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Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
12 Things I want to teach my son....
How to know Jesus
Salvation is a gift, and I hope God chooses to give that gift to Josiah. But in the meantime I can teach Christ and pastor my son and pray with wild abandonment for the miracle that God, in his mercy, save my boy from death.
How to be courageous
To me, courage is being afraid and doing it anyway. Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's our ability to understand and manage it.
How to treat people, especially women
We treat people men and women, like we want to be treated. But, in a culture which demeans women and objectifies them...I'll teach him to especially respect women by seeing them as the equals they are. After all, he is living in the house with a strong mom and sister....he'll have to learn eventually :)
How to play sports
Sports have the capacity to teach many life lessons: teamwork, hard work, exercise, managing disappointment, dealing with authority, and learning social dynamics. We won't force a certain sport but we'll encourage athleticism and teach the skills necessary for sports.
How to seek and offer forgiveness
We don't run from our pain, we embrace it. When we are wronged, we don't hide...we talk. When we wrong each other....we ask for forgiveness, publicly.
How to be creative
My art is preaching, playing violin, and working on cars. Not sure what his will be....but I'll help him discover it.
How to be a leader
Leaders are not born...they are made. Leadership is a life-long list of acquired skill. I'll teach Josiah to think like a leader...and maybe one day, he'll become one.
How to be respectful
"thank you", "please"...are, for some reason, really important to me. Maybe it's because I have worked personally with 1000's of youth in almost 10 years of youth ministry and I've seen the disrespect. But for me, there is nothing more attractive than a kid who is respectful.
How to be affectionate and emotional
If you want to laugh...laugh out loud. If you want to cry...cry boldly. If you want to get mad...do it without sinning. If you want a hug, go hug somebody close and hold on tight. Wear your heart on your sleeve and expect it to get broken and grow back bigger.
How to finish a task
If you start something, finish it, even if it takes a long time. What an important lesson with so many useful applications!
How to find adventure
Explore mountains, eat things you're unsure about, drink out of rivers, sleep in "scary" places, and do activities that have undetermined outcomes. Adventure teaches so many lessons, and I believe the male heart....NEEDS this.
How to appreciate art
All art should be appreciated at some level because someone took the time to create it. But the difference between poor art and great art is HUGE...and my son will know how to appreciate the difference.
Follow @joeandheidi
Salvation is a gift, and I hope God chooses to give that gift to Josiah. But in the meantime I can teach Christ and pastor my son and pray with wild abandonment for the miracle that God, in his mercy, save my boy from death.
How to be courageous
To me, courage is being afraid and doing it anyway. Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's our ability to understand and manage it.
How to treat people, especially women
We treat people men and women, like we want to be treated. But, in a culture which demeans women and objectifies them...I'll teach him to especially respect women by seeing them as the equals they are. After all, he is living in the house with a strong mom and sister....he'll have to learn eventually :)
How to play sports
Sports have the capacity to teach many life lessons: teamwork, hard work, exercise, managing disappointment, dealing with authority, and learning social dynamics. We won't force a certain sport but we'll encourage athleticism and teach the skills necessary for sports.
How to seek and offer forgiveness
We don't run from our pain, we embrace it. When we are wronged, we don't hide...we talk. When we wrong each other....we ask for forgiveness, publicly.
How to be creative
My art is preaching, playing violin, and working on cars. Not sure what his will be....but I'll help him discover it.
How to be a leader
Leaders are not born...they are made. Leadership is a life-long list of acquired skill. I'll teach Josiah to think like a leader...and maybe one day, he'll become one.
How to be respectful
"thank you", "please"...are, for some reason, really important to me. Maybe it's because I have worked personally with 1000's of youth in almost 10 years of youth ministry and I've seen the disrespect. But for me, there is nothing more attractive than a kid who is respectful.
How to be affectionate and emotional
If you want to laugh...laugh out loud. If you want to cry...cry boldly. If you want to get mad...do it without sinning. If you want a hug, go hug somebody close and hold on tight. Wear your heart on your sleeve and expect it to get broken and grow back bigger.
How to finish a task
If you start something, finish it, even if it takes a long time. What an important lesson with so many useful applications!
