Purdy Elfs

click the following link for a Christmas treat.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/DBPX7OBEAnffV8GKEz29
(viewable only till January 15)

Merry Christmas

from the Purdys

Squeak Squeak

Okay so let me tell you how this happened. It's Friday and I was called to substitute teach today for a 5th grade class. Right before the first teaching session Jessica comes bouncing into the room. "Hey Dad, I've got a question."

The next thing you know the day has ended and we have come home with 2 rats named Tinkerbell and Twitchy. Yes, we are rat-sitting for the weekend. Our temporary (and I emphasize temporary) pets belong to Jessica's 6th grade class and apparently they absolutely needed a place to stay for the weekend.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Imitation

I'm not quite sure where she comes up with these crazy ideas. I'm referring to my daughter, Jessica. Does anyone really know what goes on in the mind of a 12 year old girl? I'm sure I don't. Her latest stunt took place last night at the fall party for the church. I had asked Jessica a couple of days ago what she planned for her costume. She wouldn't tell me. So last night she shows up at the party dressed as … me! She had on an old pair of my tennis shoes, a pair of jeans, and one of my Harley Davidson t-shirts. She painted a goatee on her face and was wearing a motorcycle helmet because the bald wig she bought didn't quite work. Her friend Kate, came dressed as Robbie (our Youth Minister). She had a painted beard and wore a Chicago Cubs jersey.

Now I know what they say. "Imitation is the highest form of flattery." I suppose on some level I am flattered. But for the most part I just think my daughter's strange! (love ya Jess).

I guess I should be relieved because really she had to explain her costume to most people. I guess there aren't very many similarities between me and a 12 year old girl (even if she has painted a goatee on her face). That's a good thing.

None the less it got me thinking. We are called to imitate Christ.

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

- Ephesians 5:1-2

Unfortunately, just like Jessica, I think our imitation falls way short. People look at us and go, "Huh, I don't get it." Then we feebly try to explain, "I'm supposed to be like Jesus." They smirk and say, "Oh, now I see."

Maybe we need to remember that looking like Jesus isn't about going through the motions and doing the right things. Looking like Jesus is more about letting his influence flow through our lives to the point that we are transformed into his likeness (2 Cor 3:18).

Could it be that as we spend an increasing amount of time with Jesus and as we continue to submit more and more to his lordship … that then, and only then, will we be such a reflection of Jesus that when people see us they recognize Christ?

That's a little bit more than face paint and creativity.

Superbowl Champions

The North Vermillion 3rd & 4th Grade Falcons took the Superbowl title for the second year in a row! Congratulations Kyle, #29!

Sarah Palin

So yesterday was something new for us. We loaded up the minivan and headed to Noblesville, Indiana for a Republican rally that VP candidate Sarah Palin was speaking at. The kids weren't to excited initially but when we explained that if McCain and Palin are elected she will be the first woman Vice President ever they were a little bit more impressed.

Leave it to Jessica to paint her nails red, white, and blue. Then spell out the letters for Sarah on one hand and Palin on the other.

Standing in line for almost 2 hours. 25,000 tickets were given away for the event. I think we were numbers 11,023, 11,024, 11,025, and 11026 (just kidding ... who knows! But there were a bunch of people in front of us and a bunch behind us)

We weren't super-close but close enough to see. This is zoomed at one-click.

Afterwards we tried to sneak our way a little closer to maybe get a handshake. Umm ... yes we did jump a railing and step over a couple of chairs (the Secret Service can't stop the Purdy family) ... but this was the closest we could get. Actually this is as close as Jessica and Kyle could get (they took the camera and got farther than Leanne and I ... I guess their is an advantage to being smaller).

Waiting in line.

When they announced Palin.

Playoffs then Superbowl

Kyle's football team has gone undefeated in the regular season (one tied game). They won the regular season and will play a playoff game on Saturday the 25th (I'll have to miss it. I'll be in Cincinnati ... uugh). If they win that it'll be the second year to the Superbowl! They play it on Sunday the 26th. If they win it will be a second consecutive Superbowl win! Kyle saw most of his action in the regular season as offensive guard and defensive tackle. He practiced a lot as secondary Quarterback but only saw game action as QB for the first and last games of the season. He has had a complete blast!

