4 Years in Heaven

Today marks Chris' 4th year in the presence of his Lord and Savior. I still miss him greatly, but I can honestly rejoice with him...he is WITH JESUS!!!! Here is the link to the slide show video that I made last year in his memory. I also added a few random pictures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54e1aUTLr-U

Up to this point in his time at MMS Chris had had several opportunities to get engine experience. This photo (and the one below) were taken in Bolivia. When the team had come together to reassemble the aircraft they were asked, "Who wants to work on the engine?" No one responded so Chris piped up, "I've had experience in this area and I am willing to over see the installation of the engine."

Chris being silly. Gabriel watches his antics.

Chris in front of MAF's 206 - the one Ian's team rebuilt.

The summer before Chris died we dug up around the house to seal the basement. While Chris and Caleb were taking up these paving stones they found an ant colony, complete with eggs and a queen. It actually extended the length of several of the stones.

The week before his brain tumor was found we were taken on a house boat vacation. He was taking the speed boat out for a pleasure ride and before he took it in to the dock he stopped along side the house boat. Marla captured the most precious smile on Chris' face. My mom loves it b/c she thinks he looks like he's asking, "Can I have one?"

Cosi

Yesterday we went, with friends and fellow home schoolers, to the Cosi museum in Columbus. We went through the Titanic exhibit and found it fascinating. When you enter the exhibit you receive a ticket. On one side is your "Boarding Pass" and the other side is the name of a person who actually boarding the Titanic, along with a description of why they were on the ill fated ship. We were told that at the end of the exhibit we would find a memorial wall listing all of the people and whether they lived or perished. We were not allowed to take pictures while in the exhibit, I wish could share the snapshots in my mind. It amazed me that the wood had all rotted away, but they found papers, books and money still in tact and able to be read. It was truly amazing stepping back in time and experiencing a part of history. I was most struck with the sovereignty of God. Many people were not even supposed to be in the ship, but, for one reason or another, they were and they perished. God knows our days and He IS in control of every one of them.

Boarding Pass to get on the Titanic - actually just to get into the exhibit.

Mrs. Wilhelm Strom, Dana, perished along with her 2 year old daughter.

Mr. Benjamin Guggenheim, Caleb, perished, but his French mistress survived.

Mrs. Darwis Touma, Lydia, along with her two children were saved.

Miss Annie C. Funk, JoAnna, perished.

JoAnna next to a Lego model of the the Titanic.

After the Titanic we ate lunch on the lawn. After lunch we reentered the museum and the kids had fun. Here are pictures.

JoAnna on the phone and Lydia sending a telegraph.

JoAnna operating the switch board. I don't know why, but this reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie episode where Mrs. Oleson puts in a switchboard and then eavesdrops on the phone calls.

JoAnna, Lydia and Caleb "stepping out" in their buggy.

Brian, JoAnna and Kelly waiting for Lydia to get them ice cream. Michael prepares to take their money.

Brian, the TV newsman, ready to give a special update, while JoAnna, his camera girl, films his report.

Lydia, Brian and JoAnna learn the importance of using pulleys to help do their work.

Lydia and JoAnna using a lever to lift this car.

Catching Up

Camping

We spent a few days camping with friends from church. We went to see the outside of a castle, mini-golfed, swam, walked, cooked out, tubed down the Mohican river.

Caleb, Lydia & JoAnna, outside the castle.

JoAnna doing what we enjoyed the most while camping...relaxing. Several years ago Chris brought this hammock home from Bolivia.

JoAnna's 9th Birthday

JoAnna with her Michigan/Michigan State cake

Cousin

Lydia spent 1 1/2 weeks in Michigan at my parents house. My mom taught her how to quilt. One of the best things Lydia was able to do is spend time with her little cousins. By the time we arrived Logan (6) and Brendon (3) were very much "in love" with their cousin Lydia.

Logan and Lydia falling backward into the pool.

Caleb's 16th Birthday

I'm not sure how it happened, but I now have a son who is 16 and legally able to drive. We have decided that he won't take driving lessons until next summer. He is carrying a large load in school this year. He is a sophomore and at the end of this year he will have 16 of the 21 necessary credits to graduate.

Bunny

One morning I found JoAnna and Tessa sitting in the front yard. JoAnna informed me that they were watching a bunny. Sweet.

Canning

I have never canned before, but for some reason this summer I have been driven to try. So far, I have canned 22 pints of pizza sauce, 5 pints of blackberry syrup, 6 pints of red raspberry syrup and 11 pints of strawberry syrup. I have also froze 30 pounds of blueberries, 6 dozen ears of corn and 1/2 bushel of peaches. I am also going to share in the purchasing of a cow...I will get 1/4 of it.

VBS 2010

This year for VBS we used material from Answers in Genesis. It was wonderfully written and oh so fun to teach.

