My Kind of Town - Chicago Is

Alyssa has never been to Chicago before so on Saturday three of my sisters took us down town Chicago for some fun in the sun.  They totally spoiled us and we did things I have never done before. We started out at Navy Pier and went on a "Sea Dog" ride on Lake Michigan.  We walked around Navy Pier.  They also took us on the big Ferris Wheel where we got a great view of the city.  We walked to Giordanos and enjoyed some Chicago stuffed pizza.  Then we headed to "The Bean".  It was such beautiful weather.  It might be awhile before Titus and Alyssa are back in the city so it was nice to be able to explore a little of Chicago.  We made some great memories together!(Thanks Al for being our chauffeur.) 

Who wouldn't want to explore the City with 

These Fun Loving Sisters/Aunts?

Born Abroad

30 years ago today we welcomed our third son into our family.  We had only been in Venezuela a little over nine months.  Due to having such bad morning sickness, adjusting to a new country and culture, and then being a below average language learner, I did not know how to speak Spanish very well.  In Venezuela they did not allow anyone in the delivery room but me.  Since I am always quite overdue with my babies I had always been scheduled to be induced however, Zachary was my first baby that I actually had to go through with the inducing.  (Vern was fluent in Spanish so I am thankful that he was at least allowed to be with me during my labor.)  Zachary was born in a little eight bed clinic.  It was a bit of a scary experience to say the least.  But I am thankful that Zachary arrived without complications.  July 5th is Venezuela's independence day and so that is why I was induced on the 4th so that the doctor would not have to come in on the 5th if I went into labor then.  When Vern called my parents to let them know that Zachary George Dyck was born my mother thought we named him after George Washington since he was born on July 4th.  But Zachary is actually named after his Grandpa George Dyck.  

We are so thankful for Zachary and how God has allowed us the privilege to be his parents.  Zachary has a love for Elisha, soccer, and good food.  We are proud of the Godly young man that he is.  We know as he continues to walk with God he will continue to impact this world for eternity.  

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, ZACHARY!

SURPRISE APPEARANCE!!!!

This weekend is a bridal shower weekend for Alyssa to be able to spend some time getting to know Titus's extended family.  The plan up until Tuesday was that I was driving in by myself.  However, Tuesday night things changed and Titus wanted to surprise Alyssa by coming.  So we tried to keep it a secret.  It was kind of fun that we were able to pull off this surprise.

Becoming the Ultimate Cheerleader in Life

You don't know how happy this picture makes me.  I just become the PROUD owner of multi colored cow bells.  (Seriously owning cow bells has totally changed my cheerleading abilities.)  So now when I am cheering someone on, I can have the appropriate color for the event.  Now many of you might be rolling your eyes.  But seriously I think everyone needs to bring it up a couple of notches and be a better cheerleader in life. I will help you in some steps on :

How to Become a Cheerleader (or Better Cheerleader)

Step 1 : Come to the realization that life is not all about YOU!   No matter what you are going through in life there are people around you who are hurting and need encouragement.  One prayer I have daily is "God help me to walk through life with my eyes WIDE open to see people and their needs."

Step 2:  Get out of your comfort zone and decide you can develop your cheerleading skills because it is NOT ABOUT YOU!  It is about the people around you.  You are doing to for them, NOT yourself. Everyone needs to know that their life matters, someone cares about them, and you might be that person that God uses to make that HUGE difference in their lives.

Step 3:  Don't listen to your self doubt.  You can DO THIS.  You have the skills.  You have two hands, you have a voice,  USE THEM!!!!

Step 4: Come to the realization that life is not all about YOU!

Step 5:  If you have never done this is life start small.  Write someone a meaningful note or better yet tell it to them in person. Try actually mailing someone a card, snail mail or REAL is so fun to get.

