Compass Rose

The other day I sorted through some older e-mails and I found this picture, it was taken a few weeks before Chris got sick.  A group a ladies travel around the country and they volunteer to paint the compass rose at different airports.  On this day they painted the compass rose at the Richard Downing Airport in Coshocton, OH.  The ladies asked for volunteers who might want to help with painting.  At the far right are Chris and Caleb.  Just next to Chris is Dave, the one who sent the picture to me and he is now the one who mentors Caleb on Thursdays at MMS.  I have to admit that I had to fight back tears when I saw this again.  I marvel at the fact that even though the Lord allowed Caleb's father to be taken from his life, he HAS provided someone else to step in and provide some encouragement as he grows into manhood.  Again, I thank you Dave, for allowing the Lord to use you in Chris' son's life.   

Children's Christmas Musical

This past fall two ladies at our church started working with the children for our traditional children's musical, which is performed the Sunday evening before Christmas.  Kristine and Sandi worked most Sunday evenings for over and hour to get the children familiar with the music and ready for the performance.  Thank you ladies for all your hard work and dedication and making it all come together.  What a blessing to hear children singing about the Lord Jesus.

The story line of the play involved a spelling bee.  The contestants were given a name of Jesus to spell, if the got it correct they advanced to the next round.  Here are Lydia and Chase.  Chase was the judge and told the children if they had spelled the word right--and if they didn't what part they would get in the Christmas pageant.  Lydia was the pronouncer and she gave the children their words to spell...I think I can give a totally unbiased opinion and say that she did a fantastic job!!  : )

Here is JoAnna as Bella McDoubt trying to think of the correct spelling for the word "lamb".  After asking for a song she perked up and confidently spelled L-A-M-E.  Her bubble was quickly burst and she was given the part of a shepherd girl.

This is Elizabeth as Beatrice B. Beesley...she buzzed around the stage showing off her beautiful yellow and black stripes.  She stayed in the bee one round and misspelled her 2nd word and was given the part of an angel.

Here Lydia and Kennedy are arguing about which of the final two contestants spelled the name "Emmanuel" correctly.  One of them used an 'I' and the other an 'E'.  It was concluded that it can be spelled either way.

Here are the co-winners Michael and Ruth-Anne playing the roles of Jesus and Mary.  

At the end of the play JoAnna, Brian and Olivia watch on as the others take their bows.

Uncle Tim

This blog is sad to write.  This past weekend Chris' brother Tim joined him in heaven.  He was a police officer and he truly loved his work.  He had a servant's heart and helping others was what he was all about.  Two years ago Tim flew to Denver and drove his parents to Ohio (in 1 1/2 days) so that they could be with me when we removed Chris' life support.  He walked into the room and said to me, "You're still coming to Texas for Christmas."  We did go to Texas for Christmas that year.  Please pray for this family as they start down the difficult road of grief--may the Lord carry and protect them.    

I want to share a few pictures of our trip to Texas two years ago.

Here they are playing Zingo, which was JoAnna's Christmas present from Uncle Tim and Aunt Stephanie.

This is Uncle Tim teaching Caleb and Lydia about riding a lawn tractor.  He let Caleb ride by himself, but Lydia went with Uncle Tim.

This is Uncle Tim taking JoAnna for a ride and letting her steer...that was so fun for her.  

JoAnna wanted to take some pictures.  She took a whole bunch of pictures and she got this one of her uncle, not to mention a bunch of her fingers, the ground, the side of the house, the sky...you get the idea.

Here, JoAnna is helping Uncle Tim open one of his Christmas presents.  He didn't seem to mind the extra help.

I don't remember what was going on here, but everyone seems to be having fun.

This is the beautiful locket Tim and Steph gave me for Christmas that year.  What a blessing.  I, in turn, this past week found a beautiful locket and put hers and Tim's pictures in it.  I could hardly wait to give her my gift.  I think she now fully realizes how precious their gift was to me 2 years ago.