Sheep Sheering

Those of you from Mount Vernon know that every Christmas the Vos Family shear our sheep (trim the wool off of them). My folks are pretty smart and do this when they have their free help (their kids) around. Many of you are pretty clueless about what this all entails so I thought I would give you some insight into it since I know that all of you have been dying to see this thing in action!

First, you lock the sheep into some smaller pens in the barn.

Then, Scott and I take turns grabbing a sheep by it rear leg and pulling it backwards.

You quickly let it go and grab their neck and try to back the sheep toward the sheep shearer. He does his thing after we hand the sheep off to him. He has heavy duy clippers that shaves off the wool. He puts the shaven wool into a pile.

My sister or mom pick up the pile of wool and put it into a sack and we repeat the process.

We sheered 54 sheep today which produced approximately 500 lbs of wool. (The two large bags in the back of the pickup).

So there you go. Now you know what sheep sheering is all about. Now that we are done, my family and I are heading to HoHut - an all you can eat buffet Mongolian grill in Sioux City.

Where is Brad?

Well, I thought I would take a minute to fill you in on my life. I wrapped up my UPS job on friday. It was pretty intense the last few days. Our high was 255 stops and worked 10 hour days. I was thankful for the work but also thankful it was done.

Saturday, I drove out to Eastern Washington and spent the rest of the Christmas weekend with Steph's family. They live in Quincy, WA (ten minutes away from the Gorge). We opened gifts on Saturday night. Went to Ephrate Baptist church Christmas morning and spent the afternoon with the Hunters (Steph's future sister in law's family).

I drove back this afternoon and finished up my Christmas shopping this evening. I am in Mount Vernon for a few more hours before catching up my shuttle to the SeaTac airport and departing for NW Iowa to spend a week with my family there.

I am happy to report that I finished up my Home Missions stuff and was also able to find some cheap tickets from Portland to Sacramento today so I am all set for my Home Mission Assessment Center! Next step packet #2.

Not much new to report!

There is not too much to report on life right now. I preached at First CRC Mount Vernon a week ago. It was good to be back. I am still working at UPS. The holiday season is in full swing so I am working full days. I am enjoying it though because the weather has been great so far. I am also working on my Home Mission Directions Assessment packet. This needs to be done by Wednesday!

The most exciting news was I was able to sneak away to Portland this weekend. I got to hang out with Steph for a couple of days. We swamped Christmas presents. I got Anne Lamott's Plan B and I will get taken to a theater show in Portland in the upcoming months!

This photo doesn't really have anything to do with life right now. I just thought it was kind of a fun picture from our road trip out to Michigan the end of August. You too can experience this if you stop at Wall Drug!

What can brown do for you?

Many of you have asked me about my job. I am a driver's helper for UPS. I have been working every weekday from 4-7 hrs a day and will be doing this until Dec. 24! They call me at 8:15 a.m. and assign me to a particular driver and meet them on their route. I have had two different ones so far. Basically, I sit shotgun (on a little fold down seat above the steps). The driver hands me a package. I then run to the house to deliver it; hop back into the truck; and we take off again. Occasionally, I get to use the brown diad to obtain signatures. Today, my driver and I made record time. We recorded 177 stops (some have multiple packages) in 6 1/2 hrs. This basically means that I ran a ton (I am currently pretty tired).

Others of you have asked me about my uniform. No, I did not get a set of brown shorts (I know a few of you were really hoping this would be true). I did, however, get a styling set of polyester brown pants, a brown UPS shirt, a brown UPS jacket, and a brown stocking cap (this is the only thing I get to keep).

I also have one preaching gig! I am giving a sermon I wrote for my senior preaching class at Calvin at my former congregation in Mount Vernon Sunday night! I am also leading a youth group lesson that night -showing the new Nooma video. It has been fun to get back and see everyone.

When all this other stuff isn't going on, I am trying to finish up my Home Missions packet for a March 1-4 assessment center. You can keep this in your prayers.

My future plans are starting to develop as well. I found an apartment in Portland. I will be moving in with a guy who owns a house. He attended Western Seminary for a couple of years but now does electrical work. I will get my own room; share the living room, kitchen, etc.; and the best part: I get a stall in the garage to store all my stuff!!! The price is right and it is a ten minute drive from my campus.

