Visit with the Valentis

Missourians and Louisianians.

We were overjoyed to spend a little time with our friends, the Valentis, who were traveling through the area. The Zeses were kind to share them with us, and we three families had a wonderful time of feasting, fun, and fellowship.


Moms.

Everyone had plenty of visiting to cram in for the one evening.


Guys.


Gals.


Little Ladies.


Songsters.

We managed to squeeze in some singing from the Trinity Hymnal.


Bonfire.

Of course, what would an "Evening in the Country" be without a bonfire? See the process from start to finish here.


Bonfire onlookers.


Spent Firework.

The boys incorporated several small fireworks into the mix of gasoline, tree branches and matches. Don't worry--the dads made sure we were safe. : )


Marshmallows Roasters.

We pulled out a little bit of fire from the larger bonfire for people to make s'mores. Surprisingly, this was the first time some of our visitors had ever tried a s'more. We were happy to initiate them into the Guild of Marshmallow Eaters.


Patient Dessert Waiter.

We had a second round of dessert inside [Editor's Note: This was mostly for those who opted out of the S'mores : )].


Happy Dessert Eater.


Firstborns.

One of the Serven Clan's favorite games is "Running Pictionary". The game is basically played like pictionary, except it is played by a variety of teams simultaneously in different locations. The word to draw is located in a central spot and must be retrieved by a member from each team. The running, screaming, colliding, thinking, and laughing aspects of this game make it a favorite for young and old.


Secondborns.

We decided to divide up the teams by birth order (basically). Since we didn't have enough 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th born players to make a well proportioned team, we incorporated them into the 1st, 2nd and 3rd born teams. : )


Thirdborns.


Listmakers.


Game-players.


A Whole Passel of People.

What a wonderful evening with very dear friends. Thanks Valentis and Zeses for making the effort to come "across the border"! : )

Bonfire Escapades

A recent fall evening gave the boys a perfect opportunity to create a bonfire.

Love for the Word of God

I've been enjoying reading through a book my Dad frequently recommends. Sketches of Church History: An Illustrated Account of 20 Centuries of Christ's Power gives an overview of the history of the church. This quote depicting a sermon on the centrality of God's word was very convicting. It hearkened back to a sermon I recently heard.
- Rebecca

"At the age of nineteen [Thomas Goodwin, 1600-1679], rode from Cambridge on horseback 35 miles to listen to the preaching of the Puritan John Rogers of Dedham, Essex. It so happened that Rogers was rebuking his congregation for their neglect of the Word of God and that, as he warmed to his theme, he boldly personated the Lord in order to render his reproofs the more impressive. But the event is best described in the words of the Puritan John Howe:

Well, I have trusted you so long with my Bible; you have slighted it; it lies in such and such houses all covered with dust and cobwebs. You care not to look in it. Do you use my Bible so? Then you shall have my Bible no longer'. Next he takes up the Bible from its cushion, and seemed as if he were going away with it, and carrying it from them; but immediately he turns again, and personates the people of God, falls down on his knees, cries and pleads most earnestly, 'Lord, whatsoever Thou dost to us, take not Thy Bible from us; kill our children, burn our houses, destroy our goods; only spare us Thy Bible, only take not away Thy Bible'. And then he personates God again to the people; 'Say you so? Well, I will try you a little longer; and here is my Bible for you, I will see how you will use it, whether you will love it more, whether you will value it more, whether you will observe it more, whether you will practise it more, and live more according to it'. But by these actions he put all the congregation into so strange a posture that a stranger who was present had never seen the like before. The place was a mere Bochim (Judges 2:1-5), the people generally (as it were) deluged with their own tears.

As for Thomas Goodwin, he told me that he himself, when he got out (of the meeting place) and was to take horse again to be gone, was faint to hang a quarter of an hour upon the neck of his horse weeping, before he had power to mount, so strange an impression was there upon him, and generally upon the people, upon having been thus expostulated for their neglect of the Bible."

Excerpt from Sketches From Church History by S. M. Houghton.

Around the Yard

Ready for the next layer.

The landscaping is inching along slowly. We acquired a few more barberry bushes along with a Japanese Rose for the front yard this past Saturday. The nursery man suggested we should have all fall plantings done by the 15th of October so as to avoid the frost and give the plants a chance to establish their roots well. We are still learning all the Missouri gardening ways, so this was a helpful tidbit of information.


