One Day Closer

Rarely do I literally race out of work. This past weekend was one of those weekends. It was the sheer volume of patients on Friday that burned us all on staff out for Saturday and Sunday. The patient flow pattern seems to have reversed itself. Rather than days being busy and nights being slow; Day shift has been moderate and night shift (7pm until sunrise) has been a hectic mad house. We have been getting patients as far as Lowell, Holland/Zeeland, Greenville, South of Wayland, ect. -And most of our more seriously ill patients have either been very ill geriatrics or kids. Mostly the kiddos. And mostly severe fractures, pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis.

On a more upbeat note, my breathing has improved considerably with the new meds; the 'sidewalk saga' is nearly over with the landscapers arriving today; Tess and Noah have been doing well; Grace is doing indubibly well; oil has retreated from an all time high of $93 a barrel; the California wildfires appear to be coming under control; and today, we are one more day closer to Christ's return.

I have tonight and tomorrow night off. Fun times are due at the HiltonLife household. Although Halloween has 'morphed' dramatically since its early pagan religious roots, I can't say that I like it. Not in the slightest. It masks evil and I've never seen anything good come from anything that masks evil. -Here's a Deep thought for the night/morning:

"How can something with such evil roots, gain such a sublime foothold in American culture, that it infiltrates nearly every Christian and nonchristian household alike, as a harmless 'childrens' holiday?"

Honestly, I feel like a spiritual sellout by carving pumpkins and encouraging my child to dress up in a costume to say "trick-or-treat" in a cutsey little voice to get candy. Although it is socially and morally acceptable, I still feel like a sellout. -Is this some form of worldly unbased guilt, OR, is it a conviction?

Just because a dimishment and fading of a foundation may occur, it doesn't make the house built upon it any more separate from it.... I really don't think I am a grinch or anything; but the world has become gradually and subliminally lukewarm. -Innocent candy gathering instead of pagan celebration of the dead? -'Santa Claus' instead of the birth of a Savior? -The 'Easter bunny' instead of the resurrection of Christ? Who dreamed this stuff up? Is it any wonder why atheists snub their noses at 'Christians'? Where's the authenticity? Where's the genuineness? Where is the intestinal fortitude to unwaveringly stand up as a body of believers for what we know is right?

Needless to say, our church is hosting a community-safe 'trunk-or-treat'. Starting with dinner, and then trick or treating on the church campus parking lot.. (going from car to car/trunk to trunk). -Sounds weird but I think the kids will like it, and it's in a safe environment. I think Grace will really love seeing her Friends from church dressed up and getting prepped for her first dentists visit by chomping on all of her loot.

If you have any opinions besides the typical "Ohhh, it's okay.. Halloween is just for kids to get candy' answer, I'd love to hear your comments. Especially if it's of historical or theological value.

The only answer that I think I can currently come up with when the day comes that our kids UNDERSTAND what we SAY we believe, and then SEE our actions enough to pose the question:

CHILD: "Daddy.. If we don't believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or what Halloween stands for, then why do we allow these things to be a part of our celebration???"

ME: "Because we're lemmings my dear.. We are lemmings."

Until next time... Boo!

-C

Random Pictures

56th avenue. I thought it was amazing to see the scenic fall clarity contrasting with the heat distortion from the farmers burning







I felt bad about this one. Early Saturday morning after work I noticed that the 8-ton dumptruck left parked on the side street was being towed because someone complained. -That's going to be expensive..




Paging Dr. Grace! Paging Dr. Grace!





Steam rising on a cold fall morning from the energy generation plant on lake Michigan 10 miles away.

Another wolf in sheeps clothing

Last night while in the hospital break-room I was channel surfing through the television stations to see what was on. I came across a 'faith-healing' tele-evangelist infomercial on BET. The more I watched, the angrier I became.

As an African-American woman was screaming again and again, "Oh! -Thank-you Jesus!" "how I have been healed", this man (Peter Popoff) and his crew was preaching about how you can gain money, love, healing, and deliverance from any affliction (be it financial or physical). ---All the while he and his crew where in nice business suits yelling about 'if you believe in his prophesy, through the power of God, you can be getting you what you want, and where you want in life.

After watching three "testimonies" about how, "when Peter wrote me a letter and said I would be getting money, I got $17,000.00 in the mail the next day!!" And, if someone were to buy Peter Popoff's "Miracle Spring Water"(only if they called 'NOW', they could get the"Free, Larger spring water)..

What a Load of crap...

