And the day…

…my brother Maup died, my sister wasn’t feeling up to talking to anyone. So when I called her to find out what had happened, it was my brother-in-law Jimmy that gave me the whole story. Sissy was actually in bed with a horrible migraine. He was always a solid rock for our family. I honestly don’t know how we’ll make it without him. Here’a a picture from the last time he and sis visited us in Hamel:

James Spurgeon Cooke +

I found out that my brother-in-law died. He’d not been doing well. I honestly don’t remember him not being a part of my life. When I was very little, he was our mail man, then he married my sister. And he always opened up his home to his strange little brother-in-law. I will be eternally grateful. He was such a kind and gentle man. Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him! 

For Lucille…Cousin love!

 

What joy yesterday!

Such a joyous day yesterday, to see 17 youngsters confirmed in the holy faith! May the Lord Jesus fulfill the good work He has begun in them, keeping them faithful to the day of His appearing! And before you comment on my sour look, I was just a little tired; trust me I was beaming inside!

 

From the Chief Service on Good Friday

Presentation at Faith of Our Fathers Conference 2025

 Growth in Sanctification

Baptism of Jesse Maupin and Walker Gregory Herberts

 

The Daily Round on a Typical Thursday

Up before sunrise + make our hot chocolate and prep bacon + sunrise walk + drink chocolate while praying Matins, then reading Book of Concord, and then my three chapters of the Bible + eat breakfast (usually ribeye or strip steak, bacon, and eggs) + coffee and praying Treasury together + solving internet puzzles (Wordle, Quardle, Sequence, Nerdle, Worldle, Connections, and Blossom) + another walk + another cup of coffee + write podcast + another walk + write podcast + another walk + make pot of Irish Breakfast tea + write podcast + another walk + workout with X3 bar + finish up walking to reach 10K steps + 30 minutes in sauna + shower + Vespers + a bit of wine and web surfing (mostly X) + dinner with Cindi and Opa + liverpool with Cindi, Opa and maybe Lois + choir practice + chill for a few minutes + bed. 

Pretty much how days go. Rinse and repeat.

David’s usual

O Holy Night

Merry Christmas, one and all!

Oh that birth forever blessed

When the Virgin full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving

Bore the Savior of our race

And that Babe, the world’s Redeemer,

First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

Such a joy…

…last evening to be with dear friends the Klingers and Van Ulfts and get in some six-handed pinochle (the night ended up one game for the men, one for the women). I’m afraid Stephanie made such a yummy cheese dish for appetizers that I made a pig of myself and had zero room left for dinner itself. When I thank God for the companions he grants us along the way, these folks are always included:

A Little Touch of Crazy with an Awful Lot of Joy

Life has been…challenging! We’re still in the process of moving Cindi’s dad (hereafter, Opa) from the house next door to us, down to a duplex a block and a half away. The end is clearly in sight! We got the worst of the heavies moved in the last couple days. But the move has been hard on Opa. He fell one night and his apple watch called 911. The EMTs had to break through his front door to get to him. He also ended up in the hospital for a couple days due to some medication they gave him. But he made it home last Tuesday and was able to join us for Thanksgiving. Cindi’s aunt and her cousin came out as well. We ended up with 20 feasting together on Thanksgiving Day (missed the Mark Preus family this year!). And, with eldest daughter pregnant with #s 9 and 10 (identical twin boys), we’ve had extra trips to St. Louis for doctors appointments or watching the other 8. Aunt Sandy and Russ arrived on Tuesday (as I was going to get Dave from the hospital); Lauren had a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday that I took her to, while Cindi was busy cooking. Opa had a drs’ appointment, so we were very thankful that Sandy and Russ were here to take him to that. Lauren’s family arrived on Thursday and stayed through till after lunch today. And Cin and I baby sat the boys last evening as all the girls went to a Lindsey Stirling concert in St. Louis. Cindi and I caught a nap after everyone cleared out and then proceeded to do our usual decorating. Right now, we’re sitting in the living room enjoying the Christmas tree and (I must confess) THE SILENCE. Delightful! But what a great blessing to be able to be together. Here are some pics: