Mom's 86th Birthday Week and Back Surgery

We met in Bella Vista at one of the lakehouses for several days to celebrate another birthday for Mom.

 Bev and her mother-in-law, Peggy drove from Texas, Kaye from Arkansas and Mom and I from Kansas.

 We kept busy!   One day we ate lunch at a wonderful Tea Room in Rogers:  The Crumpet.

My mouth is watering at the thought of their orange rolls.  Soooo good!

 We played a lot of games on the beautiful screened in porch

 We visited Crystal Bridges restaurant and Museum in Bentonville

 

 The Boore girls with the "Hog"

 Bev and her mother-in-law

 And we finished the time together with a little birthday party with the grandkids and greatgrands that live in NWA at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants:  Abuelos

 The great grandbabies helped blow out the candles

 Bev met Miss Eisley for the first time that night

 And then the week of back surgery came.  The Saturday before surgery, Mom and Kaye attended Joel and Lindsey Viets' wedding.  This is a good picture of Mom and Aunt Freda (Joel's grandma).

 Mom's second back surgery was May 19th at the new hospital in Galena: Premiere Hospital (her first back surgery was at St. John's in Joplin in March of 2010).

Jeff, Kaye and I were appreciative of those who came and sat with us.  Mom's pastor, Tom Lewis, also came and is the one who took this picture for us (Uncle Harry, Aunt Betty, Aunt Mildred and cousin Sandy).

 Kaye and I stayed at my house during the night and then stayed with Mom at the hospital during the day.  It was so nice to have the hospital less than a mile away from where I live.  Doctor was pleased with the surgery and had told Mom she'd be in the hospital for 3 days, which meant she would be dismissed on Friday.  However, she did so well, that he dismissed her on Thursday.

Kaye drove her home on Thursday and then headed back to Arkansas on Friday.  Bev drove up from Texas on Thursday and stayed with Mom for several days.  Jeff and I went up to visit them on Memorial Day and also visited graves of several of our family members.  This picture is taken at Dad's grave.  It was so muddy, we couldn't get a very good pic.

(For memory sake:  Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma has had unprecedented rains this Spring.   Sadly, several deaths in Texas and Oklahoma from the flooding.)

 Mom had several visitors after she got home, including Aunt Mildred and niece Christie

Bev went home on Wednesday and I stayed a couple more days with Mom.  She is doing really well.  She has a doctor's appointment Monday and we are hopeful that the doctor will agree.

Thanks so much for all the prayers, cards, calls, etc.  Mom appreciates it so very much!

A busy April/May for Jeff

Jeff felt very honored and humbled to be given several opportunities this Spring to teach and speak.

We are a part of the Baptist Missionary Association of America (BMAA).  Our National Meeting was held in April in Springfield, Missouri.  Jeff was privileged to lead one of the workshops during this meeting.  He spoke on "The Future of America As We Near The End of The Age and What Believers Should Do."  He spoke two times to a room full of folks.  Thank you to those who were so encouraging after hearing him speak.  Prophecy has always been a passion of his life and he has spent many, many, many hours studying what lies ahead for America, Israel, and all believers.

 Speaking in that workshop.....poor picture as my flash went off

 Jeff is also 2nd Vice President of our Association and led one of the sessions.  He was especially honored to be voted to deliver the annual message at the 2016 meeting in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

 And then the greatest honor he received at the meeting was to be chosen the recipient of the 2015 Gerald D. Kellar Preaching Award, given by the BMA Theological Seminary, to a graduate of their Seminary.  This picture is of Jeff's acceptance speech.  It was such a honor, because Dr. Kellar is one of Jeff's heroes of the faith.  He pastored First Baptist, Galena (the church Jeff now pastors) for many years during the early years of Jeff's Christian life.  Dr. Kellar mentored and loved Jeff as a young preacher boy.

 Dr. Charley Holmes, President of the Seminary with Jeff and the one who presented the award to him.

 Andy and his family surprised us and drove up for the dinner and banquet.  Andy is also a graduate of this Seminary.  Thanks, kids!

 The next day, Dr. Ronnie Floyd was the guest speaker at our meeting.  Dr. Floyd is President of the Southern Baptist Convention and also a former pastor of Jeff and I's when we lived in NWA.  We were thrilled to reconnect with him.  He preached a powerful message to the body.