How to find adventure
Explore mountains, eat things you're unsure about, drink out of rivers, sleep in "scary" places, and do activities that have undetermined outcomes. Adventure teaches so many lessons, and I believe the male heart....NEEDS this.
How to appreciate art
All art should be appreciated at some level because someone took the time to create it. But the difference between poor art and great art is HUGE...and my son will know how to appreciate the difference.
Follow @joeandheidi
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Oh yeah...we're tired
1:30am comes every morning
and Josiah wants to hang out
we're starting to think we should just
bust out the wine, cheese, and crackers
and make it a party
brutal.
oh well...we're having trouble resisting the dude anyway
it's ALWAYS nice to hold him... screams or smiles
these are good days, friends
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
These are good days....
Good days, they are (yoda accent).
But they're good days because of the people we spend them with....
like a thriving little girl
in a relationship with challenges/joys/successes/failures and a COMMITMENT to tie it all together.
These moments need to be remembered. We're told...they'll soon be gone.
Great Oma...great grandson
We try to remember that every second he spends in those old hands....are a gift.
Great Opa....great granddaughter
And every chance to hear those old stories (again)...is important.
These are good days....and we're trying not to forget them
thanks for following our journey
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Monday, January 9, 2012
Cycling brings JOY
...you know, it's actually not cycling itself that brings Joy.
Cycling is fun and makes me feel happy (and tired)
...but cycling, with a close friend
in a beautiful place
with the assurance of Jesus' presence as we cycle
...joy...
what a GREAT ride today
These are good days, friends.....
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Saturday, January 7, 2012
11 Things I didn't do in 2011....but I wish I would have.
If you haven't seen our post "11 Things I thought I'd never say in 2011...but I'm so glad I did", we would encourage you to scroll down and take a look! What follows, is the other side of the coin....
11 Things I didn't do in 2011....but I wish I would have.
"Made date nights a priority"
As I said in my previous post....this has really suffered. For many years, we maintained a regular date night but this past year we stopped doing them regularly. As a result, we've noticed that we were always connecting through ministry and family and adventure (climbing, marathons, etc.) but not about "us". Date nights are the perfect place to do regular check-ups on your relationship. The question: "how are we doing?" and "how do you think I am doing?"....are good ones, and we haven't asked that enough.
"Made our friends in Fresno, CA a priority"
Distance and laziness has left those emails and cards in the mail, what feels like, nonexistent. Here's to a better 2012 for long-distance relationships (::raises beer glass)
"Made our neighbours a priority"
This year has SUCKED for hospitality for our neighbors. There are 15 other apartments in our building....and we only "know" 1 other couple. TERRIBLE! This next year we want to be more intentional with the many people who live right around us.
"Left some unfinished projects....unfinished"
You know those things you know you should do....but you just don't do. For us, it's a garage that needs to be organized and a filing (paper and digital picture) system that needs an absolute overhaul. I hate those kind of projects that just hang over our heads, and always seem to get pushed to the back-burner.
"Gave more away"
We do try...but we know that we can support more people with Jesus' $$ he's entrusted to us. Here's to bigger year of generosity for 2012!
"Spend less"
You know this balance don't you....the one that goes something like, "Do we buy what we need or do we buy what we want?" There have been years where we have done a better job of spending less. This was not one of those years. House stuff/Gear/Eating Out.....these are just some of the places we can do a better job stewarding in 2012.
"Read more theology"
I did read, every week. But mostly in the genres of "adventure writing" and "youth ministry". As a pastor, it's important to keep reading theology, every month. To keep learning, growing, and being stretched in my understanding of the word of God is vital. I need more of this in 2012.
"Less activity and more sleep"
In my life, if there is one thing that always gets the shaft....it's sleep. It's partly due to my personality....it's partly due to my sin....but I have a track record of not getting those core number of hours of sleep each night (6-8). Here's to a more healthy 2012!
"Take a personal retreat"
We have been taking half a day a week to practice the disciplines of silence and solitude but we know that this really isn't enough. We long for a weekend a semester where we get away from Vancouver, to a retreat center to listen, pray, sleep, and be poured into.
"Be mentored"
We mentor a lot of people, weekly. Someone asked us once, "You are mentoring a lot of people....who is mentoring you?". It's questions like this that make us want 2012 to be full of some "outside perspective" folks who love us and want to help us grow to become more like Jesus.