Honestly, it has been awesome to see God provide for me. In one day in Portland, I was able to find a place. The UPS job also fell right into my lap. I applied online in November, but didn't here anything from them until a week ago today when they called to tell me they were doing interviews in Bellingham the next day. I drove up to Mount Vernon, unloaded my car, drove up to Bellingham got offered the job, went to orientation the next day and started working two days later!

I got the UPS Job

Just wanted to let you know that I got the UPS job. I went to orientation so now I can be a driver's helper. I get to dress in brown and deliver packages. I will put up photos later!

I made it to the Pacific Coast

Well, I made it to Portland. I was able to check out a few apartments today and have a few leads!

The trip over here was a bit more than I thought it would be. I hit wind, snow or ice most of the way. My windshield wiper motor got tired on the trip and decided to quit on my way out of Spokane. Thankfully, I was able to get them fixed in time to head out yesterday before the snow set in. Here is a picture of me the morning I left Spokane.

I am probably going to head up to Seattle tomorrow morning. It sounds like I may have snow again in some regions but UPS called me this afternoon and I can get an interview tomorrow for a temporary job during December in Burlington! So, I would appreciate it if you can keep both these matters in your prayers!

I AM SO EXCITED! I AM COMPLETELY DONE!

THE END HAS ARRIVED! I have completely finished my course projects and exams! Now all I have is packing up my stuff and I am out of here!

I am heading to Iowa tomorrow morning. I hope to spend some time with my family in Iowa and maybe do some deer hunting. Pray for clear roads because I here that they are talking snow over here tonight.

I hope to leave for Washington some time around Saturday.

You may be wondering who this is? These are my friends Trevor and Julie. They are trying to set up their blog and need a photo post online so I thought I would post it for them.

Some EPMC photos

So Calvin threw the EPMC students (that is me) a farewell root beer kegger! We actually had three kegs of root beer! We drank a lot of root beer floats! We also had a little fun with the John Calvin artwork! The fellow in the last picture frame is G. Vos a former professor here at Calvin. Supposedly, he was an intelligent theologian who grew up in my Grandpa's hometown. Maybe we are related! Do you see the family resemblance

A photo of some the EPMC crew

Here is a shot of some of my friends from the EPMC program. We did a China Buffet to celebrate the end of classes.

Classes Are Officially Over & Its Snowing

Well, classes are officially over! I just turned in my confessional preaching sermon today. I was happy with the way my senior preaching one went Tuesday! That leaves -two exams and a major project!

The biggest news of the day is that it is snowing today. Wish I would have brought my tuque with me, but unfortunately I left it at home. Here is a shot from Calvin's weather cam.

Update & Rhythm Nooma Video

Well, today marks my last day of pure classes. From here on out, it is a mixed bag of professors trying to cram in the latest information and filling out class evaluations. I just finished up my sermon for Tuesday. If you read this around 2:40 p.m. Eastern Time, please keep me in your prayers. I have one more sermon to complete for Wednesday, two exams and one Synod overture and then the Foci will head on out of here! I have loved my time at Calvin but can't wait to start the next chapter of life!

This weekend, I found out that both Mount Vernon Christian's Girl's volleyball team and boy's soccer team made it to their state quarterfinal games but lost them! I am sure they are a bit disappointed but I congratulate them for making it that far.

Last but not least, those of you who are Nooma video fans like myself will be glad to know that I picked up #11. It is entitled Rhythm. Check out www.nooma.com for more info. I am sure you will enjoy this one as well!

Passed my faculty interview!

Well, I thought I would keep this short and simple! I passed my faculty interview this morning! This should be my last meeting of the Fall semester. Still have a couple of sermons and projects due! Then exams! If all goes well, I should be out of here the day before Thanksgiving and begin my treck back to MV, only stopping to spend some time with my family over Thanksgiving!

A Big Weekend

So I told you that I would post a picture of the trees in fall colors. This tree is the view that I see as I walk from the Seminary building to the Library. The wind has been gusty that most of the leaves are gone now. Here is another site you don't see too much on the west coast -- a pile of leaves on the road way. Calvin has the huge vacuum cleaner machine that sucks up the leaves and puts them in a bin. They dump them on the side of road and start again.

I am down to less than two weeks before I am done here at Calvin. I am excited to move onto the new phase of life, but now I am just trying to get everything I need to done. I have two sermons to write before Tuesday. I am finding writing sermons for class much more intimidating than writing ones to actually preach for a congregation. After that it is exams and one more final project and then I am out of here.

Yesterday, I was looking at how well the Mount Vernon Christian sport teams were doing. There was a big part of me that was missing doing youth ministry. I miss the interactions with people and the constant variety.

