Missing the Link

So I was on the Google homepage, and I noticed a strange icon in the place where they usually put "Happy Columbus Day" or "Happy Fourth of July." Curious, I clicked on it to find out what vital information I was missing out on. To my surprise, the great holiday was the discovery of the newest claimed evolutionary “missing link,” Ida. Another addition to the embarrassing list of Lucys, Neanderthals, and Piltdowns! Apparently, however, this one is special (and I say that with a serious sarcastic inflection!). In fact, there is an entire marketing force behind this little lemur, including a book, a documentary, and a website that claims this fossil is rewriting history! This is the most complete fossil primate ever discovered, and evolutionist Jorn Hurum claims that “this is the first link to all humans, [representing] the closest thing we can get to a direct ancestor." However, upon further research, I discovered that quite the opposite is true. Instead of being a half-lemur and half-human Frankenstein, this fossil is almost exactly the same as a modern lemur, having a few minor variations (like its teeth) that could easily be variations within its own kind. In fact, the amazing preservation of Ida, much of its fur, the contents of its stomach, and the many fossils around it actually point to a catastrophic world flood!
How could so many people who appear to be so smart have it so wrong? For those who believe that God created the world, every new claim of the discovery of a “missing link” brings sighs, and every new proof of a hoax or exaggeration causes us to wonder how much longer all these “smart” people will continue to miss the truth! How much longer will they make up their theory and then skip off with a shovel to try to prove it? Their blindness would almost be laughable if it weren’t so depressing. By way of solving the problem, we sagely observe that they should first examine the evidence and then base their theories off that.
It's time for the magnifying glass to turn the other direction. When I actually looked closer at my sage observation, I realized that I often repeat the same foolish process, and I end up in the same place, which is far from truth. I plant myself on a doctrine or belief, and then I skim through the Bible to find proof. Sure, I may find my missing link to support my belief, but I end up with a falsehood! I remember when I was about 14, and I had to write a paper answering from Scripture a specific question about the role of women. At the time, the details of a woman’s Biblical role were quite foreign to me, and I was struggling with where I stood. I had my own (wrong) biases, however, and I somehow managed to twist Scripture and support the same conclusion I had started with. The only difference between what I did and what evolutionists do is that I used Scripture to fill in my gaps rather than bones.
How did I end up with the wrong answer? I believe that I was missing the real link. All those scientists with PhDs and maybe some of you as well are missing the link. Yes, we all look at evidence through our own bias, but truth is absolute. When we twist truth to try to link our ideas with it, we end up with lies. There is only one sure link to all of life’s questions, and Christ is that link of truth.

I Corinthians 3:11-13, 18-19 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work….Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness.’”

Instead of using skewed evidence to link my hypothesis to the conclusion, I need to grab hold of the main link of truth and never let go. Only then can I see the lies and reject man’s ideas that don’t fit. Only then can I see Ida for what she really is: simply one famous (but dead) lemur!

Sources:
>>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-missing-link-found.html
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/05/19/ida-missing-link
https://www.wtgnh.com/wtgnh/support/chain.jpg

http://www.revealingthelink.com/

A Matter of Life and Death

Life has been keeping itself ever before me these days. Two weddings in the last week, the imminent birth of a friend’s baby, three birthdays this weekend, Memorial Day, and the announcement of pregnancy by another friend have all reiterated not only the cycle of life, but also the preciousness of life. The only thing missing from my list is an essential component of life: death. That happened too, though. Approximately 25,900 innocent lives were snuffed out in the last seven days alone in the USA because of abortion. And Washington state experienced the first repercussion of the curse her citizens so gladly embraced last November. After becoming the second state in the nation to allow assisted suicide, Washington’s law allowed a doctor to murder when he was trained to heal, and he successfully aided a 66-year-old woman in killing herself. Linda Fleming purposefully ended her own life with the help of a doctor on Thursday, May 21st, 2009. Hers was the first legal physician-assisted suicide in Washington state.
Life is the most precious gift one can ever receive or ever give. Life provides the ultimate test of fidelity, the greatest opportunity for sacrifice, the best way to show love, and the easiest way to show selfishness. Life is in the hands of our Creator. Job 1:21 says, “…Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Readers, I feel a bit as though I am “preaching to the choir” here. It is likely that the vast majority of you agree with me; you believe abortion is wrong. You think euthanasia is never right. However, I have to ask you; are you suiting actions to words? What have you done in this past week filled with life—but also overflowing with needless death—to stand up for life? There are countless ways one can stand up for life, from volunteering at a Caring Pregnancy Center to serving a large family that believes every child is a gift from God. From getting the word out about a ballot initiative to honoring and helping those “old” people in your life whom society views as useless. From fasting and praying and getting right with God so that nationwide revival can start with personal revival to standing alone in a debate amongst friends and lovingly proclaiming the preciousness of life.
My great-grandma came to America fifty years ago after experiencing Hitler’s cruelty. He wanted to eliminate every person that didn’t match up to his idea of ‘perfection’. One way he did this was by denying his victims enough food and water; today we call these atrocious events murder. What do we call starving a disabled woman to death (as was done in the case of Terri Schiavo)? Starting with Roe v. Wade, and continuing with progressively more lenient sentences for murderers, the murdering of embryonic cells for “research”, and physician-assisted suicide, our society has failed to honor life. I leave you with a quote from an excellent article entitled “The Devaluing of Human Life” : “‘The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”’ When we devalue God we devalue human life. When we honor God, we give value to human life.”

For further reading, please visit:
http://www.lvanwerven.com/2009/05/washington-states-first-assisted.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008352033_1000prop05m.html

A Trip and Two Tests

Mikaela filled you in on two days of our trip last week, but we left on Tuesday and returned on Sunday. What else did we do besides wedding stuff? Here are a few more pictures from our whirlwind trip to Spokane and Idaho.