Apparently I'm an Idiot

In a 60 minutes interview yesterday Lesley Stahl interviewed Bob Lutz, the vice-chairman of General Motors. The topic was electric cars and during the interview she mentioned that Lutz has a “terrible reputation” with environmentalists. Looking down her nose completely aghast she referred to a comment he made concerning Global Warming.

“You don’t think there’s global warming? Is that really true?” Stahl asked.

Shocking isn’t it? How can someone deny the evils of man? I must be an idiot?

Listening to a radio talk show recently I also heard the host refer to those who deny evolution as “severely limited in intelligence.” Therefore I must be an idiot.

Several weeks back I heard a character in a television show refer to someone who had stated their disagreement with homosexuality. In a condescending tone He said something to the effect of ….

“He believes homosexuals aren’t born that way. But he also believes God created the world in 7 days and Noah filled the ark with animals.”

Wow! Tripple whammy! Believing homosexuality is a choice, believing God created the world in 7 days, and believing a man named Noah built an ark are all signs of a weak mind.

Perhaps I’m clinging to my religion. I must be an idiot.

Braces

Jessica is experiencing something new. She's now wearing braces. In addition she has a thing that settles into the roof of her mouth called a fan. She has to crank it wider twice a week. So far she has done really well with the new additions to her mouth.

Thought I'd just throw this one in for fun.
Jessica is wearing her brother's football pads.

Fireproof

I highly recommend the movie "Fireproof." If you are married, going to be married, have been married, or know someone who is married then this movie has much to encourage you with.

In case you are unaware this movie is produced by Sherwood Pictures which is actually a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Back in 2002, Alex and Stephen Kendrick (brothers and pastors on staff at Sherwood) read a research article claiming that movies have more of a cultural influence than the church. Wanting to gain greater influence in the culture they decided as a church they would produce a feature length film. Their first film, Flywheel, was released in 2003. Next came, Facing the Giants, in 2006, and now Fireproof.

Initially you will notice a little bit of an amateur feeling to the movie, but midway through you have invested yourself into the story of these characters. The real-life depth of these issues and the intense emotions drown out the "non-hollywood production."

A couple of quick background stories that make the movie even more special. The actors are all volunteers. Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains) is the only professional and he declined a salary for the role. In addition, Kirk had made a commitment to his wife to kiss no other woman (even for a movie role). Since he plays a married man and the movie was about their relationship he was concerned about this choice. The movie producers honored his commitment and created the kissing scene in such a way as to be able to use Kirk's real-life wife as a stand-in.

This movie needs to be supported. The issues that it addresses and the faith-filled values it condones are exceptional. Nowhere else in popular culture has a stand on these issues been taken like is taken in this movie. Please take the time, take your spouses hand, and go see this movie!

Pray for Haiti

The names "Hannah and Ike" do not seem that threatening .... not like "Spike or Hannibal." But when they happen to be the names of hurricane's the threat is magnified. The northwest coast of Haiti suffered their wrath recently. The mission (Northwest Haiti Christian Mission) that I have served at in previous years happens to be on the northwest coast. My heart has been overwhelmed in considering the tragedy that has struck people who have so little to begin with.


Looking out the back door of the church at Ansefoleur. This church is located right on the ocean and the damage has weakened the foundation. The railing to the right of the church is for the stairs that take you to the 2nd floor.

A picture I took the summer of 2006 of some kids at "The Bay."

Damage from Hannah and Ike at "The Bay."

The mission's feeding station at the Bay
(minus the roof torn off from the hurricane).

Looking from the mission towards the church (with the red roof).
Yeah, the water isn't supposed to be there.

Inside one of the missionary couple's homes.

Looking out of the mission at the outside restrooms (blue building).

The road to the mission.

I believe this is looking off the mission roof at a truck
parked next to the mission.

The "living room" of the mission.

The mission is responding to the need of the Haitian people as quickly
as they can. They have begun distributing food and assessing the
damage. Janeil (the executive director) has determined that if 300
people could donate $250 he could rebuild 300 Haitian homes
(a home for as many as 14 people!). Right now families without
homes are living in the cemeteries.

