The GREAT Tea Time

WOW, it is hard to believe that the Dyck Family Reunion 2014 is now history.  It is hard to put down on paper or in pictures all the amazing time we had together as a family.  With a family as large as ours and with all the many many miles that separate us we miss out on so many special times together.  There are so many milestones that we miss out with each other.  There are so many birthday, anniversaries, weddings,  births, Christmases, and special holidays missed together.  We tried to pack as many special events in the week as possible.  One special event that I was able to host was a GREAT Tea Time.  What made this Tea Time so special is all the GREAT  GRAND DAUGHTER (except for two great grand daughters too small to enjoy) had a special Tea Time with their GREAT GRANDMA.  The great grand daughters came all dressed up and looking so lovely to spend time with their Great Grandma.  These Great Grand Daughters live in South East Asia, Texas, and Canada.  So this was a special time indeed. 

Dyck Family Reunion 2014

After almost a year of planning the Dyck Family Reunion is happening.  In the last couple of days the Dyck Family has been arriving from around the world.  There are several more that are due to arrive in the next couple of days.  It was a THRILL for Vern to pick up his parents and sister at the airport last night.  How thankful we are that his parents have made it here.  We would appreciate your prayers as the rest of the family arrives.  Someone missed their flight because their plane was delayed and their luggage did not arrive.  So there have been some bumps in the road.  However, we look forward to making some amazing memories together as a Dyck Family.

28 Year Ago!

Twenty Eight Years ago we welcomed our second son into our family.  He was such a good happy baby and he made the adjustment of going from one child to two so easy on us.  When Seth was 20 months old he was choking on an ice cream cone and within seconds he turned blue.  I immediately did the Heimlich Maneuver on him, and that hard ice cream cone shot  out of your month.  

Seth we are so very thankful that God spared your life over 26 years ago.  I don't think you suffered any lasting affects since you still enjoy a big bowl of ice cream.    

We are blessed to have you a part of our family.  And as your family continues to grow, may God give you much wisdom and direction in leading your family.  Keep walking this life of faith and making a difference in this world.

65 Years and Counting

On Saturday we had the privilege of celebrating the 65th anniversary of Dougald & Florence McCallum.   When I went to the store to get a 65th Anniversary card I couldn't even find one.  They didn't have any anniversary cards past 60.  So that tells you how rare it is.  I just loved being there and seeing a couple who is committed to reach other and who has done life together through all the twists and turns in life.  Congratulations Dougald and Florence.  I look forward to celebrating your 70th in a few years!

4th of July 1988!

26 years ago we were blessed with our 3rd son Zachary George!  It was definitively one of my most interesting and scary birth experiences since I didn't know Spanish well and they did things quite differently in the clinic where I had him.  I was of course very far away from all of my family.  But despite all of that there was great rejoicing in Zachary's safe arrival. 

Happy 26th Birthday Zachary!  You have the unique privilege of being our MIDDLE child.  You have accepted that status in our family and done well with it.  We thank the Lord for your life.  It is a joy to see the man you have become.  Keep walking with God and making a difference in this world.  Wish we could be there watching fire works together and your special day!

Anna Bernsee

A week ago today, my Grandmother left this earth and entered heaven.  I can only imagine the joy that she has experienced shedding her earthly body, to have no more pain and suffering on this earth.  Many of you have seen pictures that I have posted on face book of my grandmother.  And although they say "A Picture is worth a thousand Words", there are so many things those pictures didn't show.  My grandmother's childhood was a difficult one.  She married during the great depression which were very difficult days to live through.  My grandparents did not have great riches on this earth.  And to make things more challenging my grandparents took in and finished raising four of my grandmother's siblings when her parents died at an early age.  My grandmother cleaned houses for many years just to help put food on the table for the family. Besides being an incredibly hard working women my grandmother loved people.  She did not live for material possessions but invested in people.  She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren dearly.  She was one of the biggest "cheerleaders" in my life.  I come from a big family and my grandparents tried to attend every sports event, band concert, choir concert, Christmas program, and graduation.  She was a cookie baking and game playing grandma. I can not remember a time when she wasn't there cheering me on.  With such an amazing grandmother she is my role model as I grandparent.  (Since she lived to be 99 what a joy it was for my children to know their Great Grandma.  And even though my grandchildren won't remember it, I am glad my grandmother was able to meet three of my grandchildren.)  But above all, my grandmother loved the Lord.  And that is really what makes her the most amazing person.  Many people start out strong but few finish strong.  I have had the amazing privilege of seeing a life well lived, and someone who finished strong.  I wish I could have been there to hear God say: "Well done, good and faithful servant!

Back to North Carolina

Last week after we were in VA. we were able to stop by and see Ruth and Glenn.  Glenn is in the grad program at North Carolina State University.  We were able to stop in and see their new state of the art library.  It was quite impressive.  It is always just fun to hang with our kids and the weather did not disappoint us are it was in the 90's while we were there.  With Ruth and Glenn living so far away we really appreciate every time our paths cross.