Vacation's all about sleeping in, right? These two guys definitely think so!

We were able to get together with a lot of Mama's family who live in Spokane.

From left to right is my Uncle Andy, Mama, Grandpa, Aunt Esther, and Aunt Carol. It had been awhile since we had seen them, so the family gathering over pizza and pop was quite fun!

Mikaela teaches little Jordan how to high-five. He loved it! He is our Uncle Andy's grandson, or our first cousin once removed...are you confused yet?

Aunt Esther shows off her tough side with Susanna! She just got a moped that gets a sweet 100 miles to the gallon!



While visiting Bobcha (our Polish Great-grandma on Dad's side),
our Great-uncle Anton came by.
I hadn't realized his hidden talent before, but we soon found ourselves in the presence of a
Yo-Yo Ma(ster)!





One problem: Susanna's yo-yo cost $1, and Uncle Anton is used to
$50 ones!



He still made that cheap yo-yo look pretty good with the machine gun, rock the cradle, and jail tricks among many others that I can't remember. And I have trouble getting the yo-yo up and down! (-:




Out of nowhere Bobcha gave this cute cookie jar to Jonah. Bobcha means "sweet old lady" in Polish, and that is what we have always called her. At 94 years old, Bobcha says she is ready for heaven, but we sure aren't ready for her to go!



As we chatted with Uncle Anton, Uncle Bob and Uncle Joe dropped by (along with Hank the weiner dog). These three men, along with my grandma, came over from Germany with Bobcha and Great-grandpa right after World War II. My Great-grandpa had been forced into Hitler's army, and their three boys had been forced into a Nazi institution. They have many stories to tell, and it is always fascinating to get together with them.

Strangely enough, we didn't really get any pictures of Grandma and Grandpa on my dad's side, although we stayed several nights with them. This picture is from when they were in Hawaii, though. They live on Couer d'Alene lake, and we always enjoy visiting them! Bonfires on the beach, a big breakfast on our last day, and walking by the beautiful lake are all highlights!

On the way home, we stopped at White's Pass, a ski resort, to have a picnic lunch. Everything was closed up for the year, but that didn't stop us from having a good snowball fight!

I was determined to get Anna!

Check out Jonah's expression at being hit by Dad!

"Snow in May! This is awesome! Now who's my next target?"

Melanie thinking, "Are we there yet?"

So that wraps up our trip. As soon as we got home, though Mikaela and I were plunged back into school. On Wednesday, we took our finals for the semester. This means that I can officially announce that we are done with school for the summer! In case you do not realize the significance of this important fact, we have not had a summer break for two or three years. This also means no more all-nighters of studying, more time with family, and a lot less deadlines!

I must admit, though, that I already have a to-do list long enough to keep me busy until next year. So enjoy your summer, and meanwhile I'm going to get started on that list!

Our Triplet is Married!

Left to Right: Megan A.

Mikaela

Lauren

You probably knew that I am a twin, but did you know that I am also a triplet? What are the odds that three babies are born on the same day? What are the odds that their parents are friends? Furthermore, what are the odds that, 19 years later, they still keep in touch despite the fact that one family lives in Washington and the other in Idaho? Pretty incredible, let me tell you--but definitely possible. Last week my family and I traveled to the Idaho panhandle to help Megan celebrate her marriage to Matthew A..

Megan (l), Matt (in back), me (center), and Lauren (right) the day before the big day!

The parents of the bride!

Thing One (otherwise known as Anthony, but commonly known as Tony)--the bride's brother

hamming it up (as usual).

The wedding was held outside at the A.'s lovely home, so Megan asked Lauren and I to play all of the wedding ceremony music on our violins. There we are (above, left) playing during the rehearsal. That's Crystal (Megan's cousin) and Tony skipping down the aisle after the rehearsal.

In the picture above, right, we are doing exactly what it looks like we are doing: cutting individual hydrangea blossoms and sticking hundreds of them into cheesecakes. Very beautiful, but...

The wedding party! Notice the littlest bridesmaid (Kaytelin, Megan's sister) holding hands with the ring bearer, Samuel. ;-)

We love you Megan! May the Lord bless your and Matt's life together!
All pictures courtesy of Mama, except for the rehearsal pictures, which were taken by Nick A..

Preacher Jonah

Last Saturday Jonah, the youngest member of our family, turned seven. It’s hard to believe, but he is growing up and already planning what he wants to be when he is “all grown up.” I have shown you several pictures of him that would suggest he is an aspiring actor, but he actually has no such desire. Almost his entire life, he has wanted to be a fireman. Watching Fireproof did not dissuade him (for some strange reason, he fell asleep in the middle), and he still wants to be a firefighter. (If I were going to be literally honest, though, I would have to tell you that he sometimes waffles between fireman and speed bump maker.)

However, I was working on my laptop one day a few weeks ago when I discovered that he had somehow been on it when I wasn’t around. The result: several very interesting sound bytes. Since he recorded them on my laptop, I am assuming that he is giving me full permission to use them….Anyways, this especially adorable one must have been recorded to work on some of his counseling skills, as he gives good advice to a chronic stealer and tries to back it up with Scripture. I don’t think we’re looking at a firefighter here. These are the definite tell-tale signs of a preacher. (-:
The “transcript” is below to read while you listen, as, true to form, our preacher hasn’t quite figured out microphones yet. Enjoy!





“Hello! What are you doing?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
“Well, perhaps while you’re stealing, or whatever you’re doing, maybe you would like to hear something. ‘Do not steal, for God is not mocked. Whoever soweth should not reap.’ Galatians 6:7
“Oh, and now another Bible verse. ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that who-sho-ever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”