"Provide more regular blog content"
As you know, blog readers, this blog is basically our virtual living room/ photo album. We talk about the people and things we care about and invite you to join us in our journey. But after almost 1000 posts...we seem to be 1-2 times per week bloggers. We would love that to be 2-3 in 2012.
OK friends, there ya have it! Would love for you to do this exercise....it's a great way to reflect on the year past.
We look forward to reading your lists!
Follow @joeandheidi
11 Things I didn't do in 2011....but I wish I would have.
"Made date nights a priority"
As I said in my previous post....this has really suffered. For many years, we maintained a regular date night but this past year we stopped doing them regularly. As a result, we've noticed that we were always connecting through ministry and family and adventure (climbing, marathons, etc.) but not about "us". Date nights are the perfect place to do regular check-ups on your relationship. The question: "how are we doing?" and "how do you think I am doing?"....are good ones, and we haven't asked that enough.
"Made our friends in Fresno, CA a priority"
Distance and laziness has left those emails and cards in the mail, what feels like, nonexistent. Here's to a better 2012 for long-distance relationships (::raises beer glass)
"Made our neighbours a priority"
This year has SUCKED for hospitality for our neighbors. There are 15 other apartments in our building....and we only "know" 1 other couple. TERRIBLE! This next year we want to be more intentional with the many people who live right around us.
"Left some unfinished projects....unfinished"
You know those things you know you should do....but you just don't do. For us, it's a garage that needs to be organized and a filing (paper and digital picture) system that needs an absolute overhaul. I hate those kind of projects that just hang over our heads, and always seem to get pushed to the back-burner.
"Gave more away"
We do try...but we know that we can support more people with Jesus' $$ he's entrusted to us. Here's to bigger year of generosity for 2012!
"Spend less"
You know this balance don't you....the one that goes something like, "Do we buy what we need or do we buy what we want?" There have been years where we have done a better job of spending less. This was not one of those years. House stuff/Gear/Eating Out.....these are just some of the places we can do a better job stewarding in 2012.
"Read more theology"
I did read, every week. But mostly in the genres of "adventure writing" and "youth ministry". As a pastor, it's important to keep reading theology, every month. To keep learning, growing, and being stretched in my understanding of the word of God is vital. I need more of this in 2012.
"Less activity and more sleep"
In my life, if there is one thing that always gets the shaft....it's sleep. It's partly due to my personality....it's partly due to my sin....but I have a track record of not getting those core number of hours of sleep each night (6-8). Here's to a more healthy 2012!
"Take a personal retreat"
We have been taking half a day a week to practice the disciplines of silence and solitude but we know that this really isn't enough. We long for a weekend a semester where we get away from Vancouver, to a retreat center to listen, pray, sleep, and be poured into.
"Be mentored"
We mentor a lot of people, weekly. Someone asked us once, "You are mentoring a lot of people....who is mentoring you?". It's questions like this that make us want 2012 to be full of some "outside perspective" folks who love us and want to help us grow to become more like Jesus.
"Provide more regular blog content"
As you know, blog readers, this blog is basically our virtual living room/ photo album. We talk about the people and things we care about and invite you to join us in our journey. But after almost 1000 posts...we seem to be 1-2 times per week bloggers. We would love that to be 2-3 in 2012.
OK friends, there ya have it! Would love for you to do this exercise....it's a great way to reflect on the year past.
We look forward to reading your lists!
Follow @joeandheidi
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
11 Things I thought I'd never say in 2011....but I'm so glad I did.
"I'm about to finish writing a book"
I've always said that if I were ever to write a book it would be short and have a lot of spelling errors. I think now I've done that. It's close folks. Close. It's a student ministry book (yes, you can fall asleep now) about how to run effective inductive bible studies for teens.
"I'm having a son!"
I relate everything in my life to candy. Here's an analogy: sons are Sour Patch Kids, daughters are Dots. Both are my favorite types of candy. I would be just as happy with two packages of Sour Patch Kids (after all, they are my favorite) as I would with 1 package of sour patch kids and 1 package of Dots (after all, it's my favorite candy too). So...to find out I had one of each.... ecstatic!
"My students are more effective leaders than me"
Wonderful news! I am not indispensable. We have a student led student ministry. I work a lot with our leaders and our parents....but our students teach/preach/lead bible study/lead worship/mentor/volunteer/ and serve. I serve amazing students.
