Duane & Sandra + Jessica

Oh My, Oh My!!!

2009-08-28T12:23:00.001-05:00

I just saw a video clip on the web… re: the duo, “Mary, Mary” and their newest video and album. Title song… God in us

My reply is:… “Maranatha, Maranatha”.

Dear Lord, come quickly!!! …and Redeem us, from ourselves!

If this is “gospel music” of 2009, I certainly don’t want to be a part of it!

Perhaps this is a part of “Change”?

I prefer the God of the Ages, who came in the form of His only Son, Jesus the Christ, to redeem his people from all their lawless deeds, and then gave Himself up for us, that He might redeem for Himself a people… zealous for good deeds!”

Here is the whole passage…(copy pasted from: www.biblegateway.com ) New American Standard version

¹¹For the grace of God has ^(P)appeared, ^(Q)bringing salvation to all men, ¹²instructing us to deny ungodliness and ^(R)worldly desires and ^(S)to live sensibly, righteously and godly ^(T)in the present age, ¹³looking for the blessed hope and the ^(U)appearing of the glory of ^(V)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴who ^(W)gave Himself for us ^(X)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to ^(Y)purify for Himself a ^(Z)people for His own possession, ^(AA)zealous for good deeds.

Bringing Home the Gold!

2009-04-19T17:13:00.002-05:00

Today was the MN Special Olympics – State Swim Meet.

Jessica had two events today, and enjoyed herself. She now has two, count’em two more Gold’s to add to her collection. Her coach and Personal Trainer, is Bethany. Jessica really enjoys her time with Bethany and all her PCA’s.

Here are a few images of the day.

Tomorrow, begins Track practice…. The busy life of an athlete!

Back Home & Thankful for a great trip!

2009-03-18T01:08:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos from our last day.

We were able to do a 2-hour sail on Monday 3/16.

It was a “whale watch”, and we did see whales! (Lots of whales!!!)

The return flight was good… better than than the flight to Hawaii. We were able to sleep most of the way home, as it was a “red eye” flight. Now the challenge will be to acclimate to the time change, and resume daily life and schedules.

Jessica was very happy to see us, and we took her out to Chili’s for dinner. Chili’s is one of Jessica’s favorite places to eat out.

The video photographer in the photos below, recorded our adventure on the boat. We will get a DVD of the sail along with additional footage of whales and their life between Hawaii and Alaska and how they live their lives. The whales typically live about the same life span as us… 65-80+ years.

I am looking forward to seeing the DVD.

It was great to have this special time away, and we are very thankful for the help and care we received for Jessica, in our absence.

Thanks to…. Bethany, Danielle, Tami, Carla, Jodie, Scott & others… we were able to do this trip.

This trip was in honor of our 31st anniversary, that we’ll celebrate this coming August.

In addition to being thankful that we had a great vacation and that we returned safely to Jessica; I am glad to be back in the daily routine of life.

Thanks be to our great GOD and Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ!

For, “He is the Creator & Sustainer” of all living things…and is returning for those who know Him, and are awaiting His appearing.

_________________________________________________________________

Here is a passage from Titus 2 that I have been thinking about, and relates to our Lord Jesus’ return.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14 (NAS)

“Maranatha, come, LORD Jesus, come!”

Duane

“Blue, Blue….Hawaii”

2009-03-16T05:43:00.001-05:00

Another gourg0us day! The day started out a bit rough…as in rainy. About 1:00pm the sun sun broke through, and it was fabulous.

We had sunshine today!!! A delightful drive on the “Road to Hana”

2009-03-15T01:17:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos from Saturday and our adventures on the “Road to Hana” and beyond!

Kauai on Tuesday…still photos

2009-03-12T13:22:00.001-05:00

Here are a some still photos to enjoy.

As is sometimes said on Kauai - “Here today… gone to Maui!”

2009-03-12T13:02:00.002-05:00

This is how we awoke at our timeshare on Kauai, Tuesday morning.

Here is a walk on the East coast area of Kauai. As you can see the water is a rockin' and a rollin'.

Wednesday we flew to Maui. We are praying for calmer seas, and an opportunity to sail and snorkel.

It is now Thursday morning, guess what….”its raining”!!!

We’ll have breakfast and pour over our many brochures to determine our plan of adventure.

