Sweet words

A few days ago Aaron started saying, "Ma ma." I don't know if he knows what it means or not, but it is so fun to hear his little voice saying my name.

One little logistical issue that we are facing with our blog is that Steve and I both post. Yesterday I had a friend tell me that she read the whole post about "me" visiting a dead guy's grave and until she saw the picture, she thought it was me. Now, I thought that would have been an obvious one to who was writing... guess not. I got a good laugh out of that. So I guess we will need to start distinguishing who "we" are.

Lori

It Vos Worth It

Earlier this year we had a week at the PC on Biblical Theology. It was a fascinating and very helpful study, and one that I’m definitely going to keep pursuing after this year is over. In the course of our studies, we found that one of the most influential figures in Biblical Theology was a Dutch genius named Geerhardus Vos. And in my studies of Vos, I found that not only was he a brilliant professor at Princeton, but also that he summered in an obscure northern Pennsylvania town called Roaring Branch, and that after he died, he was buried there. So last Friday my brother Shawn and I went on an unusual road trip. We left Lancaster around 8:30 am and drove for a little over 3 hours nearly straight north. Shortly before noon we pulled into Roaring Branch and began our hunt. I had very little information about this man and his life—or even where he was buried—other than what I had read in a very interesting piece by James Dennison that you can read here.

I’m sure we looked strange with Shawn’s California plates and me running around with my camera snapping pictures of the town sign and the little Methodist church where Vos worshiped during the summer. Then Shawn looked up on the hillside and spotted what looked like gravestones. We wound our way up the hillside and found our way to the entrance of the cemetery. As we drove around, I spotted a small series of markers set down the hillside, off by themselves, with the distinctive lettering of the last name V-O-S. I jumped out of the truck and ran down to see not only Geerhardus and his wife Catherine, but also two of his sons and their wives. It was pretty cool (in an admittedly nerdy sort of way). I imagined this theological genius spending relaxed summer days in this quiet town, worshiping at a church which he almost certainly found to be theologically incompatible, and writing some of the most remarkable theological treatises of the 20th century. It must have been a considerable change of pace from his heady life at Princeton, taking long walks with his close friend BB Warfield and influencing some of the most remarkable minds of the 20th century, including Cornelius Van Til.

Anyway, that was my trip. I’ve posted some pictures below to give you a taste of what our day was like. I’m hoping to make this the first of many trips to dead theologians’ graves, and if I get to any others I’ll be sure to update it here.


The town sign at the entrance to Roaring Branch, PA


The little Methodist church where Vos worshiped


The view from the cemetery up on the hillside. The Vos graves are down the side of the hill (out of sight) on the left 1/3 of the photo


These are the 3 grave stones: Geerhardus & Catherine are on the right


Here is a picture of me by their marker


Finally, a close-up of their marker.

Cuz's

I was thankful when we were home to have some time to catch up
with my cousin Marlisa. She has always had a special place in
my heart, our dad's are twins and her first baby Stella is just
weeks younger than Aaron. We always love to take their photos
together even though it is getting more difficult as they are
getting more mobile! We affectionately refer to them as Kermit
the Frog and Miss Piggy.

Thanksgiving

We just returned from a trip back to Lancaster for the holiday.
It was great fun to be home again, see friends and family, and
attend our home church. We are so thankful for all the richness
we have in relationships from family and friends.

Aaron and my dad doing some bird-watching


Morgan and Penn (my cuz Caryn's hubby) playing a mean game of
Hi-ho Cherrio-o. Guess who is winning? Do any of you Rudy's
recognize that old game? It was actually grandma's.


My mom and Brisa (cuz Caryn's cutie girl)


Mom gave the girls an early Christmas gift


The beautiful tree in mom and dad's front yard

Climbing fun

At Dick's Sporting Goods here in Gaithersburg, they have a 45 foot climbing wall that you can climb for just a couple of bucks a piece. My girls have been wanting to do this for a long time, especially Morgan. About a year ago, she taped her jump rope to the wall thinking that she could give that a shot. Back home at the Barnstormers Stadium they have a wall, but you have to be 45 lbs. to go. At Morgan's rate, that could be a few years. So, the other night we had a change to take the girls. It was so fun to watch them climb. Even I put the harness on and attempted to prove my youthfulness. Here are some photo's of the girl's climb.
Forgive me for the sideways shots of Claudia. I've spent way too much time
already trying to flip them and it just won't let me.

Guests

This weekend we had the joy of having Steve's brother and his wife
Kayla here. We spent the evening walking around at the Rio. The
Rio is a really fun place to go, lots of fun shops and good restaurants
and a pretty outdoor walk.


Steve and Uncle Shawn with the girls are we were walking around



Aaron admiring his lovely auntie



I know some of you have been wanting to see a picture of Kayla and her cute
growing belly...

Generosity

We have had the privilege this week of being taught by Jerry Bridges. Though I'm planning to do a post later on what I'm learning about Grace & Sanctification, I thought that first I would share one of the highlights of the week so far. Wednesday afternoon, CJ Mahaney interrupted class just before lunchtime. He came in and honored Jerry for the invaluable contributions he has made to Sovereign Grace, particularly in his understanding of the gospel and how it is applied. Then CJ announced that we were all to go upstairs, Jerry included, and that we were to each get a book out of the church bookstore (and Jerry was to get as many as he wanted). I got John Frame's "The Doctrine of God," mostly because it has been on my list for awhile, but also partially b/c it was big and expensive--and if you're getting a free book, make it a good one! CJ also led Jerry through the bookstore, recommending and feeding books to him to ensure that he was well-rewarded for his trip. Yet another example of the many kindnesses of God to us, not only in hearing clear and compelling teaching on the reality of the gospel of grace, but also in getting free books. Unbelievable.