'Lovin on Levi!

Hey fam! Levi just emailed and said he's feeling a little lonely and could use some 'lovin :(...if you get the chance he would love to receive a package, letter, or email.....thought we'd pass it along! :D....Thanks!

Address: SKSR Scott Levi D.
USS Harry S. Truman
FPO AE
09524 2875

Email: scottld@cvn75.navy.mil

Movin South!

Hi family! We just wanted to update you on some big changes coming up in the Valladares family...about a month ago International School offered Carlos and I both positions along with some great benefits...and within a few days a school in Lansing offered me a Spanish teacher position as well....SO, with all of that came some major decisions...Carlos and I prayed about everything and we both agreed that moving back to Honduras is/was the best decision for our family right now. The school is offering us housing, car, gas stipends, paid utilities, nursery for Andres at the school, insurance, roundtrip airfare, and of course our monthly salaries...AND best of all Carlos can finish his degree he has started in Tegus. Lansing was a great offer, but would require an apt, setting up house (expensive!) and Carlos would still not be able to work because of paperwork...When we move back to Honduras we'll be able to file the paperwork without the stress of NEEDING it to work right now...overall, for our new little family...this is a huge answer to prayer...

OF COURSE, I'm sad to leave my family and support system here...but I know that where God opens doors, He also provides and will take care of our needs...He is faithful!!! And...once Carlos finishes his degree (about 2yrs) we'll move back to the States...much more stable and prepared to transition to life here...Overall, for me it's a bittersweet move...I know what I'm leaving behind (ouch!)...but I also know this is the right move for us...Here are a few things I'm looking forward to in Honduras in no particular order...-weather!!! (i will NOT miss winter ;)) -Lela, our wonderful 'cleaning lady' who takes care of your house 1/2 times a week for SOOOO cheap (i'm spoiled!), Carlos' family and friends meeting Andres for the first time, -cheap, but quality pedicures (again i'm spoiled :)), -our church, Tabernaculo de Sion, -seeing my husband back in his element and doing what God created him to do (protect, provide etc...)), -stability (financial, emotional...) JUST to name a few...;) We already know the house we are going to live in (3bed, 2bath), it is right in the neighborhood where we used to live- about 5min. away from the school, and we can't wait to move our things into it that we left in Honduras when we came to Michigan...YAY! I think the hardest part will be getting us ALL out of the house on time in the mornings :D. I'll post pictures when we are settled...

Right now the plans are to travel down to DC with Leah after Christmas to spend NY's Eve there and so Carlos can see DC...and then fly out of DC on Jan. 3 or 4...we will start classes at IST on Jan. 7! ALSO, our plane tickets will be roundtrip to return to MI for the month of July!!! (one major perk with the 'teacher schedule')

THANKYOU for all of your support and prayers so far, please continue to be praying for our transition back to Honduras, especially for me...this is requiring a lot of trust on my part...and as much as I KNOW this is the best/right decision....it is still very hard...:)- Thankyou!!!

We dedicated Andres at Iglesia Vida (Life Church) in Holland (it's affiliated with Resurrection Life Church- Grandville) on Dec. 9...so here are a few pics from that, and a quick trip to Fred. Mejier Gardens to see the Christmas trees and lights....

We love you...Merry Christmas!

