These photos are from the first week.
Evan & Kelsey's wedding.
More to come...
Duane
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Michael says..."Evelyn, wake up!!! It's time to say bye bye to GrandDad Jones"!!!
What a delightful 20 days of Grandparent Bliss!Sorry for the delay of posting on the blog....but we've been busy!
Below, find two more photos of the Mosley departure.
Photos of the times spent with Wolff's & Mosley's to follow soon.
GrandDad Jones
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Lillian says...."Evelyn, Michael...Come play with me!"
Lillian arrived with her parents yesterday. She was happy and playful even on little sleep, due to the early A.M. air travel.
She's looking forward to seeing her cousins.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Mission Park Parade
Jessica and Duane rode the two seat go-kart. Brad & the boys rode the motorcycle with sidecar, while tossing penny candy to the parade viewers.
We all had rootbeer floats at the park afterwards.
We had lots of fun!
Water fun at the cabin!
More photos for your viewing pleasure.
The boys had fun tubing as well. Brad, Duane & Jason all went wakeboarding.We don't do it quite the same as Jason, however.
Even Ryan tried his hand a wakeboarding!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Jessica says..."Bring on Meggan, we're goin' tubing!!!"
We had a great weekend at the cabin.
We were in a parade. We went tubing. The weather was great!
Here are some photos to prove it!
1st:
"Dad, this is fun!"
2nd:
"Whow! That's a big wake... don't fall off Dad!"
3rd:
"Dad!!! I said...."Don't fall off! ... Now I'm soloing!!!"
We were in a parade. We went tubing. The weather was great!
Here are some photos to prove it!
1st:
"Dad, this is fun!"
2nd:
"Whow! That's a big wake... don't fall off Dad!"
3rd:
"Dad!!! I said...."Don't fall off! ... Now I'm soloing!!!"
Monday, June 25, 2007
".... a house with a white picket fence!"
Here are a couple of photos of our house sporting its "new look."It seems the jury is still out on the new fence, between our daughters.
However, GrandDad & GrandMaMa will enjoy having this grandbaby perimeter.
Sarah & Meggan, think of it as a safety gate, or a giant pack n' play for the out-of-doors!
Dad J
Fun in Farmington!!! - "Rambling River Days"
JJ had fun with Danielle & Aaron on Saturday in Farmington, MN.
Here are some photos you'll enjoy.
Friday, June 22, 2007
"Bringin' Home the Bling!"
Well our Jessica completed her events in this year's MN State Special Olympic Summer Games.On Thursday, Jessica brought home a Gold for the Tennis Ball Throw event.
Today she came home with a Gold in the 50 meter dash, and a Silver in the 100 meter Walk.
Jessica is quite delighted, and enjoys wearing the medals.
Here are some photos from her time at the MN state Special Olympics 2007 Summer Games!
Duane
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Ancient Artifacts???
While digging holes last Thursday for a fence we are putting in our yard, I came across this broken piece of pottery.
It appears to be from the rim of a bowl or pot.
Circa unknown.
I will post a photo of the completed project, next week.
Duane
Monday, May 14, 2007
"What goes around, comes around!"
Here is a photo we rec'd this AM from FL.
Sarah & Nathanael, have a new vehicle.
A "Minivan"!
They always said..."We'll never have a minivan"!
I guess with two children, and another on the way.... practicality has set in.
GrandDad Jones
Monday, May 07, 2007
Birthday Floral Arrangement
Sandra was surprised at work on Friday, with flowers from Sarah & Nathanael and Meggan & Bryan.The flowers now grace our home, seen here.
Both Sandra & I are in denial of our age.
We can't figure out how two young people like ourselves, can be parents of three, have two wonderful son-in-laws, three grandbabies (plus, another on the way!)
....and still, be only "Thirty Something"!
Duane
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Views from our "get-a-way" last weekend.
This past weekend, Sandra & I enjoyed at little R & R.
O.K. ...the biking part wasn't too restful, we bicycled 34 miles on Saturday.
