Reformation Day

Our dear friend, Carron,  has moved away!  We miss her terribly! She and her husband, Steve, live about 2 1/2 hours away now. They had invited us out to their home, and we thought the perfect time to go would be our 'get out of town' day  – October 31st.

Mom and Carron

  

It was a beautiful drive out to the country.  We were prepared for rain, but what gorgeous weather we had!

Kawika (20m) and his new 'Buddy'

 

The kids had fun doing what kids do best – exploring!

Koa (7) explores the expanse

Kawika and Kili (3) 'harvest' the tomatoes

This little tree frog was a big hit

Boy did they want to take this little guy home!

Learning the art of skipping rocks

We moved on to the nearby lake.  It was very low, so we thought, 'let's put on the kids' rainboots & they can kick around in the water.'

Kapena (4)

The boots soon lost their effectiveness.

It was a wonderfully relaxing day with friends – and lots of great food!  Auntie Carron always spoils us!

Some good old fashioned sword fighting!

The kids really enjoyed meeting the family that lives next door.  Turns out they have 6 kids too - all very similar ages as ours!  

Carron and Steve were incredible hosts.  They made us all feel so welcome - down to the smallest little munchkin.  

What a blessing it was to spend time with good friends.  It was rejuvinating.  

In our family, Auntie Carron is synonymous with good food, so the following scriptures gave me a good chuckle.  

Yet, truly refreshed we were! Thank you Findley's!!

Genesis 18:5  Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way

Judges 19:5   On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to leave, but the woman’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh yourself with something to eat; then you can go.”  

Psalm 19:7 
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.


 
 

A lot can be said about Halloween…

As believers and followers of Christ, is it right or wrong to "celebrate" or participate in Halloween?  

Rather than trying to answer that question, I think it is better to talk about the history of Halloween.
 
I am including a couple of commentaries that should provoke some thought on the subject.

"First, we should recognize that Halloween is indeed rooted in the ancient Celtic feast of Samhain (sah-ween).  The Druids believed that on the eve of Samhain the veil between the present world and the world beyond was pierced, releasing demons, witches, and hobgoblins en masse to harass the living. In order to make themselves immune from attack, people disguised themselves as witches, devils, and ghouls; attempted to ward off evil spirits by carving grotesque faces on gourds illuminated with candles; and placated the spirits with a variety of treats.

Furthermore, we can learn a lot from how the early Christians responded to Halloween. October 31, the eve prior to All Saints Day was designated as a spiritually edifying holiday (holy day) on which to proclaim the supremacy of the gospel over the superstition of ghosts. Thus, “all Hallows Eve,” from which the word Halloween is derived, was an attempt on the part of Christianity to overwhelm the tradition of ghouls with the truth of the gospel.

Finally, although Halloween is once again predominately pagan there is a silver lining. Like our forefathers, we can choose to celebrate “all Hallows Eve” by focusing on heroes of the faith—those who, like Martin Luther, were willing to stand for truth no matter what the cost. We might also use the occasion to introduce our children to such great classics as Pilgrim’s Progress. In the end, the trick is to treat Halloween as a strategic opportunity rather than a time of satanic oppression."- Hank Hanegraff  

Here is an excerpt from an article about Martin Luther  - this helps our family celebrate Reformation Day with better appreciation:

"The demands of study for academic degrees and preparation for delivering lectures drove Martin Luther to study the Scriptures in depth. Luther immersed himself in the teachings of the Scripture and the early church. Slowly, terms like penance and righteousness took on new meaning. The controversy that broke loose with the publication of his 95 Theses placed even more pressure on the reformer to study the Bible. This study convinced him that the Church had lost sight of several central truths. To Luther, the most important of these was the doctrine that brought him peace with God.

With joy, Luther now believed and taught that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received by faith and trust in God's promise to forgive sins for the sake of Christ's death on the cross. This, he believed was God's work from beginning to end.

