Merry Christmas!!

Led By A Child

Very recently, our church congregation gathered at a local pond for a Galilean Baptism Service. It was held on a Sunday afternoon and as the different members of our family were making preparations for this special event, Nevaeh sat on the back porch with Pappy. Of course, she wanted to know what everyone was so busy about and Pappy explained to Nevaeh that the cause was the baptism. We all know that little girls ask millions of questions and this explanation only spawned more questions that were ALL extremely important to this four year old little girl. Pappy went on then, to explain why people get baptized. Being baptized is a way to tell the whole world (or whoever cares to watch) that you have asked Jesus to come live in your heart and that He now leads you on your path to Heaven.

Nevaeh knew that she had already asked Jesus to come live in HER heart and so it only made sense to her that SHE should be "bap-a-tized!"

She put in her request to the pastor (her daddy) and declaring "I'm not afraid!" Nevaeh Re' was the very first candidate to be baptized!

Led into the water by daddy
The people on the banks looked different from in the water!

Explaining to Nevaeh what to expect...

Pastor Daddy was assisted by our Pastoral Assistant, Jerry Ritchey

....and she was bap-a-tized!

Getting help from the water

Getting help with the last few steps by our Minister of Outreach Jeff Shorts

Snuggling with Pappy - a HAPPY little girl!

I pray God's Hand of love, mercy and blessing ever be on this precious little sweetheart all the days of her life! She is a rare flower! God bless you, my little one! We LOVE you!!

A Heart Remembers

Nevaeh and Sam on adoption day - Her caseworker as a foster child
Nevaeh giving Sam a rose during her Christening/Dedication Ceremony

Now, over two years since the above pictured events, Sam surprised us with an unexpected visit today. I, regrettably, was away working. But Nevaeh declares that she had a really great visit. She shared with me how she told Sam her story of how she arrived in our home. And then she said that Sam added to her story.

I asked Nevaeh if she remembered Sam. "Sure," she replied. "When I looked up into the sky, I could see her face in my dream!"

I am amazed at how the heart truly never forgets the face of love!

And I believe that Nevaeh is a part of our family because of Sam's love, work, tears and prayers!

A little cowgirl - not quite two
Look how much she has grown in just a few short years!
She is now 4 1/2.

She is a blessing beyond words and we can NEVER thank Samantha for......WOW! Everything!

Surprise!

We all have dreams and wishes of varied import and it is always such a delight when such becomes reality. Knowing that Mark has always wanted a Siberian Husky, when the opportunity presented itself, my oldest son, Daryl, and myself could not resist making this dream come true.
Meet Shtiya Sakari
Daryl did some research and carefully selected what he felt was the perfect name for this sweet little girl.
"My Sweet Strength"
I think he was right.

Mark was deeply touched and ecstatic and these two have been forming their own unique bond.
I'd have to say, she has been one of the best kind of surprises!

All Little Boys Grow Up!

Happy Birthday, Daryl!! Where have the last 19 years gone?

I love the young man you have become and I am so proud to call you my son!

I can't imagine my life without you in it. You have truly been a blessing to our family.

I don't know WHY I feel so surprised to find us at this place....what was I thinking?!

ALL little boys grow up!

Our Baby Girl is 4!!!!

Instead of a huge party, Nevaeh wanted to spend the day with her best friend Livie at Chuck E Cheese for her birthday.

Double trouble!

Striking a pose

With their earned prizes

Out for chinese with the dude!

Nevaeh's favorite food for her birthday lunch.

Nevaeh Re' is 4

Awesome decorations

The birthday girl with her cake just the way she wanted it to be.

Chawlie is her nickname.

With Daddy

With Mommy

GOTCHA!

...aaaaaaannd she got him back!

Nevaeh with the gift from her brothers.

Daryl was still away in college at the time so he is not pictured here.

Seasons

There are seasons in our lives in which it seems as if life sucks us up into the vortex of some violent whirling storm of water, fire or air and we somehow survive to live another day. It has been such a season for us and as you consult the date of our last post, you verify the passage of time. So much water has passed under the bridge since last we met. As I pause to take stock, I am relieved to discover that my family has remained unscathed and we are, in fact, doing well.

It is our hope that once again, we can meet here more regularly and perhaps even manage to catch up a little.

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die;

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, And a time to heal;

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate;

A time of war, And a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

May you find peace and contentment surrounding you in whatsoever storm you find yourself.

Happy Awesome Day!

"Happy Awesome Day!" says a little boy from our church!

"It's awesome 'cause Jesus rose from the deadness!!"

And we agree! That's what makes Easter so awesome! Our Redeemer is ALIVE!!

Daddy & Nevaeh

She is getting so big!
The picture says it all...

Nevaeh and Miki Tikaani

Miki is an Alaskan name for Nevaeh's new puppy who is the most adorable Shorkie.

Our three beautiful children

Time out for a little scratch...

And of course, being with special friends on such a day only makes it more awesome!!

Hoping YOUR Resurrection Day was BLESSED!

Ours was!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the man in our lives!!

Mark is now 41 years young and we are doing our best to make his life as exciting as we possibly can!
Our little artist and her handmade birthday greeting for dad - the BEST kind!

Ready for Easter Sunday morning service on Daddy's birthday...

His birthday wouldn't quite be right without his favorite chocolate/peanut butter cake so of course, we had to oblige. Daryl, Robert and I all participated in the making thereof!

Happy Birthday, Babe!

We LOVE you from the bottom of our hearts!

Our world would be incomplete without you in it!!