tomatoes!

Available immediately. Various lease options available.

SPECIAL OFFER- 1/2 off the Security deposit if you sign a lease this week and move in by the 15th!

Please call Jennifer at (616) 301-3757 for more info or a showing.