Cedar Point - Ready

Great, Great! Things look great for Cedar point. The reduced price for getting a group rate, has passed us by, so everyone is on their own for picking up tickets for their family. I confirmed with Kari that her family will arrive at Mammaw’s Thursday May 15th evening to sack out on the floor. I will have blankets laid out and ready for sleeping. Kristy, if you family is joining us that night, please call me (239)834-4452. We have plenty of room. Friday morning we will be eating breakfast (full farmer’s hand special) at 6:30am. This will allow us to leave Canton Michigan at 7:15am. When you add in the time Yahoo calculates, and the soda stop, gas stop, diaper stop that we traditionally make, it puts us at the gate at 9:45am. I have my own directions, and you are welcome to follow me. I go at my own speed, so you might want to get your own directions or use your own GPS. Since we have a pleothra of desires and ride interests in the park maybe we should plan on meeting together for lunch. Emily wants to get a Cedar Point shirt, so we will be doing some stopping by the gift shops. The Fudge and Needle ride is a must for us 6. We will plan to do that just before dusk. When you mention the big ferris wheel, Tabitha explains her plan on staying on the ground with Katie and Ty. Honestly I am asking for one brave soul to go with me and my two girls. I am a little afraid as well. Dad, thank you for the arrangements for the motel. Oh, Yeah. Bring a Camera. "God, I pray for Travis. Guide him to yourself. I pray for his safety each day at school and home." Mark

Free Stuff

I have been checking Craig’s list each morning. Today I found something. I told the girls it might be great, it might be nothing. To make a short story long, here goes….. The internet post said, manicans, shelf, and other items. We went to the bridal shop near Pizza Hut. For those of you out of town, remember America’s most wanted and the story about the two girls held at knife point to get in a black SUV and leave there baby, then found out they were all illegal aliens? Right next to that store. The window said 10am-5pm, but was locked. I told the girls it could be nothing or something? They opened a little after ten. We went in. Ty , Emily , Sarah, and I went in. This lady did not know exactly what her boss was wanting to give away. It is a bridal store moving to Cape Coral, so …… She handed Emily a pair of earrings, then Sarah, Then she went to the children’s maid of honors dresses. Did I tell you that the girls just got done watching “America’s Prom Queen”? So we left with a pair of shoes, 3 dresses, bracelet, purse, vail, and the two earring sets. She has my number and has told me to come back tonight. I have their number too, so might call them near 3pm. Anyway, Mammaw, we might have some dresses that are too big. Could you do any sewing for us? ”Dear God, I come to you today asking for your safety while Keela and William return from PRico. Jesus, you said that you would send the comforter, I ask that you guide this spirit to William today. Having your father’s heath questioned is nothing taken lightly, and I pray that you would fill his mind and heart with peace.” Mark

King's Kids

Good Morning! Emily worked for some time on one of her King'sKids projects. I wanted to show it to you. This is the size of an entire poster board. It is many small rips of paper glued in the pattern. They will be competing Saturday May 3rd. I have not done much posting lately, so this prayer is from the dedication. Chloe "I pray that God will save your life at a very young age. That he will keep you from dangers and evil. I pray that you can influence your family and friends toward God." Mark

The Muffin Man

Hey Ya’ll, I know you all have seen the miraculous images of Mother Mary. Wait until you see this photo. Sarah noticed the revelation of someone you all know. Do you know the Muffin Man? We thought he lived down the lane, but he was here for breakfast Monday morning. Wow his eyes are really Blue. Katie is getting a nick name of “skinny”. We have her eating anything in sight. So, yes! our floors are getting cleaner, but she is still , as I affectionately call her, “Light Weight ”. Pray that she would gain a few. Tab will have more data in her blog for you. 10SCTimothy “Dear God, I pray you make this Timothy like those that have come before him. Timothy in the Bible, learning of You at his mother’s feet. Like his Grandfather, a true example of The Christian Man.” TMarkD

