Family

The family picture wall in our dome home is a bit lopsided. Ancestors from Germany fill most of it. That’s because the Indonesian family pictures are in albums that weren’t accessible until our son Paul got them from his Aunt Yvonne so he could scan some photos. Here is the paternal family from Indonesia.

Franciscus Breuer

Oma Pony

 

 These are the parents of Walter Bogaardt's mother, Bertha Breuer Bogaardt. Oma Pony has no surname since she was an Indonesian native.

Unfortunately there is no photoshop program on this computer. The above photo is a wedding picture of Opa and Oma. In the  picture is Opa's father, Ernest (he is the second from left blond dutchman) Next to him is "Tante" Frieda (not a real aunt, just a good friend) who painted the picture of Oma Pony that hangs in our house.

Oma Bertha with Armand, Yvonne and Wally

In a younger year, Oom Chris poses with the Bogaardt children. Also included are Donny and Joyce, now in Holland. Picture was taken in Indonesia. 

Opa's sisters

Opa, Oma and the three children in Indonesia

Indonesian Oma

 Opa and Oma and friends

Groningen, Holland

The American family includes Oom Ronny and Tante Vonny. They were married here in California.

Armand, Yvonne and Liza

Opa and Liza

An extended family comes up in other albums which aren't here at the house. Perhaps we can create another page with more photos of people like Tante Elvire and others who are in Holland.

Confession

“Bless me Father, I . . .” said Sandy. Then she got stuck. Her throat tightened and her stomach churned. She wanted to tell her big sin, but it was too awful.

“How long has it been since your last confession,” asked the shadow behind the small screen that separated her from her Confessor?

“Two months, Father.”

“Why so long?” asked the priest.

“I was afraid to come,” said Sandy glad for the darkness of the confessional.

“Well, you’re here,” the voice on the other side mellowed. “Good for you.”

Sandy didn’t answer. She was terrified of telling her sin. Past confessions had been easy. They were small matters. After all, every kid disobeys a parent, or fights with a brother or sister. But this time, she had done what she was asked to do, and it was wrong!

The blurred figure behind the screen leaned closer and said, “Were you with someone?”

“Yes,” she answered. “I mean, no, I . . . she asked me for help.” Sandy wanted to tell her sin, but the frog in her throat prevented it.

“What did you help with,” the voice was gentle and calmed Sandy.

“My best friend has trouble with math and . . .” Sandy stopped herself, fearful again.

“You cheated,” the kind voice answered, knowingly.

“I didn’t mean to do anything wrong, Father. She begged me to write the answers for her, just this one time.” Sandy broke down in tears. “I know it’s wrong to cheat, but she’s my best friend.”

“And do you think it helped your friend?”

The dark figure waited quietly, giving Sandy time to think things through. She thought about how wrong she felt. She thought about how her help wasn’t really help at all. Her friend still wouldn’t know how to fix her math problems. She knew cheating betrayed her teacher, too. She answered the priest, “I guess not.”

“How will you repair the damage,” asked the gentle voice.

Sandy thought hard, but found herself caught in a dilemma. If she told on herself, her teacher would punish not only her, but also her friend. Yet if she didn’t make things right, she wouldn’t be able to live with her self betrayal. Tears began to roll hot on her cheeks and she choked out, “Must I tell on myself,” knowing she might lose her friend, too?

“Becoming Christ-like hurts a great deal,” said the priest in a clam firm voice. He paused a moment, then added, “for your penance, say a prayer to the Holy Spirit for strength to do the right thing.”

Sandy sobbed silently as the priest spoke the words of absolution; and just before he slid the little door to the screen shut she whispered, “Thank you, Father.”  

The Meeting

The Ventura County Astronomical Society holds monthly meetings on the third Friday. Their venue includes club business, astronomical highlights of upcoming events, and guest speakers.

Today the discussion started with information on telescopic mathematics. Dave Holland mentioned the importance of three measurements every astronomer who owns a telescope should know. They are:

Focal length is defined as the distance from the optical center of a lens (or optical system) to its point of focus when focused at infinity. http://www.chuckhawks.com/telescope_focal_length.htm

          Focal Ratio is the ‘speed’ of a telescope’s optics, found by dividing the focal length by the aperture. http://www.astronomics.com/main/definition.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/tajf859xqdpqa8l1jqu/Page/1

          Aperture is the size of  the main optical lens of the telescope. 

http://telescopescience.com/aperture.html

All three require only simple calculations. For example, taking the focal length of a telescope and dividing it by the power of the eyepiece yields the true magnification of the object viewed. Hence, a 2350mm focal length divided by a 26mm eyepiece produces 90x magnification.

