thankful

Last week an officer was shot and killed here in Colorado Springs. He worked for the city and so it wasn't directly with the guys I work with, however it did affect me. This officer was an DUI officer so when a traffic cop pulls over someone who is drunk they specifically dispatch a DUI cop out to the scene. In this specific circumstance Ken Jordan got to the scene and approached the car. I will not put in the details here. The other two officers that were on the scene shot and did not kill the suspect, however Ken Jordan died that night. Prior to this year the Colorado Springs Police Department has not had an officer die in 20 years, but we lost two guys this year.

So I got the privledge of riding in a 200 car processional on the day of the funeral service for Ken Jordan. What an amazing experience to see everyone who serves in our line of duty all come out to support this tragic event. On the way there we rode on the highway which was completely shut down so all you could see were lights on top of cars from as far as you could see in front and behind you. At the service it was amazing to see over 900 people there supporting our city and Ken Jordan and his family. At the service one of our guys came in playing the bagpipes and sending chills up and down my body. At the end of the service the military presented Ken Jordan's mother with the flag, and there is something about that moment that just gripped my heart. Sitting there watching her as she held the flag so cloesly to her chest, wishing more than anything that what she could be holding was her son. It brought tears and grief to my soul.

On the way back in the processional it was amazing. This time the highway was once again shut down, however this time each side was lined with thousands of people. Everyone from little kids waving at us, mothers crying, and retired veterans saluting us. People holding signs thanking us for our service and all the dedication we have to serve our communities day in and day out, making the a safer place to be. It brought so many emotions to my heart and spirit as we traveled among the on lookers who were just watching.

I thought to myself this is why I do what I do. This is the reason that I go out to crime scenes and serve people who are at their worst and just listen and support them. This is why I do things that I sometimes do not want to do, because God has called me to serve, love, and protect those who need help. It made me proud to be an American. It made me proud to see our community members coming out and supporting the service men and women who sacrifice their lives everyday and maybe say goodbye to husbands, wives and children and those they love every morning.

Now I do not know how to feel about the war, but today I want you to say a prayer for all those soldiers who are over seas and away from families this Christmas and over the holidays. I know that even I get lonely being on the other side of the country from my family and all those I love; and I can't imagine having to be over seas away from children and family and in their circumstances. So take a break from whatever you are doing and say a prayer for them. They sacrifice everything that we may have a safe place to come home to at night.

All this to say, today I am thankful for my freedom, my family, my car, a warm house to sleep in, all those who love me and my life. I am thankful.

Katie

Thanks to Representative VanderVeen

Dear Barbara Grace,
I wanted to post an official thank-you for your years of faithful service to God, our country, State and our family. Thank-you for giving your whole heart and soul for these past years. We appreciate the sacrifice you made on our behalf. You have served nobley and we wish to honor you for your service. You will not be forgotton. We look forward to the transition that will be occuring soon for you. You are a mighty woman of God. I am proud to call you my sister and friend. I admire and love you deeply. Donna

