Escanaba & Horhays

Ah, what a day. On our final day in the Northwoods, Heather and I skied the Escanaba Lake Trail. It was about 5 miles. We were the only ones there--it truly felt remote and isolated from the world. Beautiful. Then, as if that weren't great enough, we discovered this great little coffee house in Minocqua called Horhays. Great rustic atmosphere in the vein of Caribou, plus great coffee and free wifi. I am in heaven. So we've been just chilling here--Heather reading and I uploading pics and downloading stuff b/c I can, not because I really need to. Small dork. Anyway, we head back to the land of warmth tomorrow afternoon. No more snow. Pack the x-country skis back in the closet. So sad. But the really bright side is that we get to see our little Sydnie! Heather and I can't wait. We have had a wonderful time together, but we definitely feel that "something" or better "someone" is missing. I have more "philosophical" blogs to write once I get back home as I've been doing some much needed reading up here. But that's the update for now.

Northwoods Trip

Well Heather and I are up in the great Northwoods of Wisconsin! It is amazing. So beautiful. We haven't been here in 3 years. We are staying at this great bed and breakfast where we have stayed in the past and x-country skiing! I am stinkin' sore. We skied about 8 miles today in the UP of Michigan. Anyway, there are some new pics for you to peruse. More when I get home and don't have dial-up to contend with. Heather and I are having a fabulous time, though we do miss our little girl. This is our first vacation without her...can't wait to see her on Friday!

Be Nice.

Matt. 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Though in many ways our high school event last night was fantastic, I hated looking around the room and seeing students with no one talking to them. Our students (though I know I would probably be guilty as well) are so self-absorbed that they fail to see the needs of others. I fear we are a very un-welcoming group. New people feel ostrasized. That sucks.

Generations

4 We will not hide them from their children;
     we will tell the next generation
     the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD ,
     his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
     and established the law in Israel,
     which he commanded our forefathers
     to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
     even the children yet to be born,
     and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
     and would not forget his deeds
     but would keep his commands.
                Psalm 78

So my grandpa Brink is in town visiting, which is Sydnie's great-Grandpa.  He sat with her at the lake this morning (see pic below) and just waxed eloquent about what a gift from God she is, and how he wishes she could talk so that he could tell her about Jesus.  Amazing.  This is what the Psalmist longed for, people that would speak the truth into the next generation.  The Psalmist, reflecting God's own desire, longs for this lineage of faith.  I was reminded this morning of the long lineage of faith Heather and I come from, and of which we pray Sydnie will be a part.  Her life won't be blissful or perfect, but Heather and I pray (everyday) that she knows Jesus.  Even if my grandpa never lives to hear her speak words of love and devotion to Jesus, I hope he knows that he was an integral part.