Christmas 2010

This Christmas was the best yet for the Zilkie family.  As usual, we began our Christmas Journey on November 30th with our 26 day trip through the Jesse Tree.  Along with that, every Sunday we celebrated the four weeks of Advent: Prophets, Angels, Shepherds, and Wise Men and then finished with Jesus on Christmas morning.  Also, as is now tradition, we end our bible time and discussion in the evening with our family singing Christmas Carols.  Each year David and Jonathan continue to grow in understanding and articulating God's word and this year was no exception.  A year older than last Christmas, both Caroline and Zeke were much more boisterous in their singing.  I can't wait to see them all mature and grow and engage our Christmas Journey more and more in the years to come.


This year was also better than previous ones because after hosting my Mom, Brother, Sister & Niece for Thanksgiving, we then hosted Julie's mother and 88 year old grandmother for 5 days over Christmas.  Both families made the 500 plus mile trip to St. Louis and blessed us so much in their coming.  Great Grandma Rose said it was "the best Christmas she ever had".  It was wonderful seeing the great-grandchildren loving on her, being full of joy toward her, and Jonathan really blessed Great-Grandma when he told her "I hope you live to be 100 years old."  Initially, Julie was concerned that Grandma would be annoyed by all the noise and activity, as she is used to living on her own.  But none of it seemed to bother her, rather she really embraced the children and was blessed by all of their enthusiasm. 


This year we watched The Nativity Story on Christmas night and were able to explain the gospel and the Christmas story in great detail to both Julie's mother and grandmother.  They loved it, and said they learned so much that they did not previously know even though they have been in and out of churches on Christmas most of their lives. 

It was a very special Christmas and we can only hope G&GG come back again next year! 

The Importance of Reading

When I was a child, like many of my friends and other children of that day, I was consumed with television and specifically cartoons.  Now I know the word "cartoons" is an insult to animators world-wide but this was my world and the world of Hanna-Barbera.  I remember waking up every day wanting to know what would happen next on Voltron, G.I. Joe, Thundercats, Gobots, with my two favorites being the Transformers and Superfriends.  I also loved watching the syndication of Gilligan's Island, Benson, the Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres...you get the point!

What I didn't do much of was read.  I had very good comprehension and knew how to read quite well, but never found enjoyment in it.  This showed once I got into junior high and high school and the English classes I had to take.  I was expected to read various novels of greater length and loathed those assignments.  I was a math and science guy and cared little for English.

As the years passed and I moved from high school, into the Marines, then into college, I realized that reading was crucial to my success in life.  When  I recommitted my life to Jesus Christ at 17 and became and avid reader of the Bible, my focus and interest for reading in general also improved by God's grace.  As I moved into the various ministry opportunities where God has led me and continued growing and learning about life, leadership, people, etc.  I have heard continually how important it is to be a reader.

I was also blessed to marry a diligent reader, and Julie has made it priority one to read to our children and to develop them as readers as well.  We are already seeing the fruit of this in David (8) and Jonathan (6) as they love to read themselves and have vivid imaginations as a result.  Along the way, I also had a successful friend in Grand Rapids tell me how his dad was a voracious reader and that really helped him be a reader.  He remembered his dad sitting in his chair, reading at home and he credited that influence in his life and success present day.

I have had spurts of reading in the past years as graduate classes, ministry responsibilities, and other interests have motivated me to read more for periods of time.  But my default is still away from reading books of all kinds.  Then this summer I decided to commit to reading for the long haul.  This time I was going to make a change...for good.  I decided I would read at least one book a month minimum and see where that would lead.  It didn't matter what I read as long as I was reading.  To help the process I chose books in areas of interest which has helped considerably.

Well, 6 months later I am here to report SUCCESS in my endeavor.  Since the summer I have read a number of books and some of great length.

• Too Small to Ignore by Wess Stafford (250 pages)
• Team of Rivals by Goodwin (1,000 pages)
• Rendezvous With Destiny by Shirley  (700 pages)
• Prince of Darkness, an auto-biography of Bob Novak (600 pages)
• An Arny at Dawn by Atkinson (700 pages)

Yes there is a certain theme to my books as Politics and War History are definite areas of personal interest, but I have also learned much about leadership, personal growth and development, and am improving my acumen for reading on a whole.  Once I finish my final project for seminary this semester I will begin reading a book Julie just read about parenting. 

For me, reading over 3,300 pages of books since the summer is HUGE and a significant personal accomplishment.  I hope to continue reading and encourage you if you are not a reader to consider the importance of reading for yourself.  As I tell my boys "readers are leaders" and I myself want to be a better leader, in all areas of life.  I also am much more excited about learning at age 36 which I wish I would have had 20-25 years ago as well.