The world we live in

Hey Folks,
I know that we all live in this world and we have a heritage of love and joy and Christ in our lives and in this family. In my job and in all of yours as well I am sure that you witness on a daily basis the Sin that runs wild in our world. As we speak here and share I believe that we are speaking of the kingdom coming, as in heaven here on earth. What I am speaking of is we as disciples of Christ know that our future is sound, and the blessing that is, yet I love that fact that we remember that our passion is to bring pieces of God's kingdom here to earth. Grandpa you asked me to share what Summit meant to me, I have struggled with that question, I don't know why, maybe it is because I was more interested in the mountains, caves and cliffs around than I was in the classroom and lectures. But I think that I just realized recently that growing up I knew that Jesus was in my heart, as in the emotions I felt I conected to him, but there was a disconnect between that and my thoughts, my ideas and sometimes my actions. Summit was the beginning, or another stop in a long journey to understand that my relationship with Jesus was not something I could compartmentalize.
I sat in church this morning and our pastor talked of God touching Mary's womb and Jesus growing inside of her. You, whom have been pregnant can understand this much better than I, but as I have watched Robin's world revolve around this pregnancy, how it effects everything, it made sense that my life needs to revolve around God. I spend most days living in this word where, like the men of old and ptolemy's theory of the universe revolving around earth, everyone's first thought is 'me', how do we continue to unlearn these habits and messages that are being thrown at us. Now I have known this message but it continues to sink in. I am mentoring a couple of guys right now, and one of them recently asked me how I make desecions. I thought of the quick answer, the sunday school answer, but I heard a small voice whispering in my head telling me to really comtemplate this and answer as honest as I could. I told him the truth, which is there are many different ways and factors that I include when I make a desecion, then I told him I know a man who makes choices in God's will, who has made choices the world might have thought foolish, or maybe even his family at times(I am not aware of them, maybe someone from between our generations Grandpa), I told him that I aspired to live my life like that, and if he wanted to know how to make decesions, this is how he should make them.
This is getting long but I started writting this to tell you all about something I have heard about it is called postsecret, a guy sent out a ton of postcards and asked people to write their secrets on them and send them back to him. He is posting them on the web, the site is called postsecret.blogspt.com, I have been so touched by the pain and the hurt that haunts our world and my hope and prayer is that for us who have been given much, much is (I know the word here is expected but I am changing it.) desired. I have seen the effect a smile can have on a soul, much less a listening ear and caring embrace. We are just clay pots and the message is what we know and carry inside but let's paint our pots and smile at the folks around us, and as we make decesions based on our Father and his Word, our actions will continue to set us apart and God will give us oppurtunities to love those around us to Him.
"He came to that which was his own but his own did not receive him. Yet to those who did he gave the right to become children of God,"
In Christ,
Ben

Pictures

So, I guess I did something wrong with the pics....let's try this again :). Under the cows is a picture of Lago Yohoa, one of the only lakes in Honduras...it's about 3-4hrs outside of Tegus, where I live. The next pic is of a restaurant in Copan we ate breakfast at...I loved the colors! And the last photo is a glimpse of the Mayan ruins we saw in Copan...enjoy! Love you!
Tash

Driving update

Thankyou to all who prayed over Thanksgiving for my driving adventure...it was an adventure :P! I had so much fun...and would do it all over again. Tracy came in on Nov. 20 and after school I picked up the car and they showed me all of the things I would need to know...including where the deactivating button for the alarm was :) (I would really need to know this later- hee hee) So I picked Tracy up from the airport and as we are driving away the alarm begins to beep telling you have a few seconds to push the deactivating button. WELL, I can't find the button...a few seconds go by...then a minute...and I'm starting to panic a bit because if I can't find this button the car will automatically shut down. I finally pull off to the side of the road (a busy road) to better concentrate...and just as I pull off the car shuts down (this is all within an hour of having the car :)) and the alarm starts going off full force. We're talking crazy loud sirens, beeps, and flashing lights. And I still can't find the button to deactivate it. I get on my cell phone and call the rental place and we shout at each other over the noise of the car to figure out how to turn the alarm off. Still nothing is working. They graciously tell me to wait (as if I was going to go somewhere...:)) and they would come over to where I'm at (at least a half hour drive). SO...no kidding, Tracy and I sit in this beeping, flashing car on the side of a busy Honduran highway for AT LEAST a half hour...all the while I'm pushing buttons from every angle...trying to figure this out. Finally, very randomly I push two different buttons at the same time and the alarm turns off. I quickly call the rental place to tell the guy to go back...and we drive home incident free. BUT...oh how funny, Tracy's first few minutes in Honduras are spent prisoned in a car with the alarm stuck on. Very memorable.

Then....the next day we head out for Copan...a tiny city very close to the Guatemalan border where some of the best Mayan ruins are at. I do get a little lost about half way there...but that all worked out no problem. We spend 2 days at the ruins, which was very interesting and enjoyable (although cold...we were in fleeces/hats/and wool socks :)) Then comes the drive home...It is a beautiful drive...although mostly through moutains...so I'm going up and down and passing on blind curves- doing everything very safely of course...;)...anyway, we get to one of the only straightaways...and remember, I'm not going very fast 60ish...and I see something dart out in front of me towards the left. I swerve and just hit a stray dog on the right hand side of the car. Oh, how awful I felt. Now, please understand this was a stray dog...and there are dogs all over the place here...so it wasn't someone's best friend....but STILL I felt horrible. AND THEN...when we stopped I had cracked the front bumper slightly, which of course I had to pay extra for...BUT, we got home safely and we definitely made some memories in the process :). So those were some of my adventures while driving in Honduras :).