I nearly became nauseous just from hearing his cronies drag Jesus' name around like a 'good luck charm that'll do whatever you want' all for this guys prideful, greedy, financial empire.. The worst part? People were believing him. Needful, hurt, (and apparently desperately greedy) people were giving their last dime to skip the details and get some cash. -Ain't American great!? We want it Hot, and we want it now. We want it our way, and right away. It's all about us, and all around us...

Let it go.. -God is the just Judge and jury. I am not. God is slow to anger and quick to forgive. God is JUST. (consider looking up the definition of "Justice/Just", sometimes it is not pretty, but it is appropriate.) ---I just wonder if this Popoff guy realizes the bigger picture? All of our cards expire. I would not want to be the one whom has led so many astray come judgement day.

Peter Popoff proved fake on 39-17-Mhz

YouTube - James Randi exposes Uri Geller and Peter Popoff

Peter Popoff - Back To His Old Tricks

ABC News: Send Money, Receive Miracles

Deception in the Name of God (courtesy of Peter Popoff)

Unless you are seriously bored, don't waste your time clicking the above hyperlinks. they are simply for illustration; However, if you are indeed simply bored, indeed.

Lately, a good many people have been talking about "Authentic" Christianity.. I've been mentally going over an article that I read on someones blog last week.. The post is good, but there is more.. I just can't get it out of my head; so, guess what I'll be talking about?. -Although deeper than the norm, it's timely, and it's coming up next.

I've got to get a nap.. Till then-

Cheers,

-C

The story of our lives

Happy Anniversary to my wife

It was six years ago today that Tess and I exchanged vows, and rings. I remember I had mixed up my lines, and Lt. Cmdr. Chaplain Burmeister wouldn't let me ad-lib.. He demanded that I say the right thing through his silence.. and I did with a little help from Tess.


Tess' most famous line of the night occurred during our ceremony as well; The conclusion went like this: "With this ring.. I be wed!" -I still laugh, and tease her about it!


We have had many ups and downs in the past six years. We have loved, lost, laughed, cried, gotten frustrated,and overjoyed, but through it all; and most importantly; we did it together. I have learned that there are things in this life that I could never have made it through without Tess by my side... (..I should say that more often to her.)


-Tess, there is no way I could possibly entirely express the love I have for you. God has poured his Grace out upon a man like me, to have a bride like you. Thank-you. Thank-you. Thank-you!
Here's to our tomorrows, and the road God has ordained for us. Happy Anniversary Honey! I love you.
Cheers!
-C

Dr. s Updates

It seems we've been spending my days off at our doctors offices...

Grace and I saw Dr. Hamersema Wednesday. Grace got cleared with a great bill of health (and a flu shot she barely even flinched at). She's not only adorable, but she's tough.. She just wanted that fancy band-aid and stickers.

My lungs haven't yet cleared up; although better, mostly wheezes and LL diminishment. I've got some Advair now, on top of the nebs and inhalers. I haven't had a fever at all, so it's not like it's something contagious.. It's just the SOB (not what some of you think.. SOB=Shortness of breath), diff breathing and respiratory tightness. -If it doesn't improve in a week, They'll get more aggressive in finding out what is going on. (Chest/lung CAT scan, bronchoscopy).

Tess' visit encompassed seeing our heroic Dr. Hicks yesterday as a follow up to our E.R. visit Sunday night.. Baby's heart tones and movement are all good. No dialation with Sundays visit, and Sunday night they did a fetal protein prolactin test (I hope I got that right) which indicates whether a premature delivery within 2 weeks can be expected.. With 98% accuracy, it was negative; so that's a good sign. Because Tess' womb is being stretched so much, it is becoming irritable, and contractions might occur in the future. "Five minutes apart for two hours" is the new guideline given to us.. Thinking we have only 11 weeks left or less (if we go full term) the emotion called "anxiety" fills me.. I'd better get on the ball on a number of things I am behind on!

So thats the deal! I've got to go run some errands, and I am on all weekend 7p-7a in the ERrrr..

Tomorrow (Saturday) is Tess and I's 6th anniversary! (I'll be sleeping and working).. HOWEVER, I'll probably be spending 'blog-post-time' with Tess instead..

This picture is just ONE of the many things I've learned over the past six years:

; )

-C

Quick FYI

Family and Friends,

As a heads up, we discontinued our 616/283*_ _ _ _Verizon wireless cell phone yesterday. Please use our Vonage home phone 616/777*_ _ _ _ (local Allendale) phone number until we locate a cell provider that works for us.