The Christmas Season is here...

I posted a number of posts last Christmas about the various Christmas and Advent traditions we celebrate in the Zilkie home.  I have gotten many requests and inquiries about them.  As we get ready for another season, I want to redirect any of you who have questions to last years posts:

Christmas Traditions - Part 1

Christmas Traditions - Part 2

Christmas Tradition - Part 2 - Resource Link

Christmas Traditions - Part 3

Christmas Traditions - Part 4

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!

Selah Update - October 12th

Hey all, thanks for your continuing prayers for our family and for Selah.  She is doing well.  She went to her second appointment last Friday and the pediatric GI doctor gave her the "all clear".  So, the problems that were present two weeks ago have subsided and are not detectable.  Honestly, her health improved as soon as we asked you all to pray for her, so thank you!!!

At this point, we are just keeping our eye on her to see if she regresses and any of the symptoms return.  We will keep you posted on any developments. 

On a side note, my sister and brother-in-law are facing some hard decisions this week with their financial difficulties, housing issues, etc.  Please pray for them and for our family as we seek to support and help them through this time.

Thank you for your prayers...

Thank you all for your continued prayers.  Selah has been doing well this week.  She has been quite ornary this morning but did eat her breakfast so we feel good about that.  It is definitely challenging to discern what is agitation due to something medical and what is just her being "Sweet Selah". 

The doctor decided to delay the ultrasound this morning until our appointment with the pediatric GI doctor on Friday so we are on hold for the time being. 

Evening Update on Selah

This morning Julie took Selah to the doctor's office and then onto the hospital for additional tests.  I guess the process of drawing blood from our 18 month old was not for the faint of heart.  Usually I am the one holding our children still while a doctor is sticking them with needles, stitches, or whatever is necessary at the moment.  Julie says she did not fare so well.  However, after 3 medical professionals held her down, they were able to get the multiple vials of blood for the necessary tests. 

Then this afternoon we got the call and, thank you for your prayers, the tests were all negative and only one liver test had somewhat high readings.  The tests given were the ones detecting viral problems with the liver such as hepatitis and the like.  Then they ran a series of tests on the function of the liver and they all looked good as well, save one.  At this point, the doctors do not think the liver is sick or diseased and so we move on to step two.  That will mean various ultrasounds and scans to see if something is blocking the flow of the bile and any other necessary intestinal fluids.

So day 1 was a success and we thank you for your prayers on Selah's behalf.  We have seen prayer directly impact the health and well being of our children in the past and believe that prayer is impacting Selah as well.  On a side note, she had a great day, ate well, had a normal "poop", and has been especially cheery, showing no signs of the irritability she had the past week or two.  Thank you so much, please keep praying for her, and we will keep you updated.

Sweet Selah

This morning we are taking Selah to the doctor to begin a series of tests.  Selah just turned 18 months old and is the baby of the Zilkie Clan.

       

  

She is an adorable little girl, is full of life and vigor and can be very sweet and loving.  Yet, she has exhibited extended periods of irritability and contentiousness.  Being an infant you never know how to interpret these things.  Also, her stool would be seriously pale and discolored at times as well but then normalize once again.  We knew she was teething so we assumed it was related to that.

Very recently she has refused to eat except sporadically, and then this weekend she had very peculiar bowel movements and the pale / cream colored stool returned.  This time we suspected something more.  

Upon consulting some friends and doctors at church, they were themselves concerned and have recommended we begin a series of tests this week for Selah.  The most likely cause for this type of problem is the liver, but at this point we are only speculating.  Your prayers for Selah and for Julie would be appreciated.  We will update as we find out more.

A Special Day

I received an invitation a couple weeks ago to attend the adoption ceremony for a family in our church.  When asked where it would be, I was told to meet them at the Family Services building near the county courthouse.  Beside having to park a quarter mile away, when you enter the concrete building "family" is the last thing that comes to mind.  Security guards, metal detectors, x-ray scanners, and stairs leading down to our appointed room.  Downstairs the hallways are dreary, there is more concrete, and the waiting room is filled with those plastic chairs with curve in the seat but provide little to no comfort. 

My friend Mike is married to Sara, but Sara's daughter came from a previous relationship.  Mike and Sara became followers of Jesus in the winter, were baptized several weeks later and have been growing in their faith since.  This adoption ceremony is the final beautiful step in completing their new family unit, both in spirit and by the letter of the law. 

The courtroom door finally opens and we are led inside.  It is a big informal room and the judge is sitting in her traditional place up front behind the bench.  More concrete is present and a lot of legal jargon is heard.  As I sit there I find myself pondering the irony of God.  He authored adoption, making a way for each of us to join His family and yet on earth it is this cold dreary place which gives adoption legal authority.

