2008 in Review

What a year it has been for us. Many ups and downs but with God’s help we made it through the year and are prepared for what’s in store for us in 2009.

There were some tough times in 2008. In February we lost my mother 1 week before her 68th birthday. She died from MSA which took 3.5 years for the disease to destroy her body. Her mind was very sharp up to the end but the body couldn’t last. Then in September we lost my Aunt Drew, my father’s older sister. This leaves my dad with a older sister and younger brother still living from his family. A week later we received news that Beth’s Uncle Dick passed away from a long battle with cancer. This was her dad’s older brother and leaving him as the sole survivor in his family.

There were many blessings in 2008. The first great grandchild on Beth’s side of the family was born in February. Audrey was born 3 days after my mom passed away. In May we became grandparents when Andrew was born. Then in August Jamie married Amanda adding another to the family. I’ve even heard rumors there may have been some engagements over the Christmas season so there is the potential of more additions to the family. Also, even with the economic turn down everybody is still working.

As we look forward to 2009 we ask God for His guidance and strength for all of us. Everything from the economy, our christian believes, our health and our families will challenge us this year but only God can get us through it. God has a plan for every one of us and we pray His Will will be done.

Don’t Mess with Children

I received this joke in the mail and couldn’t resist sharing it with all the people reading our blog. Since Beth and I are christians, we believe all the stories in the bible along with Jonah being swallowed by a whale. Read and enjoy, God can do anything.

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for the whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal, it’s throat was very small.

The girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah”.

The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”

The little girl replied, “Then you ask him”.

Watoga State Park 2008

Just back from a week in West Virginia visiting Beth’s family. We enjoyed our time at Watoga State Park for the 5th year in a row. It was a fun and relaxing time being with family. No cell phones, TV or internet just family, love and conversation. Every night we gathered after dinner for some devotional time, singing and glorifying God. John spent the whole week bonding with AJ since he never had the chance because of his job. You could see his love growing for his son everyday. We met our great niece Audrey for the first time. It was very special to have both great grandchildren with Beth’s parents. Below is our family photo missing Dave, Jamie, Mathew, Brittany & Nathan which couldn’t make the trip and Cori who left the previous day. Check out the family photos for more pictures from the week.

Mom’s Final Resting Place

Yesterday we gathered to put mom’s ashes in her final resting place. It was a beautiful day, nice blue skies with white, puffy clouds. Ron made the box for mom’s ashes. Everybody was there except John and Cori because of work. Joan and Sandy Albrecht, Jim’s parents and close friends to mom and dad, were there too. As the ceremony concluded Beth looked up and saw a beautiful rainbow to the south of us. As we all looked up it brought many tears and joy knowing God was looking down on us. Then dad put mom’s ashes into the ground and the whole family helped to fill the hole. It was a nice sight to see all the grandchildren take turns to help cover mom’s ashes. I just thank God for a beautiful day and the memories of mom. Go to the family photos to see all the pictures.