Ushering in the New Year!

I Love New Year's Eve and staying up to midnight to usher in the New Year.  Growing up my parents always had a party and at midnight my dad would run outside and have the car alarm go off and we would march up and down the street as a marching band.  (We had a big drum and instruments and whoever didn't have an instrument to play banged a pot and pan.) The neighbors would stand outside and wave at us.  (I hope I never get too old to go outside and bang pots and pans. ) For those of you who have followed my blog for several years, you know that our tradition of making New Years Eve hats out of News Paper started our first year in the tribe when we had no party hats and we wanted to do something to make it festive in the tribe for New Year's Eve.  So the only thing we could find to make hats out of was newspaper.  Through the years, many family and friends have enjoyed taking part in our family tradition of making New Years hats.  We sure have some incredible memories through our parties and hats.  This New Year's Eve we enjoyed hanging with our kids and grand kids that were in the area.  Aurora is over at our house today and she is still enjoying creating New Year Eve hats. :)  Right before midnight I got a New Year's message from Zachary and Elisha.  They were miles apart from each other and from us but they made hats.  It was such a special way to send us New Years greetings and warmed my heart like nothing else.

Happy 6th Birthday Aurora

Six years ago today we entered into the world of grand parenthood as our first grand child, Aurora, entered the world.  Since then the Lord has blessed us with three more grandchildren.  Now I can hardly imagine what our lives would be like without these precious blessings God has brought into out family.

Aurora you have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives.  You are such a vibrant little girl and I love making incredible memories together with you.  Whether we are in the kitchen baking, making tea hats, or singing karaoke together,  it is always so much fun hanging out together.  I love and treasure these precious times together.  I am looking forward to making so many more memories with you.  Keep loving on people and bringing joy into this world.  I know God is going to continue to use you to touch so many lives. 

Happy 6th Birthday Aurora! 

Through the Miles.

I have been very poor in posting anything these last couple of weeks.  Two weeks ago we celebrated Kristina's 30th birthday.  The next day we took off on a 2,000 mile trip. Our first stop was to Raleigh, NC to see Ruth and Glenn and also to pick up Titus for his Christmas break.  We then headed up to Chicago for my family's Christmas party and to see my parents.  Then we headed back home.  We are thankful that over all those miles we hit no rain or snow.  We are enjoying having Titus home and before we know it, we will be on the road driving him back to university.

The Graduating Class of 2014

Last night we had the GREAT privilege to witness 15 of our students graduate.  It has been a GREAT joy to get to know these dear people who love the Lord and desire to serve him.  We know God has amazing things in store for them as they walk with the Lord and are open to His leading.  Please be praying for our students and their children as this chapter of their life ends and a new one begins.

Happy Anniversary Seth and Camille

Happy Anniversary Seth and Camille!  God has blessed you with two precious children.  Enjoy these years of making some amazing family memories with your little ones.  They will grow up way too fast.  Keep investing,  serving and loving  each other.  Have fun walking down the path of life together.

Making a Memory - Photot Booth

Things are winding down here and in ten days our third semester students will be graduating.  As I have worked with our student families with children I am always looking for ways to invest in them and to cheer them on.  Since six of our children will be leaving and moving away, I was looking for a way that they could make some great memories together with friends before they leave.  I thought about doing a photo booth and my daughter-in-law Kristina very graciously agreed to be the photographer.  Here is just a small snap shot of some of the fun and memories that were made.  Please be praying for the children that are facing a major move ahead.