Made It!

Hey just a quick note to say we made it and are doing well. We went to the High School today. The kids were great and enjoyed getting to meet other teens from another country. We don't have much time to write but just wanted to check in.

Macedonia Here I Come

• Macedonia Mission Trip April 27-May 9
• In just a few short days I will visit the country of Macedonia. No, I haven't had a vision of anyone asking for help for me to come. Our high school seniors picked this for their senior trip and as one of their sponsors I have the privilege of going with them. I am looking forward to it but ,have been stressed at times trying to prepare to go. We are only allowed one backpack to take all we need for twelve days. Any ideas? We are teaching the students that you can live with less. I'll TRY anything once. Please pray for us in this way:
  Pray that we can be a blessing to the those working there and that we will strengthen the bridge they have been building to the Macedonians there.
  Pray for our spouses and children we leave behind.
  Pray our seniors hearts will be soft and pliable for God's shaping and molding.
  Pray for strength and wisdom for us sponsors as we lead this group.
  May His light shine through us!

PRAY

Today I continue to pray for a little girl at our school who is very sick. You can read her story at the end of this post. I continue to pray for healing for her. Some days we have news of a praise for a step in the right direction and other days it seems her condition steps back. I continue to feel led to not loose hope but to trust in a God who is our rock our shield and our fortress in times of trouble. Please, please join me in praying for Chrissy. She is precious!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrissybriles

Where did it go?

Well, my last post I was praising the Lord for the wonderful weather and the hope that spring had finally arrived! I am not so sure today! They are predicting snow for tonight...please say it isn't so! Here are some old pictures of spring to give me hope that it is on its way! Enjoy!

Don't loose heart! Spring is showing signs of coming!

Feeding Frogs!

Steve, Hannah and Christie

Stephen a few years back by the pond. What a handsome guy.

Spring Arrived!

Wow! What a beautiful weekend! I was in heaven with all the sunshine! I feel like it has been a really long winter. Does anyone else feel the same? Thank you God for such a beautiful weekend! Would it be too much to ask if we could have some more of that sunshine this week?

I would also like to ask any of you who are prayer warriors to please pray for a little girl named Chrissy Briles who is a fifth grader at our school. She is in Riley Hospital. You can read her story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrissybriles

Grant County Encounters

Well, Keetha I know you will be shocked that I am posting a blog....actually my friend Shannon inspired me to write this one. You will probably be the only one to comment because I am sure the rest of the bloggers out there have given up on me... Well, back to my post. Shannon commented on her encounter at the BMV here in Marion and well I have had loads of those let me tell you. My son, who is 17 never wants to be seen there with me again. I guess I became a little vocal when they sent me home for the third time because I didn't have the proper papers which I called about the day before I went and was given no information about what to bring...I just guessed. what to bring...but anyway today I will comment on my Grant County Encounter at the Health Clinic downtown. I am leaving in a few weeks on a mission trip to Macedonia with high school seniors which I am looking forward to and feel blessed to go. However, I needed to get a few shots before going and decided to go to the health clinic. I was told it was at the court house most of them are in Indiana at least in the counties I have lived in prior to Grant. As I walk in the door I see NO CELL PHONES...so I promptly walk back outside to my car and put my cell phone in the car. I walk back into the court house through the security screen and ask where the health clinic is located. They said oh it hasn't been in this building for 25 years ...its across the street in the pretty building on the corner (part of the jail) ha ...so I walk across the street, walk in the door and try to find my way to the health clinic...I ask a lady at the first office I see and she directs me to the clinic....I walk in fill out papers ....and she says that will be $55.00 ....no problem do you take debit I ask...no she responds....cash or check...you can walk across the street to the bank there is a ATM there...at this point I almost don't want to go through with this because I really don't like getting shots anyway but I know I need to get this done ....so I walk in the bank and the lady greets me and says may I help you ....I respond yes I am looking for your ATM Oh she says it is outside in the drive through....you can walk outside and walk through it.....so what can I do? I walk up to the drive through and get $60.00 dollars and head over to get my shot...the lady promptly takes my cash tells me to have a seat,, a few minutes later a nurse comes out calls my name...I'm the only one sitting there...and in a few minutes it's all over....I know this sounds like I am rambling but I have had my share of encounters like this in Grant County......its always seems so difficult to get a simple thing done...you'd think it wouldn't be a hard thing to do in such a small town. I do love the people in our town and if you are reading this blog you are probably one of them! You make living in this this county a pleasure for me and my family...thanks for making my encounters seem so small in the grand scheme of things like friendship.....

Happy New Year!