Japanese Rose.

The next layer of landscaping is perennials. Beth and I have talked about purple cone flower, black-eyed Susans, yarrow and other such native-to-MO perennials for this bed. But we need to consider shade vs. sun as this is a mostly shady area. We also like the thought of Hollyhocks, but we'll have to see where to work them in--they may be planted in the back yard.

We decided to move the lonely lilac bush to the back yard as it was too shady and moist in the front yard for it's sunny disposition. No more powdery mildew for it! We have located it between an apple and a pin oak in the back "gazebo" area.


Katie [a.k.a. Katherina Von Bora] and Ruger [the company].


Thirsty.

When I filled up a bucket to water the new bushes, the dogs thought it was a convenient time to grab a drink. : )


A few of Sarah's summer flowers are still in bloom in the garden.

Ifonliasoonasi Disease

Pronounced "If-on-ly-I-or-As-soon-as-I".

This disease is common to woman of all ages. Particularly prevalent among females in their middle teens, continuing until they are married or they get a wake up call from the Great Physician.

It usually manifests itself in the manner of discontentment, day dreaminess and longings of the heart. Almost always, you can diagnose the disease by noticing how the young woman wants something more than anything else in the whole world.

She will makes excuses for her disease, saying things like, "Well, if-only-I were married, then I would be content". Or "As-soon-as-I have children, then I will be happy". Note, Ifonliassoonasi Disease can pertain to people other than young women; it just is particularly noticeable in women of this age and season.

The underlying problem that starts this disease is the propensity to idolize people, relationships, or states of life. In fact, at the later stages of this disease, if allowed to totally infect her mind and body, she will even sin to get her desire, possibly hurting others, herself, or the very thing that she has allowed to become an idol.

The things that she desires may not necessarily be bad (marriage, children, her own home, etc), but the disease takes root when she starts wanting those good things too much. Her good desires have turned into demands to God. This is a heart problem of idolatry.

The cure for Ifonliasoonasi Disease is very, very difficult. In fact, apart from the work of the Great Physician, it is impossible. The protocol usually follows this outline, in one way or another:

1. Confession of the disease and it's particular manifestation in her life.


2. Repentance of the sin of idolatry (which is the root cause of Ifonliassoonasi Disease).


3. Crying out to the Great Physician to administer the healing salve of His Word upon her sick heart.


4. Joyfully trusting that He will heal her and at the same time . . .


5. Faithfully applying the truth of God's Word to her circumstances, putting her desire for ___ (fill in the blank) in subservience to her greater desire for God.

Case Studies:

Rachel: Wanting Children, Genesis 30:1-2
'When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” '

Michal: Wanting a Certain type of Husband, 2 Samuel 6:16-23
"As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.

"And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will make merry before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.” And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death."

Martha: Wanting to Have a Clean and Lovely Home Open to Serve Others, Luke 10:38-42
"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Recommended Extra Curricular Study:
Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone, by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Psalm 73:25-28
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all your works.

Preparation for Seed

Soil prepared for grass.

This past week Nathan and Ben have been working to get the "Perkins House" ready for some fall planting. Notice the absence of weeds, grass, and bushes--quite different from the last post.


The Perkin Weed's brand new home.


The stone work on the pillars.

With all the work being done on the exterior, the neighbors are getting excited. For the past several days, Nathan has gotten 2 or 3 drop by's, 'atta Boy's, rental inquires, or job leads each day! However, the inside still has bit of work left to complete.

Hopefully the "open wall inspection" will be over the next month or two. After that, only insulation, drywall, trim, flooring, and fixtures are left!


Kitchen Ceiling.

We have referred to the "Barrel Roll" on the kitchen ceiling--this is what it looks like. Of course, it will be covered in drywall. I think the current idea is to do rope lights underneath the crown, around the edge of the barrel roll. The plastic blue boxes are for lighting. One fan/light in the center of the kitchen, and a row of pendant lights over the bar, plus a can light over the sink and another over the desk area.


Contractor and company.

Autumn Just 'Round the Corner

A few last Summer Flowers.

Flowers gardened by Sarah Serven. Photography by Lydia Serven. : )

How to Make a Biblical Decision--Direction from the Word of God

Some of you missed a really good sermon yesterday. My dad preached a second sermon from Psalm 37, titled "The Good Things of Life" (Part 2).