Thanks!!
-C

Grace's Pumpkin Patch Pics

Last Saturday we took Grace to the Post Family Farm to pick up a pumpkin. Instead of just picking one up and running the rest of our errands, we got sucked into the events. It was incredibly fun! -After Grace warmed up to the surroundings, there was no stopping her. This might have to become a family tradition..(Notice the shadows of the camera toting Allendale paparazzi?)-C

More Pumpkin Pictures

Face value

What is said, is not always what you get.

DORMITORY: When you rearrange the letters: DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN: When you rearrange the letters: BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER: When you rearrange the letters: MOON STARER

DESPERATION: When you rearrange the letters: A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES: When you rearrange the letters: THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH: When you rearrange the letters: HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE : When you rearrange the letters: HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES: When you rearrange the letters: CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY: When you rearrange the letters: IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS: When you rearrange the letters: LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS: When you rearrange the letters: ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S

A DECIMAL POINT: When you rearrange the letters: IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES: When you rearrange the letters: THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO: When you rearrange the letters: TWELVE PLUS ONE

Dude. Where's my yard?

Good morning Mr. Township,
Hoping this message finds you well.
I had a quick question (s) for you regarding the surveyors that surprised me in my front yard this morning.
It seems the construction of a sidewalk will begin through our front yard in the "very near future.." -Could you please shed some light on this subject with me, as we have been in the dark about any such matter. I clearly understand the townships right of way, ect, however a type of advance courtesy notice with facts, conditions, and events leading up to the need, would certainly be appreciated in the future.
I appreciate your input Jim. Thanks! And have a great Friday!
Regards, -C

Carl,
You are right we should have given you a notice. You may recall we intended to put this sidewalk in last year but it got to late in the season to get it done. I am guessing you can appreciate the need for a safe place for people to walk along 60th ave. As the road gets busier and more residential development happens the need will become even greater. We are trying to get sidewalks on at least one side of the north/south roads on each side of Lake Michigan Drive.
The walk should go in this week. Restoration also should be complete this fall so that next spring the grass will come back. As a property owner you will not be required to pay anything nor will you be required to keep the snow off of it. Our township maintenance staff will be clearing it with our snow blower.
-Mr. TownshipCarl,
I was just looking over the plans for the sidewalks and realize there is a bush on your north property line close to a power pole that is in the way. Even though I don't need it I would like your permission to remove it. We would be willing to provide a bush to be planted outside the road right-of -way.
-Mr. Township

Mr. Township,
Thank-you for the inquiry regarding the bush. A replacement bush although unexpected, would be warmly welcomed. I appreciate you letting me know. More important than the bush, is timely and proper restoration of the areas disturbed. The end of fall is already rapidly approaching. If the walk goes in this week, I would presume days, to a week after pouring concrete restoration will be complete? The only other sticking point is simply a release of liability for us as property owners for incidents that may be incurred by those who might use the sidewalk in the future. I believe this is not only important to us, but also the Dykehouse, and Baar families as well.

Mr. Township, the need for a safe walkway was well proven last year when a youth was hit by a car near the same north corner of our property and Dewpointe. I don't believe any property owner involved in any project would dispute the importance of improving township safety.

According to the contractor, it appears they will be plowing a path through our front yard as soon as this morning. As soon as it's feasibly possible, I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again, and have a good morning.

-C

(The letter below explaining the project was received in the mail today; Wendsday, October 24th.. One day after the heavy equipment began digging):

Keeping it Jovial.. ; )___________________________________________________________________

..I am still one of those old school red blooded Americans who believe in individual freedoms, and freedom of information. -You know the kind.. God, Family, Country, Corps.. I have no ill will toward anyone or any thing.. Hence, the reason why I'm making a jovial event of this escapade.. If anything, this is a great learning experience for the future of local politics.. -and you know what? When we get that little replacement bush, We're going to take a little blog vote to give it a proper name..

Cheers!
-Carl

And it begins...

-Daryls house got it yesterday. I can only presume that ours is today. We'll update later after I get some sleep. (We'll update on how well tying Tess to the tree worked.. )

-C

With age comes wisdom..(or dementia)

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Happy Birtday big brother! While I'm stuck at work tonight enjoy your Hula!
-Be blessed dude.
Carl

Remarkably Eventful

You would think we were laying low enough yesterday, apparently not.

