I Have the Best Family Ever!

The only thing I treasure more is JESUS CHRIST

Veteran's Day and My Family

My mother posted this on her blog yesterday:

Today we celebrate Veteran’s Day. There were speeches and parades and plaudits from politicians. For me, this is holiday is personified by my grandfather, my father, my father-in-law and my brother. Men in my family have served in every war and conflict from the Revolution forward. It is somewhat bittersweet when I think of friends who served and did not return from Vietnam. My reflections today are shared by families all across the country and my memories are theirs.

I have my grandfather’s letters written during his service in WW1. He wrote regularly, first from boot camp and later from Europe. It was strange to see those letters, marked “somewhere in England”. Somehow I always thought that was a bit of fiction until I saw the actual letters. He served honorably and returned home. He never talked much about his service, seeing it as just what an Indiana man would do in that situation.

My father volunteered for the Army following Pearl Harbor and was sent to England after basic training, and then to Europe with the invading forces. He rose through the ranks to Tech Sergeant (Sergeant 1st Class in today’s army) and served in a mechanized battalion, commanding a half-track. (An armored jeep with tracks instead of rear wheels capable of carrying supplies, weaponry, personnel). He took part in the Battle of the Bulge and pushed into Germany with Patton. His platoon was trapped behind enemy lines and considered MIA for a time. He was seriously wounded just before the end of the war and was evacuated to England and then home. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and numerous citations such as a sharpshooter award. He was always proud to have served his country and was seriously irritated when the Army told him he wasn’t fit to serve in Korea.

My father-in-law served in the SeaBees of the US Navy, their construction division. After the devastation of the Pearl Harbor attack, rebuilding the port facilities was a high priority. Men with peacetime jobs in the construction industry formed construction battalions to rebuild Pearl Harbor and then to build bases, airfields and support the advance through the Pacific. Their motto was “We Build, We Fight”. Dad served in Hawaii and was later assigned as part of the Iwo Jima attack force. The SeaBees arrived on the island hard on the heels of the Marines and immediately began working to repair an airfield. The field began receiving flights just a few days later. Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 and Dad’s SeaBee battalion was decommissioned and returned to the US just thirty days later. He mustered out in California and returned to St. Paul, MN to his family, his wife and the son who was born after he shipped out.

My brother served in the “peacetime” army in Germany and at Fort Campbell, KY. He considered making the army his career, but decided against it as he had a young son at home and he wanted to be a hands-on father. Various cousins and nephews have also served.

These men all considered it an honor to serve in defense of their country. I grew up hearing the history of the military men in our family, but these I knew well. I honor them every day, and especially today as we celebrate all the veterans who have served with honor. My prayer today and every day is that the men and women currently serving will be protected and come home with honor to their families.

I am going to the store

Asher and I were playing outside yesterday when he said, 'bye bye daddio'. I asked him where he was going. He said, 'to the store'. I asked him why he was going to the store. He said, 'to get some marshmallows and a book.' I asked him how he was going to do that since he was not allowed to ride his bike in the road. He said, 'This is a green truck, like grandpa's.'

Asher is to smart for his own good.

Family Adventures

Please Pray for Asher

Last night as we were getting ready for bed Asher was running around and playing just like any other night. As he did he fell down, just as he does many, many times a day. This time was different though. I heard a very loud and sickening 'crack' and Asher began to cry very hard! 

I cuddled him up for a while and then the cry subsided. I laid him down on the floor to check him out. He showed us where it hurt and I began to touch and squeeze his leg to identify the origin of his pain. He did not react so I stood him up and he could not put any weight on his right leg.

So I rushed him to the emergency room to have him checked out. As we were waiting to see the doctor we got to watch a helicopter take off. Asher loved it!!! We were about 50 yards away from it when it took off, but I digress.

The doctors x-rayed Asher's leg and discovered that he had broken the tibia. The doctor called it a toddler break because they are very common. He had set three of them in the last week. Apparently he just had a strange twist when he fell and the pressure caused a curved crack in his leg. 

Asher is now in a cast for the next four weeks. Please pray for Asher's healing and for Anne as she cares for him and Karis who is 4 weeks old already. 

God has and is showing us his grace and mercy through all of this. Thank you for your prayers.

Soli Deo Gloria

Asher and Karis

Asher coming home from the hospital - July 2006.

Karis coming home from the hospital - July 2008.

