Same News, Same Location....Two Years Later!

Just as we did two years ago in 2009, some of my extended family and kids met at Rob and Kaye’s lakehouse in Bella Vista over the Labor Day holiday.  Papa couldn't wait to get his hands on that baby girl!

Jeff and I never dreamed when we were driving down on that Sunday afternoon (Sept. 4th), that we would hear the same wonderful news we had heard two years ago, also on Sept. 4th. Andy, Carman and Laine had arrived late in the afternoon and after visiting for about 45 minutes on the deck, Andy said he thought it was a little chilly for Laine and said he would go get her a long sleeved shirt.  When he brought her back out, it took a few seconds for us to realize what her shirt said……

YEAH....Rachel's expression says it all!

Of course, Lainey-Bug had no idea what was so exciting about her shirt.  Andy & Carman didn’t even realize it had been two years to the date since that first announcement.  But Jeff & I had that marked as a recurring date on our Outlook calendars, so it had reminded us that morning that two years ago was we first got the news we were finally going to be grandparents.

The new family of FOUR!

Had to include this picture -- the kids in 2009 after telling us Baby #1 was on the way....

And here they are in 2011 -- Andy is approximately 75-80 lbs. lighter!!  Way to go, Son!

And a pic of the family.....Josh and Erika were out of town on Sunday, so weren’t in this family picture.

It was a rather chilly Labor Day weekend, but so refreshing after a terribly
HOT, HOT summer!

Lincoln and Laine watching a children's movie on Andy's IPad......

It was great to have Rob's daughter, Michelle and his grandkids, Megan and Nick join us for the weekend, along with Kaye's kids, Adrienne, Mike, Lincoln and Matt & Kristin.

Kaye and Mom getting ready to feed the crew........

Aunt Ray Ray reading to the Bug.....

 

Monday morning, Laine is happy to be there :-)

Rachel and Jonathan--It was fun to have Jonathan join us as this was his first visit to the lakehouse.  So proud of Rachel, who has also lost a LOT of weight!

Jonathan, Rachel, Kristin, Matt, Adrienne (with Graham) and Mike.  As I'm writing this post, little Graham is scheduled to make his appearance early in the morning.  We are so excited and can't wait to meet the little guy!

Lincoln loves Megan

A few did brave the water.....brrrr.........

Playing Games

The little ones playing games too......

Papa and DeDe with their precious granddaughter

Many took advantage of the hammock that weekend (usually with blankets)!  Here is Mike and Lincoln

Our last evening together, some of us went to Copelands

Papa and Lainey-Bug coloring.....

Uncle Rob feeding the Bug cheesecake!

Copelands is a "New Orleans" type of restuarant so Laine is

sporting her Mardi Gras beads

 

The weekend was an extra special treat to Jeff and I as we were blessed to keep Laine overnight that night without her momma and daddy (0ur first time)!  Thank you, Carman and Andy!  I know it was hard, but we sure did love it!  Josh had gotten in town that night, so the next morning before we headed home, we meet him and the kids (to return Laine) at IHOP.  Laine loves her Uncle JJ.

Carman had her first ultrasound today and heard the baby’s heartbeat.  Doctor said everything looked good.  Praise the Lord!  Baby #2 is due May 3, 2012.  Laine was due May 1^st, 2010, but came a few days early on April 26^th.  So they will be almost two years to the day in age difference.  Since all of Laine’s clothes would be the perfect size for a little girl, there is some desire for this to also be a girl.  But we would all welcome a baby boy just as excitedly.  Carman (like myself) is one of three girls and doesn’t know if she would have any idea what to do with a baby boy.  I had those same fears, but as all mothers know—it just comes naturally for the most part.  And big daddy Andy will have a lot of input.  It sure doesn’t matter to Jeff or I on the sex, as a grandchild is precious no matter what.  We are thrilled beyond words and honestly I’m in tears right now as I type this with the joy of knowing another precious child is coming into our lives.