Tashina and Carlos :D

A long update from the lakeshore Polavin's

Hello,I am writing you today coming from a thankful place, a place where I have experienced some holy moments recently. A couple of weeks ago I was at a funeral home spending time with a family whose daughters are in YL because their Dad passed away. We hung out with the daughters, their friends there to support them, we met more of their family and community members, and we hugged. It was a holy moment, God was present, I felt at times that I should take my shoes off(I didn't don't worry) because I was standing on ground where God was present. I was at club the other night and I watched someone's heart grow and accept someone in a tender way that she would have never done at school, the safe environment and the fact that the Holy Spirit grew her heart allowed her to able to do this, holy moment. Listening to my daughter laugh and watching her crawl up into my wife's lap and giving her a hug, holy moments. I spent a few hours Sunday listening to stories from leaders about how they are spending time loving students and then participated as a community members gave them presents, told them they were valuable and prayed for them, holy moment(I actually did have my shoes off then.) I think that I have recently had eyes that see these moments, and it might have something to do with my perspective I guess, and that is another reason I am writing here today.
I have decided that this has been my last semester on young life staff. I have a heavy heart about that choice, yet it is the right decision for me. The heaviness comes from understanding that I won't get to see or hear from these folks I have come to love as often as I may like and the reality that these connections will be missed in my life. I have loved YL staff and I will miss the experiences that this job affords. However, I am leaving and feel peace and excitement about what is next for me. The details quickly are I am going to be selling color to injection molding companies. Robin has a family connection that offered me the job in passing and little did she know that she was answering a prayer I had been praying for awhile. Many of you know that we had Avary last December and before that and since I have been praying that God continue to show me how I could be a selfless father and husband. How I could step into the role of husband to a mom and father in the way God created me to fulfill that role. I felt increasingly uncomfortable in the job I had, not because I was doing it poorly, but mostly I was watching Robin's heart ache to be with Avary more and watch her sacrifice her sleep, time and health to be a great mom, hold up the financial burden of our family and still try to fulfill her other roles of family and friends. I felt like I was not being the husband God created me to be. I was trying as hard as could to take things off her plate, but what I was doing was removing things she needs to do and God created her to do. So, that left me with this ache and question of how do I remove the burdens from her that will free her up to be the woman God has so carefully crafted. This had built itself up to such a crescendo in my head and heart that when this job offer came in passing, almost joke like, that it was as if God was shouting that this is the new direction I have chosen for you, this is the path, this is your new call, so I leaped.
Now, I am full of sadness at what I am leaving in so many ways, yet I know that God doesn't need me to be on staff to do great things through me and YL south of Holland. In fact, I believe this was in His plan all along as I look back through my life, to be a community member who understands that for a ministry to thrive in a community, the community must own it and not just pay for it, whether that be a church or any ministry. So, I will be continuing to seek God's guidance in how I fit into what that looks like. I am excited about that, I am excited to learn more about myself and through other people I will meet in the course of this new job. I am worried about the transition for YL, my family and me. I am full of apprehension about this new career, stepping into the unknown is not something I have been great at. Yet, I know God is by my side and I am by His, I know my wife will be freed up to continue to blossom into whom God created her to be, I know my daughter will benefit from this, I know I will be missed(b/c those who I have told, have shared that with me.) and I know I will miss them. But, one of the beauties and struggles in life is that change is always present. So I am going to continue to adapt to this one in my life.
Quickly, we are doing well, Avary continues to amaze us and we are relearning what an adventure the world can be through her eyes, so full of wonder and curiosity. Robin's job is going well and she has worked out a great schedule so she can work from home two half days and friday every week, this has her working until 11 or midnight most nights after Avary has gone to sleep, but she gets to spend more time with Avary then. We are looking foward to the holiday season and Avary's first b-day. Love ya,
Ben
oh yeah and Tina I am honored and feel privledged to share my birthday with Graham.

The Latest Stickney Has Arrived!!

Well our precious baby Graham Maxwell Stickney has arrived!! He weighed 8lbs 2oz and was 18" long. His delivery was quite delicate and the operating room was ready for me, and a pediatrician was standing by to recitate (sp?) Graham. We and many others were praying for a normal and healthy delivery for both he and I and... he came out with great color and was crying w/in seconds!! All our delivery staff were Christians and we all celebrated his safe delivery!

Gotta go! Love you all! Tina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA JOY SPEYER!

Dan and Kim Update

Hi Fam,

I wanted to fill you all in and ask that you add your prayers to ours. Dan is in Missippi right now,Kim is at our house. Dan's Mom collapsed last week (Tues I think), anyway her breast cancer had moved to her spine and brain. She changed residences last night at 9:30. Heaven is now where she lives, and in Makayla's words, "Jesus is taking good care of MeMaw". It's really difficult for Dan and Kim to be apart during this sad time, but it just wasn't practical for them to go together, so please keep them in prayer.
Thanks so much!!
Barbara Grace

Another See ya Later...