He spoke of the "blessings of God", not so much being physical, as in a new house, car, or fancy job, but defining the blessings as spiritual in nature. The first point of the sermon was one of the "Good Things of Life" being "Confidence in God's Sovereign Rule", from Psalm 37:23-24.

Here are a few of my notes and thoughts from the sermon.

-Rebecca

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand."
Psalm 37:23-24

The "steps" of a man refer to his decisions and the direction he sets for his life. Those decisions, hopes, and dreams are "established by the Lord, when he", the man or woman, "delights in His way", that is, God's way.

We are called to delight in God's way, not our own way for the Lord to establish our steps. This means delighting ourselves in His will. Many of us think this means His "secret" will--some mystical thing that we can feel in our conscience, be at peace with, etc. But His will is objective--it is His revealed will as contained in the words of Scripture.

His revealed will can be extremely clear in His commands. We don't have to guess if we need to be kind to our brother. We don't have to question if we should steal, lie, covet, etc. These commands of the Lord are quite explicit. However, the challenge comes when God's commands in his word do not seem to directly pertain to our circumstances.

We know from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, that,

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

This passage teaches that the Scriptures are competent for every thing we will come across in life. As Cornelius VanTil stated,

"The Bible is not a textbook on the anatomy of a snake. It is a source book that we might understand the snake, it's relationship to us, and the world around us."

If the decision we need to make has aspects that are not explicitly commanded or forbidden in God's revealed will, then we are to deduce it from precepts, patterns and principles found in Scripture. Make sure these conclusions are not human reasoning; rather we are to order ourselves by Scripture.

So, what kind things should we consider in making a decision?

Our primary consideration is The Word of God. If not explicit in direction, seek to find principles in other passages that pertain to our situation. This means we have to read the Scriptures--and know them well. We should not only read when we have a point of crisis, but renew our mind daily with the washing of the Word.

Secondly, we should seek Godly Counsel. This can be from our ancient fathers (Confessions, Catechism, Church Fathers--all in books) plus our earthy fathers, a select number of wise and godly counselors that we trust, such as your spouse, parents and pastor or elder.

Next, we consider The Providences of God in ordering the events around our decision. This is not mere circumstances of a superstitious nature, but the directions that God has so far taken us.

Lastly, we should think of our Conscience, but only as informed by Scripture.

Sadly, it seems many people reverse the order of their decision making. First they seek to feel a "peace" about something in the consciences; then they consider the circumstances surrounding the event; next, they run around the church polling everyone for their opinion as to what they should decide; and lastly, they look up a few verses in the Bible to see if they thing they have settled on is expressly forbidden. This happens more often than not.

Our decisions should be based on Scripture, not on man

1. Word of God
2. Godly Counsel
3. Providences of God
4. Conscience

"The plans of the heart belong to man,but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:1

"Commit your work to the Lord,and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3

"The heart of man plans his way,but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"A man's steps are from the Lord;how then can man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

Diversionary Tactics

The Blue Angels.

Memorial Day found us putting along down the road . . . when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but the screaming Blue Angels and we all gave a cheer!


Everybody watching.

We had heard that there was an airshow down in the city on Memorial day, but did't think it would work out to see the Blue Angels (we had other plans). However, as vehicles pulled off the highway right and left, we could resist no longer. We joined the hundreds of cars lining the road and enjoyed the 20 minute show from the safety of the highway off ramp!


Amazing.

Andrew, quite enthralled with the planes' maneuvers, and disappointed that Dad was not with us, made several detailed "diagrams" to show him later. Dad is our greatest military aficionado--he was the one who taught us all to run outside whenever something flies over the house. We all run out of doors gaping in amazement while he tells us all about the plane that is flying directly above our heads!


Serven Clan on the side of the road.

Spontaneity is a wonderful thing. We should do this more often! : )

Finishing Well

Sarah shows her friend Susanna the project.

A long time ago in a land far away [Editor's Note: 26 or 27 years ago, in the sunny state of California], our mother started making a quilt.

When little ones started making their appearance, and the joys and cares of ministry and home life made demands on her time, she lovingly devoted her days to serving the Lord by being a blessing to her family.

