Hello Family

Hello everyone!! Well greeting from Norfolk, Va.
Well I have been informed by my mother that everone has been interested in how I was doing and would like an update. So here it goes. I am currently in the security division onboard the Harry S. Truman and I actually like it better than I do my normal division. In my normal division I carry boxes do a lot of paperwork. The hours aren't too bad for security. I usually work 12-13 hours a day. Long days but I am on a 5 and 2 sechedule. So one week I work 5 days and then next week I work 2. We recently got done with our sea trials and I loved it. We ended up going about 150-200 miles out to sea going around in some circles and then coming back a couple of days later.
Well in the future of my boat/ship we will be out to sea getting qualified in everything to become a battle ready ship for the majority of 2007. I am looking foward to that very much. Not being gone for so long but being able to travel to places like Africa, Brazil, Italy and many others (hopefully).
I am coming home on leave from the 30th through the 7th. Honestly it will be a big relief to be home and see family again. There is nothing like your loving support and encouragement.
That is all for now if anyone has any questions feel free to email me at scottld@truman.navy.mil , keep in mind there are some questions that I may not be able to answer ie. when we are going out to sea again. I love you all and can't wait to be home to see you all again.
Levi

Fearfully and wonderfully made

How amazing is that experince, I know so many of you have had this experience, what a miracle. We had Avary Ann on Dec 26th by C-section, she was 8 lbs on the money, she was 20.5 inches long. She is beautiful, beyond words. Our precious baby girl, we already love her so much.

~Feliz Navidad~

This is Paula and Tashina saying Merry Christmas from Honduras...we celebrated a little early (we all know Paula is SO impatient ;)) no, but really...we have plans to spend Christmas Eve and Day with Tashina's pastor's family...and Paula got Tash a sweet red purse to use for Christmas anyway :). Here are a few pictures of a "Honduran Christmas" for you! We love you all and miss you so much! Be blessed this Christmas with whomever you are spending the day with! Mom and Dad...we'll call, and we love you! Here are some pics of us sharing our Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

Tash and Paula

Just saying hello and Merry Christmas

Dear family,

Merry Christmas from California. I've been here for 7 months, and I've seen a lot, learned a lot, grown a lot--guess that's life. I have vacation for 11 days, and I was going to go to Colorado to ski and be with my friends and people I consider family in that region, but circumstances are such with my current job that I felt it better to stay in the area and look for my next opportunity. I gave my company an opportunity to keep me, but they could not offer a raise without having to offer raises across the board, which would be healthy for the organization--turn over is 100% every year. So, I let them know I would stay with them until they could find a replacement. They have found her and as of the turn of the year she will be coming in to work with me for a few weeks. This is a good move for all involved. I am not afraid, but excited. Many things can transition in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to something new, better pay, and the opportunity to perhaps learn something new.

California, as I look back on 2006, has been good for me in many ways. I've been in MI, CO, and CA this year. This is the longest I've been in one area for almost three years now. I'm very, very happy to stabilize. I feel my heart constrict, expand, weep and settle--shaking off old things to come into something richer, the hues of these colors are not as vibrant as the primary colors of the adventures of the past three years, but they are deep and good and fulfilling.

I have loved someone deeply and lost him, and that has taken a toll on my heart. But he was wise in his decision to move forward, given our differences in perspective. Roree is an exceptional person. I am more...for having known him. I have found a good church and a good Bible study. I am slowly making friends that will mean something to me for a lifetime, not just acquaintences that are here today and gone tomorrow. I love San Diego for the most part. There are some people and some places in this metropolitian area that are so cold and heartless, and I found myself floundering in the culture. But then the Lord kindly directed me to some different areas of the city, different pockets of culture, families and churches and organizations that care. It blessed me and encouraged my heart. I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be, but finding my way in this city is and has been tough. There are a lot of transient folks that come in and out, and when you live that way...as I have for a long while...it creates this cultivated detachement that makes people cold sometimes, unable to be transparent and open and invest in others. I've had to really step back from myself a few times and ask Christ to keep my heart soft.