The rest of the time we spent around Tegus doing some short day trips (using public transportation :)) It was so wonderful to have someone from home here...it's just so nice to share my world that I love so much.

School is going very well, I can't wait for Christmas Break, as I'm sure all my students feel the same way :). I'm done on Dec. 15 and I don't have to go back until Jan. 8...AND Paula flies in on Dec. 18- I'm not sure what we'll do, perhaps travel, perhaps hang around here...but either way, I can't to see her! AND...Leah just emailed and said she's going to fly down in Jan for a week and a half...YAY...both of my sisters in Honduras with me...I can't wait! (Mom and Dad...you better be next ;)) There's nothing like sisters!

I do have another prayer request before I end this novel of a post :)...I am praying about whether to stay in Honduras another year, or to pursue something else in the States. Over Christmas I hope to take some significant time and pray and fast about my decision, but I would really appreciate/need your prayers as well. As of right now I want to stay...but not necessarily at the school I'm at (International School or IST). There are some circumstances and situations that I want to separate myself from at the school, but I would still love to stay in Honduras. I love teaching, and teaching here, I love the country, language, and people...I'm just not sure about where God wants me next year. I have been getting more and more involved at my church- and I feel like I'm growing spiritually here, I have wonderful friends etc. SO...other than my amazing family back home, I don't have a lot drawing me back, in fact I feel as if I have more keeping me here. AND THEN....let's throw the monkey wrench of money into the situation...I do have school loans that are coming up, so I really need to be making more money than I am now...but I would hate to have money be the sole reason I come back (although a very legit reason). Yet, I want to be wise as well about my decision. So...I say all that to sort of explain the position I'm in and to ask for you to pray for me to have wisdom and guidance. More than anything else I want to obey God, and I know He'll provide for my needs...but I still just want to know I'm listening and hearing His voice....and then obeying. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!

I love you all, and hopefully these pictures from vacation will post too! The cow picture is when we had to completely stop to allow a herd of cows to pass around us...I felt like I was parting the Red Sea....except instead of water we were surrounded by cattle. Gotta love Honduras :).
Tash!

P.S. Grandma...your package was amazing! I shared some M&M's with my 9th graders...they love you :)! I told them it was my first Christmas present :)- Thankyou!

Thanks Katie!

I just asked for addresses of far away family. Katie had such a great idea and I wanted to ask anyone who does live far away to post a picture of yourself. (If possible!) What an awesome idea. I have learned in my study that long term memory is obtained through an emotional connection. What better way to "emotionally" connect with geography than seeing a picture of family living far away. If anyone can do this, it would be such a blessing! Thanks Katie!

Greetings from the Vander Veens...

I am sending a request out to the non-Michigan members of the family. I want to get a list with addresses of all the family members who are far away. We are doing a lot of geography with Tori in school right now. So I thought I would show her on the map where all you guys are. I know some of them... especially the ones who blog. But I know that I do not know everyone. So if anyone could help that would be great! Have a blessed day!

Hi from Nick and Barb

Hi everybody, Nick here
We just got back on Mondaay night from visiting Brad's family in Tennessee. We had a great time and always we realize how much we miss them. We left on Thursday at 7PM because Barb had Session and didn't get home until 6:30. We wanted to get out and on the road before the snow fell so we traveled all night and got in Clarksville at 5:30 AM. It rained hard and was very windy all night. Needless to say it was not a pleasant trip. But seeing the kids made it all worthwhile. Saturday we all went to Nashville to the Opryland Mall and did some Christmas shopping and had some dinner at the Opryland Hotel. On Sunday we went to their church which is so much a blessing for them and for us too. Mariah and Hailee now play the guitar and violin respectively and played at a Historic Mansion overlooking the river. Every room had it's own Christmas tree and there was food and music and dancing ( 2 step - Tennessee style ). It was lots of fun and we were so proud of our grandkids. Derek is still very involved in Tae Quan Do and he makes it look easy. I don't know why but my leg can't even come close to the way his leg can kick. Derek is growing like a weed. He now stands at 5'3" or very close to it. He does a considerable good job of arm wrestling his grampa's bad arm which is getting to be pretty good. Brad is nearly done with his current job as his replacement will be taking over after the holidays. He will work until the end of March and then apply his 90 leave days he has accumulated. He will be discharged by the end of June. I just realized that maybe Brad should be telling you all this but I guess he will write you himself with updates. The weather was cold but sunny and now we are home in the gloom and snow again. Barb still needs your prayers as she has no job after December is over. God's timing is always perfect but it rarely coincides with mine so I tend to get a bit nervous at times. Great to here all the news around the world from the family. Blessings to all, Nick