We did enjoy it however, and we certainly benefited from the exercise.
Here are some photos from our time away.
Taylors Falls, MN & St. Croix Falls, WI area.
This is a place that the majesty and creativity of our Lord, really shines.
If you read the literature from the MN & WI DNR offices, they would say that this area was formed millions of years ago, by the glaciers that melted after the first ice age.
I myself, being a believer of a younger earth, would disagree. However, the beauty is astounding!
We found this great B&B called The Cottage.
Their website is: http://www.the-cottage.com/
Enjoy! We sure did!
Duane
O.K. ...the biking part wasn't too restful, we bicycled 34 miles on Saturday.
We did enjoy it however, and we certainly benefited from the exercise.
Here are some photos from our time away.
Taylors Falls, MN & St. Croix Falls, WI area.
This is a place that the majesty and creativity of our Lord, really shines.
If you read the literature from the MN & WI DNR offices, they would say that this area was formed millions of years ago, by the glaciers that melted after the first ice age.
I myself, being a believer of a younger earth, would disagree. However, the beauty is astounding!
We found this great B&B called The Cottage.
Their website is: http://www.the-cottage.com/
Enjoy! We sure did!
Duane
Friday, April 27, 2007
Heartfelt Confessions
I wish I could take the credit for this, but I can't.
I can tell you however, that the Lord spoke to me through it, and that gives me cause for rejoicing.
Read on!
This was sent to me yesterday via our weekly "e-news" newsletter, by one of our pastors at Grace Church, Eden Prairie, MN.
I called Clark last night to thank him, and to encourage him.
Scripture tells us in Hebrews 3:13 to:
...But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 NAS
Published Thursday, April 26, 2007
Clark Crebar -Next Generation Pastor
Heartfelt Confessions
Several years ago I visited an art gallery that contained an incredible display of ceramic art. It was about 15 ceramic pieces, all mounted on a blackboard. They were all life-size hearts, each crafted and painted differently from the other. I was captivated by the intricate work on each one and the themes each represented. One heart appeared to be encased in ice, another made to look like steel with bolts in it, and another had barbed wire wrapped all around. Another heart was cracked and broken into pieces, one was made out of glass and hollow, another had prison bars on the front, one looked sickly with rotting tissue and sunken-in sides, one like a dirt clod, and another one made to look of solid stone. Then finally there was one that stood out strikingly from all the others as strong, healthy, and alive. It was bright blood red and seemed almost lifelike.
An obvious point of the display was to give a longing for the vigorous and vibrant heart. As I stood for a very long time contemplating the hearts, I was intrigued not so much by the amazing creativity and craftsmanship, but rather by how they each symbolized my own heart at various times:
Hard – inflexible to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Calloused – insensitive to the concerns of the Kingdom.
Cold – lacking any warmth to Jesus or others.
Dirty – incapable of any pure-hearted desire.
Hollow – empty and void to the greater things of life.
Wandering – meandering off and finding another to whom I could give affection. Becoming distant and removed from God and others.
In recent years I have witnessed not only how my heart can change from one type to another but also how quickly. It is almost embarrassing to see how I can spend a beautiful time with the Lord and then hours, if not minutes, later, my heart has left the wonderful condition it was in and become hardened, wandering, and deceived. Often a line from an old hymn comes to mind as I witness my fickle tendencies –
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
(From “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”)
The good part however, is that now I am noticing the change. I guess my heart has become more sensitive than I ever thought. That is what happens when one allows Christ to fill it and change it.
Even better is my discovery that whenever I sense my heart being distant from the Lord, I need only to instantly come before Him and bask in His presence through prayer, worship, and His Word. It will only be a matter of time before my heart begins to change—softening, warming, becoming tender, beating again with life and vigor. 1 John 3:20 reminds us that God is greater than our hearts. He overcomes my hardness and fills my heart with the life-giving truths of Him. What I desire begins to change. How I view life and others begins to change. I change.