Once again I taught the story. This year instead of Lydia being my sidekick I put her behind the puppet screen and she did a great job. We named her puppet Cleopatra, Cleo for short. Every night the kids came in and asked if Cleo was going to be there...I think she was a hit. This week we talked about not being evolved from apes, but being made by the very hand of God. We also talked about Moses and God's protection of his life as an infant and raising him to be the one to lead His people out of Egypt.

Staci (and Deborah) helped the children to explore the tactile side of the stories this week...very hands on and involving the kids.

Here are Paris and JoAnna mummifying apples in Staci's class.

Every year Amy does a wonderful job organizing the crafts. Here are the children painting a project they had made earlier in the week.

The snack crew, Sandy, Susan and BJ, minus their leader. Nancy.

Thankfully the weather cooperated and it was a beautiful week for playing outside.

MMS Open House

Since Chris' passing I have been privileged to continue to work at MMS Aviation. One of the guys once told me that it was good to have an Abernethy in the hangar again...that comment meant so much to me. The first year was hard because I often felt like I wasn't really doing much. I know that Keith appreciated me answering the phone, but it didn't feel like enough to me. On the way home one day I began comparing myself to the mechanics in the hangar and wondering how my time at MMS was making any difference. The Lord immediately rebuked me and told me to remember the story of the widow and her mites. He then asked me how much more I could give than I was at that point. "Nothing more," I told him. He then told me that He didn't expect any more of me at that time. That year in my school curriculum I received a widow's mite coin that was made into a necklace pendant. I often wear that coin to remind me that the Lord doesn't expect anything more of me than what I can give. I so enjoy the times that I am able to participate in MMS activities. This weekend we hosted an open house to make people aware of who we are and what we do up at the top of the hill by the airport.

Jenny and me manning our "post" at the food table.

This little radish mouse was made by Isobel, or in house Pampered Chef guru. The radish mice were popular and much enjoyed by our guests.

The best part, I think, of working at MMS is having the privilege of continuing to serve alongside my sisters in Christ. Rena, Karen, Michele and Jenny are godly women and I am so glad they are my spiritual sisters.

"Caleb Bunyan"

JoAnna took this picture of "Caleb Bunyan" getting ready to cut down the dead tree.

This spring in our new house has been fun as every day we watch to see what flowers will bloom in our yard. One thing I did notice was one of the trees out back that didn't develop leaf buds. Tonight while the children and I weeded around the house I noticed several branches broken off this poor tree. As I explored the tree and pulled on a branch it snapped right off. I made a comment about the tree having to go and before I knew it "Caleb Bunyan" had a shovel and an axe and this picture was the result. "Caleb Bunyan" took care of the dead tree. Great job Caleb...now are you going to dig the hole for whatever tree I decide to replant in it's place??

Dana turns 40

This is our special plate. Whenever a birthday comes around we pull out our plate for the special person. Today was my day to use the plate. Years ago I found Happy Birthday material and I made a placemat, which is, also, pulled out for these special days.

Here I am with my cake, which Lydia decorated for me. The girls picked out the fun candles...at least Wal-Mart didn't have the "over the hill" candle that another local store had.

Every year since Chris' death we have donated money to have luminaries lit, in Chris' memory, during our local Relay for Life event.

JoAnna in front of her Daddy's luminaries.

In front of Chris' luminaries.

JoAnna's Locks of Love

Lydia and I have both donated hair to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is an organization that uses human hair to make wigs for children who have lost their hair for medical reasons. JoAnna has been growing her hair to donate for this worthy cause. Today JoAnna begged me to cut her hair b/c it was getting too hot on her neck. I warned her that her hair was going to be short and after measuring we snipped off her long locks. Her hair is very short and I didn't do the best job of getting it even in the back, but it will grow back. She loves her hair, even though Lydia keeps teasing her that her hair is "boy short". She's okay with her ultra short hair and we even bought some new flower clips and headbands. I reminded JoAnna that her hair grows fast and that the little girl (or boy) who gets her hair will be thankful.

Before

After

After, pretending she has long ponytails.

This is Lydia 3 years ago, when she cut off her hair.

Lydia Learns to Drive the Tractor

Lydia begged and begged Caleb to teach her to drive the new tractor...which he reluctantly did. One day she drove down to the burn pile and picked up some mattress springs from the previous owners...they had burned a mattress and left the metal springs behind. She keeps trying to come up with things to do so that she can drive it more. I'm sure that by the time summer is over we'll put the tractor to good use.

Spring

Caleb mowing the lawn with his new toy...er, I mean our new lawn mower. I own 2.7 acres and the new mower will be used for many years to come...and it should last for even longer!!

The girls helping me weed the flower bed in front of our house.

Maia waited patiently for the screen door to open so that she could enjoy the beautiful weather with us.

JoAnna bought me these flowers for Mother's Day. She wanted to put them in her room and give them to me on Sunday. I told her that I would enjoy them more if she would put them in a vase on the counter and let me see them every day.