Our guest speaker from JPL, Dr. Marc Rayman spoke about close up views of asteroids, thanks to the Dawn project. The ability to reach the asteroid belt is made possible by star wars technology.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/fs21grc.html

Ion propulsion of spacecraft has given us the asteroid belt. Currently the Dawn project is orbiting Vesta, an asteroid smaller than Ceres, but still map-able. Dr. Rayman, who is in charge of the Dawn project gave an enlightening talk about Xenon, the gas used as propellant, and the necessity of solar panels on the craft to power the production of ions. The use of ion drive is limited only by its the distance from the sun, since the craft requires solar energy as well. Nevertheless, the space gymnastics required for the trip to the asteroids has been made possible only because of ion propulsion. Next stop, Ceres.

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/04may_dawn/

Meetings so rich in information are well worth the $35 annual membership fee.

Camper Bliss

Ever since we purchased our Lance last year, we have trailered around the United States, despite gas prices. Our vacations included national parks, far flung family and friends, and comfortable camper living no matter where we stop.

Here’s a lineup of sights and folks we have not yet shared:

Our granddaughter Sammy’s graduation provided the opportunity to visit the Midwest and other grand sights.

The Graduate with TJ, Melissa and Stephanie

Wayfarers miracle chapel; statue of the Blessed Virgin in Wisconsin

Good friends in Columbia, MO

Jack and Jackie

 Tornado weather in Salina, Kansas. Our camper survived the storm.

Lance 1685 

 Lake Michigan looks like an ocean, waves, seagulls and strand.

Fresh Water

 Spiral Staircase in Santa Fe, New Mexico

No center or side supports

 Meteor Crater, New Mexico

Astronauts practice here

 Laramie, Wyoming cousins

Lina Rose, Rex, and Wolf

 Close Encounters with the Devil’s Tower, the first officially designated National Park

 And so, vacationing in comfort keeps us busy. Next stop--RTMC

Photo timeline, Sevanian's early years

Ara's parents and uncle escape genocide

Family Photo

Young Ara with his kanon

Ara the young school boy

Darachichak, Ara on left

Conservatory Photo

 

 

 

In the news, the youthful kanonist

Monday Morning

 

There was a knock on the door. The men looked at one another fearfully, not knowing if they should answer. "Perhaps it's Him," Thomas said?

"No," answered Peter. "He came through the walls last time."

"Shall I answer it?" asked James.

"No, please! What if it's a Roman come to arrest us too," said Matthew, still terribly frightened from all the events of the past days.

"But He's risen. We've already seen Him," countered James.  "Don't you think He'd protect us?”

"Listen, God helps those who help themselves," Matt said, being practical despite the stress.

The knock was repeated, and everyone seemed to want to duck out the back door. 

"Open it," said Peter, "We can't lock ourselves away forever."

Gingerly, James opened the door a crack. His face blanched.

"Who is it," the others asked ready to run.

"It's, it's..." he opened the door wider to give the others a look.  How could he shut out a Roman Officer who already knew their whereabouts? 

Everybody backed off aghast.

"Please, don't be frightened," said the Centurion taking a halting step in.  "I'm not here to arrest you.  I...  I want to join your company."

The men bristled with suspicion. Even Peter was unsure, although all eyes turned to him for directions.

"He's one of us," said a youthful voice from the back of the room. Still, they all looked at Peter, and back at the Centurion. The air was electric.

Peter turned around to look at John. "How do you know," he asked?

John staring past Peter into the hopeful eyes of the soldier answered matter of factly, "He was at the crucifixion."

"Please," the soldier knelt down begging, "I've brought you something," he said. He unwound the leather strap wrapped around a purple cloth. Peter nodded assent, and the disciples began to gather closer to see what the soldier held.

In his hand lay the head of a spear. "I thought you'd want it," the Centurion mumbled, tears in his eyes.