sick days = fun days

I remember loving sick days when I was in grade school.  As long as I wasn't ridiculously sick, it was great to be home, watch as much TV as possible, and have mom make special cinnamon and sugar toast for me.

Today, Joost and Grace are home sick.  It seems the four of them are all enjoying it as much as I did.  Kate and Henry even decided to set up TV time in movie theater style.

A day off--a day trip

We took a little day trip today since the kids had off for President's Day.  We visited Lititz--which, apparently, was voted "Coolest Small Town in America" recently.  I didn't know that until after the day was over, but I do agree.  It's a great little town.

Sadly, Jeff is rarely able to make day trips with us during the week, but we always have the luxury of having my parents join us.





We first visited Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.  We had fun making, baking, and tasting pretzels.

Next, we went over to the Wilbur Chocolate Company. 

We ended the day with some window shopping on their quaint main street.  The weekend before, they had a Fire & Ice festival which included many ice sculptures.  The kids picked some of their favorites.

Kate and a seal

Grace and a heart

Joost and the dragon

Since Jeff wasn't with us, we decided that it would only be appropriate (and would warm his heart) if the van Bastelaar family favorite sculpture was a windmill from Holland.  We took this picture for him.

Our own Phillie Phanatics

We're getting ready for the season...

Lent

As we enter the Lenten Season, it is a good time to remember why we set aside these weeks leading up to Easter.

What our Lord wants us to present to him is not goodness, nor honesty, nor endeavor, but real, solid sin; that is all he can take from us.  And what does he give in exchange for our sin?  Real, solid righteousness.  But we must relinquish all pretense of being anything, all being worth of God's consideration.  -- Oswald Chambers

A dear friend, Sara Demoiny, said, "Lent is not about doing something for God, or earning God's affection, or something to brag about on the surface but that changes nothing in the heart.  Lent is a time to intentionally think about our sin, our true unworthiness of God's grace and to draw closer to Him in repentance."  She summed up the purpose of Lent very well.  It is a time to be reminded over and over that we are unworthy because of our sin to come before our perfect and holy God. 

Lent . . .should never be morose - an annual ordeal during which we begrudgingly forgo a handful of pleasures.  Instead, it ought to be approached as an opportunity.  After all, it is meant to be the church's springtime, when out of the darkness of sin's winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges.  (Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter)

Beyond remembering my utter sinfulness and a need for a Saviour, Lent also is a constant reminder of the full sacrifice that Christ endured in coming to the world as a man.  God becoming man is no small thing.  We often only remember his sacrifice in His death.  We forget his continual sacrifice as He lived his life leading up to the cross.  Daily He put aside His  almighty powers to live the dirty, humble life of a man.  The God-man started as a spec of life inside his mother.  He had to be taught to walk, speak, read.  He was hungry and tired.  Christ, our heavenly king, lived the life that we all live. That, alone, is true sacrifice.

As I give up something for Lent, each time I miss it or wish I had it back, I am called to remember the full sacrifice of Christ--both in His life and in His death.

The Year of the Snake

Gracie's 1st grade class had a lot of fun celebrating the Chinese New Year today.  One of her classmate's parents were born in China and were able to give them many authentic activities to take part in.  

Thank you, Fang & Hong!