On Halloween of 1517, Luther changed the course of human history when he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenberg, accusing the Roman Catholic church of heresy upon heresy. Many people cite this act as the primary starting point of the Protestant Reformation… though to be sure, John Wycliffe,  John Hus, Thomas Linacre, John Colet and others had already put their life’s work and even their lives on the line for same cause of truth, constructing the foundation of Reform upon which Luther now built.

Luther's action was in great part a response to the selling of indulgences by Johann Tetzel, a Dominican priest. Luther's charges also directly challenged the position of the clergy in regard to individual salvation. Before long, Luther’s 95 Theses of Contention had been copied and published all over Europe."

I love reading about the early reformers and the amazing sacrifices they made for the sake of the Gospel. As believers, most of us have no concept of the words "suffering" or "persecution".  One only has to read the stories of William Tyndale  or Martin Luther to appreciate how the fathers of the reformation sacrificed... so that the True Gospel would be proclaimed.

As a family, we strive to glorify God in all that we do. I struggle to find a way to glorify God within the current practices of Halloween.  Sure, it's fun to have the kids dress up and let them beg for candy from our neighbors, but the underpinnings of Halloween is what causes me the greatest resistance.  

The Reformers did something that was very scary to the world of their day. They stood against all forms of dark superstitions which grip the minds and souls of men. It was their emphasis on the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Holy Scripture that was used by God to liberate untold numbers of men and women. But to remember the Reformers instead of Halloween is very scary to the world. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Doug Philips

Instead of "going with the flow," we choose to celebrate Reformation Day and remember what Martin Luther and the "Giants" of our faith did to restore the New Testament Church.  

- Keith

 

Shabbat Shalom

The Shabbat dinner is a time when Jewish families come together  for a special dinner where the father prays a blessing over the wife, the parents pray a blessing over their children, and the children pray a blessing over their mother.

Kainoa (9) and Kili (3) helping with dinner prep

Shabbat - שבת (sha-bat) "This is the Hebrew word שבת shabbat literally meaning a 'ceasing' or 'stopping.' This word is always used in the Hebrew Bible for the seventh day, the Shabbat, the day work ceases for the purpose of rest" - Jeff A. Benner

From the following passage, we learn that Shabbat is a time of ceasing work but also a time for "holy" gatherings.

Leviticus 23:3 “Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings".

Missionaries from our church led many of our church families in the traditional Shabbat dinner, as we all celebrated together one evening.  It was wonderful.  

No, we are not Jewish.  We understand, though, what a powerful experience this is for a family - to set aside this time each week... to pray over each other...to speak blessings over each other.  What a bonding time.  Drawing near to one another...fathers to their children...children to their mothers.  It is a holy time.  

 

 

We invited some dear families over to have a Shabbat-ish type dinner over at our home.  We had a potluck with some delicious food.  After dinner we gathered together – at sunset, under the trees – and each family had their time of prayer and blessing.  The fathers prayed over their wives and families, and then the children prayed over their moms.  My family also prayed over my mom.  What a special time it was.

Nancy Campbell from Above Rubies  ministry shares this:

“The father of the home then blesses each of his children. This is another wonderful part of the Shabbat meal. It is such a powerful moment when the father blesses and speaks vision and good things into each one of his children every week. It is delightful to see the children with uplifted faces drinking in the blessing and encouragement. They can feed on it all week. Don’t forget the baby and little ones. Start speaking into their lives from an early age. “

The following is a guide we were given to help us begin to celebrate Shabbat dinners at home...

Shabbat Shalom

“Foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve Him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship Him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to My covenant, these I will bring to My holy mountain and give them joy in My house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:6-7

Traditionally, Shabbat is observed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. It is an appointed time set by God, an invitation to meet with Him and to enter into His rest. Will you be there?

To start the Sabbath, the mother of the house would light two candles welcoming the Holy Spirit and the gift of Shabbat and offering a prayer of thanksgiving.