Thanks to our friends and family who have been so kind to indulge us in yet another grandbaby.  Maybe someday we will "grow" up -- but you know what --

I'm really doubting it!! 

J

Second Year Anniversary

This week commemorated the end of our second year of ministry and the beginning of the third year here at First Baptist Church, Galena, Kansas. 

As I contemplated the last two years, my heart has been overwhelmed with thanksgiving for all that God has done during this time.  Jeff and I left Kansas (the state where we grew up) approximately 32 years ago, living in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas during those 30+ years.  We really didn’t ever consider that we would live in Kansas again, especially not Galena, Kansas.  After all, they were our arch rivals in football (ha) and it is so ironic that now Jeff pastors some of the very guys that he played football against.  He even forgets most of the time and calls them by the nicknames he knew them as when in high school ("PeeWee, will you close us in prayer" J). 

However, God had a different plan about where we would live and I’m so glad.

For those of you who follow my blog, you will recall the posting I wrote at the time we were called here, so I won’t repeat my “full circle story.”  If you didn’t happen to read it then, you can click here and it should direct you to that posting:  new ministry.

God has been so good here at FBC during these last two years with 77 salvations, 42 baptisms and 26 new folks joining our church family.   We have doubled in attendance and there is a sweet spirit and air of excitement each week.  Our first Sunday in the "new year" which was last Sunday, there were two more baptized and two others added by transfer of letter!  We are so blessed!

However, along with the blessings, have been some difficult days.  There have been many who have struggled with health issues and/or lost loved ones.  Jeff lost his mother a few months after we moved here and is so very thankful that he was living within 30 minutes of her to enable him to spend some quality time with her during those last few months.  We walked the terribly hard path with the Meiers in the death of son, Bruce and then mother/wife and our precious Karen.  And then the devastating tornado that tore through nearby Joplin, Missouri.  The summer has flown by with so many labors of love by so many in helping to rebuild Joplin.  Our church rose up to the challenge and has housed tornado relief workers all summer.  At times, there have been almost 100 folks lodging in our facilities.  So thankful for those who have diligently worked to meet the needs of those lodging here.

Jeff and I have enjoyed many a fruitful ministry and also the love and support of many of the members of those churches.  However, FBC, Galena is at the top of the list of those who have shown us such amazing love and support.  Our hearts are warmed each week to see and hear how many of our members soak up the teaching of God’s Word and are sharing their faith.  Rarely a Sunday goes by that we are not fed a delicious Sunday meal in different church members' homes. We continuously receive words of encouragement in the mail, email and/or Facebook.  We are remembered in such kind ways on birthdays, wedding anniversary, Christmases, and even ministry anniversaries.  This year, we were overwhelmed with many kind words, cards, and gifts!  THANK YOU, church family for your love and encouragement!

And so we begin a new year of ministry and are looking forward to what God is going to continue to do in and through this wonderful church.  GOD BLESS YOU, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY!  We love you and are thrilled to serve with you in serving our Lord!

P.S.  On an ironic, humorous note – Jeff attends many of the football/basketball games and yes, he cheers for the Galena Bulldogs (even when they play the Girard Trojans) J!!

Fun Visit to Conway

One of the many blessings that I have enjoyed since moving to Galena, is the wonderful gift of not having to work outside of my home.  It has allowed me to go with Jeff to visit folks in the hospital or in homes, attend funerals, various meetings, be more involved in the women’s Bible study ministry at our church, and then also given me the freedom to go spend sweet time with our granddaughter and spend more time with my Mom and my sisters.  That was the case last week, when Mom and I traveled to Arkansas to my sister Kaye’s home in Conway.  Bev drove up from Texas and also spent the week with us there.  Kaye and Rob have a beautiful home that was recently remodeled and Kaye was a very gracious hostess.   We had a great time.  Here are a few pictures of our time together.

