Christmas Letter

It’s time for the De Jong’s not so annual Christmas letter. Christmas 07 we were newly married- what was the point. Christmas 08 I thought –“The only thing that changed is that we both have jobs now.” Christmas 09- I made Christmas cards. Some of them got passed out. A few got mailed. Most have made it into the recycle bin over the last 12 months.  

Christmas 2010- A lot has changed. January through April passed without much ado though Justin and I both celebrated birthdays. May brought Tulip Time. Below is a picture of me riding a bike in the parade with the school (Peoria Christian).  I also helped serve lunches at the food booth.
        In June my mom came out to visit and Jonathan was born on the 13^th. He weighed in at 8lbs 5oz and 20in of perfection.  We also took a trip to Chicago. Justin and Nathan Blunck went to the Cubs game while Jonathan and I spent time with my cousin Christina.
            In July we spent a week at Brooke’s Lake with my family, the Van Zanens, the Jensens, and Uncle Dave.  We had a great time relaxing and playing. It was also fun to introduce Jonathan to many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as have them share in caring for him while I relaxed. When we got back to Pella, Jonathan was baptized. Peter and Heather visited in August between weddings before Dordt was back in session and spent a little more time with us. I also returned to teaching part time in August. I am really enjoying it and Jonathan enjoys playing with Jozana Carter and her family while I am busy.  September was spent adjusting to our new life during the school year. Justin also began a new season as a Cadet counselor. 
         November  started with Justin bringing Gunner home. He’d been wanting a hunting dog for a while and finally found the right one. Now I have the challenge of teaching him the house rules! Daniel (below with Jonathan), Peter, and Heather visited during their Thanksgiving holiday. We really enjoyed having them and joined in teasing my parents that they need to come to the Midwest for holidays now since so manyof us live here.  We also spent much of Thursday and Friday with Justin’s family hanging out and playing games. We are privileged to live near his family and enjoy eating Sunday dinner with them most weeks.  In December we (I) am trying to figure out life with a baby and a puppy and freezing weather!  We are eagerly anticipating Christmas and look forward to each day and the changes God brings us.
 We thank you for your prayers and support. We especially covet our prayers that God will give Justin and I wisdom as we seek to love and obey our wonderful God and teach Jonathan to do the same.

Justin, Rachel, and Jonathan De Jong

Sorry that the pictures didn't copy too. I'll try to post them soon.

Days of the Week

Recently I have been thinking about what I can do to aid Little J's cognative development in the upcoming years. I know little about early childhood development or education and though many of the things that I have been thinking about are not things that I can do yet with Little J since he is only six months old, I hate being ilprepared. In the past I have read some of the information on 1+1+1 = 1 and talked with a freind of mine who is an early childhood specialist and Kindergaten teacher turned SaH mom. 

While preparing to retire for the night, this song was working its way around my head.

The Days of the Week- to the tune of This is the Day

These are the days, these are the days
of the week God made, of the week God made
Sunday we worship, Monday we work
Tuesday and Wednesday too
Thursday and Friday
Saturday is the very last day
Then start again with Sunday and rest.
These are the days, these are the days
Of the week God made.

If you have any ideas or changes that would make it better drop me a comment or a line. I'm constantly making up little ditties to help me remember things. They got me through high school and college exams. Now I make them up for my students- especially Latin declensions. It makes memorizing more fun.

A blessing, not a burden

Philippians 4:6-9 (New International Version)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Today I wanted to share a friend's post.  Prayer for Purity  and my response which follows

Amen. I think and pray about this all the time. I love and enjoy my son. Being a parent is hard, and though I would not say it is a burden, it does place a lot of weight on your shoulders. I commented to some of my friends the other night- Maybe it is just because I am a parent now but I am constantly analyzing the world around me- Christian an secular- and I find the lack of love and adherence to God's truth astounding. Even in the church so often we accept the world's message. Our local Christian high chose to perform High School Musical. Their performance was good the choice was not. As Christians we should strive for excellence in both performance AND material. "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." The thing that really has me is the message that you need to follow your heart. NO the heart is wicked and deceitful beyond all things! We need to follow God's truth and that alone.
Thanks for the encouragement Joelle!
PS I was disappointed in Glee too- "If girls just put out things like this wouldn't happen."

Today I am thankful that I can cast all my cares on the Lord. That I can pray to him and that I don;t have to worry. 

The Reformation's impact on America

When I was in seventh or Eighth grade Mr. Eames said that without the reformation there would be no United States of America. I really didn't think about it then. I listened, took notes, and studied. Since what he declared seemed logical and since the evidence of his argument surrounded me, I tucked the information away and went on with school and middle school drama (of which there was plenty).

On Sunday evening our pastor preached a Reformation day sermon: Solus Christus. Though the sermon did not follow the outline, it was excellent.

It also made me feel very thankful for the Christ-centered and classical education I had growing up, particularly in middle and high school. Thank you Mom and Dad for your devotion of Christ- centered education, for your hard work to pay for tuition for all four of us, and for your encouragement and support during our years of study. Thank you to all my teachers who worked diligently and seemingly endlessly. Thank you even more for the determination to teach in a godly and Christ-centered way. As a teacher I know that it is difficult to intentionally to do continually.
Thank you to both my teachers and my parents who saw the necessity to teach me, my brothers, and my peers to think critically and to evaluate all of life through God's truth. As I look and listen to those around me, I appreciate that this ability is largely a lost skill even though it is foundational for living in a way that impacts the world (or at least those around me) for the Kingdom.