They're back!

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Geesh....I had no idea ministry was going to be so hard. The Lord showed me this passage again yesterday and it has completely sobered me for this coming school year. To those of you faithful blog readers I am asking you to pray for our families ministry to the students of Johnson and Wales every time you read our blog. The gospel message is desperately needed there (and everywhere) and we need your prayerful support as we endeavor on this mission. Students are arriving on campus today and Tyler is already on the battlefield helping students move in to the dorms. Please pray for protection for him, and for the campus to be ignited with the gospel Truth! I am so excited about what the Lord is going to do there, but also a little scared because my flesh is weak, and I know the cost of the Truth that many have suffered.

no pics

Sorry but the digital camera is on the fritz, we are in the process of getting a new one. A process because we have looked and not yet purchased. However, excitement doesn't stop in the Dirk's home just because the camera does. So, I will try and describe some of the fun of last week. Thursday we headed to Columbia for a visit with Grandma and Poppa, and Maggie went on her first Lake Murray boat ride. Now, I am really sad that we don't have pictures of this because along with this particular boat ride came one very cute pink camo life jacket purchased by one very excited Grandma for a certain granddaughter. Maggie climbed into it like a bathing suit, it was a little too big and made her look just like a turtle dipped in Pepto bismol...adorable! My mom and dad have pics on their camera so perhaps someday we will post those. Maggie also had her first dinner at a marina (via boat trip), well she didn't exactly eat there but she definitely dined. And, she enjoyed a few leisurely cat naps in Grandma's lap during the lake tour. Friday, we met up with Aunt Christine and Uncle John and we woman folk spent countless hours feeling the tummy that covers little Joshua Brody! He is quite active to our delight, and the men folk, of course, spent two days golfing. Saturday we headed back to CLT for an exciting evening of babysitting our dear little friend Sam. We read all of two books once Sam arrived and then Sam slept like a champ until his parents returned. And that just about sums up the excitement that flourishes in the Dirk's home.

She's cute and I'm not Lion

Well, it has been another eventful week for us. Maggie tried out her new lion towel this week and it was a hit. One of her favorite noises to make is a lion roar and so this towel is a very fitting post bath costume. While towels are a good thing, sometimes it is nice to just be in the buff, as you will see. I just couldn't help but capture this kodak moment this week when Lucy came over for a swim. The girls were changing out of their wet bathing suits (with a little help) and as you can see below it became a cute tushy fest. And, you heard it here first folks, Lucy McCann's tush has made me laugh to myself several times this week. Just look at it compared to the teeny tiny Maggie rump. Lucy you are scrumptious! Then today Janna came for a visit, along with Vanessa and her new fiance Aaron. Needless to say we had a great time catching up with my college buds and convincing Vanessa and Aaron to move to Charlotte (however I believe they have already convinced themselves). But, moving to a city with the world's cutest baby, I have concluded, was a highly motivating factor.
The scary lion.
Isn't this the best picture? Don't worry the McCanns have consented on Lucy's behalf for this posting.
Janna and Maggie.
and the future Carters...that's right V is marrying Aaron Carter!

Wedding Weekend

This weekend the Dirks family loaded up the jetta and hit the road for Chatanooga TN for the marriage of Katie Duffy and Stewart Grinton (Carrie's funny cousin). Everyone stayed at the same hotel in TN, and it was a lot of fun being so close to our family, especially since distance keeps many of us apart. We started the weekend with a big dinner at rib and loin, hosted by Stewart's folks, my aunt Debbie and uncle Geordie. And, we were very pleased with our host and hostess' themed attire, which featured one Uncle Geordie in a genuine Scottish kilt! Sadly, the camera wouldn't cooperate and I didn't get pictures, but it was an excellent way to start the exciting weekend. Saturday, Uncle David treated some of us non-wedding participants to a boat cruise on the Southern Belle. We had lunch on board and cruised up and down the river, there was a wakeboarding tournament going on as well and we had a great view of that. Thanks Uncle Dave! Then of course Saturday evening was the big event. Even though the pastor almost forgot to have the couple say their vows (minor detail), the wedding was perfect and the reception marvelous. Maggie did great in the car both ways and did a great job of being the token super cute baby of the weekend, and didn't object once to being passed around and held by practically every person who came into contact with her. She even let Grandma babysit while mom and dad went to see Bourne Ultimatum, what a thoughtful daughter. It was a great weekend.
Maggie's latest habit includes sucking her toes when the two thumbs and 8 fingers get boring or even when they aren't, this trick entertained Maggie for a long time in her carseat once we left Charlotte.
Maggie's road trip face.
aboard the Southern Belle.
The family pic in front of the fountain.
My Grandma and Great Aunt Marg, a picture of what Christine and I might look like in a few years.
Maggie with Aunt Megan and the Junkin boys
Who doesn't like to hug Sally?
The newest Grintons!
While in Chatanooga, we visited Covenant College for the first time, what a beautiful campus.
Playing dress up with Maggie's shoes back home....matching crocs!
Maggie's pink sneakers...I never put shoes on Maggie mostly because she pulls them off, but I think they are so cute.