It is a sure thing, and it is so very simple. Draw near to God and your heart will be changed. What makes it even more incredible is that the Lord will never turn away a heart that wants Him and wants to be changed—never.
As believers in Christ, He has a permanent residence within our hearts, but we also have a responsibility for what we do with our heart. We, as well as others, live with the consequences of what we choose. A few days ago I was in a board meeting for an international mission organization. In the opening minutes of the meeting I sat there wondering why I flew all the way out and why the ministry even existed when so many other agencies were doing a similar work. “Perhaps we should just can this whole thing,” I thought to myself.
After a few minutes, they looked to me to lead us in a time of praise and prayer. I took a deep, determined breath and turned my attention to the Lord. We searched how He reveals Himself in His Word and recounted His worthiness back to Him. It couldn’t have been five minutes before my mind was racing delightfully with thoughts of what a strategic and powerful ministry this actually was and how God’s heart was for the lost of the world. My heart and my mind were radically different from when I entered that meeting. I could have sown seeds of dissent and despair. Instead I was able to give hope and vision.
As we bring our heart close to Christ He:
Melts it – real life begins to flow.
Softens it – we are sensitive to His leading.
Makes it beat - alongside His so that we can sense and feel what He feels. We end up loving what He loves, hating what He hates, caring for those He cares for, and longing to be with Him.
By faith, come to Him and “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1b). You will not leave the same as you came. You can’t change your heart. You can’t change your attitude. You can’t change your ways. But Christ can. Your heart belongs to Him. As we yield it back to Him, He transforms us in every way. And the longer we are there acknowledging His presence, the more our heart is changed.
Wanna do a test? Right now, take just five minutes and go to Him in prayer. Open His Word and allow Him to speak. Watch as your heart and mind change in the midst of His glorious presence. And by the way, that five minutes will seem far to short. Go ahead and take fifteen.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
-Clark Crebar, Next Generation Pastor
I can tell you however, that the Lord spoke to me through it, and that gives me cause for rejoicing.
Read on!
This was sent to me yesterday via our weekly "e-news" newsletter, by one of our pastors at Grace Church, Eden Prairie, MN.
I called Clark last night to thank him, and to encourage him.
Scripture tells us in Hebrews 3:13 to:
...But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 NAS
__________________________________________
E-News Devotional for the Week of April 23, 2007
Published Thursday, April 26, 2007
Clark Crebar -Next Generation Pastor
Heartfelt Confessions
Several years ago I visited an art gallery that contained an incredible display of ceramic art. It was about 15 ceramic pieces, all mounted on a blackboard. They were all life-size hearts, each crafted and painted differently from the other. I was captivated by the intricate work on each one and the themes each represented. One heart appeared to be encased in ice, another made to look like steel with bolts in it, and another had barbed wire wrapped all around. Another heart was cracked and broken into pieces, one was made out of glass and hollow, another had prison bars on the front, one looked sickly with rotting tissue and sunken-in sides, one like a dirt clod, and another one made to look of solid stone. Then finally there was one that stood out strikingly from all the others as strong, healthy, and alive. It was bright blood red and seemed almost lifelike.
An obvious point of the display was to give a longing for the vigorous and vibrant heart. As I stood for a very long time contemplating the hearts, I was intrigued not so much by the amazing creativity and craftsmanship, but rather by how they each symbolized my own heart at various times:
Hard – inflexible to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Calloused – insensitive to the concerns of the Kingdom.
Cold – lacking any warmth to Jesus or others.
Dirty – incapable of any pure-hearted desire.
Hollow – empty and void to the greater things of life.
Wandering – meandering off and finding another to whom I could give affection. Becoming distant and removed from God and others.
In recent years I have witnessed not only how my heart can change from one type to another but also how quickly. It is almost embarrassing to see how I can spend a beautiful time with the Lord and then hours, if not minutes, later, my heart has left the wonderful condition it was in and become hardened, wandering, and deceived. Often a line from an old hymn comes to mind as I witness my fickle tendencies –
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
(From “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”)
The good part however, is that now I am noticing the change. I guess my heart has become more sensitive than I ever thought. That is what happens when one allows Christ to fill it and change it.