Aloha!

Duane

Kauai’s Winter Weather… Improving

2009-03-10T12:48:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we were planning to head to the south and east side of the island.

Our plans were thwarted however by a major mudslide that closed the only road.

We chose to do a u-turn and visit the end of the road near the Napoli Coast.

It was a good call, as we had a great time at Ke’e beach and we even got sunshine.

This morning Sandra said I look like a lobster.

Swimming was too great, however as you can see by the warning signs on the guard tower.

Welcome to the North shore of Scotland… “Oh! that’s right, …I’m in Kaua’i, HI”

2009-03-08T00:41:00.002-06:00

Here is a photo from day one.

This is the lighthouse at Kilauea, the most northern point on the island of Kaua’i. This photo, is now my wallpaper photo on my notebook computer.

The weather has been a bit more similar to that of Scotland, cool and rainy.

Tomorrow we will worship at North Shore Christian Church. Their website is:… www.nscchurch.com

Duane

Heroes, Illuminated!

2009-02-24T10:35:00.002-06:00

Dear All,

I'm sorry that I have been away from the computer alot lately...(at least as far as new blog posts).

Today I went to Bryan & Meg's blog.

Bry's post is well worth the time to read.

Here is the link: http://bryanmegganwolff.blogspot.com/2009/02/hero.html

I am thankful that Lillian & Noah have Bry as their Dad.

Duane

Chuck Colson’s BreakPoint wisdom from 2-10-2009

2009-02-12T10:46:00.001-06:00

Dear reader, this is the transcript of Chuck Colson’s BreakPoint commentary from this past Tuesday.

Please read. You can receive these commentaries delivered to your email daily by subscribing at BreakPoint.org

No God Condones What?
The President and the Innocent

February 10, 2009

At the National Prayer Breakfast last week, President Obama seemed to signal that he has seen the light and is abandoning his radically pro-abortion agenda.

At least, that’s the only reasonable conclusion one could make after hearing the President, who says he's a Christian, also say: “There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know.”

So I could only surmise that the President now concludes that “no God” would condone the 1.6 million abortions performed each year in America—1.6 million innocent lives destroyed.

But I’ve checked the White House website, and it’s very clear that God’s disapproval hasn't changed the administration’s agenda one bit.

Here’s what the White House website says: “President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Administration.”

Well, in one way I’m glad I wasn't at the breakfast this year—I was speaking instead at Moody—because I’m not sure I would have been able to stay in my seat.

How can a President of the United States say that “there is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being,” when he himself favors a woman’s right to have an abortion under virtually every circumstance? How can he say that, when, as an Illinois state senator, he voted against the Illinois Induced Infant Liability Act, which would have protected the lives of babies who survived late-term abortions? When he even had the audacity to describe the act as “One more burden on a woman . . . I can’t support.”

President Obama is a highly intelligent man with a huge job on his hands. I know what the White House is like, and I pray for him fervently every day. But how does such an intelligent man make a statement like this without understanding its implications for his own pro-abortion policies?

The only way to explain it is to understand the intellectual environment, called postmodernism, in which President Obama and his peers have been raised. Generations of Americans have now been taught that truth is subjective. You have your truth, I have mine. And, even worse, I can’t “inflict” my version of truth on you. The law of non-contradiction has been suspended.

So politicians can tell us over and over that they can’t allow their personal faith to affect their views on public policy. Or they can take two completely opposing positions at the same time: like believing that no God condones the taking of innocent life and at the same time, condoning—even promoting—the taking of an innocent life.

The problem isn’t simply President Obama and his views on life; the problem is a postmodern culture which believes that truth is merely a matter of opinion, and that therefore the sanctity of innocent human life is simply an expression of one viewpoint among many.

I have argued for the last 20 years that postmodernism would lead to the unraveling or our society. The fact that so few noticed the contradiction in what the President said and the policies he pursues tells me that we’re far along in the unraveling process.

Amazing Grace …”do we “really” understand it?”

2009-02-11T13:11:00.002-06:00

This past weekend Sandra & I again watched the movie, Amazing Grace.

I don’t exactly know how many times we have viewed the film, (but it is more than 4 times).

I realized this weekend, that each time I view the film, I learn and glean more.

