“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thes. 5:18
“In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1
Thes. 5:18
Grace and peace to you. We thank God for each of you, remembering you in our prayers, and for all He has done in our lives this past year. We'd love to hear from you, too. Remember you're always welcome at the Burger bed & breakfast!
Our favorite bumper sticker: “Attitude—the difference between ordeal and adventure.” We are excitedly embarking on a new adventure as Burger small fry #5 is due March 22! The girls are anxious to help Mom take care of the new baby (they all hope for a girl).
Wishing you His peace this holiday season,
To cut costs last December, SAGIAN shut down for two weeks and reduced its work force. I finished many household projects during the time off and am grateful to continue working there with an outstanding team on the challenging problems of writing software that schedules and controls systems of small laboratory instruments and automated liquid handlers. I believe we're adjusting well to the changing markets.
After five years of driving across town to church, we decided to find one closer so that we can get involved in people's lives outside of Sunday morning. The people of Messiah Lutheran Church at Eagle Creek (LCMS) and Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) welcomed us warmly, and both churches are founded on God's Word. We decided to join Trinity. I enjoy singing in the choir and participating in a men's Bible study on Calvin's Institutes. As I did last year, I teach Bible stories to the AWANA Cubbies (3-5 year olds) at Walnut Grove Chapel on Wednesday nights.
We now have Bible time during breakfast and follow a three-year plan to read the whole Bible. The girls rehearse their AWANA Bible verses together so that we all learn them. A family favorite: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).
We are delighted to have another homeschooling family move into the neighborhood. I continue to serve as treasurer of the homeowners association.
This summer Bob made time for me to take the Evangelism Explosion (EE) course for 13 Wednesdays from 6 to 9pm. It has been a valuable experience which helps me to listen to what others believe and then to present the basics of my faith in an organized way. EE uses two vital questions as a springboard into sharing the best news one could ever hear. If you're curious, by all means ask me!
Homeschooling is another adventure where attitude (of all involved) makes a tremendous difference in the outcome. I enjoy gleaning from other moms/teachers and learning alongside the girls. History is my favorite as I start to see how bits of the past fit together by God's providence. Our time line gained 19 figures. For government the girls & I attended a 3-hour Indiana House committee hearing at which I spoke to a bill, and they watched me vote in the election.
The family is watching with wonder as my body changes shape since I recently passed the half-way mark. When Ruth felt movement, she giggled and then asked with amazement, “Is there really a baby in there?” We are grateful for two certified professional midwives (CPMs) and a female medical doctor who are working with me in this pregnancy.
In an effort to bring me into the computer age, Bob gave me a hand-held Sony CLIÉ for my birthday. When I was with a small group of moms who saw that I had one, each said that her husband has been talking about doing the same thing. One asked to see how the calendar worked, but I was too new at it to remember! I've since learned to use it and find it most useful for calendar work and address/phone lists.
I celebrated my eighth birthday on May 17 with family and friends. I spent months planning the menu and games and making the invitations and name tags. Everyone had a wonderful time!
In the spring I joined Mrs. Kilmer's second-grade class for ten weeks. She taught me and three other students at the home of one of the students, and we went on several field trips together.
In third-grade homeschool I am typing selections from the New England Primer, the first school text book printed in America (1690) and used until 1900. I continue to soak up biographies and stories from history. Dad read me the exciting Huguenot stories The Escape and The Secret Mission by A. Van der Jagt. On Tuesday afternoons this fall I study History, Spanish(listen to all four sisters singing a song in Spanish), and Sewing with Ruth & Sarah at the Wisdom Builders homeschool co-op. I finished AWANA Sparks and am now in Truth & Training.
I got a hermit land crab at Myrtle Beach and take care of it myself. In my spare time I love to listen to the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. I make friends wherever I go.
Asked about a car trip in the summer heat, I replied, “Dad did the driving. I did the drinking.”
I will turn seven on December 26. We celebrated my 6½th birthday in June. My friend Kendra Voth spent a day and night with me.
I spend a lot of time drawing and sketching. I love the outdoors, plants, bugs, birds, and animals. I am very observant and have an excellent memory for details. I read food labels and want to eat healthy foods. I jump at the chance to get my fingers into food by helping Mom cook. I like to make up stories and tell jokes(read the story I wrote for Dad's birthday). I told knock-knock jokes at a family fun night in February.
I have been doing well in first grade, Wisdom Builders, and my second year of AWANA Sparks. I am excited that I learned how to read. I like listening to foreign-language tapes, especially Spanish. I like to tinker on the piano and started to play the recorder.
In May Elizabeth & I learned how to ride our bicycles without training wheels. This fall I took gymnastics with Elizabeth & Sarah and often turn cartwheels and tumble around the house. I am delighted to watch toddlers during women's home Bible study and in the church nursery.
One afternoon while making food, I complained that I was starving. Mom said, “You can't be starving. You ate a whole hard-boiled egg 15 minutes ago.” I explained to Mom clearly: “Mom, the egg is small. I am big. It takes a lot to fill me up.”
I turned five on September 8, despite Mom's best attempts to keep me four. As special treats I spent one night with Grandpa Ron & Grandma Dianne and one night with Grandpa Max & Grandma Pam. I got a new bicycle and learned to ride without training wheels on November 2.
I spend my free time drawing, coloring, cutting, taping, and making things for others. In the spring I took swimming lessons with Ruth & Elizabeth. I love to play with dolls and with Mariah. I sing when I'm happy, and I like to wear pretty dresses. I am eager to help Mom make food. I tell her it goes faster when there are two of us working together. This fall I am enjoying gymnastics, Wisdom Builders, and my second year of AWANA Cubbies with Dad.
In June we spent a week of fun in the sun & sand of Myrtle Beach with Grandpa Ron & Grandma Dianne. We flew in an airplane and were met at the airport by Grandma & Grandpa, who drove our van! We hope to do it again next May and have Uncle Jerry, Aunt Wendy, Rebecca & Maria join us.
I am glad my mom lets me write with my left hand. When Grandpa Ron was in grade school, he had a teacher who hit the knuckles of left-handers.
I woke up at 3:30am on my third birthday, October 9, with the stomach flu. The hardest part was not being allowed to eat birthday cake, but the next day I felt much better and could eat again. I am very verbally expressive and affectionate—everybody knows me. When my pediatrician heard me talk, he couldn't believe how young I was. At church I like to be held by each of the young ladies. I like to sing, wear dresses, play with dolls and dishes, look at pictures, and ask what we're going to do tomorrow after breakfast.
Saturdays are special for us sisters because Grandpa Ron & Grandma Dianne regularly take us to fun places such as the Children's Museum, the Indiana Historical Society, the Indiana State Museum, the Indianapolis Zoo, libraries, parks, and their house.
Seeing my baby doll tucked under my shirt, Mom asked, “Are you nursing your baby?” I replied, “I'm not a nurse. I'm not a doctor. I'm a mom. I'm feeding my baby milkie from my tummy.”
Sometimes I sing silly songs I make up: “Dinah, won't you blow? Dinah, won't you blow? Dinah, won't you blow my daddy up?”(listen) and “Happy birthday to my belly button!”(listen)