 Just a pic of Jeff and I outside the meeting place

 We got home from the Meeting on a Thursday and left the following Monday for our Holy Land Journey.  There will be a separate posting about that trip.

We were home just a week from Israel, before we headed to East Texas, Jacksonville to the BMA Theological Seminary.  Jeff was once again honored to speak the commencement message at their 2015 Graduation.  It was especially meaningful to him, as it was 25 years this month when he graduated from this Seminary.

 Jeff with Dean Attebery and President Holmes

 And one of the hubby in his gown with his wife :-)

 We then drove like crazy to get back by 1:00 Sunday afternoon as two of our Senior girls had asked their Principal if their pastor could speak at their Baccalaureate.  Jeff was once again humbled to fulfill that request.

It was a whirlwind 6 weeks for us, but one that will be treasured in our hearts for a long time!

Grandkids: Valentines, Spring Break, Kansas visits, Mother's Day and Birthday Parties!

Jeff and I decided to spend Valentine's with our grandbabies (we did last year too).  We did enjoy a delicious meal, just the two of us, at Ruth Cris Steakhouse first.  We used a very generous gift card that one of our church families had given us for Pastor's Appreciation.

Then the grandkids joined us at a hotel.  All four of them spent the night with us.  They all seemed to do well sleeping but DeDe didn't get much sleep - ha!

 As before, we treated them to swimming in the hotel pool (making memories)

 Eisley even liked it

 The next morning before they headed home to parents

 Then in March during Spring Break, we were privileged to spend some days at the lakehouse in Bella Vista.  Eisley didn't stay with us this time, but the other three did.

 Mom also went with us for this trip

 Weather was cool, but we still got some deck time

 The girls had a ballet performance while we were there.  So cute!

 All the family that was present that night

 At some point this spring, Andy, Carman and girls came to Kansas for a couple of days.  Andy spoke in Springfield one day, so the girls and I went out to our Nature Center here in Galena.

 The girls really enjoyed it

 During Rachel's spring break, she and her little ones came and spent a few days with us.  Then on the weekend, Jonathan joined us.  Pictures at church on Sunday:

 It was Palm Sunday and our kiddos in the nursery and children's church had an Easter Egg Hunt.

This picture was JUST the kids that were in the nursery that day.  Copeland and Eisley were two of them!

 An Easter Pic of Eisley and Copeland

 And an Easter pic of Laine and Ellie

 On April 18th (a few days early), we had a little family birthday party at the park for Laine and Ellie.  Ellie turned 3 on April 23rd and Laine turned 5 on April 26th.  One of these days, they will want separate parties, but for now, we get to enjoy them together.

 Andy and his family (and Shep in the womb)

 Papa and DeDe with their girls.....we sure do love you both!

 The Swart family that was present that day

 With all four of our precious kiddos

 Carman's Mom and Sister with the family

 Rachel and family came back to Kansas for Mother's Day Weekend.  Mom also came for the Mother's Day Banquet and church on Sunday.  Jeff and I had only been home one one day from Israel before they came, so we were definitely struggling from jet lag, but so glad they came!

These couple of pics were from the Mother's Day Banquet that was once again, a great one, at FBC!

 

 Sunday morning.....love Copeland's hat

 To appease me, Rachel and her family participated in Baby Dedication that day

 That afternoon, I was so surprised when Andy and his family showed up.

What a delight!

We went out to eat that evening before they all headed home.  Even though I was exhausted from the trip and struggling with a stomach issue (which turned out to be an ulcer), it was one of the best Mother's Day, I can remember.  Thanks, kids!!

Last weekend, we again went to NWA for a birthday party.  But first, we went to a little ballet performance again by the girls.

And then it was to the park, to celebrate this little guy's second birthday!  

We love you, Copeland Ware!

All of our family were able to be there for this party....that's rare and so it was a special treat!

The McCrary family

Dad with his kids

and Mom with her kids (rare pictures....of just our kids and us)

I know there were some other times that we spent with the grandkids/kids, but I think I've covered the majority of them.  I am so, so thankful that we live close enough to our kids and grandkids to enjoy many opportunities to spend with them.  

Looking forward in a few days to keeping Laine and Ellie while their parents are on a cruise.

We'll be making more fun memories!