Out in the sticks with the Sticks! : )

This is Tina Stickney here, I don 't have much time but wanted you all to see some recent photos.

Ava got in the dryer herself, put the underware on her head herself...got into the turny cabinet herself...: ) She is such a ham!!!! Cory wasn't joking when he said she is the other comedian in the family!

Here is Cory with his 2nd 7 point buck this season and a photo of the three of us this past October! We just need three more kids..a couple horses... some chickens and you can't forget the cows - then the picture will look more complete! : ) heheheheee...

I can't wait until I have more time to blog..because God is doing some incredible things! But I'll have to tell you later!

Love you all! Teeners!

news from luke....

Hey everyone! This is Luke, Grandpa yelled at me for not posting before, so I thought I would comply... ;) Well, I am 18 and a senior at Allendale High Schoool. I am almost done, I graduate May 31, 2007, only 176 more days!!! (Yes, I'm counting haha ) The last grandchild to graduate! Hard to imagine, lol. Here is one of my senior pics. I will keep everyone posted on when my open house is!

I have been accepted to GVSU for next fall, and will hopefully be getting a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science, and a minor in Spanish. I want to be an FBI Agent, but will first probably become a police officer for a few years before I apply to the Academy at Quantico, VA. I currently am taking two classes at GVSU for Dual Enrollment: Ethics 102 and Biology 105. Both are pretty good, and I am passing both of them ; )

This is the last year I will be in Science Olympiad (obviously) and after last years 6th place finish at State and Class B State Champions (We were the best Class B school in the whole state of MI) we are aiming for top 3 at State this year. I am in:
Remote Sensing-- analyzing satellite photography and maps and interpreting them and their causes/effects
Food Science-- studying foods and their properties: lipids, carbs, protein, etc. and molecular compunds/ amino acids, a bit of chemistry....not my fav : ) lol
Scrambler-- building a vehicle/device that will travel a certain distance while carrying an egg and get the closest to that distance w/o breaking the egg. Whoever gets the closest and is the straightest, w/o breaking the egg wins.

I recently got a new job at Bono's Pit BBQ in Allendale, I am the dishwasher boy and do a little prep cooking too. Meeting some new friends there and having a little fun! ; )

I am going to Res in GH and having a lot of fun there. I have some AWESOME friends there, and I am a leader in the Youth Group.

I am spending most of my time working, hanging out with friends, youth, and SLEEPING! : )

Well, love you all and talk to ya'll soon!
-Luke

Snow & Christmas Cookies...Nothin Better!