Step 6:  Bring them some thing with a note of encouragement.  Did they have a new baby: Make a Meal.  Did they just lose a loved one: bring them flowers, a meal, or both.  Are they just going through a hard time: Bring them a balloon with something special tied onto the end of it like a chocolate bar or something you know they enjoy. Did they just hit a milestone or accomplish something?  Try to speak their love language.  We all hunger for something - feed that hunger with a special treat.  

Step 7:  Don't be afraid for people to notice you, so be noticed.  That is right.  Step up you cheerleading with a poster.  Hang is on their front door.  Better yet be there in person.  Stand behind the sign that way they not only get the message you are writing but they also get to see your smiling face.  When is this appropriate:  Last Day of Work, New Job, First day of a New School Year,  Welcome to the Neighborhood,  Birthdays and Anniversaries, and the list goes on.  Pretty well ANYTIME!

Step 8:  Balloons make the world a happier place.  Try to use balloons in your cheerleading.  They are easy, cheap and add joy to life.  After you are a pro with the balloons try ballooning someones tub or shower, car, hall way.

Step 9:  Buy yourself a birthday horn or  cow bells.  Seriously I carry a birthday horn in my purse.  I can not tell you the number of times I was somewhere at a conference or meetings and it was someones birthday anniversary, and people say "If I only knew".  There is nothing better then being prepared and on your journey to being the Ultimate cheerleader and you will start walking through life realizing there are people to cheer on all around you and why not leave for the day prepared.  Once you are comfortable using the birthday horn.  A have found a cow bell to be the next step in: Becoming the Ultimate Cheerleader.

Step 10:  Join the Cheerleading Squad!  If you are not convinced Cheerleading is for you.  Start over at step one and keep reading through the steps until you are convinced at some level in life you need to join someone's cheer leading squad.

So as I continue on in my journey in life I do seek to become a better cheerleader to those around me.   Although this might have been a crazy and funny post I seriously hope that your cheerleading does go up a couple of notches.  May God help you in developing some level of cheerleading skills so that the people God puts in your path can know that their life matters and that someone cares for them.

Hot Out of The Oven

This is just a picture for anyone who was wondering what the finished product of that home made summer sausage looks like.  This sausage is not smoked like the other sausage we make.  However it does have some hickory smoke in the sausage.  We took it out of the fridge every day for three days and kneaded it and then put it back in the fridge.  On the third day we formed it into little logs and we baked it at 200 degrees for six hours.  This sausage freezes nicely and you can just take out one log at a time to eat.  It is delicious on a fresh bun!  Come on over for lunch!

Table Talk

One of the things Vern and I have been busy with the last couple of weeks is meeting together with all of the Emanate Staff and having staff reviews.  It is a good time to connect with each person or couple and see how the year has gone in the different areas we are all responsible for.  Most of us on the Emanate team are invovled in several areas of the training and wear a lot of hats.  There are always things we need to tweak and areas we need to grow in.  As a team we want to be life long learners.  It has been good to hear on a more personal level the joys and challenges that each person faces both in and out of their ministry.  There is a fine balance between being fully engaged and stretched to being close to burn out.  And we of course don't want to see anyone at the burn out side of things.  We are so thankful for each of our team members and what they bring to our training program.  One of the biggest high lights for us as we get together with our staff members around the table is to hear about their "Yea God" moments throughout the year.  It is so important to take time to reflect on them and to share those with others so they can rejoice in what God is doing.  This fall it looks like we will have the largest group of students that Emanate has ever had.  When you think of us please pray that we as a staff will be able to have some times of refreshment now during the summer before the new semester is upon us.

In the Kitchen

As many of you know I love baking.  Many times when I bake I am doing it for an event or to give away to someone for a special occasion.  However, on this rainy dreary day I made some triple chocolate scones just for the pure joy of eating them.  I have been wanting to try this recipe for awhile and it did not disappoint.   I will be making them again.  

Also with hamburger on sale we started a batch of home made summer sausage.  We will take it out of the fridge once day to knead it and on the third day we will form them into logs and slow bake it in the oven for many hours.  This home made summer sausage is so much cheaper then deli meat and it tastes great for lunches.