It's a Boy!

Micah Joel vanHooydonk was born July 18, 2009 at 12:11am. Weighing 9lbs 1oz, measuring 21.5" long, his labour was equal to my previous two combined! Having spent a mere 6 hours in labour with Eden and about 4 hours in labour with Isaac, both I and the midwives expected another quick labour. In fact, we had even made back up plans for a home birth.
How wrong we were! It's almost laughable now!
Instead of a quick delivery, my labour was just over 10 hours long. Already hooked up to an IV full of antibiotics for GBS (my first time with GBS by the way), inefficient contractions produced almost no result after about 6 hours and I was hooked up to an oxytocin drip. At the advice of both the midwife and doctor, I was also given an epidural to help me manage the amplified contractions. Generally speaking, I am not in favour of an epidural. However, as the epidural started to wear off, I began to feel the contractions, and I am glad I followed the advice of the midwife and doctor.
Pushing still hurt.
On the upside, I pushed for less than 3 minutes.
It would seem once he was ready to come, out he flew.
As a result of everything, instead of going home after my usual three hours, I had to stay for a full 12 hours.
I have come to the conclusion that up until Saturday, I have obviously been spoiled.
On the upside, I had virtually no post-partum. Not even a little bit. Given all the stress leading up to the birth, I laughed with my midwife that I must have had my baby blues before Micah was born, instead of after.

Grieving for Saints

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
- Psalm 116:15

The past month or two has given me a great deal to think about. About a month ago, Oma Vyuk passed away. Then last week, a young lady named Katelyn Muir departed, after battling cancer for many years. Despite the great difference in their ages, both of these women were a testimony to the power of God in the lives of believers and I had enormous respect for them. Both left this world glorifying God, and even their funerals bore witness to God's never-ending love and grace.
As I said to my husband, as a Christian that is how you want to go. I long for my own funeral to be just as God-centered, that the words "Repent and believe for the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Mark 1:15)" may be heard by all, just as they have been in recent months. Like many others, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." (Phil. 1:20) I long to stand before God and hear those words "Well done, good and faithful servant."(Matt. 25:21)
Still, what about those who are left behind?
Unlike the scene in Pilgrim's Progress, most Christians do not get to journey across the Jordan side by side with their good friend Hopeful. In fact, that experience is exceedingly rare. Instead, Hopeful must stand at the edge of the water, crying out to his friend "Be of good cheer.. the bottom is good... these troubles and distresses that you go through in these waters are no sign that God hath forsaken you but are sent to try you whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of His goodness and live upon Him in your distresses." Furthermore, Hopeful is often the one left behind to comfort those who must also watch Christian depart, and this is not always an easy task. However, we are reminded of the words of Paul who says "...We do not want you to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13)"
Notice he does not say we don't grieve at all. We do grieve. We just do it differently.
St. Augustine wrote the following words when he was reflecting on the death of his mother Monica, a woman he considered to be most Godly. I read this passage long before either funeral, and was immediately moved both by the beautiful language employed and by Augustine's frank description of his own sorrow and how he turned to the Lord in his grief. This passage is perhaps one of the most beautiful examples of a Christian grieving in hope that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

I closed her eyes and an overwhelming grief welled into my heart and was about to flow forth in a flood of tears. But at the same time under a powerful act of mental control my eyes held back the flood and it dried up. The inward struggle put me into great agony. Then when she breathed her last [my son] cried out in sorrow... We did not think it right to celebrate the funeral with tearful dirges and lamentations... My mother's dying meant neither that her state was miserable, nor that she was suffering extinction. We were confident of this because of the evidence of her virtuous life, her faith unfeigned, and reasons of which we felt certain.
Why then did I suffer sharp pangs of inward grief? It must have been the fresh wound cause by the break in habit formed by our living together, a very affectionate and precious bond suddenly torn apart. I was glad indeed to have her testimony when in that last sickness she responded to my attentions... And yet, my God our Maker, what comparison can there be between the respect with which I deferred to her and the service she rendered me? Now that I had lost the immense support she gave, my soul was wounded, and my life as it were torn to pieces, since my life and hers had become a single thing.
After [my son's] tears had been checked [a friend] took up the Psalter and began to chant a Psalm. The entire household responded to him "I will sing of your mercy and judgment, Lord..."
I was glad to weep before You about her and for her, about myself and for myself. Now I let flow the tears which I had held back so they ran as freely as they wished. My heart rested upon them, and it reclined upon them because it was Your ears that were there..."