As a result, some things, not quite as important to the things at hand, were needfully set aside. This quilt project was one of them. It has been all cut out and ready to piece together for many years; just waiting for someone to finish it.

Our sister Sarah was recently inspired to work on it and has it now pieced together. The next tasks are to assemble the batting and back, quilt it, and bind it.

What a joy it is to think of our mother working on this so long ago--and to think that now years later, one of her children can complete it. : )

How many things are there that we strive for today, but we must recognize that we will never fully understand, and will be taken up by our children or grandchildren? Are there things that we must faithfully take up that have been left to us by our fathers?

Sister's Landscaping Co.

Looking at the Lay of the Land.

This past Monday found Beth and I scheming and dreaming. Earlier in the spring, we had drawn out a plan for our property and implemented a few items in the landscaping. Since Monday was free for both of us, we spent most of the afternoon visiting area nurseries to continue working our plan.

Our first area of dominion? The walkway in front of the garage. We planted daffodils in that spot shortly after moving to Missouri. They provide a beautiful welcome to our home--but only for a few short weeks during the spring. The rest of the year the cats and dogs claim the ground. They are quite reticent to give it up, but we are determined to redeem the ground and make a more welcoming, aesthetically pleasing entrance to our home. Or at least take the first step to do that. : )


Newly Respectable.

We knew we needed a versatile, inexpensive bush to serve as the foundation shrub in our landscaping plan. After visiting several area nurseries, we decided to purchase Barberry plants to serve that purpose.


Barberry Bush--appropriately named for it's barbs and berries.

As we drove around town, Beth and I kept our eyes peeled, continuing our observations of typical landscaping techniques regarding bushes. With only a few notable exceptions where a professional has been hired or the person has a natural knack for design, the multitude of yards are in two different styles.

First is the Jungle Look. You can tell this style by the copious amounts of bushes liberally planted around the house. Usually the bushes are too tall, covering windows or even entryways.

The other style is the Island Look. These houses have many different types of bushes planted in random areas around their property, creating small islands of greenery. They are not necessarily connected in any cohesive plan, but create a chaotic feel in the yard.

Though, our property may appear a close cousin to the Island Look, it has many aspirations to become a garden of beauty [Editor's Note: Thanks for the inspiration Girottis!]. We'll see how much of the finite nature of the landscapers play into the design process. : ) We keep reminding ourselves that it takes seven years to really establish a garden, so we are in for the long haul. Hopefully, this is a good beginning to the process.


Front Porch.

The front porch is comfortable to serve as a muddy pond of clay, intermittently progressing to a jungle of weeds. Considering those facts, the improvement this year past year has been great. We planted grass in a semi-circle inside of the walkway, then located a solitary lilac bush given to us [Editor's Note: Thank you Rebecca Y.!] and some cedar mulch in the area, as the first stab towards, uh, "landscaping". A little pathetic, I know, but it is coming along.

At the next fiscal opportunity, we plan to purchase 5 or 6 more Barberry bushes to continue around that side of the planter, then augment it with a variety of perennials well suited to the Midwest weather.


Random Trees?

We have many grand plans--some are definitely in the "Twenty Year Plan". For example: take the back yard. Some people, while gazing across the lawn, dotted with seemingly random tree placement, miss the genius of the planning! A diagram might assist those of you not so adept at visualizing things that are not there. : )


"The Landscaping Plan".

As you can see from the picture above, we have designed a meandering border filled with trees (our first acquisitions), shrubs (yet to come), and flowers (ditto). The box shaped item on the photo represents a gazebo, definitely in the Twenty Year Plan [Editor's Note: Apologies to all Photo Shop users--I had to use Paint to do this], which will render the yard perfect for outdoor concerts and festivities. The open lawn in the center section will make it useful for large groups, while you can also set up an event on a smaller scale in the gazebo alcove.

One of the nurseries we visited was going out of business. Providentially, this provided a wonderful opportunity to acquire some inexpensively priced fruit trees! Leaving our orchard in California was difficult, so it is very kind of the Lord to provide some new trees. We purchased 4 types of apples, 1 cherry (to pollinate our other cherry), and 1 plum. With the baby trees given to us earlier in the summer of pin oak, dogwood, and red bud [Editor's Note: Thank you so much Hamanns!!], plus a couple shade trees we purchased after we moved here, the Lord is wonderfully providing trees for our barren land. : )

Baxter on Sin and Holiness

I have been reading a little in The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, Volume 1, "A Christian Directory". Very rich thoughts to ponder.