We enjoyed church and brunch with some friends afterwards. (Grace spilled three glasses of water, and one glass of tea..) I think she was showing off for Troy Livesay, who was visiting us from MN while on missionary furlough. (We stayed with Troy, Tara, and their tribe when we were in Haiti.)

-I never realized until after we left (brunch) that WE were the only ones that brought a two-year-old to our little gathering... Mmmmm.? Incidental? Nope. I'm thinking it more of "rookie parents" ..Grace was much wilder than normal and set a new record of 3 spilled glasses of 'high quality h20', -and a 1 tall glass of tea.. That's my girl!

After we got home and everyone enjoyed Sunday naptime; about 4pm Tess started having contractions..

The contractions had been becoming more and more regular in intensity and duration. After trying to record the times for an hour or two, they started to get consistent at about 7minutes in duration and 6minutes between them. Too consistent. -We packed up and headed in to the hospital.

They were able to get Tess's contractions under control with I.V. fluids and meds at around 2a.m. -Tess's wings have now been proverally 'clipped'. She is grounded at least until we follow-up with O.B., and then we'll see what type of restrictions get gifted to her.

I want to thank-everyone for their prayers last night, and thank Dawn for being there for Tess. It was all to close for comfort and we are VERY thankful the contractions have subsided for now. We are keenly aware of how blessed we are to be surrounded by such an amazing body of believers. You guys ROCK!

-C

Ouch! Thank-you Sir, may I have another!

There are a few things I had been wanting to let out about over the past few days, but I felt it might be important to temper my words and simple human emotions prior to letting rash words fly. The hot topic would be this:

ARE WE BUILDING OR EXPANDING? -Those would be logical questions to ask, Nooooo. We are not.. Actually, we were quite surprised by the surveying crew showing up in our front yard(s) Friday morning without notice.. -The poor two-man-surveying crew might have thought me a little crazy when I approached them in a ball cap, sweat shirt, boxer shorts, and sandals.. (-hey, they looked like regular shorts and I was in a hurry to catch them before they escaped) The nervous survey crew said, " Oh, yeah. They're putting a sidewalk across your front yard, man.. When? Real, real soon.."

The Township supervisor was 'out of the office' and has not returned any of our neighbors calls or my email..) -If backhoes and demolition equipment show up first thing Monday morning before we get a chance to talk.. which is what it sounds like might happen.. you might be reading about our 'block revolution' in the paper...

The gas company 'miss dig' marker dude came by early Saturday to flag and paint cool orange racing-stripe lines on our lawns.. I asked him if he knew what was going on, (and yes, I was fully dressed this time..) or when it was suppose to take place, and he LAUGHED at me! His reply was; "I don't know man, usually the homeowners are the first to know!" Ughh!

ALLENDALE township apparently forgot to 'courtesy call' any of the homeowners and decided that they wanted to get a jump on this fiscal years spending by approving a $74,000.00 sidewalk project. -With a deal and cash like that involved, the contractors are wasting no time.. --It makes me wonder, "who, is scratching who's butt?"

This 'project' incidentally rises a full foot above the current ground level in our front yard; runs partially through the permanent oak tree flower boxes that Robin and Daryl have; and sheers right through Rob and Bonnie's front yard.. (Rob and Bonnie, our very best Friends, have already been through enough with the intrusive never-really-occupied-'Great wall of China' apartment and retail project directly to the south.)

No call, no letter, no fax, no cordial meeting.. and, it was not on the Township website, (none of the township 'minutes' were updated). I had to actually Google, 'Allendale' and 'sidewalk' to find out what was happening in our own yard. I found an answer on the October 11ths' MLive.com .

My lovely wife Tess, had offered to tie her pregnant self to the tree in our front yard in protest, while I park the car over the proposed construction area..

Although I assured her 'it wouldn't be necessary', waaaay deep back, in the recesses of my mind, I'm thinking "hey, that might work!" (Just kidding!). Seriously though, Tess is really, REALLY upset about this. ....The township or contractors clearly have no idea of the hormonal, and often dramatic preggo mood swings that could come down on them like an axe on a chickens neck at any moment. -Although she looks soft as charmin, she can be as tough as a drill instructor when she needs to be.

So that's where the update ends for now.. Although frustrated, and admittedly dripping with sarcasm about the whole subject.. We've all been trying to be biblical in our approach.. If we have to have a concrete structure blasting through our front yard; FINE! -Just let us know in advance, and.... you might as well put one through the back yard as well.. : /

..To be continued,

-Ch