Hello Again! After Aunt Renee's post I thought I'd send you a picture of the snow. That was taken yesterday....we've gotten quite a bit more since then already. Although I spent some time this morning shoveling off the deck..that's always quite a chore when the snow is that deep! The whole time I'm shoveling I'm thinking "Great! I'm just making it easier for the squirrels to get at the bird food!" For those of you I haven't complained to yet....we've got a SERIOUS bunch of squirrels that are bound and determined to eat all our bird food. Can't tell ya the last time I've seen a bird but my heavens we can't keep the squirrels away. I keep saying the bird feeder is my squirrel feeder and quite honestly I told Dan I've given up on trying to scare them off. It was a full-time job standing at the slider door scaring them away. (not kidding!!) Dan's going to get me a little pellet gun to pick 'em off with - not killing them hopefully just scaring them enough that they won't come back. I have my doubts if it'll work...they've gotten so brave that now I've even had "stare offs" literally face to face with them before they finally give up and scurry away.
YIKES....apparently I'm a little bitter about the squirrels 'eh?!? =) Anyhow Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jon came to visit this past weekend. What a nice time we had visiting and eating! =) Hopefully they'll come again in the spring and then the boys can get some fishing in while us girls hit the outdoors! Love, love love my family.....it's fun getting time with everyone as they come visit!!
Last night we decorated Christmas cookies - Makayla got through about 2 before she decided eating was the better way to go instead of decorating! So cute though and Dan humored me as I like to do "christmas things" this time of year.
Had my first experience snow blowing the driveway last night. Bless his heart....Dan so graciously stood by and watched even though I KNOW it was killing him cuzz I wasn't doing it just right!! He was a trooper though and smart, it's defintely to his advantage to let me learn the new snow-blower so when he gets home at night it'll be all done! =) It only got a little crazy once as I forgot which handle does what and got a little too close to Dan's truck (which, by the way, was parked INSIDE the garage!). That incident got a little dirty look but HEY - I finally got 'er figured out I think!
Love you all - enjoy this time of year. So much to be thankful for...

Kim

Happy Birthday Andrea and other family news!

Happy Snowy Day! We have had a nice day celebrating Andrea Joy's 21st Birthday (it is officially on Monday) and hiking back to cut down a Christmas tree. It certainly was perfect tree-getting weather! We missed you Stacey, Jason, Grandpa & Grandma TerBeek and Meghan.

On Friday David, Renee and Ross were up in Traverse City for orientation for Ross who will be moving around January 13 to attend school at Northwestern Michigan College where he will get his pilot's license. Sorry Kimberly . . . .we had all the intentions in the world of calling you when we were up there, but as you know, hokey pete, it was quite the blizzard and we headed home as soon as we were done. I'm not sure this picture does it justice but just ask Kim, it was quite the day!

Have a good week. aunt renee

just checkin' in...

When I shut Jesus out of my consciousness by looking the other way, the icy finger of agnosticism touches my heart. My agnosticism does not consist in the denial of a personal God; it is unbelief growing like lichen from my inattention to the sacred prsence. The way I spend my time and money and the way I interact with others routinely testifies to the degree of my awareness or unawareness.

With the passing of years I am growing more convinced that the discipline of awareness of the present risenness of Jesus is intimately linked to the recovery of passion.

Lord Jesus, Teach me to weigh and measure the things I allow in my life, keeping only those that have eternal value. Amen.

B. Manning

Thoughts from the westside... Love, Jenny

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I was reflecting on you today because of your special day. So I wanted to post a thank you blog! You are such a blessing to me and I am sure you don't even know it. When I was 16, my grandma passed away. She was my mom's mom and I was very close to her. I am not really close to my other grandparents. Although many don't know it, losing her left a hole in my life. The role a grandparent plays in a person's life is so special. There have been times where you have just walked up and rubbed my back or encouraged me in my parenting or just gave me a hug. It touched me in a way I can not explain. You have such a sweet spirit and I am so thankful for you. So just know that there are so many that you have touched just by being you. Thank you for your years of service for the Lord and the legacy you have left! We all love you very much!

Love, Jen V.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!!

We love you and are glad you are our grandma!

Have a great day!

