Happy First Birthday, Sweet Lois Evangeline!!

Happy, Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet little Huntley girl!  Who can help but love her with her seemingly constant smile?  Lois brings so much joy into the world already.  We trust that her heart will be drawn to the Lord by His love, and that she will bear much fruit in her life to His glory.  We love you, Lois!!

Another Straitgate Christmas Program!

As challenging as it is, the Straitgate Christmas Program always touches my heart and brings tears to my eyes.  Our class depicted the fulfillment of the prophecy of "Rachel weeping". Here are a couple of photos taken while we "quietly" waited for our turn in the narthex.

All the girls wore headbands with the star of David to show that they were the women of Isreal around Bethlehem.  Each of them has their own precious baby.












Then there was wicked Herod and his killing soldiers, along with the three-seeking-Wise Men and the star-bearer. I have no idea who the little boy with the hood on is.  He just popped in for the picture!




All the Sunday School children had practiced and learned the beautiful song by Keith and Kristyn Getty called "Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven", and they sang it at the end for all the parents. If you don't know that song, it is well worth listening to and reading the words!!  They really did a good job!

Ben and Esther's Engagement Party

Paul and I had the privilege of traveling to Florida to share in a very special Engagement Party hosted by Ben's family.  It would be very hard to explain in words how wonderful it was.  Everyone poured their hearts into making it so very special.  Lots and lots of work making and serving lots and lots of very special and delicious food.  Ben and Esther had put together a beautiful video for all to watch.  Of course, I cried (silently). The program was very meaningful also with both fathers praying, two pastors giving a short message, and a few close friends sharing memories. 

Here are just a few photos to hopefully give you  a small "taste" of the event:

 Getting set up the night before.




















More work and set up on Saturday.

Ben has a friend who does amazing work with fruit!

Ben's Dad and Sister-in-law Natasha peeling potatoes!

A very kind and diligent kitchen worker

Me just trying to help out a bit!

Dad took some time on the potato peeling too!

All so very beautiful! 

Happy Birthday, Daniel!!

          Happy 17th Birthday, Daniel!

What a blessing you have been to all of us over all these years!  We love you so much, and we look forward to the wonderful plans God has for your life.  

" But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Hebrews 11:6

 

Welcome to the World, little Eve Noelle!

On December 10, 2014 at 4:55 p.m. in Boston, MA, the Williams family welcomed into their family...

beautiful little Eve Noelle.  Eve was born a couple weeks before her due date and weighed 6# 14oz.  Welcome little Eve!  We are so grateful to God for giving you to our family!!

Timothy's Origami

Timothy has been independently exploring and doing Origami lately.  Daily he has had new creations to show!

My personal favorite (hard to choose!) is the little fish I claimed for myself and have on my shelf in my room.

I persuaded him to make some new Christmas decorations for the home!  

All Timothy's work!  Aren't they beautiful?!

Making Cake

                               Last week when teaching Dennis about "blends", I mentioned that it would be nice to make a cake together to show him what "blend" means.  Well, he did not forget that!  On Sunday he brought it up to both me and Esther.  So tonight for our lesson, instead of meeting at church, we met at our house and made a cake, doing our lesson while it baked and cooled! He had never made a cake before, and it turned out great!


And since David asked, I am updating to add that Dennis took the cake home with him!

Hello, Lucy!

Goodbye, Clifford...Hello, Lucy.

Yes,  Joseph got rid of his gas-guzzling truck by a clean trade for his "new" mustang. He gave Timo and me a little ride after we met for coffee during Timothy's piano lesson.

A Surprise Trick-Or-Treater!

At 10:30 p.m., after the candy was put away, we heard the door bell ring.  Wow!  This is a late trick-or-treater, I thought!  When I got to the door, there was John!

It was so nice to have a few days to just be together and catch up in person.  Since we had plans to get some yard work done on Saturday, John pitched in and helped. That was great since the only other guys here were Dad and Daniel. Thank you, John!

He and Daniel got in a game of disc golf before the sun set on Saturday, and then after supper we went to surprise Esther at Starbucks. We missed Timo who had gone to the Shirs for the night.

Ben and Esther Are Engaged!

We are happy to announce the engagement of Esther to Benjamin Nistor!  Congratualtions to two very wonderful young people!!  We love you!

A Very Quick But Very Fun Trip to South Dakota!

We took a quick trip this past weekend to meet up with David, Kelsea, and Reid!  First of all, the Lord gifted us with beautiful fall weather so that the drive to South Dakota on Friday evening and the drive back home on Sunday were lovely.

It was great to see Bob and Terri again and the home in Brookings that they have made so beautiful.  Brookings itself seems to be a really nice place to live, and it was my first visit to South Dakota ever!

Of course, the highlight was getting to see little Reid (and his papa and mama!) in person again!

Uncles Daniel and Timothy enjoyed cuddle time!

Apple Orchard Fun!

We had fun at Pine Tree Apple Orchard. One regret is that we did not get a picture of going through the corn maze!  Of course, we all waited for Dad at the end, as he was the usual die-hard.  He had to find every single clue of the puzzle, even though we all had figured it out mentally.  He was not content with that.  He certainly has some very commendable traits!!  I love him!