I have been adopted by my Father in heaven and the more I realize the truth of that, the greater the impact it has on me and in my life.  Julie and I think the world of adoption and bringing an outsider into your family in the name of Jesus Christ.  So here is our friend Mike who has been Ella's father for some time now, waiting to make Ella his daughter in the eyes of the law as well.

As the judge concluded the proceedings with the parental oath of adoption all of a sudden this dreary and cold room began to fade away.  Even as I knew exactly what was coming, when the words were said, "Do you promise to take Ella as your own as if she had been born to you?", I was choked up with emotion at the seriousness of the moment.  Mike too was choked up a bit and for good reason.  He realized the seriousness of the commitment he was making to a little girl and the impact that is going to have on her life for the duration of her life. 

Who would have thought that this dreary, concrete building could possess something so powerful.  More so, look at the power of something that God has created...adoption...and see that in spite of its surroundings, the activities of God to redeem a lost world and the lost people therein are powerful beyond walls and buildings.  It was a real gift to be able to witness that ceremony.  I am reminded afresh of what God must have felt in that moment when He first adopted me...

Our Final Two Days - The Trip Home

After a wonderful evening and breakfast in Cody, Wyoming on Saturday we got started home.  Initially we were going to return the way we came, which would have been the shortest route, but after several conversations with other fellow travelers and the encouragement of our friend Justin who is originally from Wyoming, we decided to take a couple detours and enhance our trip home.

Our first trip was up through "Big Horn" National Forest in Wyoming which was an amazing drive up near Sheridan, Wyoming.

Then after driving through Big Horn, we decided to go home the northern route through South Dakota in order to see the Badlands as well...

The Badlands were amazing and we can't wait to take our family back there someday in the future. 

Oh, I forgot to mention that we did stop and visit the legendary Wall Drug while in South Dakota.  A destination that everyone must eventually make their way to...

We stayed the night in Sioux Falls and drove the remaining 600 miles home on Sunday.  It was good to be home!!!

Julie and I were so thrilled with the opportunity to have a week away.  Julie has stated that Wyoming quickly became one of her favorite places.  

I had not ventured across the country on this type of road trip since 1998 and I loved it.  It was awesome being able to share life on the road with Julie.  We hope you enjoyed following along with our trip and appreciate the interest you our friends and family have taken in our venture. 

Day 6 - Friday, August 13

Friday was day two of our Yellowstone Exploration and what  a day it was.  Ironically, it was the first day of rain and cloudy skies we have had on our trip.  Subsequently, we weren't sure what kind of day in the park it would be as we have not heard good things about rainy days at Yellowstone.  Whereas the scenery which we have been blessed with in abundance thus far was not all that visible due to weather, the animal kingdom came out in force to give us a fabulous drive around the northern part of the park.

This Bison startled us as we came around the bend on one of the roads.  As you can see we didn't get the greatest picture as we weren't ready for him to be there.  Notice however, that he knows to walk on the shoulder allowing traffic to pass without disturbance.  Good bison!!!

After the Bison we saw a Grizzly Bear about 1/2 mile off the road on a hillside.  I talked with a couple who was out with binoculars looking at it and they said they have been to the park now five times and this is the first grizzly bear they have seen.  Julie and I were thrilled to get one on our first try. (Sorry no picture.  The zoom on my video camera is better than the one on my regular camera...time to get a new camera.)

One of the many canyon views during our drive

One of the many storm fronts moving through the park

After this picture while driving one of the side roads we came upon a bunch of cars and up on the hillside we saw a Black Bear digging and scrounging for food under some logs.  Black Bears are much more skittish than Grizzlies, or so we are told.

A herd of bison on the left, the geysers on the right and the rive in front.

At this point we came up on another mass of cars on the road and what did we see but another mama grizzly bear and her two cubs down a valley.  These bears were easier to see, but unfortunately without a good zoom lens on my camera...I have some video of them if you want to see. :-) 

As we were leaving the park for the day we also saw a wolf out in one of the prairies, not too far from the road.  All toll, 5 bears, 1 wolf, 1 moose, a ton of bison, and an assortment of other animals.

As we left the park...

and drove out the east gate to Cody, we had the most beautiful scenery to drive through.  Rocks, cliffs, canyons and lakes all decorated our hour drive and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

When we get into Cody we stayed at...

...the Mayor's Inn, bed and breakfast in Cody, Wyoming.  It was a wonderful evening of relaxation, being together on our last non-travel day as we get ready for the long trip home Saturday and Sunday.

