Kurt and Lisa's Update!!

Hello Everyone!! I thought that a post from Kurt and Lisa was long overdo so here is a little update on how we have been doing! At the beginning of the summer Kurt and I officially "coined"it the "Summer of Fun" because we knew we had a lot of fun things planned to do and we both just love summer so much! But I think a better name would have been the "Summer of CRAZY fun"!! Because it was such a whirlwind of a summer for us! I have enclosed a couple pictures from the summer but we have more recent ones that I want to share but I cannot figure out how to download them from the camera right now....so....I will just have to have kurt send another post with some pics of more recent events. Some of the fun we things we did was go to a Detroit Tigers game with Joel and Megs! I think it was one of the hottest days of the summer and we had some good laughs-as always with joel and megs!!

We also went camping with Joel, megs, adam, lindy, and izzy! The boys got some fishin in and us girls just enjoyed the summer sun!! We camped at Little Switzerland in Newago and had the most perfect campsites!

Otherwise...throughtout the summer my dearest and best friend becky got married in July and I was her maid of honor and I also sang in her wedding so that

THELENS HOUSE

here are some pictures of our house.

i thought i would send pictures since most of you wont ever see it! this is the next best thing . i will take some of the interior and send them soon. love you all. If you DO want to come visit we would LOVE to have you!!!!!!!!!!!

THELENS

hi everyone, its the thelens. well evan is finally walking. hes so chuncky it took him awhile. Gavin has started 3rd grade and knows everyone in his class. he just did a punt , pass, kick contest and won first place!!!! he is soooo excited!! now he moves on to another one and if he wins the next one he will go to the silver dome. im sure it is only the start for us thelens and sports!!! we are excited, of course i had to cry, but so did grampa pat and gramma!! gav said he was shaking he was so nervous. bless his heart. Caden is riding his dirtbike like a mad man. we are always telling him to slow down! our days and nights are crazy busy but we love it. we just tell ourselves that all to soon we will wish our house was noisy again. i posted some pictures of cadens 3rd birthday and gavins school and his punt pass, kick.

Velderman News

Okay okay, so whoever posted the blog about noone updating, kicked me in the butt so here's our news! =)

Makayla started pre-k last week. After MUCH thought and prayer we've decided to homeschool. So far so good! I've got a great support system up here and have been given some priceless advice on how to get things going. I wouldn't normally have thought to send her to pre-k but she was very ready to learn and we thought we'd be doing more harm than good in waiting. She's very eager and has been catching on well....it's been a joy to teach her! I'm certain it will do wonders for our relationship, one that I want to be build strong so when she gets older we'll still be good buds! (the picture of her by the desk is of her first day of school!)

Cameron will be a year Oct. 8 so it's coming up quickly! He started walking a week and a half ago and every day seems to be gaining speed! He's ALL boy - it's fun to watch the differences in him than when Makayla was his age. He loves to explore and gets into everything!! It'll be time for some more safety locks here pretty soon!

Dan & I are doing wonderfully! Dan was blessed with a new work truck a month or so ago so he was pretty excited. She's a beaut!!! (at least as far as guy's thinking goes anyways!) I've just been holdin down the fort, trying to keep school going smoothly and playing with my beautiful babies!

Guess that's all for now! We love you all!

Copper Harbor

A few weeks ago we went up north to visit Stacey and Jason and then continued on to Copper Harbor where Uncle David performed one of his famous timed photographs . . . however, it was a little too far away and he didn't quite make it there! It makes me laugh every time I see it.

Family Updates!!!

Ok TerBeek family I have noticed our blogging seems to be slowing down... I am sure that new things are happening big and small every day. I think we should all try and do a family update and share something new that is happening in our lives. Good luck everyone can't wait to hear from you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENE'E !!!!

Have a great birthday precious lady !! We love you. You are amazing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE DONNA!

News from the Stickney's!

Well, for all of those who have not heard... we are expecting again!! :) We had a miraculus (sp?) conception and are excited! I don't have much time but wanted to share the news! We are due on March 6th which happens to be Cory's Dad's birthday!

Love from the Stickneys!

AUBREY JOY GARCIA

Hi all,

Jessica and Gilbert welcomed their little treasure on Friday 8/8/08 :D
She is 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 1/2 " She is beautiful of course !
I have a few pictures but I don't know how to download them yet. I'll work on it.

Love you all, Grandma Sally

Thank you Levi David!!!!

Below are a random group of pictures of our awesome trip to Norfolk to visit Levi. Aunt Sally, Luke, Uncle David and Aunt Renee all went to the Friends & Family Day on the Harry S. Truman. It is hard to show or describe the size of the ship or what a wonderful trip that we had. For more pics and videos, check out
http://www.ttt-ranch.blogspot.com/



No, this isn't a starfish, it is what is recessed into the deck of the ship so that they can anchor everything to them. The tunnel is under the ocean.

I started my own Blog!!!