William Wilberforce faced many, many obstacles in his quest to change the policies of his government. But what really struck me this past weekend was that he, though down-cast in his endeavor, was encouraged by others to perceiver in the face of adversity.

I was reminded of our Lord’s admonition, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!”

Duane

P.S. Perhaps the most gripping was when Wilberforce's mentor (John Newton) said...

"I have realized that I am a great sinner, and that Christ, is a great Savior!

So don’t loose heart, and don’t… give up the fight!

My diagnosis correct… Physician's plan in place.

2009-01-29T10:00:00.001-06:00

Well Wednesday I had my appointment at the TRIA Orthopedic Center with Dr. Jeffrey Husband.

He is a doctor who “knows his stuff”.

I had diagnosed my condition correctly, (and that makes me feel good and smart, as well) and he was able to treat it properly, as only a Dr. can do.

He gave me an injection of Lidocaine & Cortisone, and fitted me with a removable wrist/thumb brace. The injection was quite painful, and I said to the resident who was in the room, “Is it nighttime?, because I’m seeing stars”.

Here is a photo of the sporty brace I get to wear.

As to the cause of the injury, more was learned on that front too! The condition is also known as “Mother’s Wrist”.

An injury can occur when, say… lifting a toddler or diapering .

Most of you know that “our toddler” is 22 and weighs 110#.

Additionally, during the window of time when I noticed the onset of the problem, I had installed 6 new windows and one new Atrium door. They all weigh far more than Jessica, and those projects are likely the culprits!

“Physician, Heal Thyself”

2009-01-27T12:51:00.002-06:00

As many of you may know, I have been troubled by an extremely painful left wrist. Tomorrow I have an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Husband, at TRIA Orthopedic Clinic. He is a specialist in the areas of wrists.

Today I thought I would do some further research into the condition, that “I believe” I have… that being; “de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.”

It was first diagnosed by the Swiss doctor, Fritz de Quervain, in 1895.

Here is Wikipedia’s definition: de Quervain syndrome (also known as washerwoman's sprain, Radial styloid tenosynovitis, de Quervain disease, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis or mother's wrist), is an inflammation or a tendinosis of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb. ^[1]

While I am a “washerman”… (a.k.a. to Sandra as the… “laundry guy”). Most of what I do is push the start button on the Maytag!

It wasn’t until today, when assembling the billing for a project for one of my customers, that I put… two and two together!

The condition began to present itself in late November. While looking at the calendar and the tasks I had been doing on a job-site for billing purposes, did I realize what may have caused the sprain.

I had been laying a new tile floor in a bathroom.

i.e. mixing & troweling out thin-set, and wringing-out sponges for the grouting process etc.

I will wait however, for the “real” Doctor’s diagnosis tomorrow, and his treatment plan!

Arctic Cold Hits Camelot

2009-01-15T12:14:00.003-06:00

Today we awoke to –20 degrees in Bloomington, MN.

JJ is home today, as the day program called and didn’t want to try to drive the roads in sub-zero temps, as it would not be good for their passengers if there was a problem in the drive.

I think it was a “good call” on their part.

When I took these photos, it had begun to “warm”. I think it was only –16 on the thermometer!

The photo of the thermostat shows the house at 65 degrees actual temp, though the stat was set for 68.

The furnace can’t keep up with the call for heat!

We are very thankful for a warm place, regardless.

65 degrees is a whole lot better than being out in the “cold”!!!

The Babies are packed, they’re ready to go, I’m standing here outside our door…

2009-01-06T11:05:00.001-06:00

Nathanael & Sarah and the babies rolled out at 10:00am this morning.

The house is hauntingly quiet already. We will miss them much!

Please pray for safe travel and good health on their return trip to FL.

Fresh Snowfall… A Trio of Snowbabies!

2008-12-31T08:42:00.001-06:00

We had a beautiful fresh cover of snow yesterday. This time we had all three out to play.

They took a spill, got up and went again!

When they came in they had rosy cheeks, and then we started a fire in the fireplace and got cozy warm.

Snow Play in Camelot

2008-12-29T18:35:00.001-06:00

Today was the first full day at GrandMaMa & GrandDaddy Jones’ house.

It think they had fun!!!

CHRISTmas & Hope!