Asher's Adventures

Asher loves his baby sister Karis

Asher at the fair with the pigs

Asher and Karis with Daddy in the mission booth at the fair.

Asher helped daddy make blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

Anne's Recovery

Anne & Karis - 2 weeks

Anne & Asher - 2 weeks

Karis is home!

Karis Joy Erickson

Today at 4:47 p.m. our daughter - Karis Joy Erickson was born! Anne was absolutely amazing!!! When the time to push arrived Anne got it done in 7 minutes. That's right - 7 MINUTES!!!

Karis weighed in at a mighty 7 lbs. and 6 oz. and measured in at an impressive 20 inches.

She is an amazing child and she is as her name states. Karis is the Greek word for Grace and Joy is what she has filled our hearts with.

I will post some of the 200 pictures I have taken of her after we get home from the hospital on Saturday.

Asher came to visit his brand new little sister and gave her some very sweet cuddles and kisses.

We praise the LORD Jesus Christ for his mighty presence with us today and we are humbled that he has blessed us so richly.

Thank you to all of you who faithfully prayed for us today. The LORD God definately answered you.

Soli Deo Gloria

Day 0

It is 5:39 am and we are preparing go to the hospital where Anne will deliver our baby. This is the first and last installment of my live blogging of the birth of my child.

The voting indicated that the majority wanted me to blog this great event and 2 (or more) of you were disturbed by the thought of it.

What this poll did not take into account was the vote of the one delivering the child and her vote is the only one that matters with regard to the poll. So, unfortunately there will be no live blogging today.

We will keep you posted though and I will upload some pictures to my facebook page as soon as it is appropriate.

Please pray for us and especially Anne.

This Bun is Done!!!

3 + 1 = 4

Today we are celebrating our life as a family of three and we are rejoicing in the love that God has given us for each other. Our life was radically changed two years ago when Asher was born. I can hardly remember what life was like before God gave him to us.

Tomorrow our family of 3 will add 1 to become a family of four. Anne will be induced into labor at 7 a.m. and our lives will change forever with the arrival of our little girl (the doctors think it is a girl and we are pretty sure it is, but you don't know for sure until the little one comes out).

Please pray for Anne as she prepares for labor and delivery. Ask the LORD to give her great strength and an awareness of His presence with her.

Please pray for Asher as he prepares to be a big brother. Pray that he would always know that his mommy and daddy love him deeply. Pray that we would be wise and understanding as his world changes dramatically with the addition of a new baby to our family.

Please pray for me as I prepare to be the father of two. Pray that God would give me wisdom and understanding as I lead our family. Pray that I would have the strength and energy to lead our family and our church plant.

Pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ would take root in the lives of our children and that we would display the glory of God to every person we come into contact with.

Soli Deo Gloria

Thursday Check Up

Anne had a doctor's appointment today and it looks like the baby will come soon. In fact, we are scheduled for an induction next thursday. One way or another by this time next week our little one will be out of the womb and into our arms.

Another Day Pressing on in the Great Commission

Every day is an adventure in church planting. I plan out my day and then keep my eyes open to see what the LORD will do. Today was a good day. We had a good visit at the doctor for Asher's 2 year check up. We found out that we received a significant donation for our up coming County Fair Outreach. We had a gifted musician join our mission to plant Pointway Church. I had an opportunity to talk to two teenage girls about the LORD. I also had a great afternoon playing with Asher in our yard. All this while Anne is on the verge of moving into labor. She has been having some contractions and we are hoping that things progress soon.

It is just another day pressing on in the Great Commission. Time will tell the significance of today's events, but one thing I know: the hand of God is upon me. I can not imagine doing anything else with my life than to be on mission with Jesus Christ as he builds his church watching the gates of hell fall as the gospel advances.

I head off to bed with joy in my heart and great thankfulness for all that the Lord has done in and through me. I also head off to bed know that I could awaken at any moment needing to take Anne to the hospital so she can give birth to our child. What a life! I love it!!! THANK Y0U JESUS

Asher's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Asher!!!

Today we are celebrating Asher's 2nd Birthday. It is hard to believe that he is 2 already. It is amazing how much he has become a part of our lives in such a short time. We can not imagine what life was like without him. We praise God for you Asher and look forward to helping you become a man of God. Happy Birthday!

Baby is coming soon

38 Weeks

Asher with Mommy and Daddy