Even better is my discovery that whenever I sense my heart being distant from the Lord, I need only to instantly come before Him and bask in His presence through prayer, worship, and His Word. It will only be a matter of time before my heart begins to change—softening, warming, becoming tender, beating again with life and vigor. 1 John 3:20 reminds us that God is greater than our hearts. He overcomes my hardness and fills my heart with the life-giving truths of Him. What I desire begins to change. How I view life and others begins to change. I change.
It is a sure thing, and it is so very simple. Draw near to God and your heart will be changed. What makes it even more incredible is that the Lord will never turn away a heart that wants Him and wants to be changed—never.
As believers in Christ, He has a permanent residence within our hearts, but we also have a responsibility for what we do with our heart. We, as well as others, live with the consequences of what we choose. A few days ago I was in a board meeting for an international mission organization. In the opening minutes of the meeting I sat there wondering why I flew all the way out and why the ministry even existed when so many other agencies were doing a similar work. “Perhaps we should just can this whole thing,” I thought to myself.
After a few minutes, they looked to me to lead us in a time of praise and prayer. I took a deep, determined breath and turned my attention to the Lord. We searched how He reveals Himself in His Word and recounted His worthiness back to Him. It couldn’t have been five minutes before my mind was racing delightfully with thoughts of what a strategic and powerful ministry this actually was and how God’s heart was for the lost of the world. My heart and my mind were radically different from when I entered that meeting. I could have sown seeds of dissent and despair. Instead I was able to give hope and vision.
As we bring our heart close to Christ He:
Melts it – real life begins to flow.
Softens it – we are sensitive to His leading.
Makes it beat - alongside His so that we can sense and feel what He feels. We end up loving what He loves, hating what He hates, caring for those He cares for, and longing to be with Him.
By faith, come to Him and “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1b). You will not leave the same as you came. You can’t change your heart. You can’t change your attitude. You can’t change your ways. But Christ can. Your heart belongs to Him. As we yield it back to Him, He transforms us in every way. And the longer we are there acknowledging His presence, the more our heart is changed.
Wanna do a test? Right now, take just five minutes and go to Him in prayer. Open His Word and allow Him to speak. Watch as your heart and mind change in the midst of His glorious presence. And by the way, that five minutes will seem far to short. Go ahead and take fifteen.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
-Clark Crebar, Next Generation Pastor
Monday, April 23, 2007
Twenty years ago today!
Here are a couple photos, taken twenty years ago today.
They are very memorable to the photographer who took these images, as they were taken on the third birthday of his daughter Meggan, seen pictured here.
Happy Golden Birthday Meggan!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Seasoned Speech
Dear readers,
Please visit my other blog for today's comment.
http://therightchoices.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Duane
Please visit my other blog for today's comment.
http://therightchoices.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Duane
Monday, April 09, 2007
Global Warming
More evidence that "temperatures are rising"!!! ?????
Here's a quote from MLB on Yahoo.
"And temperatures aren't the only thing that's way down: Home runs plunged during the season's frigid first week to their lowest level since 1993, with average dropping from 2.4 in last season's opening week to 1.8 this year. It hadn't been that low since a 1.6 average 14 years ago, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"You can see it. Some of the swings, not the quickest at-bats," Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said following a game in the 20-degree wind chill of windy Chicago."
So does mean that we are in a global meltdown???
I don't think so!
Chilling stats however!!!
Duane
Here's a quote from MLB on Yahoo.
"And temperatures aren't the only thing that's way down: Home runs plunged during the season's frigid first week to their lowest level since 1993, with average dropping from 2.4 in last season's opening week to 1.8 this year. It hadn't been that low since a 1.6 average 14 years ago, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"You can see it. Some of the swings, not the quickest at-bats," Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said following a game in the 20-degree wind chill of windy Chicago."
So does mean that we are in a global meltdown???
I don't think so!
Chilling stats however!!!
Duane
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