Shawna's Birthday!

How fun to get word that Shawna was flying to Frankfurt for her Birthday! Jesse and I were able to take the train and meet her there for a relaxing, wonderful afternoon together! God is SO good! Mid-afternoon, Shawna got to choose a dessert from an Italian Ice Cream place. They did it up great for her!

Birthday dinner...so fun! Our little girl...all grown up! aaaah! Time goes fast!

We thought it was pretty neat that she was on the 33rd floor of the hotel for her 33rd birthday! Corny, I know but it was fun!

Room 33...whatever

The Marriot Hotel where Shawna stays from time to time on layovers.
Flags outside the Messe. (Like a fairgrounds/world trade center) This is right across the street from the Marriot.

The Messe tower.
Jesse had fun arranging these vacuums which were out for 'everything goes' garbage day! We are not sure why there were so many in one place.

Sweet Chiara...

We haven't posted pictures of our grand-daughter for awhile...here she is. I miss this little muffin a lot! (Photos are from Sharla.)

Flowers...the early morning

Porch Party

Every Wednesday evening this summer, the young BFA couple that live in the house with this porch have a Porch Party. All you do is bring your own meat to grill and a salad to share. It is a wonderful way for those of us who are here for the summer to connect and fellowship! Come and go as you like or stay all evening, play games or just visit! It is just great!


These guys were having a blast with this roll of fencing.
All ages are welcome!
Notice the view off this porch. The house is actually on a farm in the middle of corn fields. The farm is a veggie and fruit farm, selling the produce right there on their yard.


RASPBERRIES!!! Unfortunately, they are on the wrong side of the fence!!

Fun Evening

We had a wonderful evening together with one of our dorm daughters from 22 years ago. She came with the family.
It always amazes me how simple things can entertain kids for a long time. All it took tonight was two brooms and some imagination!

Ben and Sharla wrote the following...

'Sadly...we will not be expecting a baby in December. Yesterday, at 13+ weeks, we went for an ultrasound and were shocked to find that our little one did not have a heartbeat. We left the appointment with all kinds of thoughts and emotions.

However, today is a new day and we trust that it is MUCH brighter than yesterday!'

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
When there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name.

Poland Part II

The origional Polish pottery was this pattern. Very simple navy/royal blue background with white dots.
Over the years they have come up with lots of neat and interesting designs.

I love the miniature tea sets and of course had to get one for Chiara. Choosing may be a problem!




I think this is one of my favorite designs...grapes and leaves. I added another dinner plate to my set, which is a collection of different designs.

A short visit to Poland

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to take a trip to Poland with friends. We had such a good time together! Poland is famous for the pottery that you will see in the pictures below. Unfortunately, the pictures I tried to take in the shops do not do justice to the real experience! I so enjoyed the fellowship and the fun of exploring the pottery shops with these ladies. In the next couple of days, I hope to post some pictures of pieces I bought so you can have a better idea of how beautiful this pottery is.
Our bed and breakfast place.
Jen and Gail checking the oil! (like we're suppose to!!)
Every piece of this pottery is hand painted.


One of my favorite shops was owned by this sweet lady! She did her work in a room attached to her house. It was amazing to watch them paint!


Her shop was a little cottage on her beautiful yard!

Graduation 2009

Today, June 5, was BFA graduation. Our nephew, Tyler, was among the 78 graduates for 2009.

Every year, each graduate receives a challenge and a verse from the director(who happens to be Tyler's Dad). Dad had a hard time getting through this but did great!

A special moment...Father/Son hug!

Tyler receiving his diploma. In the fall, he will begin studies at LaTourneau University in TX. He wants to be a pilot.

Cherries and Strawberries

U-pick strawberry fields.

He knows my name

I have a Maker,
He formed my heart,
Before even time began,
My life was in His hands.

I have a Father,
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me;
No matter where I go.

He knows my name,
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls,
And He hears me when I call.


Chiara has a brother or sister in the making...due in December! Opa and Oma can hardly wait!