Just another way to keep up with us while we are in Florida!
http://littlemisssun.blogspot.com/

The Stickneys..... :)

Hello Everyone,

Since it's been quite some time, I thought I would upload some newer images of the crazy gang I call my family! :)

Ava is 2 1/2 and Graham is now 7 months old... amazing how time flies!! These pictures were all taken in June 08.

Tina

THELENS

Hi everyone, its the thelens. its been a long time. lets see, where do i start. brent is busy at work, and with side jobs. he has been doing lots of stamping with colored concrete. so if you need some done dont forget to give us a call first. caden is almost 3. (the 24th) he is getting a new motorcycle with training wheels. he is sooooooooooo excited!! gavin is a brown berry. always outside exploring. we have a pool to so he is in it contanstly. caden is also a fish, he caught right on to the swimming thing. no swimmies or nothing. he reminds me of kurt!! evan is 14 months, not walking yet but close. my sweet baby is growing up toooo fast. Weve been spending lots of time at the cottage. its been lots of family fun! thats all for now. love to all. brenda will someone tell me how to send picutes!! i have lots but dont know how!

Note to Aunt Ruth

Pssssssssstttttt...Aunt Ruth...........email address..............you know .................-Lindy

Happy 77th Birthday Grandpa TerBeek

p.s. Grandpa is the one with the hat . . . .the guy with no hair is Jason. . . just in case you weren't sure :)

4th of july in the UP!

it was not planned, but it was so good to see joel and megan on their travels in the UP!
Thanks for visiting us! It was good to see you!

yes, i believe i am a midget!

U.S.S. Harry Truman arrival into Norfolk

Hi Family!!



I wanted to share the attached link of a video Travis did of when Levi got back from his 8 month "float/cruise" as they call it earlier this month. He's pretty talented!! Also glad Levi is back :)Thank you to all who have served and are currently serving in our miliary!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCDVCUvGYnA&feature=email



Leah

I asked Grandma if we could put this on the blog as most of us don't know her brother John very well who passed away on Thursday evening. Grandma & Grandpa were able to be there with him and his family. After talking with Uncle John's family tonight, they couldn't have been more appreciative for everything that Grandpa & Grandma have meant to them during this time that Uncle John has been sick.

Pray for Grandma as she will have a part in the services tomorrow (of course she didn't tell us that, one of the daughters did), which can't be an easy task but we know she will do it well. (if you click on the following obit, it will increase in size)

hola!

Hey fam! It's been a while again! Carlos, Andres, Paula and I are doing great in Honduras. The hot season is officially over, and the rainy season has definitely started! I have to say I was ready for the change in temp. AND we have been sleeping so well with the rains, too. Here's a quick update for us all....

Andres (9mo): WOW, he's growing so quickly...his first tooth poked through last week, and he's been hilarious with his tongue trying to figure out what's in there. Other than being a little more cranky, he didn't have any major symptoms. He's already taken his first steps, but I wouldn't say he's walking yet...he just takes 3/4 steps and then remembers that he doesn't have anything to hold on to and gets scared, its cute to watch him discover it all. His temperament is generally easy going, but he seems to be a picky eater...he likes fruits and sweet things, but does NOT like his veggies and makes sure we know it :D. He definitely knows who his favorite people are and has started to cry when we leave for work- that can be hard, but what do you do? :). He's my treasure, I can't wait for my 2mo off to spend time with him!

Carlos and Tash: We're approaching the 1yr anniversary (June 16)...overall, its been a rough year...BUT, we've grown in all areas- spiritually, emotionally...etc. We have been taking marriage classes at our church and it has been very helpful. God is so faithful and we've learned how to forgive, love and grow as a couple. We're thankful for what we've learned, but ready to put the first year behind us, too :D. Carlos is almost done with classes for the semester and is ready for vacation, as well. This semester has been kind of boring, because its a lot of repeat of stuff he's already learned. But, he's one step closer to his degree, and thats always a good thing! We're thinking 1.5yrs left. Not too bad, the end is in sight :D! I have three days left of school, and I can't wait!!! I still have to work through the end of June, but doing admin. stuff and working shorter hrs without planning and teaching, so it shouldn't be too bad. This school year has been wonderful, but we're all ready to be done (students, teachers, admin...) So far, my job description for next year is up in the air, I could be teaching or possibly moving into admin., it just depends on some developments with other teachers...I should know within the next few weeks. I'm not sure what I would like to do, so there might be some impt decisions coming up, we'll see. I realized I love baking- esp. breads and stuff like that. My weekends have become my relax/refresh time. I love getting up early on Sat mornings and playing with Andres and then making bread or cinnamon rolls or something...and I've recently discovered Amish Friendship Bread, which is YUMMY! You leave it out on the counter for 10 days adding milk, sugar and flour and letting it ferment and bubble...sounds gross, but in the end it turns out soooo good! Come on down and I'll bake for you! :D.

