Andrew Paul Beun

Today, 12/30, Andrew Paul was born into Erik and Laura's family, 9:22am, 7 lb and 12 oz.
Help us welcome Andrew into the family!





Allie's first look at her little brother.








"Look, it's my brother!"











Daddy in charge. Notice Allie studying ...














Hey grandson!









Andrew at 6 hrs!

"The Gift" ... love overcomes

Friday, 12/26, we attended the Brickman Homecoming Concert at Severance Hall in Cleveland. Kristi and Adam joined us for the evening. We have enjoyed Jim Brickman's music over the years and our lives have been enriched because of his lyrics as well as the music. See http://www.jimbrickman.com/ We may have the entire collection of Brickman music which you are welcome to borrow. We enjoy it for the wholesome and simple lyrics and music scores which move us beyond the daily cares and stresses which we so often allow to weigh us down.

It was during "the gift" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12YIJEoRa28&feature=related when I was confronted with my prejudices and/or assumptions of the couple seated to my right. They had come after the show started (and the show had been delayed 20 minutes) and their appearance, body shape/size and dress had caused me to recoil at the thought that we would "enjoy" the concert with them. Come on be honest, haven't you ever been disappointed or made assumptions of the stranger who sat beside you at a public event?! OK, so maybe I'm the only fool ...

It was during "the gift" that I noticed he reached into her lap to hold her hand! This man loved this woman, this woman loved this man ... and I wondered, I realized, they must have a wonderful story to tell. My prejudice became my shame ... I will never know how these two people discovered love and know those "all's right with the world" moments.

It was during "the gift" that I began noticing love around me. Kristi had tilted her head back on Adam's shoulder and closed her eyes. I realized my daughter is completely in love, she has chosen to surrender to the wonder of the gift of love! I'm happy for her ... she and Adam are discovering their story.

It was during "the gift" that I marveled in the wonder of the trust, hope, joy and love Julie and I share. I realized again, in spite of my appearance, my short-comings, my failings, my inadequacies, my less than being perfect she has chosen to love me ... the gift. In the midst of the uncertainties and fears of life ... surrendering to the love of my lifelong friend, companion, lover and spouse is something I am so thankful for, I am a better man because of the gift.

As another year comes to a close, as today we anxiously await the birth of Laura and Erik's second child, I am thankful, humbled and hopeful because of the lesson I re-learned at Brickman's concert: love overcomes ...

... the unexpected ...

Merry Christmas!

'twas the day before Christmas
and grandpa was still in his jamas,
li'l Bennett was stirring
Good Christian Men Rejoice
from 'Celtic Christmas' was playing,
into a dance broke gpa and beni
round the room they waltz'd
soon asleep was she ...

Christmas joy comes from the unexpected!

• Mary and Joseph pondering those who visited on those first days
• shepherds hearing, seeing angels
• God coming down to us ... how much more unexpected can it be!

... and the good news continues, God continually seeking to come down to us; the Holy God coming into the muck and mire of humanity inviting us to know him in our day to day life! This morning I say "Merry Christmas" to celebrate the love of God.

My moment with Bennett was caught by Julie, I only intended to still her for a few minutes ... instead she was sleeping at the end of the song. This completely unexpected moment was the start of a wonderful day with our children.

PS: unexpected gift: our children gave us nuvi 205 - we will never be lost again ... if we can learn to trust this little GPS tool :-)

Room for the child

As we prepare for Christmas consider this poem:

This is the irrational season

When love blooms bright and wild.

Had Mary been filled with reason

There'd have been no room for the child.

-Madeline L'Engle -

Today I choose to embrace the mystery of our Creator and Redeemer. How about you?

Change capacity

Among our joys these last several months have been our times with Bennett. Each week we notice changes ... it makes me wonder if we adults have the same capacity for change as children.

We praise the Lord for the progress she and her parents, Brad and Kelly, have made to overcome her colic condition. Today Brad and Kelly became members of Dayspring Christian Fellowship and dedicated themselves to raise Bennett in a Christian home and community. We were touched as Pastor Kent walked around the room explaining to Bennett God's love which will manifest itself in so many ways.

Enjoy this recent video clip of Kristi playing with Bennett: