This past year we have traded out all our old movies for only Godly and biblical valued based ones. I have purchased a collection of bible story cartoons- that really aren’t so bad- seem to be pretty accurate with ok production and graphics as well.
Eden’s favorite ones are Samson and Delilah, and David and Goliath. She often plays pretend about these two. The other day, when I had told her something to do that she didn’t want to do, and then had to scold her, she wrinkled up her nose, narrowed her eyes, and snarled at me in her most fierce manner, and whispered, ”You Philistine!” Later, when she was upset with a few of her siblings, she waved her arm at them and said, “You’re all Philistines!”
Last week, we went to the PX and bought Dad a basket ball goal for Father’S Day and had to have an employee load it out in the car for us. This employee’s name happened to be David. All that day, Eden kept asking about David, where’s David? And on and on. I thought it a little odd and strange that she would have this strange fascination for the PX employee, but didn’t make the connection until the next day when she was pretending to be Princess Michal (pronounced "McCow") and declared that she was gonna marry David at the PX! (Strangely, the young man there at the PX does look a lot like the cartoon character on the DVD.)
Just a little proof of how media influences kids
(Post composed by Mom)
Well, it's time again to post lots of photos with updates mixed in throughout. It has been a really busy time and so much has taken place. Mother's day, I was promoted, a home fellowship group is starting to grow, a women's encouragement group has launched with my wife and some other ladies, Micah has turned 15, Jacob turns 11 very soon, many of the kids have enrolled in things like scuba diving and gymnastics, and we (Heather and I) are gearing up to start a kid's group called "Keepers of the Faith." It's a real time of expansion and challenges as we grow. Just a little less than 2 months till the baby is to be born and we are very excited.
This first photo (above) took place back in April when Dad (me) went down to the river near our home and the kids threw a few stale loaves of bread into the water for the ducks (lots of cute lil baby ones recently hatched there.)
While we were feeding the ducks, one of the kids came across these very large leaves from nearby plants and began playing around with them. It caught on quick and soon just about everyone had a large leaf to be silly with.
A couple of the kids needed new bikes for their birthdays so we purchased them a little early. Warmer months here in Germany are cherished things so waiting till August, for example, was just not an option we wanted to take. Here Jacob has posed for me on his bike just after I re-adjusted the handlebars. He's growing quick, just like all of them.
Here's Hannah with her beautiful new bike. Streamers on the handlebars and everything. She began learning how to ride solo just a little while back and now rides like she's been doing it for years. I thought of Pawpaw as I helped trained her. I did it just the same way as he did with me; holding the seat and running along giving encouragement, etc. Being patient when she felt frustrated. She did so well.
Nathan is very proud of his brand new bike with awesome training wheels. He likes going uphill better than downhill since he can control the speed a little more that way. Very independent only allowing minimal help. Anytime he balances on his own we praise him alot with things like "you did it for 3 whole seconds that time!" He's coming along fast.
Jacob received a cool Roman costume for his birthday and doesn't he look awesome here?! This boy is very athletic and has a strong interest in anything military. Micah is athletic also and both the boys have been doing something called Parquar lately. It's a french word and I may be getting it wrong. But it's a combination of martial arts and gymnastics it seems. Reminds me of Spider Man. We've picked up several items of sports equipment and enjoy, as a family, playing baseball, frisbee, throwing the football, some tennis a bit, and things like that of late. My wedding ring flew off into a field while catching a football lately so we ask for your prayers in helping locate it.
Eden is so adorable and is just so talkative lately. Some folks laughed a bit when I posted her latest phrases on Facebook. "Don't take my property!"was one of them. I recall Rachel said some funny things at that young age, like "Impossible!" one time she blurted out in the back seat of the car, during a time when she had been into some sort of spy investigative cartoon thing.
Here the boys were "roughing it" from inside the house roasting hot dogs over an open stove burner. I remember thinking how funny and cool it was all at the same time. I quickly shot a photo of Micah and then found Jacob doing it also about 5 minutes later. Tastes just like you did over the grill. They used chop sticks here to hold the hot dog.