Romans 8:13
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Do Christians Sin?

"It is very true that all are sinners: but it is as true, that some are in a state of sin, and some in a state of grace; some are converted sinners, and some unconverted sinners; . . . some hate their sin, and long to be perfectly delivered from it, and others so love it, as they are loath to leave it."

A State of Holiness

". . . A state of holiness is nothing else but the habitual and predominant devotion and dedication of soul, and body, and life, and all that we have, to God; and esteeming, and loving, and serving, and seeking him, before all the pleasures and prosperity of the flesh; making his favour, and everlasting happiness in heaven, our end, and Jesus Christ our way, and referring all things in the world unto that end, and making this the scope, design, and business of our lives.

"It is a turning from a deceitful world to God; and preferring the Creator before the creature, and heaven before earth, and eternity before and inch of time, and our souls before our corruptible bodies, and the authority and laws of God, the universal Governor of the world, before the word or will of any man, how great soever; and a subjecting our sensitive faculties to our reason, and advancing this reason by Divine revelation; and living by faith, and not by sight: in a word, it is a laying up our treasure in heaven, and setting our hearts there, and living in a heavenly conversation, setting our affections on the things above, and not on the things that are on earth; and a rejoicing in hope of the glory to come, when sensualists having nothing but transitory, brutish pleasures to rejoice in."

Mayberry Homestead Happenings

Ben, a willing repairman for Andy.

Over the weekend, we had a little surprise--Andy stopped working!! If you remember, we named our refrigerators and freezers to keep from mixing them up. We named this particular refrigerator because he was the strong, reliable one. So, we were quite surprised to find that our food was on the road to spoiling in a warm fridge!

Happily, we discovered the problem before things were too far gone. We transported everything to our smaller fridge (a.k.a. Barney) in the laundry room (the one with all the pictures).


Tools of the Trade.

Armed with flashlights, vacuum cleaners, how-to books, and hangers, Ben and Mom tackled the appliance. But, it was to no avail.

We had the fix-it man drive out the next day. He diagnosed a leak in the coolant [Editor's Note: Not sure of my terms here. Apologies to any refrigerator savvy people]. Though the man was unable to find the leak, he "recharged" the fridge and it is good to go . . . until it isn't. : )

All the cooks have been happy to have everything up and working again.


Lots of cute little ones.

Speaking of Mayberry, Aunt Bee had another batch of kittens! Nine this time. Our record. : ) Anybody want one?

One of the kittens, dubbed "Sweet Pea" has had a hard time. Amazingly, she has continued on with the help of some patient feeders (Beth, Ben, Sarah, and Lydia) and an eye dropper. She is getting strong enough to nurse, so we are glad. : )

Mark Your Calenders!

Last Year's Men's Leadership Advance.

Covenant Family Church and Genevan Foundation will be hosting the second annual Men's Leadership Advance. Please join us on February 8-9th, 2008 in the St.Louis area.

Scott Brown, Pastor of Hope Baptist Church and Marcus Serven, Pastor of Covenant Family Church will be speaking. The topics for the 2008 conference are Raising Godly Sons and Daughters and The Invisible Hand: Lessons in the Providence of God. Fathers and sons are encouraged to attend.

Details will be forthcoming at http://www.genevanfoundation.com/

Visit these posts to read more about last year's Men's Advance with Kevin Swanson and Marcus Serven.
Men's Leadership Advance: Preparation
Men's Leadership Advance: Fellowship and Teaching
Men's Leadership Advance: Fun and Games
Men's Leadership Advance: Behind the Scenes

Nathan's House Coming Along

What a cute little house! [Editor's Note: A white upside down U shaped vent has been placed near the top of the brown shingled gable since the picture]


Another angle.


Under the eaves of the porch.


Last bit of the siding going up.


Vinal siding at it's best.


The front door, Craftsman Style.


Front porch.



View into the Master Bedroom addition.

Want to see what it used to look like? Check here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Mr. Bug

The Protagonist and the Antagonist.

We found this unlikely creature in the garden. He had quite the stinger and was not shy to use it.


That Distasteful Creature.