"My wife is a better athlete than me"
She was exercising up to the week of Josiah's birth. I would sometimes catch her walking up the stairs carrying Josiah in her belly, Elizabeth in one hand...and groceries in another. (What was I doing, you ask? eating a donut, and staring).
"I think I'll loose 30 pounds"
I wasn't really fat before....as I've always been an athlete and able "ta go get er in za mountains" (german accent). But I really wanted to be at my climbing/cycling weight before I really started training for triathlon. So, 30 pounds had to go. And in 3-4 months....gone!
"I think we should buy and renovate a 90 year old house"
I've already told this story....so take a look here. Story short form: bought a dilapidated historic home and renovated it in 3 weeks working straight 16+ hours days with loads of help. We LOVE this place and it feels like such a gift to have had the opportunity to restore it.
"I'm going to prioritize triathlon training over rock climbing"
This never happens. Never. Nothing. Nothing goes before rock climbing. Yes....we love camping/ice climbing/mountaineering/alpine everything/ hiking/ snowshoeing/ etc. But triathlon, and especially Ironman Triathlon has been a dream since I was a kid...and now, it feels like the right time to pursue it. More on that story, here.
"I'm going to prioritize time spent with my family over time spent with my students"
I've always believed this....but never did anything about it. But this past semester, I matured. The Lord convicted...and that was that. Now, I am only away two nights a week (as opposed to 4-5). I'm the dad who puts my daughter to sleep with epic bed-time stories. Many thanks to our church for giving us this opportunity to prioritize and raise our young family.
"I'm about to finish producing a music CD of kids songs"
It always sounded like fun....and I'm making progress. 2012 it'll be done, folks! BTW....heidi is working on a kids book for 2012. Stay tuned....
"We need to start doing a date night"
For 7 or more years, we did that...every week. This past year....has SUCKED. We didn't make it a priority. But we realized this in 2011...and 2012 will be different. Babysitter, late Monday nights, anyone?
"I'm going to start to preach less and mentor more"
I've been called to preach for a long time....and have preached regularly since I was 16 (that was a long time ago). And more than any other thing I do....I still believe the proclamation of the Word of God changes the world. But, I think my job in 2012 is to decentralize preaching around me....and equip others to preach effectively. After all, they'll probably end up doing it better than me....and who wouldn't want that kind of leadership in their ministry!
OK friends...that was my attempt at a 2011 reflection. Now you try!
Follow @joeandheidi
I've always said that if I were ever to write a book it would be short and have a lot of spelling errors. I think now I've done that. It's close folks. Close. It's a student ministry book (yes, you can fall asleep now) about how to run effective inductive bible studies for teens.
"I'm having a son!"
I relate everything in my life to candy. Here's an analogy: sons are Sour Patch Kids, daughters are Dots. Both are my favorite types of candy. I would be just as happy with two packages of Sour Patch Kids (after all, they are my favorite) as I would with 1 package of sour patch kids and 1 package of Dots (after all, it's my favorite candy too). So...to find out I had one of each.... ecstatic!
"My students are more effective leaders than me"
Wonderful news! I am not indispensable. We have a student led student ministry. I work a lot with our leaders and our parents....but our students teach/preach/lead bible study/lead worship/mentor/volunteer/ and serve. I serve amazing students.
"My wife is a better athlete than me"
She was exercising up to the week of Josiah's birth. I would sometimes catch her walking up the stairs carrying Josiah in her belly, Elizabeth in one hand...and groceries in another. (What was I doing, you ask? eating a donut, and staring).
"I think I'll loose 30 pounds"
I wasn't really fat before....as I've always been an athlete and able "ta go get er in za mountains" (german accent). But I really wanted to be at my climbing/cycling weight before I really started training for triathlon. So, 30 pounds had to go. And in 3-4 months....gone!
"I think we should buy and renovate a 90 year old house"
I've already told this story....so take a look here. Story short form: bought a dilapidated historic home and renovated it in 3 weeks working straight 16+ hours days with loads of help. We LOVE this place and it feels like such a gift to have had the opportunity to restore it.