Any help is appreciated. If you have considered it and would like to
donate CLICK HERE. And above all else please PRAY for the people
of Haiti and the missionaries that love them.

Busy Again

It's that time again ... Jessica is running cross-country and Kyle is playing football. It certainly makes for a busy schedule between practices, games, and meets. Sometimes Leanne is with one kid at their thing and I'm with the other at theirs.

Jessica at the Chrisman "cow chip." (appropriately named because they run the race in a cow pasture behind the school and have to dodge the cow chips while they run) * notice the pile Jessica is standing by!

The "Cow Chip" is a huge meet and they run each grade individually.
Jessica ran with 6th grade boys and girls. There were somewhere in the
neighborhood of 65 girls. Jessica thinks she placed 21st.

Kyle is # 29 for the North Vermillion Falcons.
On offense he is a starting lineman (guard)
On defense he is a starting lineman (tackle).
He plays on the kickoff return team.
And he is secondary quarterback.

In other words ... He gets lots of playing time.

One of the few plays where Kyle wasn't in the game.

First game. They won ... 20 to 0.
Kyle QB'd the 4th quarter ... hurt his hand on the very last
play of the game. One of many football bruises I'm sure.

Weekend

This past Saturday we got together with the Trusty's as well as Tim & Courtney Davis. Michael & Roz live close by now so we get to see them quite a bit more than we used to. Tim went to SLCC with us also and we haven't seen him in about 15 years! We had a great afternoon at Turkey Run.

Whatever !?!

Okay ... so it's been a while since I've posted anything. Mostly because I've been playing around with facebook. If you happen to have a facebook page look me up. Some friends of ours talked me into it.

Anyway ... Right now I'm a little put-off by the whole political scene. I cannot get past the hypocrisy. Hillary campaigns against Obama and proclaims he isn't experience enough and not ready to be President. She labels his political plans as bad ideas and a danger to America. Then after he receives the nomination she applauds him and says he is more than ready for the presidency. I don't get it?

The church is accused of being full of hypocrites? Hello?

By the way I'm completely terrified about our nation's acceptance of homosexuality. When Hillary can announce that she will fight for gay rights and the applause level increases ... When a song by a female musician called "I kissed a girl" is number one for several weeks in a row. When that same musician sings it on a morning news show and pre-adolescent girls with braces are singing it word-for-word in the crowd ... When our very own rural school system has a same-sex couple walking hand-n-hand through the hall and into the same locker room together! I'm telling you it terrifies the crud out of me. Morally we are on a very slippery slope.

God help us!

Way Too Fast!

Yes it is happening way too quickly. Jessica has begun 6th grade! (last year at the elementary school ... next year ... Jr. High ... PRAY!) Kyle has begun 4th grade ... Impossible!

B-Day Pictures

Okay so I'm in a little bit of trouble because I posted the video below prior to posting any pictures from Jessica's birthday or the kids first day of school. Leanne said the video below was stupid.

Here's some birthday pictures

Yes that's Jessica's cake. My mom has always
made INCREDIBLE b-day cakes for the
kids. This year Jessica got a water slide cake
(complete with edible people on inner tubes)

The girls were getting and giving "spa" treatments.
Ask Kyle about his nails sometime.

It wouldn't be a party for Jessica without some
performance. Rock on Jess!

Battle @ The Office

Cracked me up!

12 Years Old!

I'm not sure how it happened ... but my little girl has turned 12 years old yesterday. Even though it completely terrifies me that she is growing up so quickly I am proud of the young lady she is growing into. She is really good natured. She is very smart and views things from many different perspectives. Because of this she usually has some creative solutions to problems (including any trouble she may have gotten into). She has a very sharp wit (like her mother) and often cracks us up with her little quips. Kyle won a magic trick on our vacation and he was wondering aloud if the trick where the sports car appeared on stage would be in the kit. Jessica very quickly said, "Yeah, like there would be a car in that box with the instructions just add water."

I'm very blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. She will always be my princess and though I would love to see time slow down a bit ... I look forward to all that God has in store for her.

Happy Birthday Jess! We love you!