That being said, I know I am where I need to be and don't doubt it in the least. I am amazed at how God has provided me good friends here at Calvin, money for school, and has arranged things at Western Seminary in Portland. I just talked to their registrar. He is really looking out for me and it looks like my classes should line up even though I am transferring classes from Fuller and Calvin. I am confident that he will provide me with patience and endurance to get through this semester and the rest of my schooling.

This Weekend

I had a lot of fun this weekend!

Friday Night: I went to a Griffins hockey game (one of my friends got four free tickets). It was a great game. The Griffins are the Detroit's AHL team (like AAA minor league in baseball). They won! It was an awesome chance for me to wear the $6 Canadian Hockey Jersey I picked up a couple of weeks earlier at Steve & Barry's. The only disappointment was that we thought it was Napolean Dynamite night. Pedro and Kip of the movie were going to drop the ceremonial first puck and hand out 1500 Vote for Pedro T-Shirts, but alas it was Saturday night. I had to put this collage up. It shows off the panoramic feature of my camera. Afterwards a bunch of the EPMC students (that is what I am) finished out the night with some great conversation, even better pizza and some R & R in a hottub.

Saturday Night: Needing an incense fix, I decided to attend a Antioch Orthodox Vespers Service. Okay, I really did this for my worship class but it was interesting. Then hung with my roommates and their Cornerstone gang.

Sunday Morning: I decided to go a bit Pentecostal for my worship class. Attended a predominately African American Pentecostal Church here in Grand Rapids. The service went 3 hours. This sets a new record for the longest service I have attended. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Took a killer nap this afternoon. I am now hanging at a local coffee shop. I was really impressed with the place until I tried the coffee. I can hardly put it down even though I know I need the caffine rush!

Now, it is time to wrap up my Church History Paper and an outline for my sermon. I would definitely appreaciate it if you would keep me in your prayers this Friday. I have the day from classes (reading break), but I have my faculty interview. Basically, three members of the faculty can ask you whatever they want about the Bible, Theology, the creeds and confessions.

Its the simple things

It is really the simple things that make life better sometimes.

The last few days have been absolutely gorgeous over here in Michigan. We have high in the upper 60's and fall is in full swing. I kind of forgot how deciduous trees can make this fall season. My drive from home to school is lined with trees with an array of colors. I took my camera today and hope to take some shots and post them for you.

Wednesday, I found out that my church history prof was going to be lenient with his deadline, which ment I didn't need to stay up all night last night to finish it.

Today, I found out that I don't have class next week Friday. Got to love a break near the end of the semester.

This last one may not be significant to you all, but I got a blanket on my bed that actually covers my feet. My other one was a bit short and I kept on waking up because of it.

So that's a quick glimspe of my life this week. As promised, here is proof I did actually get my preaching license.

Last week

Sorry, I haven't had a chance to blog much lately. The pace of life has picked up dramatically over here! Right now, I am writing this and procrastinating on my 10 page CRC history paper, a sermon outline revision, reading and writing a book review for a 150 page book on Church Discipline (can't wait to read that thrilling literature), and a couple of short papers and worship services due this week.

That is not to say that life has not been fun. This past Saturday, I got to become a member of the Medema family and attended Chris Medema's birthday party (You MV folks may know him as a former Spanich teacher at MVC who lived above me in the Fresian horse stable apartment). It was a great food (can't go wrong with steak) and a fun time of fellowship and great to see Chris and his wife, Jill again.

I have actually gotten some interesting pieces of mail this week.
1) An actual preaching permit: In my mailbox, I found a letter that contained my official license to preach. It actually is a little card that reminds me of a drivers' permit. I would post a picture of it on my blog, but I would hate to be responsible for allowing the creation of fake CRC preaching ID's. Okay you twisted my arm, I will post the photo when I get the chance. You know you want one!

2) My Church History Test: In my mailbox today, I got my Church History Test. This is literally the first graded assignment that I got back. I was a bit nervous about this because I wasn't able to complete the entire test and it is worth like 35% of your grade. I PASSED!

3) A Care Package: But perhaps the best item I received this week was a care package from my parents! Let me tell you they went all out! I got M&M's; Mike & Ikes, Twisslers, Granola Bars, Trail Mix, Highlighters, Gel Pens, Pringles, Gift Certificates to Subway, Mc D's, WalMart & my favorite -- Panera Bread, there is even more but that is all I can remember right now.