We were thrilled with a little "cool" front the first of the week and so we enjoyed some delicious meals and fun game playing on this beautiful screened in patio:

 One day we visited several antique shops in downtown Conway and had a tasty lunch at Jenifer's:

That same afternoon we went to the new theatre in Conway and watched "The Help" on a huge screen (Bev took the picture).

Once we got past the first few minutes of bad language, the movie was a great story!

Our last night, we took along Rob and went to eat at Oak Street Bistro:

Thank you, Kaye Lynn, for your wonderful hospitality and thank you, Rob, for putting up with four “Boore” women!  You have a reward awaiting you in glory J!

On Mom's and I's return to Kansas, we made a "pit stop" to see Lainey-Bug (and Andy and Carman).  Laine had just started walking the weekend before, so I wanted to see her in person.  She's as precious as ever!

Branson Family Vacation 2011

My Mom has taken my sisters, myself and our husbands on several wonderful trips, but this was a first for her to also include our children and grandchildren in a vacation.  There were 25 total.  We are all so appreciative of Mom's generosity and love for her family.  We stayed in three beautiful cabins in Branson, Missouri for 4-1/2 days and had lots of fun!

We had six "kiddos" amongst us.  Here is a picture of five of those.  Zachary was off playing elsewhere and didn't get in the picture.  From top of stairs, left to right:  Lincoln Goering (Kaye & Rob's grandson); Lainey-Bug (Jeff and I's granddaughter); Madyson, Tristan and Cooper (Bev & Don's grandchildren):

One of the days, we rented two pontoon boats and had a great time on Tablerock Lake:

This baby raft was great for Laine (and Tristan). 

On another day, we went to see the magic show, Kirby Van Burch:

Was trying to get a picture of DeDe and Lainey-Bug's flower bows

Erika wasn't able to stay all weekend with us, but did drive up for Saturday and joined us at Kirby as well as for dinner at the Landing.  We sure missed Josh who was overseas working.

Eating at the Landing at Famous Dave's

And then one day, we went to Silver Dollar City (and it was HOT!).  But we had fun nonetheless!

Three brave souls that rode one of the roller coasters:

Lainey's first amusement park ride :-)

Using a water bottle/fan to cool the Bug off....

At the Dog Stunt Show.....

The next 3 pictures were taken the morning of July 4th before we headed home:

Great Grandma and Laine:

Rachel and Andy have both diligently been losing weight.  I know it has been very hard but so proud of what they have accomplished! 

We enjoyed having Jonathan McCrary, Rachel's boyfriend, join us for the weekend.  As many of you know, Rachel went thru a very difficult time in her life in 2010 with a divorce, relocation, new job, etc.  As her Mom, I'm so excited for her to once again be experiencing joy and happiness.  Hopefully, spending time with our family didn't scare Jonathan off :-).  We are especially thankful for his Christian walk with the Lord, his godly family, and his kindness and care for our girl. 
Thanks, Jonathan!

I am sorry I didn't take more pictures during our weekend and especially that we didn't make a greater effort of getting family pictures of each family and one large family picture.  Doggone it!!

Our time in Branson ended on a sad note.  My niece's husband, Nathan Tunnell, ended up in the Springfield hospital where he remains even today.  He was diagnosed with ITP, which is a blood disorder disease where you lose all your platelets.  It can be a very dangerous disease since you need your platelets to clot your blood to keep you from bleeding to death.  We are so thankful that it was caught before he harmed himself in any way.  The Tunnell's live in Austin, Texas, so Springfield, MO is a long way from home.  As of today (July 7), his platelet count is going up and prayerfully he will be going home very soon.  We do appreciate all the prayers that have been offered up on his behalf!

  With two more babies on the way and most probably several more babies in the next few years, it probably will be our one and only time to all do a vacation together, so it makes our Branson time even more precious to us.  I do love my family and thank the Lord every day that each one has a personal relationship with the Lord and are active in their local churches.

Again, thank you, thank you to Mom/Grandma for providing this wonderful family time for us.