Lighting the Candles

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kid’shanu b’dam Yeshua vitzivanu l’heot.

Blessed are you oh Lord our God, King of the Universe who sanctifies us by the blood of Yeshua and commands us to be a light to the nations.

The father then prays a blessing over the wine and bread, acknowledging that all of our blessings come from God.


Bread

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam ha motzi lechem mein ha’aretz. Amen.

Blessed are you oh Lord our God, King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the earth.


Wine

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu melech ha-olam boray pre hagafen. Amen.

Blessed are you oh Lord our God, King of the Universe who brings forth fruit from the vine. La hime!

Blessings

—The father and mother bless the children (blessing of love and impartation of faith for their future)

—Husbands bless their wives (praising her in the presence of her children)

—Children rise up and bless their mom

May Shabbat be the most enjoyable time of the week, a time you and your children will look forward to and remember with joyful and thankful hearts. May you find complete wholeness, peace, joy and restoration as you enjoy God’s goodness, and may He bless you with the fullness of His blessings as you celebrate Shabbat!

“There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. “ Hebrews 4:9

Scoreboard Dedication

Last Friday night we attended the first home game of the season for the Wildcats.  It wasn't a very eventful game - ended in a tie.  During halftime they held a special dedication of the new scoreboard - in honor of my dad.  It was so perfect to have our dear friend Shelby (who is the new AD this year) say a few words about my parents, and introduce my mom.

This was my mom's first time back to the field without my dad.  Earlier in the day we joked about driving my dad's high top van to the game, and parking on the field...behind the endzone....where my dad always was!  Shelby had placed a long team bench behind the endzone for us to hang out on.  It was perfect.

The dedication was simple and sweet.  The band was behind us, and the team was gathered right in front of us.  My mom put a lot of thought into what she wanted to say, as she always does.  I asked her if she was going to talk about all the memories we have had on that football field.  She smiled and shook her head, "That would be too hard!"

When we got home, my mom asked me what I thought about what she'd said.  I didn't really 'hear 'what she had said.  My mind was thinking about all those memories.......Being little and coming to the games with my mom and my brother - we'd sit in the stands and mom brought hot cocoa in an airpot.  We'd go to the Cattolicos' after every game and I'd listen to the coaches re-hash every play.  When I was older, I brought friends to the games (usually Karen) and we'd stand on the sidelines thinking we were so cool because we had 'field passes.'

All those years...my dad went from assistant coach, to head coach, to a wheelchair, to my mom needing to be with my dad on the field, to a golf cart on the field, to helping coach junior varsity, to being relegated to watching/coaching in his chair from his van (on the extended lift.)

And there I stood on the field.....with my mom.......and my husband..... and my kids....and all those memories.....

.....but without my dad.

It is hard for me.  I can't begin to imagine how incredibly hard it is for my mom.

My mom is amazing.  As was my dad.

This link will take you to some photos that were taken that night.

http://www.lghssports.com/concealed/wedemeyer/13921213_R7YBH#1021905964_oZRfM. 


Go Wildcats!

Got another one!

So five days later, the kids are playing outside... when they make quite a discovery!  They come across a mound of dirt....and a little guy - hard at work – digging – with his behind in the air – and none the wiser that he was now surrounded by some curious onlookers.

The kids ran in to tell us.  Keith went out with a shovel, but the kids begged him not to take the life of this new little guy.  “Dad, this is one of God’s creatures!”  To quiet all the hub-bub, Keith used the shovel to dig the little guy out (he dove for cover at the sound of all the ruckus!)  

 

 

 

 

The kids put him in a box, and I have to say, what a cute little guy!  We called Steve, the Trapper.  The kids hung out on the front porch with the little guy, waiting.  Steve, the Trapper said the little guy did seem to be unusually friendly.  It was tempting to keep him, but we sent him off with Steve, the Trapper.  

 

The kids were sad...for the moment....and then they were off to new adventures....