Whose photo appears in this blog you may ask? Diedrick Hinrich Kromminga (the subject of the my CRC history paper)

Hope life is treating you well!

John Calvin Bobble Head - Who knew?

So I walked in the Calvin College Bookstore one day and saw this sight. John Calvin bobble heads. It was just so random I thought it would share it with you all! That way you can experience it too!

For those of you who don't know who John Calvin is . . . John Calvin is a major theological figure in the CRC. He lived in Geneva, Switzerland back in the 1500's and started the whole Calvinist strand of the Christian faith.

Random Thoughts & Links

So Friday has finally arrived! It has been a pretty crazy week. I had like 5 extra meetings / interviews/ assessments, a midterm, and four papers to write. Thankfully, the big stuff went well. My meeting with my faculty advisor was good and the CRC decided that they would let me preach again (I had to get a new license since I no longer am a Ministry Associate)!

Here is another link that one of my friend but on his blog. Check out this video of a hand DJ. http://www.lejo.nu/dj.swf

In one of my preaching classes, a guy used Pig Pen as an analogy for us living with our sin. We had various ideas about this and went online to find a photo of the Charlie Brown character. It was good to go back in time. I thought I would share some of my favorite magnets I found on the website http://www.schulzmuseum.org/

Here is proof I actually do go to classes

Well, I finished up my first mid term exam. The test went okay. I knew the material okay but ran out of time to write it. The professor said he will give us a break since the other class had a bit more time to complete it.

In addition to test, this is a week of meetings. I am going to lunch with a guy from home missions today. I get to go over my psych exam (I am not crazy every future minister needs to go through this.) tomorrow with my advisor. Friday I get examined by Calvin's Board of Trustee's so I can get licensed to preach (lost my ordination when I left 1st CRC).

Some of you have expressed some doubts if I actually go to class or read the books I show me carrying. Any fool can take a quick shot of them reading a book, so I didn't think it would be worth posting. It would take a bit more to fake in class shot photo, so I thought I would post this. One of my friends Dale took the shot for his family. I happened to be in it.

If you can't figure it out, I am the guy wearing green on the right. Notice the coffee cup & laptop in front of me. Both are staples of my life here!

Just got to have lunch with the Nooma Guy.

Well, I got to take a break from studying today. Four of my friends had arranged to meet with Rob Bell (pastor of Mars Hill and Nooma Video Guy), and they let me come too. It was a priviledge to talk with him and hear his words of wisdom!

Back to studying for my CRC History exam!

I gotta post this photo

So, Steph and I are driving around Hawthorne trying to find a parking spot and we see this car decorated as a dragon. Now it isn't the foci . . . but it still so over the top that I felt I needed to post a photo on my blog.

On a more serious note, the pace of life has picked up incredibly. The race is on until I get done. I have a ton of major projects, sermons and my first midterm so I would appreaciate it if you could keep me in your prayers

Farewell Portland

Well, I had to say farewell to the great city of Portland and my wonderful lady. We had a great time hanging out for four days. We went out to dinner at Newport Bay on the waterfront, went up to Mt Tabor park, visited Imago Dei and Southgate Chapel, and got to spend a ton of time together. Here is a collage I created that shows some of highlights of the week. Top left was taken at Mt Tabor Park with the Portland Skiline behind. Top Rightwas taken after a great dinner. The bottom ones show Portland 's River Front skyline.

Calvin still reaches out to Portland

Sorry no pictures yet, but I have made it to the West Coast!!! A week ago, I got a free ticket from G.R. to Portland on Delta via Northwest. Got to hang in the Cinci airport and then arrived in OR at 11 p.m. last night. Getting to hang with my special lady -- Miss Stephanie Faw--this weekend. GOT TO LOVE CANADIAN THANKSGIVING! You should all celebrate it, I know I will enjoy it.

How random is this? Steph and I are geting coffee in Canby, OR this morning and see a girl wearing a Calvin tee shirt. Turns out her mom went there and she is thinking about going there too.

Well we need to run we are heading to a movie! Thanks for all the comments. It is good to know that you all check up on me every once in a while.

Just in case you had your doubts about me studying.

So I know in one of my posts last week, I said I have been busy studying. I have quite a few papers due in the upcoming weeks. So you can definitely pray for me:) I thought I would add these images of me returning from the library on Friday. I checked out 12 books. Oh, ya did I mention that these are all for one paper. I had to buy a new briefcase to hold all my stuff. It is the mother of briefcases :)

So here is a close up of the books so you can see what thrilling material I get to read. Acts of Synods from the 1940's. Some good CRC history and theology and some books on Eschatology.