Baptism

Here are a few pics from the big event thanks to Missy Vandenberg (sp?), her son Jack was baptized as well on sunday and her brother in law captured a few pics.
Tyler reading the blessing.
Jack and Maggie awaiting the much anticipated sprinkling.
The big moment!
I believe I am looking at our covenant family standing in the pews (either that or someone farted in the balcony...sorry I couldn't resist...don't worry I am working on behaving like an adult).
Maggie fell asleep the moment I opened the car door to put her in her car seat, she was exhausted from her long morning.

Here is the blessing Tyler read to Maggie:

Margaret Grace

I remember the day I first found out about you. To be honest, my first reaction was not joy, but fear. I felt inadequate and unprepared - and I failed to put my trust in the Lord. However, from that moment, up to the present, I can genuinely say that God has ministered to your mother and I in incredible ways through you. He has certainly stretched us, and taught that we are not in control – and that it is absolutely essential that we put our confidence in Him. But what is most significant - is that He has taught us something about love. God has used your presence in our life to illuminate His amazing love for us. That love which is most explicitly revealed in His Son Jesus Christ - whom He sent to live and die on our behalf.

You are without a doubt, an exceedingly precious gift from the Lord - and your mother and I are so grateful that God has given you to us. You are such a joy to your mother and I, and our love for you is beyond what I am able to put into words.

You have many family members here today, both biological and spiritual, who are absolutely thrilled about you, and they love you dearly.

However, despite how much we love you - your mother and I, and everyone else (-) we will fail you (-) and we will sin against you. And though you truly are an amazing gift from the Lord - you are born in sin - and there is nothing in you, or in us, that can commend you to God.

Therefore our prayer for you is very basic - it is simply that you would embrace what is being signified and sealed here today; that you would truly know the deep deep love of Jesus, and that you would desperately cling to Him. We pray that you would become a woman who is characterized by her love for God – with all her heart, soul, mind and strength, and that Jesus Christ would be your only hope in life and in death.

Laughy Bath Time

Disclaimer

It is now tuesday and no Baptism pics have been added (as I said would be posted on tuesday), my apologies. I did not download Melodee's pics bc we didn't have the right cord to transfer, but keep checking in because I will put them up eventually.

Big fun weekend

Aunt Melodee, Gramps and Grams Dirks finally made it to Charlotte for an exciting baptismal weekend. They arrived friday, and after some heavy duty Maggie time the weary travelers got rested up for a fun filled saturday excursion to the Panthers stadium for fan day. And, who did we run into, why the Kulps (Bennett was chosen to represent the fam in the photo section because of her amazing cuteness in particular on that day...not to say that Mary, Dave and Celia are not adorable in and of themselves). With that being said let's move on to the rest of the weekend's activities. Saturday afternoon was spent once again in heavy duty Maggie time, which consists of staring at Maggie and cheering her on when she almost rolls over, which might I add, she did today from back to tummy a first for the Mags...last week tummy to back....this week back to tummy... all very exciting things in our home. Then also on saturday the Hunts and Nashes dropped by for a brief stint, and for the first time in all of Sam and Maggie's existence they were both awake at the same time (yet another important photo op). So, onto sunday, the baptism. I have no pictures on my digital camera, but Melodee does so I will post those pics tomorrow (hopefully). It was a wonderful day, Maggie's schedule was WAY off, but yet no tears during the big moment, only much needed thumbsucking...oh so soothing. Mommy and Daddy were a big blubbering mess, like on our wedding day, only Tyler didn't cry that day now that I think about it, it was only me. Anywas, that's neither here nor there. Maggie had a big following come out for the big day, aunts, great aunts, great great aunts, grandmas, a great grandma, a great uncle, a grandpa (the other was under the weather) second cousins once removed (i think that's how it goes), and one mommy and daddy, and a whole slew of covenant family! I hope slew means a lot. We had a nice big party back at our place with lots of fun presents for the Mags. It was a wonderful weekend, and this is just about the longest blog entry I have ever written. Thanks for reading all this....more tomorrow.
what's a day at the stadium without some snacks
the four Dirk's ladies
the token Kulp pic...so cute
hanging out with Grandpa
Sam and Maggie awake at the same time
Grandma fun