Paula: I'll just give you a quick update...she's doing great. She spends a lot of her weekends up at the orphanage with a close friend of hers. Its nice for all of us to have the break! Right now she's translating for a team that is installing solar panels in a school in a very poor area. I'm sure she's having a blast. Then, the team will spend a few days in Tela which is right on the Caribbean, so she'll get a little well deserved sun and relax time. She is heading home July 9, so that will be another time of transition for her...as far as I know her plans are to finish her last semester at GVSU, and then....who knows which country she'll end up in! :D.

Carlos, Andres and I found some great tickets for the summer (thank-you for praying!), which means WE'RE COMING HOME!!! :D. I'm so excited for a vacation myself. Andres and I fly out on July 10, and Carlos joins us the next day on July 11. We will spend a few days in DC with Leah, and then we'll all drive back to MI around the 14th. THEN....We'll be home until Aug. 15. YAY! I'm so excited to introduce Andres to the beach and summer in MI...not to mention some good quality time with Grammie and Grampie! I hope to see you all as well!

Thanks for praying for us, and please keep on praying! The pictures are Andres and I playing after school, and Andres playing with one of Paula's necklaces...it has been HOT, so he has spent more time in just a diaper, than in clothes ;). Love you all!

The V family and Paula :D

Greetings from Guatemala!!

Hello family!
Just thought I would update a little bit while I have the time! : )
Guatemala is awesome! : ) I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be here! My 6 week adventure is coming to a close, I only have until June 3rd until I come home! I wish I could stay here longer! (Sorry mom! ; ))

Originally I was only supposed to be here for a week, but God let all the pieces fall together for me to stay longer and get to see Tash, Paula, Andres and Carlos in Honduras as well as work here now with another organization!

My first trip here was to Chichicastenango (have fun trying to pronounce that! lol) with Res from Grand Haven to work with Ron Morin and his ministry Pray America. The week flew by, but we ministered to hundreds of people! We built three houses, helped build their new mission base--paint, plant, pray, etc. work feeding programs where we would help with the food as well as do a church service for the parents and kids. I had an amazing time there!

The Saturday that our team flew back to the States, I stayed back at the airport and was picked up by Debbie and Alvaro Flores--Grandpa/ma's friends. (It is such a blessing to reap the seeds sewn by them!) I spent the rest of the day with them, then the next morning, I took a bus from Guatemala City to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to see my family there! : ) The bus ride went surprisingly well! (not that I am complaining haha) I have to say that the bus ride was a bit of a stretch though! lol

The next ten days I spent with Tash, Paula, Andres and Carlos at their home. The first time Andres saw me he put out his arms and wanted me to hold him. That was awesome b/c I wasn't sure if he would remember me! : ) I went to Paula's church and went to the orphanage she volunteers at sometimes as well as went to the Honduran Natl. Penitentiary with Paula & some girls from the church with the only prison ministry for the 18th St. Gang. That was an amazing experience, both for being a future police officer as well as being able to hang out with them and minister!!

After Honduras, I took a bus back to Guatemala City where I stayed with Debbie and Alvaro again, then the next day met Dan Smith with Paradise Bound Ministries--based out of Hamilton--at the airport to work with him and construction groups for the US for the next month. Here, Chimaltenango) I met some incredible people!! Notably the employees of Paraiso (paradise in spanish : )). Estuardo and Hermano Jesus are amazing men of God, and it is great getting to know them. I met Hermano Jesus when I was here 2 years ago.

Last night, I got back from Bendicion. It is a very remote village by the Pacific coast--and it was very hotttttt!! lol While there, our group was fixing up an old plantation house from the 1800's for the rest of the summer teams coming to build houses here. Because the village is almost 3hours away from the current base, it was decided that teams should just stay at the village where they are building at and not waste valuable man hours driving! : ) The village is so incredible. You can feel the presence of God and I cant wait to see what is happening and what will happen in the future. I met some awesome people there, and it was great getting to spend the time getting to know them and build relationships!! It was VERY hard to say goodbye!!

However, while there we received really bad news. Estuardo and Hermano Jesus were robbed after going to a bank here in Chimal. Estuardo was shot thru the back, and the bullet took out his lung and lodged in his shoulder. HJ was beaten and the thieves got off with about US $3000. HJ is fine now, but Estuardo is still in the hospital. I ask that you all lift him and his family up in your prayers!!!!! The robbery took place right in front of his 9 year old sons school, and he witnessed the whole incident. Estuardo is paralyzed from the chest down, but stable. It is amazing to see God working though! We have been able to transfer him from a quite bad hospital to a private one which is much better!! Also, there is a Physicians Asst. from the US who was here from the team at Bendicion, and she has been able to stay and be with him and make sure that he is receiving the care he needs. Also, just today Estuardo started feeling tingling in his legs! I know that God will use this incident for His glory and that thru it all, people will be saved!

No worries though, I am fine! I am safe, healthy and cannot wait to start working with the next team that is coming tomorrow! We will be working on the new mission base being built here and landscaping.

I know this is a long novel, but I thought you would all like the update!
God Bless and keep praying!! : )
Much love,
Luke