"I'm going to prioritize triathlon training over rock climbing"
This never happens. Never. Nothing. Nothing goes before rock climbing. Yes....we love camping/ice climbing/mountaineering/alpine everything/ hiking/ snowshoeing/ etc. But triathlon, and especially Ironman Triathlon has been a dream since I was a kid...and now, it feels like the right time to pursue it. More on that story, here.
"I'm going to prioritize time spent with my family over time spent with my students"
I've always believed this....but never did anything about it. But this past semester, I matured. The Lord convicted...and that was that. Now, I am only away two nights a week (as opposed to 4-5). I'm the dad who puts my daughter to sleep with epic bed-time stories. Many thanks to our church for giving us this opportunity to prioritize and raise our young family.
"I'm about to finish producing a music CD of kids songs"
It always sounded like fun....and I'm making progress. 2012 it'll be done, folks! BTW....heidi is working on a kids book for 2012. Stay tuned....
"We need to start doing a date night"
For 7 or more years, we did that...every week. This past year....has SUCKED. We didn't make it a priority. But we realized this in 2011...and 2012 will be different. Babysitter, late Monday nights, anyone?
"I'm going to start to preach less and mentor more"
I've been called to preach for a long time....and have preached regularly since I was 16 (that was a long time ago). And more than any other thing I do....I still believe the proclamation of the Word of God changes the world. But, I think my job in 2012 is to decentralize preaching around me....and equip others to preach effectively. After all, they'll probably end up doing it better than me....and who wouldn't want that kind of leadership in their ministry!
OK friends...that was my attempt at a 2011 reflection. Now you try!
Follow @joeandheidi
Monday, January 2, 2012
Vancouver's Polar Bear Plunge - 2012
Well officially we missed it. Heidi was birthing our son, Josiah. But why not go out to the beach and do it ourselves. No..not Heidi. She was napping....but me and the Ewings. Sure.
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Run daddy....run!
cold but satisfied
what a great tradition!
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Sunday, January 1, 2012
A Story: Our new son named Josiah
A short story (the husband's version)
5cm dilated for days. Wondering, is this baby going to come on Christmas?
Nope. Days pass...and no baby.
Irregular and pretty weak contractions for days
Days pass....and no baby.
then
New years eve....11:59 and 59 seconds we welcome the new year with a kiss and a prayer for a son
5:35am. Contractions. This time still "weak" but stronger than the ones in days past
We call our friends in our apartment building to come over and take care of Elizabeth.
5:45 we're in the car...calling the hospital and calling our midwife
we arrive
check-in
STRONG contractions
5 minutes of pushing
I catch the baby
cut the cord
and @ 6:04am, Josiah Randall James White is born!
7lbs 3oz born 01/01/2012 or 1112
healthy!!
The doctor's say, "dudes, you can go home...everything checks out!"
9am...go home!
When we got home
our friends had gotten Elizabeth ready for the day
After all, they raised three boys...they're pros.
Thanks guys! It helped so much knowing Elizabeth was in good hands
"...Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. (2 Kings 23:25 NASB)
And his middle names - Randall James - are from both of our dads, men of strong character and faith.
So friends...that's it! Thanks so much for your prayers and support...it REALLY means a lot!
Love you
These are good days....
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Waiting for a baby to come...ANYTIME.
5cm dilated.....but nothing. no changes....just waiting.
so we decided to double date with some of our best friends!
last minute babysitter
good food
good coffee
good conversation
good times.
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
What brings you hope?
A short video we made asking people on the street...."When you look at the world around you, who or what gives you hope?" Listen to their answers:
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Follow @joeandheidi
Monday, December 26, 2011
Elizabeth's 2 year birthday - TODAY
2 years. What???!!!
From a newborn...
breast milk junkie...
and incessant sleeper
to a little girl. With a growing personality.
A little girl who lives up to her name....Elizabeth JOY. And a little girl who offers her very imperfect parents....loads of joy filled grace.
So, it's with great gratitude that we celebrate Elizabeth's 2 years, today! We welcome you to celebrate with us!
Elizabeth,
To God be your glory
To this earth, peace
to you, may you learn courage
and cling to hope
And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forevermore
Amen
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Waiting expectantly
get ready.....kiss that baby!
'click - shot captured. whew...
and so now we wait. 38 weeks and days....
He's almost here!
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