2008-12-24T10:29:00.002-06:00

Dear Readers,

I received this today from Chuck Colson. It is a must read.
I had first heard the account from my brother Dale.
Thru a choked-up voice and near tears, he told of the comments he had heard that day on the radio.

It is a story of hope and love for you to be encouraged by....

_________________________________________

Christmas and Hope

A Testimony Amidst Tragedy
December 24, 2008

Dong Yun Yoon of University City, California, will never forget this Christmas. Two weeks ago, his family was killed when a Marine F-18 Hornet fighter jet lost power and crashed into his home.

In an instant, this season of joy become a time of unimaginable sorrow for Yoon.

However, his response to the tragedy can only be described as a great gift to all of us.
The plane’s engines failed during a training flight off the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.

The pilot, Lt. Dan Neubauer, tried to reach Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego but wound up safely ejecting from the plane about two miles from the station.

The plane crashed into the Yoon’s just-moved-into home. Young Mi Yoon, their daughters Rachel and Grace, and her mother were killed.

While the tragedy was front-page news, what happened next captured the imagination of the country.

The next day, an understandably devastated Yoon told reporters that he didn’t have any “hard feelings” toward the pilot and that he knew that the pilot “did everything he could.”
Not only that, Yoon said, “I pray for him not to suffer for this action,” and called him “one of our treasures for the country.”

Having embodied grace and forgiveness, Yoon then told reporters what made it possible: “I believe my wife and two babies and mother-in-law are in heaven with God,” and he prayed with other family members and friends.

Yoon’s words and actions reminded Adrian Hong, a human rights advocate, of the circumstances surrounding the writing of the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul”—in both instances, tragedy and sorrow were turned into a great witness to the power of Christian hope.

There’s another hymn this episode brings to mind—“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley. In the last stanza we sing that Jesus was “born that man no more may die” and “born to raise the sons of earth.”

While we may not associate Christmas and the Incarnation with our Lord’s victory over death, the Church fathers did.

In “On the Incarnation of the Word,” Athanasius wrote that it was because all of us were “under penalty of the corruption of death” that the Word took “to Himself a body capable of death.”
Since the Word “by His one body has come to dwell among” us, “the corruption of death which before was prevailing against [Man] is done away.”

As a result of what Athanasius called “His gracious coming among us,” “the way up into the heavens” is “made ready” for those, like the Yoons, who put their faith in him.

This “new beginning of life for us” and the graciousness that makes it possible is at the heart of the Christian hope. It consoles us and enables us to be gracious even when our world is falling apart.

It is this hope, born on the first Christmas, that Peter tells us we must always be ready to explain. Dong Yun Yoon certainly was. For that, he has my gratitude and prayers.

___________________________________

As we give thanks this CHRISTmas for HIS fist coming...
may we be ever mindful of HIS second coming.
And proclaim with all believers.... "Maranatha, come LORD Jesus come!"

Merry CHRISTmas!

Duane

Noah Alan Wolff

2008-12-18T09:05:00.002-06:00

Here are a few photos of Noah, taken on Tuesday by Michelle Castro, a friend of Meg & Bry and an accomplished photographer, I might add... as one photographer to another.

Michele's studio name is; Grace & Joy Photography. Kudos, Michele.

Duane

Walking the Father of the Bride neighborhood

2008-12-14T13:39:00.001-06:00

Here are some photos from our walk of the Father of the Bride neighborhood.

The lights of Christmas – The Grove , Hollywood, CA

2008-12-14T02:45:00.001-06:00

Here are some photos from tonight in Hollywood.

I was there… really! I guess I took most of the photos today. - Duane

Christmas Lights & a date with Lillian

2008-12-12T23:25:00.001-06:00

We took a stroll thru neighborhoods near Bry & Meg’s. Lillian was our escort.

Here is a photo essay of the event.

More, of Noah Alan Wolff – 12/12/2008

2008-12-12T17:48:00.001-06:00

Here are a couple from today.

Noah visited Dr. Kim at the Pediatrician’s office & weighed in at 7# 8 oz. on the 10th day, of his young life. Now he’s playing with tow trucks!

Duane Alan visits Noah Alan & family

2008-12-12T17:04:00.004-06:00

Here are some photos from last night and today.

Bry worked today and got home a few minutes ago.

Tomorrow we plan to visit a park during the day, and look at Christmas lights and eat out later in the evening.