Rest in Peace Katelyn Muir

MUIR, Katelyn - In the early hours of the morning of February 18th, 2009, Katelyn Joyce Jacqueline Muir was called from this life into the hands of her Father in heaven after a long struggle against cancer. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. She will be dearly missed by her loving mother Carolyn Muir (nee Smink) and her father Bill Muir. She leaves behind her devoted brother and sisters, Adam, Bethany and Janelle Muir and her grandparents William and Joyce Muir and Geurt and Florence Smink. She will be mourned by her extended family and many friends. The visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 19th 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Trinity Orthodox Reformed Church, 99 Scott St. St. Catharines, with the memorial service to be held at 11:00 am Friday, February 20th at the Trinity church. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Heritage Christian High School (cheques to be made out to the N.R.C.E.A.) and may be done through the offices of HULSE & ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL

Federal Budget Passes

From CTV:

The federal budget introduced late last month by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government passed in the House of Commons on Tuesday night, by a vote of 211 to 91.

Was there ever any doubt?

Rest in Peace Oma Vuyk

On Friday morning, January 16, 2009, Neeltje Vuyk, aged 85 years, passed away peacefully at the St. Catharines General Hospital. The family takes comfort in knowing that she is with her Heavenly Father. Wife of the late Johannes Vuyk. The family received friends at Immanuel Orthodox Reformed Church in Jordan on Monday, January 19th at2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Service was held at the same location on Tuesday, January 20th at 11 am. If desired memorial donations may be made to Heritage Christian School or the charity of choice.

The "Conservative" Budget

Hmm.
Lots of spending.
Is such a massive deficit necessary? My feeling is no, but only time will tell. On the upside, we'll be getting a tax cut this year.
CTV has the full text of Flaherty's budget speech.
From the Globe & Mail
Canada.com
The National Post also has in depth coverage.

A few thoughts:
I expect the Liberals to support the budget. If they don't, then at the very least I expect them to race as far away from the coalition as they possibly can before election day.
I am not at all surprised that Layton vowed to vote against the budget regardless of what it contained.
According to the Globe, Ignatieff will formally announce his decision on whether or not to support the budget tomorrow morning. A media briefing has been scheduled for 5:15PM today in the House of Commons foyer. No doubt there will be much speculation as to what tomorrow will bring. But, as I have previously said, my money is on a support of the budget, or at least a total disavowal of the coalition.

The Prime Minister As First Servant

Like most Canadians, this weekend I spent a great deal of time reflecting on what happened in Ottawa last week. Pick any poll you like. The result of the coalition has been nothing short of a disaster for the Liberals. The most forgiving poll I saw pegged them at 22% popularity, a 2% drop from election day. Others put them at only 20%. The NDP suffered even worse, showing between a 4-8% drop in support. The Conservatives are largely up, showing anywhere between 44% to a staggering 51% of the population supporting them.
But, truth be told, I have spent less time thinking about polls and more time reflecting on a comment my mom made. The Prime Minister of Canada is literally the "First Servant." He is a servant first to God, then to Queen, then to country, that is we the people.
How much of what has happened this past week really makes one think of servanthood?
Now, let me be clear. I do actually think Harper had the right idea when he proposed to cut the $1.95 per vote tax subsidy. But, in terms of the entire situation, is one really able to look at Parliament and say "Yes, these people serve us?"
I suspect most people would say no.
There are, of course, individual MP's who work very hard for their constituents. They are people of good, upstanding moral character who want to do what is right. But let's be honest, these people are few and far between. Certainly, as a whole, there is no party which truly puts the concept of servanthood into practice. There is no one who esteems all others better than themselves. There is no one who will give way, for the good of the whole.
Certainly, the concept of servanthood was nowhere to be found in Dion's disgraceful address to the nation, which was late, of poor quality and quite literally featured "Hot Air."
This week past, not one person offered a soft answer to turn away anger. (Proverbs 15:1) Instead, everyone preferred to quarrel, showing their love for sin (Proverbs 17:19). Not one person had the wits, or rather the Spirit, to recognize that it is a man's honour to avoid arguments and only fools stir up dissent. (Proverbs 20:3)
After his meeting with the Governor General, Harper invited the Opposition parties to meet with him and submit their suggestions for the upcoming budget. My hope is that this offer is sincere, and that the leaders of the Opposition Parties will take it as such. My hope is that they will drop their argument and get back to work for the good of those they govern.
There is no authority except that which God establishes (Romans 13:1). Those in authority must remember, however, that they are also under authority. Not only that, but they will one day be called to account for what they have done with what God has given them. Of anyone who has ever lived, Christ undoubtedly had the most authority of all.
And yet, look at how different His behaviour was.

Parliament Prorogued

The Governor General has agreed to prorogue Parliament until January.
Let's see if the coalition can hold it together until then.
I have my doubts.