I wanted to thank our friend at Rooftop, Justin Stone who helped us with planning our route and some of our trip.  He grew up in Cody and has been a good friend and was a great help to us.

Saturday morning...breakfast at the Mayor's Inn and then...."on the road again..."

Day 5 - Thursday, August 12

After two days in the Grand Tetons Thursday we traveled north to Yellowstone National Park.

The park is beautiful and there are so many different things to see.  Some of the highlights were:

Old Faithful which everyone in the park usually comes to see.  We timed it great and only had to wait 10 minutes.

The different heated pools and all the cool (or not so cool, it is actually quite hot in there) geo-thermal stuff going on underneath the earth and bubbling to the surface.

This cool waterfall down below.  That is me standing down there on the rock.

We saw our first ever Bison out in the wild.

We then drove through the park, pulled off by one of the river beds and just sat out reading our books in the quiet of the day with only the river making any noise.  It was a wonderful time, Julie even called it "romantic" whatever that is supposed to mean. I was just looking for a good place to keep reading my book...

Then for the evening we drove out of the West gates of the park and stayed the evening in West Yellowstone, Montana at the...

Brandin' Iron Inn, where they are very excited for your pets to meet their fun staff.

Day 4 - Wednesday, August 11

Wednesday morning we were up getting breakfast and realized that we had left the lights on in our car and our battery went dead.  Not to worry though, the General Manger of the Jenny Lake Lodge got us some cables and a jump start in no time.  After a wonderful breakfast...

a gourmet breakfast fit for a queen

We arrived at the Jackson Lake Lodge just to the north of the Jenny Lake Lodge.  This is where we needed to be by 9am for our float trip down the Snake River.  The float trip was supposed to be 1.5 to 2 hours but becasue of the wind blowing against us and the slow current, it took almost 4 hours.  Julie was able to share with a woman named Nancy whose wayward daughter had recently become a Christian and they haven't understood the change in her life very much.  This was a great chance for us to help her understand a little more what God has been doing in her daughter's life and what He is wanting to do in hers as well.

Mark, our float guide with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova

The Tetons from the Snake River

One very blessed couple still not halfway through our trip :-)

After our long float trip we were pretty wiped out by the sun so we went back to the Jackson Lodge to wait for our room.  There we met Roland or as his friends call him "Rolly".  Rolly is an old politico who used to lobby for western states regarding water issues and specifically the Colorado River.  We sat and talked about his life, political history, why he used to not like Harry Truman's politics but has learned to apprecitate the man Harry Truman for his humility, his honesty and his personal integrity.  He stated that he often fines himself asking the question, "Where it today's Harry Truman?".

Julie and Rolly from Colorado

Then we got our room and WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was exactly what we wanted without knowing exactly what we had reserved.  This was the view from inside our room.  It was perfect.  I have always loved the mountains and being able to read in the evening as the sun set behind the Tetons and then watch the sun light them up in the morning as it rose in the east behind us was probably my favorite part of the trip thus far.  Here is a progression of shots throughout the morning as the sun begins to illuminate the mountains...

This morning we just relaxed.  Julie took a long bath as she read. I journaled for an hour or so in front of the Tetons.  And now we are off to Yellowstone National Park.  What a wonderful couple of Days here in Grand Teton National Park.  

Day 3 - Tuesday, August 10

On Tuesday we drove from Jackson, Wyoming up 15 miles into Grand Teton National Park to stay the night at the Jenny Lake Lodge.  During the day we went on a horseback ride and Julie kept reminding herself that the horse didn't want to fall down the mountain any more than she did.  After a great ride and checking into our beautiful cabin at the base of the Grand Tetons we went for a wonderful dinner at the Lodge and enjoyed a five course meal (our special dinner of the trip).  I had never eaten veal cheeks before...there is a first time for everything.  We retired to our cabin and as Julie went to bed I went out to look at the amazing stars which are so abundant here in the park outside of the effects of city lights.  Tomorrow, we are up and off on our raft trip early in the morning...

The Park Entrance

Our drive into the park

A hike out to Jenny Lake

Our cabin for the night

The view from our cabin in the morning

Day 2 - Monday, August 9, 2010

Today we drove the rest of the way to Jackson, Wyoming from Cheyenne...another 430 miles.  It was a beautiful drive there up into the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming...

The view shortly after leaving Cheyenne...

...several hours later driving north to Jackson...

...the Rocky Mountains...

...one of the rivers (behind us) flowing through the Rockies.

We arrived in the evening, had some dinner, relaxed at our little hotel after two long days of driving...

this is the view right outside our room for the night

Today (Tuesday) we are headed up to Grand Teton National Park...