Isn't he growing up so fast?! He's an awesome guy. I enjoyed spending all of last Friday with him. We started off playing football with my unit, then had breakfast and hung out till lunch, when we ate with a co-worker who came to the US as a boy from China with his mother. He and Micah hit it off and seem to be good friends. I felt like Micah and I enjoyed lots of good conversation and I appreciate him even more. I love that boy.
We went for a family walk in the woods recently and this Soldier jumped out of the wood line throwing pine cone grenades. Micah took up a position and began to return attack. This Soldier, Jacob, almost got me here. Even though I am a reporter, I still did the truly right thing and got involved.
What could be cuter than Eden or Hannah? Eden and Hannah together, of course. What a sweet photo of some precious daughters.
A person can get thirsty trekking through the woods.
This stroller didn't last long on those sometimes harsh trails but this photo's appeal will last and last. Eden and Nathan here rode together. Awe.
One of the homes we pass en route to the trails had a tree with all these painted eggs hanging from it's leaves. Here's a close up of one of the eggs. All of them were painted with just about the same picture. Kinda like a sonogram if we were to paint the image onto our pregnant wive's bellies, maybe? No?
Here's an image of it further away so you can get a more overall idea. I guess that would be octuplets.
You know, the great thing about having your kids own an ELECTRIC guitar is that the thing needs an amplifier in order to be loud. If they can't keep it down, you just take the amp and "ah, peace and quiet." Not anymore! Someone gave Micah a birthday gift that plugs into the amp slot and has this little battery operated speaker. Wait! Battery operated? Okay. There's still hope... Seriously, Micah plays very well and respects the rules of quiet time too. I thought you might want a close up of him resonating his amazingness, and to get a good look at the mini amp thingie also.
Here's Micah, our Jacob, and their friend, Jacob L., playing hard in the band they have formed. Good times and good tunes for all!
Awe! A crown for sweet "Ebby" that I'm pretty sure Hannah made. Hannah makes all sorts of things and is very creative. She crocheted a purse with strap for herself recently and is always coming up with creative ideas for making doll clothes, etc. Industrious like her Mother.
Micah here with his plant leafe ears. I told you this guy is lively and funny. I like this guy.
Many of the photos here were taken on Resurrection Sunday or prior to. These are two of the most suave guys around. It's obvious but I like to state the obvious...
In contrasting age motif, I present you two of the finest examples of Matthews.
Micah continues working his guitar skills. He looks good with the guitar Rachel gave to him. He looks cool anyway!
We visited Victory International serveral times. In this photo below, Jacob was taking his turn batting out on PHV Middle School Field. Several of the families at Victory met there for some baseball and hang out time.
Ken Klinner, pastor at Victory International, gave all the kids there rides in his cool motorcycle. Here Hannah and Nathan were enjoying their turn with him.
Proverbs 24:17-18 (King James Version)17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
These are the verses that came to mind as I dealt with the large number of feelings I associated with the news of his death. I definitely believe his death was a part of God's answer to prayers that He will sweep away everything against the exansion and establishment of His Kingdom here on Earth.
I also believe it's right to pray God help me be an adversary to those He has be an adversary to. But rejoiceing over his death; I think that's too far. However, rejoicing in a victory God has given is appropriate. See Exodus 15:1. "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea."
What's the difference in the two verses? I think one is about celebrating what the LORD has done in delivering His people and bringing justice. The other is about people mocking the misfortune of others. So, "Yeah! Take that you sorry so and so!" would be wrong. "God, thank you for Your faithfulness. I worship You" would be appropriate.
So, I don't believe Osama is dead because God loves America. I don't believe God is a respector of Nations. I think God is a respector of His own people and His own Nation; however. It's great when a political man-made Nation does acknow...ledge God but I think Osama's death is more about the consequence of sin, the consequence of those who do not "kiss the Son" as Isaiah says, the consequence of those who oppose Jesus Christ, those who attempt to hinder God's Kingdom being established, the consequence of the prayers of the saints, and so on. I am sorry Osama did not follow the Lord. I am saddened that he died without salvation as far as I know, I am appeased with the sense of justice for all the harm he caused to so many lives. I am confident even more that God hears prayers and that God carries out what He says, and I feel as sense of celebration as it concerns the mighty hand of the Lord and His works. God is no respector of persons. I would not want to be the person verbally opposed to the Lord's will and I would not want to be in the way of anything Jesus wants to accomplish or establish. In the last day or perhaps even sooner, those against Him will be next. The Lord's Hand is gentle but also very strong.