Sick of Being Selfish

Hello Amazing Family-
Its Lisa Vander Veen here! Sometime's known as Liser-Bageser! (pronounced Lee-ser-Bah-gee-ser) And for those of you that don't know that is just one of the names Kurt has given me...he even wrote a song to go along with it!! Ask him to sing it for you sometime :) Let me tell you...we have a very fun, interesting, and silly house. But we have so much fun together!
I absolutly LOVE being married to Kurt! He is such an amazing Godly man and he has taught me so much! And for that I have to thank God, G & G TerBeek, and of course Mom and Dad! Kurt truly is my other half! He is such a warrior, and at the same time he has such a sensative and peacful spirit! I love that I can laugh and cry with him! Sorry to carry on...I am just so proud of my husband and I want everyone in this family to know what an amazing man he is!
So a little bit about me...I am still working as an RN at St. Mary's in Labor and Delivery but I have also started working at an OBGYN office a couple of days a week. It is good to have a little variety because I was getting burnt out before waking up at 5 am everyday! I have recently joined the choir at our church, Res Life (in grandville) and I absolutly love it! It is a spiritual gift of mine that has been sitting on the shelf and collecting dust...so I thought that is was time to use it again! I can't explain the closeness I feel to God when Im singing on that stage...it gives me chills everytime! And another excited bonus is that we are singing with Point of Grace for a Christmas concert on Dec. 14 at our church...You should all come! Other than that I enjoy spending time Kurt, working out, organzing (I know Im wierd), and my new found hobby, is reading!! I used to hate it but I am loving it and learning so much!
Sorry to carry on but I thought I should explain my title to this blog. I feel like I have been blessed by reading everyone else's blogs and I kept saying "I should really post something sometime" and then procrastinated. Well, after I read Kim's last entry, God told me to stop being selfish. So I just wanted to tell you all how much you mean to me!
I just feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing family! I feel like this blog is a "safezone" and you could share anything and not be judged but rather have the loving support and prayers from this family. Thank you again Stac for setting this up! This family is an army and many of you have proved that nothing will stop us! At times I feel like an infant in my spirital walk with God...only begining to crawl and take those first steps. But there are so many people in this family that I respect and that I am learning from and I know I am growing everyday! THANK YOU!! So My Dream...(this is kinda scary because now I will be held accountable for what I say) I strive to be a Godly woman that will make a difference in this world. I want people see me and say "wow...there is something positivly different about her." I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman! I want Freedom for Kurt and I so that we can in turn give hope and freedom to others. I want to hear God and have the faith and strength to follow through with what He tells me. I want to be a strong women and yet I always want to be in submission with my husband. I want Kurt to be as proud of me as I am of him! Whatever I do, I want to do it for the Glory of God!
I am so sorry that I rambled on so long....I hope that I didn't bore you to much. I just felt like it was my time to share a little of my heart! I love you all and I am so thankful for you!
Many Blessings,
Lis

A time to reflect....

Hello precious family! I'm having what I'd like to call a "thankful" day today. Every day is a thankful day but these days are different. I'm finding myself more and more - opening the door to all the emotional things I went through when battling my leukemia. It's one of those things that people tell you will happen and you just sortof brush it off. Well....it's been hitting me a little harder and honestly, I'm grateful. I guess it makes sense, when you're going through the treatments you need all your energy to focus on making in through one day at a time. You sortof "brush off" the emotional stuff because you don't have the energy to think about it. That all comes later on..so.....I'd like to just share with you a little bit of my heart, sit tight it may be a little lengthy. =)
When you have an experience that turns your secure world inside out it does something to you on the inside. Almost as if a little part of you has died and a new piece has replaced it with something even better. My experience first and foremost has taught me what a MIGHTY God we serve. I have an attitude of praise every time I'm reminded of all he's done. Not only for me, but for my whole family as well. I can't begin to tell you how often Dan and I reflect on the the love that Jesus has shown in such a powerful way. And he's shown it through my precious family....so thank you again for being obdient and showing His love in everyday ways. You truely are an amazing group of people!
I do sometimes have feelings of "why did this happen" - but mostly those thoughts come when I get the feeling once again, that God has called me to help others through my experience. I always have said that I'm grateful for my journey, as strange as that sounds, because without it Jesus couldn't have shown Himself to me the way He did. That verse Psalm 91:14-16 is so very special to me because it PROMISES that when we call on Him, He will rescue us. Period. I think of how He's taught to trust Him like I never have before. There's "I trust Jesus" and then there's "With my LIFE I trust my saviour"!!! Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross so my life would be saved, so my sickness would be healed, so my faith would be restored!

