47 and Counting . . .

                                                              January 20,1973

1982

1985

Mid 80's

Early 90's

1998 - Israel trip

                                                                       Mid 2000's

2003

2005

2006

2008 Workshops

2011

2012

2013

2015

2018

                                                             

2020

Through the decades God has blessed us over and over -- We've done it all together parenting, grandparenting, ministry, missions, travel, caring for parents.  Our life has been rich, full and rewarding. This man has been my lover, best friend, co-parent and pastor.  My life has been richly blessed.
-                       

From the mouths of children . . . speaking back God's verses to HIM.

There is excitement in our children's ministry corner because ten students have accepted the challenge to learn 52 verses of scripture at their own pace.  These kids have jumped in with both feet and couldn't wait to get to Sunday school and "spew" the word this morning.

At the other side of this challenge,  they are all working for rewards that are suited to their own special choice.  I reminded them that our Father gives us rewards all the time -- and for each 26 verses -- they will receive a $10 gift card to anywhere of their choice!

They are pumped and raring to go -- and we're only into the 2nd week of this challenge.  They are not in competition with anyone but themselves!!!

Our Holiday Wishes for a Happy New Year

Happy New Year!   Holiday Letters always get mailed from our house after Christmas day -- as a teacher its the first you have to set down and collect your thoughts.  

Everyone reminds us it’s a new decade – looking back over the last 10 years: 

There have been very special moments – births of all six of our beautiful grandchildren, the marriage of our son and daughter-in-law, Katie.   During these 10 years both of our kids have moved back to Oklahoma.  We attended Marshall’s graduation from fellowship at Univ of CO in June, finishing 10 years in Colorado.  We helped them move to Edmond the following week. 

We are blessed and that is something  that Terry and I say to each other every day -being able to set all our rowdy bunch at our table often is wonderful after several years of our kids living in different states.  We thrive on the chaos of it all!  This holiday we got to attend all their holiday programs and recitals!  We get to have regular sleepovers and are blessed to watch these little ones grow and develop into their own persons. We’ve come through health challenges and are stronger. God is good!

 It’s the season of passing the torch to the younger generation – our kids are hosting the holidays now- the younger leaders have emerged at the church where we have served for the past 2 decades.

We are both still teaching and enjoy preparing the next generation, though, I do have to admit keeping up with technology and current trends is a challenge at times – at the heart of it all, there are still young ones out there who need affirmation, direction and love. 

This Fall there have been losses of family members and dear friends.  Our brother-in-law, James Gilbert, passed away in October. Each day is more and more precious and our desire is to pass on the legacy of faith to the coming generations.  May 2020 be a year of PEACE, JOY and HOPE as you trust our Lord.

Scroll down and enjoy our pictures in the family journal I post -- life is moving at such a fast pace -- it helps us to remember all that is happening.  

Tis the Season . . .

 Thanksgiving we were all together in Tulsa . . . In keeping with our annual tradition, we kicked off the holiday with Wednesday brunch at the Wild Fork.  It started years ago as Bethany and I would get away for a relaxing meal (that we didn't have to cook ourselves) to kick off the weekend.  It grew every year to include more and more of us.

Throughout the day Wednesday different family members arrived.  Jim and Jan made it in ahead of Colorado storms on Monday night.  Marshall, Katie and the kids came in mid-day from Edmund and Mike Good and Tammy joined us in late afternoon.  We all enjoyed a simple meal of soup at our house Wednesday night and Holiday breakfast the next morning.

Mat smoked the turkey and each person shared their own part of the meal.

Having Mike and Tammy with us made our Thanksgiving holiday even more special.
Tammy drove them in from Springfield, MO. (She hates driving on the interstate- but got them here in great shape).  Mike is living each day to its fullest loving the Lord as he battles ALS.  Tammy is his devoted caregiver.  

Christmas came right on the heels of Thanksgiving and it all sort of blended into one long season of celebrating.   We got to see the Grands in all their Christmas programs and it was wonderful.  The season takes on a special significance from the eyes of little ones -- as Jack says, "It's about Jesus birth!"

 Sun 12/8 - Jack and Sydney sang in Redeemer Covenant's Children's choir

 Sat 12/14 Charlie and Clara's school program and Clara's Dance Recital

cl   Sun 12/15  -  Both Sydney and Campbell were in the Nutcracker and spent many hours practicing for it.   Sydney was a clown and Campbell was a mouse.  The girls did an outstanding job and loved it!

 

 Meanwhile, the 3 little guys hung out together with Uncle Mat and Aunt Bethany. 

Wed 12/18  We got to see Jack in his last preschool Christmas Program at Redeemer Covenant 

Marshall and Katie hosted Christmas week at their house with Jim and Jan Good arriving on the 22nd, Terry and I arriving Christmas Eve and Mat and Bethany and the Goodletts coming in on Christmas morning.  We were 8 adults, 6 kiddos and 4 dogs.

Up at 5:45 and ready for the morning!

Early morning Edmund - Charlie really got into the swing of it.

Edmund by 10:30

Christmas clutter and soooo many fun gifts

These four make a great team and took great care of their parents!!!  Prime Rib with all the trimmings
 Cousin Fun -- the 6  Grands loved being together and were sad when they had to say goodbye.
 

 Campbell got hair chalk and make-up for Christmas - so the gals 
played beauty shop.

Pawpaw is the "go-to" for fun and cuddles
Word is that he created "Santa Claus" by phone on Christmas Eve for the Tulsa Grands and their friends.

This little guy laughed grinned and loved every minute of his holiday.  I loved my time snuggling and holding --watching him
grow so quickly makes me hold on to him a little longer.

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