Hello Precious Family,
I wanted to update you on the latest with our family for those of you who heard the news....and catch everyone else up on those that hadn't heard. Dan's precious Mom went to go see Jesus last night at 10:35 p.m. after a rather sudden bout with spine/brain cancer. She was only diagnosed 8 days before she passed away. Needless to say we're sad to see her leave because she was such a great Me-Maw (that's Makayla talk for Grandma), a loving mom and the best mom-in-law a girl could ask for!!! BUT Dan was able to fly down there (they live in Mississippi) and be with her before she died....he had lots of time to pray with her, cry with her, laugh with her and just "be" with her. He was alone with her when she peacefully just drifted off to see our precious Savior.
Dan is scheduled to fly back this coming Sat (the 8th) and I'm staying at mom & dad's with the kids until then. I didn't think being alone at home was such a great idea! Thank heaven for a family that just says "whatever you need, we're there" - - you guys are priceless!!!!
All your prayers are welcomed with open arms.....we love each and every one of you.

The Velderman Family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

WE ARE ALL THANKFUL FOR YOU!

hi there family, just wanted to brag alittle for brent.To all you hunters out there, he got a 10 point, its a wall mounter!!!!!!!!! hes soooooo excited. we are to. i told him there is a good spot for the head out in our garage!! it would look great there. he really doesnt like the look in our house anyway so its not a big deal, which im greatful for..caden broke his arm in 2 places, he broke it over a week ago, but we never really noticed. he really wasnt acting any different until a couple days aago, so we thought we should bring him in. the doc said hes a tough kid to not say anything for so long. anyway, he has a blue cast on for 3 weeks maybe 4. thats all for now. love brenda

May you all be blessed!

hello family,
Lindy here. Just wanted to peep in and wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving. I know I have MUCH to be thankful for. Our little family is doing great. Adam and Andy are wrapping things up for the season. This was an AWESOME summer for their company and they were truly blessed. Little Izzy is growing like a weed. She will be a year already on Dec.29. We had her dedicated on Nov.4. That afternoon she just decided since it was such a special day anyways that she was just going to make it more special and she took off walking (at 10 months), so she's tooling all over the house and now with the additional height she is into EVERYTHING! She is such a joy, always giggling and being silly. Adam and I are really enjoying the parent thing. Izzy is definately a "daddy's girl"! She can't wait to se him when he gets home from work. We just had family pictures done a few weeks ago so I'll post some of them when I figure out how to do it because they are SO cute!
Anyways, I am thankful for my family (which includes all of you) and I am thankful for my toasty little house, and mostly I am thankful to God for blessing me so graciously. Much love and blessings to you all...Lindy

hi everyone, this is the thelens! yes, we finally have the internet. our email address is brendathelen@yahoo.com or gavins is gavinthelen@yahoo.com he is always very excited to get email. lets see, not much going on here. brents been working lots of hours so im kinda single parenting. i cant complain because umemployment is just around the corner for the winter, butttt sometimes moms get tired too! yes men we are supermoms MOST of the time! evan is almost sitting up although he is fat he has a hard time. caden is busy getting potty trained. he was definateley ready. he was actually putting himself on the potty, just like big brother! so that was a clear sign he was ready! we have seen a big buck behind our house, hopefully he will give brent a good shot so we can have some jerky. brent makes the best jerky!! thats all for now. love, brenda

not sure if im doing this right, testing, testing. thelens

THE EISEN UPDATE

Hello my fellow family,

i thought i would write a little something. Eli is in school and loves it although he says it's so short so he calles it his short school. so cute. He is getting so big always helping and such a tender heart. Lily going on 14 months now and doesn't stop talking, always curious and always learning she is so precious. Jason and I are plugging away on the house HOPING to get is done soon. God has giving us LOTS of grace and patients through this season in our lives. sometimes I don't like it but in the end I see his plan. Jason has been very forgiving in the middle of my tornado's, Yes terbeek family I am still working my self control of the tongue. Well other than that not much else has been going on and everything else that has happend I'm sure you have all heard about it AND in the case if you haven't oh just drop a line and i'll be happy to talk, us girl's you know have to get our 2500 words in a day some how. Well my soon so be bundled family from the winters of michigan i shall bid you all farwell. much love the EISENS.

