Pictures

We are GRANDPARENTS!!!!!

Lily Kathryn joined our family on July 4th 2010!!!!

We feel incredibly blessed by her arrival, but, even more so by the knowledge that she is HEALTHY!

To God be the Glory! Birth is truly a miracle. Bryant and Ali are thrilled with their addition!

Africa

The first picture is of the action paks we took with us to Malawi. We filled them with supplies for Nkhoma hospital and Ebenezer School. Each of us were allowed two action paks weighing no more than 50 lbs. each. The second picture is an area of the hospital that the care givers stay when they have someone in the hospital. The doctors check on patients but the hospital has no real help to feed, clean and generally take care of the people, so they must have a family member to come with them to care for their needs while in the hospital. The last picture was taken at the school with my mom and her teaching aid Grace on some of the playground equipment that a group in Holland donated to the school.

Nkoma is filled with incredible people who care about each other. The pace of life there is slow. The lack of televisions and computers and such allows time for relationships that we don't realize are important until we really need someone. At that time, you wonder how is it possible to "know" so many people, but not really KNOW them. I think we are missing something...

Mission Trip -- Malawi, Africa 2010

We are headed for AFRICA. Malawi to be more specific. (In red on the map.) My mom decided to hold off on going into a retirement facility for a year as she hopped a plane and took off to spread God's love in a remote village called, Nkhoma, in Malawi, Africa. Off to fulfill a calling to teach the children at Ebenezer School built just two years ago by the Presbytery. Two weeks after her arrival, they asked if she would become the principal!!! We are headed with 7 other adults on a 2.5 week mission trip to develop relationships in HIS name with the people of Nkhoma. I am soooo excited for the opportunity to share the love with our brothers and sisters across the Atlantic. I can't wait to see how we will all be changed by this experience. Stay tuned.

A Kit Car for us....

We are building a car... Actually, Stan is building, I am a great ooooer and ahhher, and occasionally a great helper, well at least according to me. Stan might think differently, but then lets just preface this with --according to the writer, I am. Actually, it is fun to watch Stan get all excited when he talks about his car! (I didn't see any of that enthusiasm when we picked out the dinning room suit. . .) I guess it is a gender thing. I can't seem to show the correct amount of interest in engines, suspensions, and master cylinders that he would prefer either. Life is funny that way. I will keep you posted. The picture is what it should eventually resemble after we attach everything to that thing in the garage!!!

Swimming with the Manatees!!!

Crystal River, Florida

Jan. 2010

Stan and I went to Crystal River, Florida and joined up with an outfit called Birds Under Water. We rented wet suits, fins, masks and snorkles and set off for an incredible experience interacting with the manatees. We couldn't believe the number of them laying around sleeping or gliding past us in the water. They will actually roll over and let you rub their bellys. The trip truly ranks as one of our favorite and is one we intend to repeat with grandchildren eventually. Remember to take an underwater camera!!! If you want to go, we recommend using the group Birds Under Water, here is their web address: http://www.birdsunderwater.com

One descriptive word -- awesome!!!

Changing of Seasons

Same tree as earlier pictured all covered in snow.

Although now it's leaves have transformed from the fresh green look of summer to the vibrant color of fall.

Kinda fancy the idea of following a tree through all the seasons... so, you will probably see "this tree" again in it's spring and summer attire.

Amazing how time passes us by so quickly.

If not careful, this hectic pace we call life will cause us to neglect observing all of the incredible changes occuring around us...

I guess I am saying, "it's time to stop and smell the roses."

Here's to you-- hoping you find the joy that surrounds you everday.