A few more photos inside the building.

So this is a shot of the inside of the student lounge. It is were I do most of my reading and emailing. Got to love wireless internet.

Here is one of my class rooms. I usually sit at the upper level. Got to love the back row! It is a bit old school. Reminds me of Dead Poets Society for some reason.

Photos of Calvin Seminary

So I have been telling you I would post some photos of the school. Here are a couple of the building itself.

This first one is of the student lounge. This is where I do homework. Email you all (I will put some more photos of the inside) Note the foci in this image as further proof that it did in fact make it to Michigan.




The second one is of the main entrance and chapel.






The third is the back of the building where are the classrooms are. There is a pond to the right. Calvin's engineering department sponsored cardboard boat races there this weekend.

A day off today!

Well I got to take today off from classes. It is a service day at the Sem. Just chillin at a local coffee shop with free hifi wireless! It's not quite Panera Bread (the midwest version of Starbucks) but it is the best mocha I have had since I have arrived in MI from the coffee mecca of the Pacific Northwest.

I am pretty excited because I get to head back to the West Coast next week! I got a free ticket to Portland yesterday. I have a few days off for Canadian thanksgiving and thought! Let's get out of here and take a break.

Hope life is treating you all well. I did make change the settings so that you can make comments!

I made it through my first full week of homework!

Well, I made it through my first full week of homework. Things are still going fairly well. Last night I went to a football game with my roommates. Tonight we are playing stirring rendition of Cities and Knights. (Can't do anything too expensive now that I am a student).

Next week, I hope to take some photos of Calvin's campus and G.R. in general to post.

Homework has definitely set in

Well, I am always up for taking a break. My homework pace has definitely picked up. I will have to really work to keep up. Those of you who are in school know what I am talking about. That isn't to say that I haven't been enjoying my time here. Last night, I was hanging out with a bunch of new friends and thought to myself. "I am so glad God called me Calvin Seminary." The friendships I have made and the conversations I am getting in will stay with me a long time.

On a totally different note, you never know when and where you may run into people. It turns out that the pastor who baptized me 30 years ago in Lansing, IL is now one of my professors. Who would have thought.

My living quarters

Well, many of you have asked where are you living? I am living in North Central Grand Rapids --about 15 minutes from Calvin. I live with Rob and Andy. I knew Rob from Lynden (it is his house) and met Andy when I moved here. We are getting along great. My room is an unfinished room in the basement. I don't have a door or a back wall, so it is a bit noisy. The furnace is less than 10 feet from my bed and the water flowing through the pipes is pretty loud. But you know what, its cheap and it will work for 3 months so I'm not complaining. Here are some photos!

A beautiful Sunset

Well this isn't really recent news, but I wanted to put up this cool photo. On Labor Day weekend Steph and I were able to spend a day at Grand Haven State Park. It did not dissapoint. It had a beautiful sandy beach and looking out at Lake Michigan made me feel like I was at the ocean. On top of it, there is a small light house that you can walk out to. Here is a picture of the sunset!

See the midwest can be beautiful!

Coming soon photos of where I live!

The Foci Made It

Well, I have a question from many different people: Did the Foci actually make it to Michigan? The answer is yes it did but she collected a ton of bug splats on the way. I have put over 4000 miles on the Foci since I left, but she is still ticking.

The Foci even endured a beating near Rapid City. Steph was driving and there was a personal igloo cooler in the middle of the road. With no time to do anything--we hit it full on. It hit my bumper and actually went right in between my radiator and water cooler and got lodged between my axle and the road. We pulled over right away. I crawled underneath the car and Steph had to back it up to unwedge it. We drove to a car dealership to check it out more. Everything looked okay so we drove to Wall and spent some time at Wall Drug to make sure that nothing was leaking!

EQUIP Article

Just found out that a lesson and book review that I wrote will be included in Youth Unlimited October EQUIP Magazine!

Homework

Well the honeymoon is over and homework has begun! I also found out some disturbing news today. A boyfriend of one of my students died last night. No details now but you can keep it in your prayers.

First Post

Well this is my first official blog. I started Calvin Seminary a week ago and am adjusting to life full time studies and student life. So far things are going well, but I haven't been hit with the full load of homework yet.