Farnsworth Forum

Joel and Amelia had a swimming competition in Atuntaqui on Saturday.  It was a beautiful, blue-sky day with the snow-covered Cotacachi in the background.  Elias was impressed by the "naked" statue in honor of sports outside the pool. Joel and Amelia with their teammates from the UTN swim club.  UTN is the local public university in Ibarra. Joel competed first in 25 m freestyle.  He won his division. Ready, set, go! Marisol, Jacob and Amelia looked on.  Elias was with me. Amelia swam well also.  However, the officials put her in the 11-12 year old division by accident.  She is 8, so she was competing with older swimmers.   Jacob and Elias liked the candy we bought them most of all. Candy smile. Amelia was part of a relay. And helped her team win. Joel was glad when his final event was over and he could finally rest. At home with their medals.  We are proud of our two "little"...

The whole Farnsworth family joined in the ritual of carwashing last week.  This was the first time for the twins, and they behaved splendidly. Look at the earnestness on Jacob's face. Elías too! A smile that any parent could love! Then we cleaned the garage door. And the playhouse! Mission possible accomplished!

We found a beetle at our house the other day.  Elías liked it very much. Jacob was not so sure. Then we found a dragon fly. Elías liked that, too. Jacob warmed up to the beetle, eventually.  Does anyone know if this is a scarab beetle? Craziness reigns supreme at the Farnsworth home.

So sorry to hear of Robin Williams' death this past week, particularly the manner in which he died without  hope.  I saw Robin Williams on the street in New York once.  He was there appearing in "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo".  I waved to him and said hi, and he said hi back, which was cool. My favorite Robin Williams' movie was "Dead Poets Society."  When it came out in 1989, I was living in Mexico and went to see it 3 or 4 times, taking different people with me each time.  The "seize the day" concept featured in that movie is one that we as Christians should embrace with a spiritual focus, as Ephesians 5:16 says, "redeeming the time, because the days are evil."  Time is short, and we must make the most of every moment to be salt and light to others. I also enjoyed "Good Will Hunting," for which Williams won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1997.  However, the swearing in that movie is excessive.  For that reason...

On Sunday, at the Amigos en Cristo Church in Cotacachi, two families dedicated their children to the Lord. Cristina, with her husband Joanny, dedicated Nicole and Jostin. Jesús and Rosita dedicated six-month-old Roberto Missael. First I explained the idea of child dedication as a pact between the parents and God, and with the Church as witnesses, that mother and father raise their children "in the nuture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).  It does not remove the child's original sin nor save them in any way. I read a copy of the promise that each parent would sign, challenging the church members to support the parents in the great task that lay before them. Cristina was the first to sign on behalf of her family, followed by Rosa and then Jesús. I offered a prayer to God for the parents to remain steady in their promise to God. As I handed out the signed certificates/covenants, I shook the parents' hands. ...