Got 'em!

We’ve had some gopher problems.  They’d been destroying our garden and lawn.  Keith finally called in Steve, the Trapper.

Steve, the Trapper, was great.  He explained to the kids all about the traps he uses and how they work.  

The next day – we got ‘em!  We were all very surprised at how little he was. 

  
For a little guy, he has huge teeth! 

Steve, the Trapper traps everything from gophers to raccoons to coyotes. He had a conference call to do later with folks in Southern California who were having trouble catching a coyote.  

This is a skill I'd love the boys to have.  Not alot of that kind of thing happening in our neighborhood.

San Jose Memorial Service - Arrival

It was hard to fathom having my dad’s memorial service at HP Pavilion... aka the San Jose Arena... aka the Shark Tank.  The thought of it was overwhelming for me in so many ways.  Since I was putting this event together, I had to look at it from a production stand point...and I was totally overwhelmed.  

We planned to have the service at church.  How would we make the huge Shark Tank intimate?  How could we create an atmosphere that was warm and personal?  And how could we do it in a week!?!?!?

Jumbo tron outside the HP Pavilion

I was so afraid the Pavilion staff would say to me, “Okay, we will unlock the doors for you, and then you’re on your own.  Good luck.”  

Well, thank the Lord, that scenario couldn’t have been further from what happened.  Mr. Jamison, Mr. Hamnett, and the HP Pavilion staff blew us away.  I cried through our first meeting. They made their team available to us and provided us with everything we could’ve hoped for.  

Then, I called on my ‘A team.’  Boy, I have the most amazing friends....

Saturday June 19, 2010  11:00am

Our friend, Craig, had an awesome idea to include former and current football players in the service.  

The HP Pavilion has two entrances, and Craig lined up the players outside the doors – flanking both entrances.  

  

When we arrived we drove by both entrances and it was really special to see all the players lined up.  

 

People begin to enter the Pavilion

On arriving, we gathered in the green room to worship and pray before the service.

 

Mom with Brent, Coach Cattolico, and Judy

With my brother, Kale, and my niece, Noe

Coach Mariucci greets Craig

The amazing vocalists and musicians who came to help me

Tim Abbott, Annabel Blanchard, Karyn Harline, Diane & Bill Allison,
Jeanie Nuia, Mark Kenoly

Amy is the director of Family & Kids/ Early Childhood at our church.  She contacted me early on with specific ways that they could help our family.  We were deeply grateful for this gesture.  The support from our church was invaluable.   They didn't say 'call us if you need anything.'  They said, 'Here are some specific areas we can help with.'  One of those areas was with our kiddos.  On this day, Amy showed up early to the house to help with the little ones.

Our dear friend, Suzanne, flew in from Hawaii. 

Kale and Noe (18m)

Mom with Kili (3)

Ti leaf leis made by the lovely ladies from New Hope Church in Hawaii
who flew in  to dance at the service

Michael Nouri

Pastor Mike Kiley leads us in prayer

Kale and Coach Mariucci

The Andrys

As you go through these photos you will see the dark circles under my eyes.  I hadn't slept in 2 weeks.  Every moment was spent pulling all the details together for this service.  I didn't have time to think about other things, like what we were all going to wear.  Friends just showed up to help...and they were an incredible help.

Thank you to Auntie Judy who provided all of the wonderful matching Hawaiian outfits for our children (among many many other clothes, gifts and goodies she brought.)  And thank you to Nadine who provided shoes for all of our children!  This is an example of how friends appeared and helped us in so many ways we couldn't have imagined.

I'll do a separate post just on all the ways people were there for us.  It may help you in figuring out how to be there for others when they are in a similar situation.  I know it will help us to be able to be a blessing to others in the future.

Many have contacted us asking for a copy of the Memorial service.  We don’t know what we are going to do about that yet.  I don’t know if we will make physical copies available, or if we will just post it  online.  Will keep you posted...