My Hero John Harper

I feel bad copying this as a blog, but wanted to let you know about my hero. Often during the day, the Holy Spirit will lead me to give a tract to someone. When The devil urges me to ignore this instruction, I often think of my Hero. Where was God when Titanic went down? For some aboard the sinking ship, He was nowhere to be found. He was there for many others, providing a spiritual lifeboat throughout the ordeal. And for others still, He appeared in the form of a servant sent to lead them to Jesus and life everlasting. God's servant aboard Titanic was second class passenger Reverend John Harper, a Baptist minister born May 29, 1872, to a solid Christian family in Houston Renfrewshire, Scotland. As his young life unfolded, he was consumed by the word of God, and, by age 17, he was preaching the gospel on the streets of his village. A few years later, his calling led him to London, England, where his giant passion for the salvation of others became the defining mission of his ministry. Empowered with courage and compassion, he started his own church in September of 1896-now known as the Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Glasgow. His congregation grew dramatically over the next 13 years. He married during this time but was widowed shortly after God blessed their union with a beautiful baby girl. Her name was Annie Jessie Harper but Reverend Harper called her "Nina." She was six years old when she boarded Titanic in Southampton with her father and his sister-in-law, Miss Jessie Wills Leitch. They were on their way to Chicago where Harper was scheduled to conduct a series of revival meetings. On the evening of April 14, 1912, Reverend Harper was on deck admiring the sunset. "It will be beautiful in the morning," he remarked as the RMS Titanic sailed swiftly through the bitterly cold Atlantic. At 11:40 p.m., the promise of a beautiful morning was dashed when an iceberg scraped the ship's starboard side, ripping open six watertight compartments. According to reports, John Harper rushed his daughter to lifeboat 11, kissed her goodbye and handed her over to Aunt Jessie, promising they would see him again someday. Flares that lit the dark sky were reflected in the tears on his face as he backed away into a crowd of desperate souls. Only minutes later, Titanic literally broke in half, plunging 1,498 people into the dark, frigid waters. John Harper was one of them. Survivors later recalled seeing the reverend swimming through the 28- degree water, trying to lead the doomed to Christ. One young man testified a stranger swam up to him and asked, "Are you saved?" When "No" was his reply, the stranger tossed him his life jacket and said, "Here then; you need this more than I do," and swam away to others. Because of the intense cold, he had grown too weak to swim. His last words before slipping under: "Believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Following the disaster, a nameless survivor wrote about the stranger who urged him to call out to Jesus for his soul's safety: "Then and there, with two miles of water beneath me, in my desperation I cried to Christ to save me." Of the 1,498 people who went into the water that night, only six were rescued. One of them was this young man. The survivor later claimed the stranger, who prayed for the eternal welfare of others, was the Reverend John Harper, Titanic's Angel of Mercy. "God, I pray that you would make each of us a stronger soul winner. I pray for unsaved souls. I pray that you would direct their path across ours today. Dear God, I pray that we might place the rush of our life to the side as we focus in on divine appointments you have created throughout the day. I pray that none of us will miss our chance to say a word about Jesus." TMarkD

Cedar Point May 16th

Tab has found a way to make tickets $34 for 5 and older, then $14 for seniors and the little ones. Puggles "I pray for your growth and safety today. God will you teach Puggles truth in Sunday School today. Make church fun and real in this young child's life." TMarkD

H2O Catch (not Ketch)

This is something we did the other day. Ty loves baths. He took a bath with his cousin Login the other week, and it was really fun I guess. Katie put her face down in the two inch bath for a second, and did not like it. We don't think they will take too many baths together b/c Ty often stands up full, then drops to his butt or side. He has hit hard against the drain, and it leaves marks. Only Ty. So I was dropping him water in this last bath time. He was so happy about it, he could not even catch the water. It even made him pee. About the photo: I could not get the demon red eyes out of him? Yes that is a pen in my pocket. A working man, not a geek. Kari, " I love you sis. I am praying you are trusting each moment in his arms. You have always been an example of faithfulness to me, and I pray others will glean from your testimony you shine." TMarkD

Mouse Trap

Do you remember that 70’s board game “Mouse Trap” ? (goes with photo) Hey Family, I have to let you in on a little secret. I don’t know if it is the conversations I have had this Monday-Thursday or what, but “FAMILY”. Remember the part in the movie “City Slickers” where the wise old cowboy says life is all about one thing, that thing…. And he leaves you not knowing what that one thing is. Well it is Christ, but for the purpose of my Blog today, It is all about FAMILY. I am not limiting this to the six members who sleep in this house. My sisters and their families, Tab’s sisters and their families, and the families in which our parents grew up in. This is FAMILY. Who do I know and relate with this month that I knew ten years ago? Zip. Five years ago? Very few. Yes, we do get gifts from God of new friends now and again. Unfortunately they often move on within the next set of five years. How about you? Who have you been around within the last three months (since the start of 2008) that you were partying with in 1997? See, All family. Blood is thicker than water. I know , I know…. What am I getting at? Vague, but this public journal is just a way for me to vent it out. Unless you imagine me reclined on your black leather sofa and are charging me $250 an hour (sorry – half hour session today) to read my thoughts. And if you are so inclined – analyze me! Let me know what you find. Jonathan ” I am praying that God will continue to teach you his ways. That God would fuel the fire of want for him. That you can be overtaken with making him first in your life. That the men in your family will be examples that point you to Christ.” TMarkD

My $400 Volcano

Hey, no photo with this one. For those of you who read my wife’s blogs, I have her song on below “Miss This”. It is the last one on the list, so you have to scroll down on the song list to even see it. School is kicking in. We are finishing many students each day. We are looking forward to a staff conference in Daytona the last two days of April. I can honestly say God has given these jobs and it works great for our home and personalities. I am interviewing with my superiors to be a Math Specialist and continue building new courses and curriculum throughout the year. I would still have a half load of students. The first Saturday in May will be the King’s Kid’s Jamboree. This is Emily and Sarah’s Wednesday night youth program. They have scripture learned; missionaries memorized, and are ready to play. They have a few items that are due before the event, but are judged that day. A patriotic poster is one of these items. The other is a tract. They can go in any direction they would like. It must be student made (no $400 volcano). Tabitha and I had a great idea for a tract cut and colored like a PB&J sandwich. It would be housed in a sandwich zip lock baggy. I had it down to P=profess you are a sinner B=believe Jesus dies for you on Calvary and is the only way to Heaven and a right relationship with God the father, and J=Just do it, confess with your heart and voice a sinner’s prayer. I would have won soo easily. But she picked to do a brochure on Heaven. Both the girls love to collect brochures and coupons from the hotel lobby or McDonalds travel books. So she wants to create one that explains Heaven and how to get there. I am sure I will take photos of it and get it on the internet soon. Beth ”I pray that God will continue to keep your voice strong and use your words in song to show people to Him.” TMarkD