You may be wondering how this picture says Happy New Year. Well ever since my kids were preschoolers on New Year's Eve they had the bright idea of making their own confetti. About an hour or two before midnight all the cousins get together and tear up little pieces of construction paper then at midnight they throw it up and shout Happy New Year! Although the older ones are so excited anymore to participate because they don't want to pick it up....teenagers!

New Year's Pick Up

Then after the confetti is thrown everyone pitches in to pick it up.

Rachel's Sweet 16

Here is Rachel, Evan and Emily with one of Rachel's Birthday Celebrations. She had three cakes this year. Since her birthday is Jan. 3rd it seems the celebration goes on and on....I'm not quite sure how she manages to get us to do that....probably her charm.

Our Tree

Here's our Christmas tree that Rachel pretty much decorated herself. I put on the ribbon. We decorate it with blue and silver bulbs along with snowflakes. This makes it ok to leave up in January too in case I don't have time to take it down right away. Stephen our son thinks it's not a real Christmas tree unless it has red and green bulbs on it.

The Fireplace

That bow is really for our wreath outside over the garage. I brought my wreath home last week that I bought from the senior's fund raiser and it came with a nice bow. I put the wreath outside beside the garage, thinking Steve would see it and put it up. Steve didn't see the wreath and my bow blew away and I had to buy a new one. Hopefully my wreath will be up soon but right now it is buried under the snow.

Thanksgiving 2008

Here is the front door to Grandpa's except we always enter in the back door which is on the next photo. You know what they say back door guest are always best!

The Path to Grandpa's House

Beside Still Waters

Steve's parents named their place beside still waters. I think this picture displays it beautifully. Good photography Stephen

Summer swimming hole

A nap, and two remotes on the lap....contentment

The Art of Stirring Noodles

Aunt Barabara with her babies

GiJoe with her Thanksgiving Sweater!

Waiting in line for the food

After dinner Catch Phrase Anyone?

More catch phrase

Anne Marie recites Psalm 100

Sarah tells the First Thanksgiving Story

Wow! Whose plate is this????

I ate too much

Mr. Crosslin is teaching us about air.

Here are some kids enjoying science night. Sorry I can't reveal the wonder look on their faces of "how did he do that?". I know you understand Anon.

Future Elementary Science Teachers

Making a bottle rocket

Ohh this feels really cool!

Making a wave!

Science Night 07

Just want to invite all of you who have kids to come out to Lakeview on Thursday night, November 15th at 5:30. My husband and I team up and put on a Family Science Night. His students put together some fun hands on activites for the kids to do and take home and we also have a guy coming to do an awesome Science Show at 5:30 in the new Family Life Center at Lakeview. Here are some more pictures of past Science Nights.

Keetha's Cozy Spot

Ok...so day 2 of conferences got a little out of hand when we messed with Keetha's stuff. It all started when Tim Kline started moving her stuff around everytime she went to the little girl's room or the snack room. If any of you know Keetha she likes her ducks in a row and you better not mess with the rows! She notices even the slightest movements of things. The rest of the pictures tell the story. We love you Keetha and conferences were a little more light hearted because you were there. Thanks for being a good sport...or at least I think you were.

Parent waiting....where's Keetha

Who moved my stuff????

As you can see..she's a little upset that her ducks have been moved.

Acting Busy

Here is Mrs. Rowley trying to act like she had nothing to do with the movement of Keetha's things.

Awaiting Conferences Day 2

It seems Mrs. Swan's classes went well last nine weeks. Not many conferences. Way to go Deven!

The Family

Ok.... so here's the whole gang. This was our fall picture last year. We'll be getting a new one after Thanksgiving. Even our dog Christie is in this pic...she's such a good dog. Too bad I'm not really a pet person.

Well not much to write tonight...I thought I would share this pic from our summer vacation. This dog would jump form one cliff to the other. There's a long story behind it but I'll leave it to your imagination. Think of me tomorrow. I will be at work from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Parent Teacher Conferences!

Crazy Tuesday

Well, its Tuesday and it feels like Friday. How is that happening? This Thursday and Friday are Parent-Teacher Conferences and I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed! I know you are with me on this Keetha. I sure would like to be fishing or reading a book beside this lake. Anybody with me???

Here's Steve reading by the pool not wanting to get sunburned!

Here's Stephen practicing his soccer skills!

Here's Hannah climbing the dunes!

Here is Rachel and Grandpa having a heart to heart along Lake Michigan. I love this picture.

Here is a beautiful scene. It is on the Wisconsin River. We are on a tour and the tour guide is pointing out the dell ahead called "Hawk's Beak". Can you see it? I bet it is very pretty right now with all the leaves changing colors. I love fall!