Tour of the Floor

I've been a little light on blog posts, but when an event comes about with such high importance, I knew it had to be shared. I was blessed with the presence of Grandma and Grandpa to give them a tour of the floor at the Board of Trade on "May Day". Unfortunately for Grandpa it was a fast lesson that talking with hand movement doesn't work well in all environments. As a story about the flower trade in Amsterdam began near the livestock pit, Grandpa raised his hands a bit too high where he was filled on selling a 10 lot in June Cattle only 8 ticks from the low of the day. As there is a wide variety of different trading styles, Grandpa's aggressive short position was looking to become a big-time losing trade once we caught wind of some 162 cash cattle moving in Texas. Fortunately for Grandpa he was saved by the more disciplined and patient trader... Grandma. Now while you would expect Grandma to melt Grandpa's opposing trader with kindness, sweet talk, and an evening meal of Aurelio's Pizza washed down with RC Cola, she instead took the pit by surprise. The quick decisive action of hedging off Grandpa's risk with deferred contract spreading and buying a few call options at delta neutral, saved Grandpa from a $12,200 margin call. (I'm touting it as The Trade that saved our gifts for Christmas)

Afterword we visited the bond options, soybean oil, corn, hogs, and the dairy pit.  We then watched the cattle pit close at 1:00PM. I feel like Grandma and Grandpa would have fit in well had they chose commodity trading as their initial profession. We made friends and exchanged stories with everybody we walked past. Shortly after we parted ways, (I went back to work and G&G went to lunch) I had realized that they have been instilling trading principles in all of us for many years. Their 60 years of marriage has shown us that if you navigate a volatile market with discipline, patience, proper execution, and the willingness to take risks that you will come out with a positive balance. Now over those 60 years there has surely been a bad trade or two, but fortunately as traders they have faith that their margin clerk (The Good Lord Above) will help bust out of a bad strategy. What a great demonstration that the risk of living a Christ-led life can sometimes be high, but the reward is much greater.

I had a great time being able to show G&G what it is I actually do and I should add that my enjoyable service means I have been taken off the gardening and gutter cleaning duties list. This is a picture of us in front of the cattle pit shortly after the close.

Disclaimer: There is a risk of loss in futures and options trading and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Save-the-Date

Cheryl Tiemens (aka...our cousin), wanted me to make sure everyone saves the weekend of October 2,3 and 4, 2015 for the annual " VanDrunen Down on the Farm " in Morocco Indiana at Uncle Wayne's farm.  If you can come at any time, or the whole weekend, it's a blast!!  It's worth saving the date!

A few recent videos from New Jersey

A few recent videos from New Jersey

GARDEN CLEAN-UP

Dear Family,

We invite you to participate in our "Garden Clean-up" next Saturday, May 2, at 9:00 a.m.  We need help to prepare the garden for planting.  We appreciated the help we got last year.  After our clean-up we again plan to go to Andy's for lunch.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.

Job Changes

Hello family! I just wanted to keep you in the loop of my life: I am going to be teaching at Timothy Christian next year as a second grade teacher. It wasn't for a lack of love of Calvin, but rather because of the distance. Here's the blurb I wrote to my Calvin family - it will tell you the just of what is happening. In short, I feel bittersweet but ultimately excited about the change :) 

It is bittersweet for me to announce that I will be leaving Calvin after the close of this 2014 - 2015 school year. My husband and I live out in the Western Suburbs, and I will be teaching at Timothy Christian School next year, a few miles from where we live. This decision is a result of geography, and I wish with all my heart that I could fold the map to make Elmhurst and South Holland to be next-door neighbors! Although I am thankful for a community close to home in which I can serve, it was a really difficult decision to make the move. As we considered our options and looked ahead to our family's future, it became clearer through prayer and time that this would be the best thing for us. I want to express to you my gratitude for my time here, as well as how Calvin has shaped me. 

Calvin Christian has blessed me beyond measure. As I walk through the halls, work with my fellow teachers, and spend each day with my students, I can feel the love of Jesus in this school. From Denise at the front desk all the way to Jackie coordinating extended care, every colleague has shown me their generosity, hospitality, and passion for the kids and for the Lord. The families at Calvin are involved, supportive, and invested in the academic and spiritual development of their students and I am so impressed with the growth that happens here every day. I love that Calvin is a place rooted in its community and reflective of the family of God. When I consider the prospect of moving on, I know I will miss it here so much. 

I am overwhelmed at the thought of leaving this special place. For now, I am trusting in the Lord's leading that this is the best thing for my family and me. I will continue to pray for the learning and growing in the Lord that happens daily at Calvin Christian. I truly think of you all as family; please know that you hold a special place in my heart. 

EASTER - 2015

Dear Family,

Karyl & Dyke have offered to have Easter at their home in Kouts.  Please contact Karyl in the near future if you plan on coming.  Also, she will have the menu as to what we can bring.  Hope to see you there.

becky & kaleb

engaged!

 A beautiful bridal shower given by the aunts:

A shower game - Can you identify becky, mike, kim, scott, mark, & kaleb, kevin, marla, and mariah dean?

Birchwood Reservations

Dear Yous Kids,

We have received a request from non-family to reserve our Birchwood cabin.  We want to give family first choice.  Please contact us as soon as possible with your request.  Some of you have your week reserved.

Grandma & Grandpa

Birthday Greetings

Thank you to my wonderful family for the birthday cards and notes sent to me for my 80th birthday.  It was a surprise and greatly appreciated.

My one foray into voice acting

Hey family- hope all is well!

Just a quick note from New Jersey. Things are going well out here and the family is adapting nicely to our new surroundings. We've had many visitors from the family already, and I'd like to reiterate an open invitation to anyone who would like to check out the east coast/NYC. Just give us a head's up and we can make it work.

Thought I'd share the video above. It's a new program at Eastern Christian School (where I work). We were looking for someone to do the voice-over work, and the lot fell to me. So (after several takes and an all out effort to make it sound not bad), that's my voice presenting this new program.

Anyway- hope all is well.

Enjoy!