I admit I get angry sometimes when I think of all I had to "give up" while being the hospital or recouping from all the treatments. I remember thinking things were never going to the same. And they're not - and I'm so glad. I have scars on my arms from the PIC line - and ya know what? I hope they stay forever because they remind me of where I was and where I am now and that's a powerful thing.
I remember people saying they would pray that I'd "forget" but the truth is there are certain things I want to remain because they've made who I am today. And who I'll be tomorrow.
I want to encourage each of you today - don't wait until tomorrow or next week when you're not so busy - to give your TIME to the ones who really matter. The family you have right beside you. Those are the things that are important...everything else is just "stuff". Treasure those special times, even if they are a little hectic, when you're with the ones you love. It's the little things in life that mean the most - take that to heart. Be who God wants you to be TODAY - don't wait!!!
You are all so very very precious and I'm thankful for each and every one of you!
Much Love, Kim

Hi All,

Aunt Sally here :) That wasn't so hard. I have been reading all the postings regularly but this is the first time I tried to actually post something myself.
I did figure out how to leave a few comments too. This is great!
Don't have any significant news really, just wanted to see if I could get on. I am sure Ben will post the baby news as soon as there is some :)
Should be soon. Anytime between now and Christmas.
Paul and Anne and Hunter are taking a cruise Dec 9-15, Hunter's first family vacation. Should be fun. He is in the young fives program at school so he won't miss too much.
Michael and I are going to Costa Rica for the company trip this year :)
Should be fun also.
Feb 5-9, Ruth and I are going to go down to Venice, Florida to visit Dad and Mom and bunk out with them at the condo.
February will be a traveling month for me this year :)
Okay, I didn't plan to go on this long. Have to go pick up Hunter at school. Signing off. love you all Aunt Sally

happy thanksgiving

To everyone out there. I hope all have a blessed Thanksgiving whether those of us get to be with family or without. I love you all and am so thankful for our family.

love katie

Our Little Miracle... Elaina Grace (or Elli)

As I was posting the other picture of our girls, the Lord told me that it was time to tell little Elli's miraculous story. To be honest, it has been hard for me to look back at pictures. Most of all, I have struggled with feeling unbelievably vain but the truth is that it is always hard for any mommy to have anything be wrong with their baby. OK - let me catch up anyone who doesn't know about Elli. When she was born, she had a small area that had a lack of pigmentation. We didn't really think a whole lot about it. To be honest, I could barely see it. Then when she was about two months old, red dots started to appear on both cheeks just in front of her ears. I took her into the doctor who had no idea what it was. She did nothing. Finally after her four month check up, the right side starting growing puffy. That was when I took charge. I made my doctor refer us to a dermatologist. He then referred us to a specialist. She ended up having hemangiomas. They are simply extra blood vessels that grow for 2-3 years then regress and reabsorb into the body. They can last from anywhere to 4 to 15 years, but usually go away completely on their own. The complication with hers was that she had them in front of her ear and on her lip. It was possible that she also had them on her voice box. That could be dangerous if it began growing puffy. It could block off her breathing. She then had to go under two different times, one to have a scope which was not very clear. The second time she had to have an MRI. She did have one on her voice box but it was only a red staining, not any puffiness. Thank you Lord. When she was about nine months, the Lord told me she would be healed without a blemish remaining. The six months was a kind of rough to walk through. I knew that Jesus could heal her. I had many people lay hands on her, but really didn't see a whole lot of improvement. Satan kept trying to tell me it was because "I didn't have enough faith". But we knew that was a lie. During those months, God really gave me a revelation of His power and my faith really did grow strong. He showed me that sometimes a mommy needs to be like a momma bear. I knew that once I asked for healing, it was done. But I felt God wanted me to battle the lies Satan was trying to plant. So evey day I would lay hands on her and thank Jesus that she was healed. There were times that I literally felt it shrink under my fingers. What an awesome miracle. Now, it is almost completely gone. The really cool thing is that "normally" the reabsorbing would just be starting. So God is amazing. I think through it all the biggest thing I learned is to just be honest with God. Elli was really not in any physical danger. So I felt "melodramatic" and vain struggling so much when others have much worse situations. But once I could open up to the Lord and tell him that I was hurting for her, he then could come in and heal my heart. Besides, it is not vain to want our little girls to feel lovely. After all, that is what he created them to feel. The pictures are in order. The green PJs in when she is almost a year old. The blue shirt is at a year and a half. The next one is at her two year birthday party. The most recent one with Kayla and Tori was a few weeks ago at the capital. That one really shows that the lumpiness is basically gone. She has some marks still but the doctor told us that would go away last. Thank you Jesus!