Jim has started turning pens. He talked about it for a few years. At Christmas last year he received a box from his dad and step-mom and was surprised to discover his Christmas gift was a hand turned pen from his dad.

Now you may not know it but Jim was not raised by his dad but by his maternal grandparents. He only met his dad again on his wedding day when his dad agreed to attend the wedding.  Later, Jim and his dad would be reunited when Jim Sr. came for a visit. Our visits with Jim’s dad were scattered with much time between as we were in the business of raising our children and pastoring. Jim Sr. also lived many hundreds of miles away.

Well, this past spring we (Jim and I and Andrea) were able to spend some days in Jim’s dad’s home in the Carolinas. What a treat that was. Jim and his dad spent a good part of their time together in Jim Senior’s shop turning pens and things. It was so fun to watch them communicate with nods, comments and knowing glances even though they have only spent a very short amount of time together. They are so much alike and look so much alike.

It was something very special. We thank God for working in our lives. Dad and Susan are godly followers of Christ and Dad even is part of a prison ministry and the music ministry in his church.

Today started out with rain. We sure have needed it. Now I am wondering at the  timing of it all.  God surely has a plan. Jim and some of the boys – Jer, Seth and Andy are all roofing today. Our son-in-law Terry may even come over and help.   My dear, sweet dad is even getting in on the work. The guys are roofing a house for a widow lady in my dad’s church. I am praying all goes well.

Jer’s wife Lisa and their son Skylar are here while the guys are roofing. It has been fun to spend some time with my grandchildren. Last week I was at Hillary’s spending time with their four little ones and many days our daughter Lois and their little Lexi would come over.

Life is full. There seems to be so much happening. With eleven children and their spouses and children there is no end to all the activity.

Jesse and Rebecca are getting some much needed R&R. Jesse was able to get to the Reds games in San Diego. We would watch on the internet to see if we could see him in the crowd. Jess and Rebecca will be celebrating their third anniversary next month. Where does the time go? My grandma used to say that. Now I am a grandma and I know what she meant.

We have been hearing messages on end times and Bible prophecy at church lately and it has been a bit unsettling. I know where I am going but I am so burdened with loved ones and friends for whom I am praying.

It takes very little imagination to get mental pictures about what this world will be like and look like without the presence of the Holy Spirit. I would encourage you to read your Bible more- especially Revelation. You can listen to some of the messages that I have been hearing and blessed by if you go to Fellowship Baptist Church’s web site.

This week Jim will be preaching for my dad while my parents are on their vacation. Dad and mom will be visiting my brother Ken’s church. There should be some good family discussions. Dad and mom visited a prophecy conference this week.

Watch for more updates.

Don’t forget to study the Word of God so you will know the truth. Share what you learn with your children.

I have been pretty busy lately. I have been getting settled into our new church and home. We moved in December but went to Mexico to see Jesse and Rebecca the end of January. We were getting on a plane to come home and found out that our son in law Terry had fallen and had a serious head injury. I went there for a few weeks to help out as Hillary was doing a lot of running to the hospital and I was able to help watch the children.

When Terry began to feel more like himself I went home. Just a short time later I went back as Hillary was due to deliver their fourth child soon. Baby Colton was due mid-April but took his time.

Our son Tim’s wedding was the 29th of April and so on the 27th we headed for Maryland for the celebration. We were just getting to sleep after the wedding ceremony and we received a call from Hillary that she was in labor. We were set to leave for Michigan at seven in the morning – only a few hours more….but around 5 AM, Terry called to say Hillary was about to have and emergency C-section. We were all greatly rejoicing when Colton Lee arrived safely weighing 10 pounds and 14 ounces!!

We drove straight to the hospital and found our precious children and our eleventh grandchild safe and happy.

Soon after Hillary was feeling strong enough to manage her family I returned to mine.

Just a day later Jim was in the hospital with gall bladder complications. He ended up staying 10 days and finally had his gall bladder removed and he is now getting his strength back and is back to work.

I am so happy to be home again and Andrea and I are trying to make up for lost time doing school work. Andrew will have to do his catching up a little later. He is busy working this summer. Seth is working right now with Terry doing docks.

I keep wondering what normal is like and wondering if I will ever know…..

We are happy to be settling in to our new home and church family. We moved to Lawrence, Mi. the week before Christmas and we have been so busy every since. We love our new church family. Such sweet people – you really should come for a visit. We have room for guests in our little house in the woods. There are lots of bedrooms and a nice warm wood burner to keep us cozy on cold nights. You might want to give us a little heads up just to let us know to reserve you a room. 🙂

Jim loves his new job driving buses for ISD. He even has a little wood shop but so far has had little time to do any wood working.

Melony loves her new home and is still homeschooling Andy and Andrea. She enjoys getting to play the piano at church and just making new friends.