Correction to email address

Hello all. Jen meant to list her email as jenv@urassociation.com. :)

Mark

Soldier Christmas Project

I wanted to extend this to anyone who is interested in doing a Christmas project this year. Our family loves to find something special like this to do with our girls. Some friends and I are organizing a 'Soldier Christmas Project' to bless the soldiers in Iraq. It is similar to the shoe boxes for the kids we done in the past. We will be filling boxes and sending them to soldiers to brighten up their holiday season. I have heard so many stories of how care packages have made such a tremendous difference in soldier's lives. This project is very simple because of the strict regulations with customs and the military. All you have to do is send money and a hand written encouraging card. We will be filling the boxes. We want them all to be exactly the same to "bless" the soldiers equally. The cost is $25 / box and $9 for shipping (total of $34 for each box). So if anyone is interested, let me know. I have to have total number of boxes by November 1st and the money & card by the 10th of November. This will ensure us enough time to get the boxes to the soldiers in time for Christmas. If you are interested, either email me at jen.vanderveen@urassociation.com or call me on my cell at 616 502-1229. Thanks!!!

~ Love, Jen V

Hello Family!

The Middle Vander Veens have not fallen off the face of the earth. For months I have lost the sign in info to post a blog. I have been reading everyone's info and love it but thought it was past time to update everyone on us. Hmmmmm... where to start?

First, school is in full swing. We are LOVING it. I was very nervous about this school year. I knew that with Tori starting first grade, we now had to be serious. No more "playing school at home". I was nervous that I would go stir crazy being stuck in the "schoolroom" for hours on end. (I kind of don't like being in once place for too long-a challenge with my personality type.) But it has been amazing. We have had so much fun painting science projects, acting out history lessons, reading signs while shopping, and much more. Tori is a sponge and I love this age. I am sure it will not always be this easy but for now it is so much fun. It only takes us about 2 hours to finish school. Elli has been joining us for some of it. The first "acting" session we had was for History. We are reading through the old testament for History and read the story about Abram and Sarai when Abram lied and said Sarai was his sister. Tori & Elli ran into get their leotards and tutus on for their "play". After discussing the story, Tori stayed "beautiful dressed" for Sarai and Elli got dressed in all black to be "boyish" for Abram. Boy did they get into it! A couple of hours later, Tori was reciting the play we did word for word. It was amazing how effective it was!

Mark is great and so am I. We are going to Niagara Falls this weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Amazing how time flies! We are very excited to get away and enjoy some R & R. My coaching at the Y has been going great. It is growing so much we are very short on staff. So if you know anyone who is looking to get a free membership and can coach gymnastics, let me know. :) Tori just got her hair cut super short. It is so cute on her. She loves it. She told me that she is never growing it out again! I will post some pictures soon. We are getting professional family pictures done tonight actually. YEAH! (Mom says yeah, too... we are kind of well known for our lack of family pictures.) Kind of weird because I love pictures but the sit down, get your kids to sit still aren't so much fun. But it will be great tonight! :)

Anyways, gotta run! Love you all!

detour to the Veldermans-from Stacey

On my way back to the UP on Sunday I was able to take a little detour to Kim and Dan's to see them and Makayla and the new little one Cameron. Kim and Dan it was so great to spend a couple of hours with you and meet Cameron before the rest of your fam! (Sorry Lisa!)
Thanks for a great time.

Velderman Pictures!

Cameron Daniel Velderman

He arrived October 8 at 7:15 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs. 15 oz, 20 3/4 inches long! Quite a little peanut considering mommy was 42 weeks along!!! He's such a joy and we're all enjoying having him around. Makayla has taken a liking to her "big sister" role and is such a big help with him. Thanks for all who were thinking and praying for us - we love you!

The Veldermans

CONGRATULATIONS TIM AND ANDREA!!!!!!