UPDATED BELOW ON 24 MAY 11 AD:
I've found another example of singing praises to God after a victory like this:
Judges Chapter 5:
1Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
2Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
3Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
4LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
5The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
6In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
7The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
8They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
9My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.
10Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
11They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
12Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
13Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
14Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
15And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
16Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
17Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
18Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
19The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
20They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
21The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
22Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
23Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
24Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
25He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
26She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
27At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
28The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
29Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,
30Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
31So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
(As always, enjoy the pics more by clicking on them for a larger view.) 
Here's Eden in one of her other new dresses. She is so very adorable, no? 
Warning. I have had a hard time lining up my comments with the photos. I apologize but if you read this and enjoy the photos you should be able to match things up pretty well. I should have loaded all the pics first and then commented after. Next time I hope to do better but hope you enjoy anyway... There's Nathan C. looking so cool in his duds. 
Eden is a cutie as usual. I just have to have at least one shot of her with food on her face. It's a trend, you know?! 
Man, the kids collected a boo coo of snails from our backyard and entertained themselves for hours. They are pretty cool and entertaining. 
I was detailed as a color guard soldier recently at a ball. Here I am in uniform afterwards. I had the honor of holding the Deutschland flag. 
Hannah here in her church clothes or at least a new summer dress. She's so beatiful. 
Rachel sent the girls and my wife some really nice things and my Heather really loves this apron. She said it's the most favorite one she's ever had and wanted to make sure I posted it here. 
Nathan and Eden looking so great in their church duds. 
Here I am trying on some church clothes my wife found at a great deal. God is awesome to give me a wife who is so good at keeping us looking good and saving us money like this.
Heather made one of her favorite soups, French Onion using some wild onions we picked nearby. If any dogs happened to have peed on the onions prior to our using them, I certainly couldn't tell by the taste. The soup was delicious, as my wife's cooking always is. 
Here's a recent photo of the two coolest cats hangin' out. Jacob's wearing this Politzei/Police military motif clothing that he loves and Micah is looking casual, classy, and cool. 
Nathan and I rode the Seesaw together as a part of a day at some castle ruins and the nearby park with the family. It was good times. He is really a great boy, as all my children are. We discovered that he behaves really well when he gets plenty of quality time with Mom and Dad. He especially likes having books read to him. 
"It's a real treat, Your Highness. A real treat." One of my wife's favorite quotes from the cartoon version of Robin Hood. It's true for this photo first because any photo of my wife is a real treat. But especially because she doesn't let me take many photos of her. A rare flower is a treasure to find and so I share a picture of one with you. The baby is doing really well and so is Heather in that regard. She's a little more than halfway along. 
The whole family went down to the burgruins/castleruins here in our town and played for awhile. I shot photos while there and got this great one of our precious Hannah. 
Here we caught Eden listening to one of her favorite CDs by way of headphones. She loves this South African Christian CD we have. I love it too. It's awesome. But she's more awesome! 
Here's Nathan playing with his Tiergarten zoo animals. 
Here my children have engaged in improptu silly faces while posing next to our new (used) tropical fish tank. We have seven little neon fish, two small shark-looking fish, two prettier rainbow looking fish, two orange fish, two bottom feeders without suckers, two bottom feeders with suckers, and a large snail. I believe that all of the fish which we have two of are male and female pairs. The kids have named all of them. In Germany, there are still lots of "Mom and Pop" businesses left and so we bought all of our fish from a husband and wife-run camping store in our town. They were careful to ensure we did not over populate the tank too quickly and advised us as to which types of fish were compatible with one another. It's a far cry better service than what say Walmart might have to offer. Germany has their big chain outlets too but they seem to have a better balance and have preserved the small man businesses as well. My wife has done a great job of researching and setting everything up. We've had the tank for nearly a month now and all the fish has been doing really well. We all love to watch them. The tank's sound helps my wife sleep at night and it's just as interesting as television was but much better for you.
Our digital camera began to have some problems some weeks ago and so this is why I've not been able to put any recent photos up. Thanks to God, we have a new camera as of yesterday so stay tuned...