IT'S A BOY!!!

I am a father.

I am in awe of God's creation.  I saw his heartbeat, his eyes, nose, ears, hands, feet, fingers, toes, and even his spine, bladder and liver. We watched him poke back whenever we poked at him with the ultrasound, and twist when Jen rolled over. 

This is my son.

Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being;

 you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 your works are wonderful,

 I know that full well.

Haste makes waste

I found this quote today in my study time.  It made an impact on me, what do you think about it?

Let us never forget that religious earnestness alone is no proof that a man is a sound Christian. Not all zeal is right–it may be a zeal without knowledge. No one is so mischievous as a blundering, ignorant zealot. Not all earnestness is trustworthy–without the leading of God’s Spirit, it may lead a man so far astray, that, like Saul, he will persecute Christ himself. Some bigots imagine they are doing God service, when they are actually fighting against His truth, and trampling on His people. Let us pray that we may have light as well as zeal.

~ J.C. Ryle

Proverbs 19:2 (NLT)  Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.

Building community

An important part of building any community is sacrificing the concept of managing your self image.

-Dave

The King

My wife gave me tickets for Christmas.

It was amazing to see a man so talented as BB King performing live.

I don't have the words to express how good he is, so just watch him for yourself here.

Amazing.

latest news

The boys came home from the hospital yesterday, and their mom beat them home by a couple days.  Just in time to discover that all the snow and ice we have melting in this area have melted right into the carpet of the little guys' bedroom.  And caused mold.  So they are living at my moms for now while the landlord figures out how to fix it.

Happy valentines day...

I just wish my brother and Silja could get a break.

Things are looking up

We were able to go visit Silja in the hospital yesterday.  She is doing much better. She has been moved to an intermediate care area and has been able to rest a bit.  She does not have the influenza virus as we feared.  (Pneumonia after the cesarean birth is bad enough.)  The fluid on her lungs and around her heart seems to be fairly contained.  We are going again tomorrow, and hope to be able to stay for a longer visit.

Erik and Paul continue to improve steadily.  It looks like they will be able to go home sometime near when they are 2 weeks old.

Thanks for your prayers and all the well wishes and concerns.

-Dave

Prayers needed

As you know we are thrilled about the new twins.  The boys are both doing very well.  Silja, however,  is not.  She has been moved out of the new mother's unit and into the infections disease unit.  Her pneumonia is getting worse, and her body is simply not expelling the fluids it needs to, and her lungs have more fluid in them than she can cough up.  Her parents are flying out from California right now.  She has been placed in an isolation ward and a whole different team of doctors is getting on board.

Please pray for her and Matt.

-Dave


Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Knowledge vs Character

As I sit here and study and pray this morning, my thoughts keep going back to those two little boys in the NICU across town. As I pray for them to grow in wisdom and strength, I am reminded of a saying that a mentor of mine always says: "You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce who you are."  So I offer this prayer for Matt and Silja:

Lord, help my brother and sister to be Godly examples for Erik and Paul.  May they be fully present wherever they are, not being distracted by lesser things. May they follow you wholeheartedly and love well in every situation, giving Glory to you.  Bless their home and give them good health, peace, patience, and joy in abundance.  Above all give them wisdom, so that the boys will grow up seeing you in their parents.  And may that wisdom be reproduced in them.

I can't wait till the rest of the world wakes up and I can go visit the boys!

-Dave


Proverbs 4:7 (English Standard  Version)
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
  and whatever you get, get insight.

I'm an uncle!

My brother just came out of the delivery ward to announce the newest additions to our family.

Erik was born at 3:20 PM and weighed 4 pounds, 11 ounces.
Paul was born at 3:21 PM and weighed 4 pounds, 6 ounces.

Both boys are healthy, and in the NICU ward. Mom is doing well and in recovery.
Pictures will follow!

-Dave


Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.