I find that's where I am these days...hopeful, prayerful, watchful--that my heart would stay open, soft and feminine. Pray for me in the next few weeks please, as I would truly, truly appreciate a gentle shift into something better vocationally. I need the Lord's guidence and ability to open doors for me. I would really like to be married as well, so if you would pray for me this year to meet a good man, a godly man, an attractive man who finds me beautiful and I find him the same in return, a man who loves me and loves this deep heart I've been given... I would really appreciate the combined efforts of my people. I know you pray. I'd like to have children. I'd like to grow old with someone. I'd like to have a home. I'd like to have something normal and good even if it is hard. I pray for something ordinary and magical. God can do that.

I love all of you. I know I don't post things often, but that doesn't mean I don't think of all of you. I do, and I'm grateful to be from such a great family. If any of the cousin's reading this have a myspace account visit me, join my friends list: www.myspace.com/js7887.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jenny

My First Go At This New Technology

Hello all,
This is Lindy TerBeek speaking, and forgive me if this does not go so well for me, it is my first time ever "blogging " before. I never quite understood what it all meant but I seem to be getting the hang of it. It was fun logging on and hearing from everyone and seeing pictures from those of you in other places. It gives me a warm fuzzy to hear whats going on in other peoples lives.(sigh,smile)
So I just wanted to update you all a little on the life of Adam and myself. If you haven't heard, which I am sure most of you have, in September we sold our little house in Wyoming (with much relief) and picked up and moved out to the beloved country back to our roots. (AHHHHH) fresh country air (cow manure and corn) I love it. I had to laugh because not long after we moved to the country Adam called me at work one night and said he had all the windows open in the house for "fresh air"...the farm down the street was spreading manure in the fields across the street. I know what your thinking, that is not fresh...well, coming from car exhaust fumes and city smells it is actually quite refreshing. We moved to a house on one acre our in Beaverdam, which for those of you that are not familiar with the area it is located directly between Hudsonville and Zeeland just off Chicago drive a little jaunt. Beaverdam consists of a fire barn, a church a somewhat well known ice cream parlor.
We are loving it there, us and our adopted "wild cat" we seem to have inherited from the former owners. I say "wild" because the people we purchased the house from said they weren't taking it with them because it was "wild" well, if you call wild laying in the middle of our living room floor the day we moved in because it walked in the open door and made itself at home and the fact that the thing is rubbing so hard on your legs the minute you step out the front door, then yes, perhaps it is wild. She's a good mouser though, so I have given her the name "DeCon".
On other fronts most of you probably know that I am very much with child right now. My official due date is Dec. 30, however, becacause of some insurance issues with my job if I do not have this baby by Dec.28 I am going to be induced before the year is out. I am hoping to go naturally so if I could ask fr all you prayer warriors to go into action and pray I go naturally before that, that would be greatly appreciated. I had a wonderful pregnancy, after a long and rocky start trying to get there, but alas we did get pregnant and after the few months (women are right, you do forget the horrible parts) of all day long nausea and vomiting..I can't complain, I have felt great! We don't know what we are having as the little tyke is quite a modest sort and would not uncross their legs for our ultrasound so we are up for a surprise! We will let you all know whats up asap.
Adam is doing great. Being a wonderful husband and trying to help out as much as his busy schedule allows. He is so excited to be a daddy although, for some reason the baby likes to kick him very hard everytime he trys to rub my belly. I think this kid is going to be very active like his/her daddy. I tell adam sometimes I envision the baby in there riding the placenta and using the umbilical cord as a lasso like its bull riding, because thats how wild it gets sometimes.
Well, I suppose I better run...I hope this finds you all well. Have a very blessed Christmas, thanks for listen'in.
Lindy

HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY

JASON SHRONTZ!!!

You'll laugh your guts out!

Hey you guys!

You gotta see this... http://xmas.daileyads.com/

It is so funny! (click on the link or copy and paste it into your browser/address line) :) That was for grampa and grandma and all you OLD people out there....especially Gramps though because...we all know he's a big faker! :)

Love to all. O.G.I.G.
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!

Jenny

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