January found us in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Bethel Seminary campus for
a week of Greg’s classes – why he keeps scheduling these on-campus visits for
January remains one of life’s mysteries. And that’s when Kristy let us know she was
pregnant … both daughters at the same time! When we were home we kept busy on the
weekends continuing our volunteer ministry as pastor/chaplain at a local retirement
center. Spending time with these senior, seasoned saints is always a highlight of the
week for us.
We got away for several days in March to visit with Kitty’s parents in Estero, FL,
and Kristy and Cameron in Tampa (we just had to see Kristy while she was expecting!). In
the middle of that visit we caught up with Carol, Paul, and Bradley (Kitty’s sister and
family) for a 4-night cruise to the Bahamas onboard Disney’s Wonder. What a
blast! And so much fun traveling with young Bradley to help us all enjoy this as kids at
heart.
Two weekends in April found us visiting Branson, MO, and relaxing at Tara Point – a
wonderful bed & breakfast near us sitting on top of the bluffs overlooking the
Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. In 20+ years of living in Missouri we hadn’t
made it to Branson. What a fun place! So much to see and do, or just relax and enjoy.
Shopping shows, food, and scenery will draw us back before too long. Easter Sunday we
once again participated in the community worship service at a local park
amphitheater, and Greg was asked to play God in the morning’s drama! It was an honor to
worship in that way, and the local evening news even showed some of it. Greg took some
ribbing from friends and co-workers, but it opened some doors for us to share our faith
and beliefs.
The warmer weather of May was great to watch our first Cardinals baseball game in
the new downtown Busch Stadium. We made it to a second game in September (they won both
times!) and then enjoyed the fall playoffs and of course the World Series.
Greg tried to buy a motorcycle this year (it had a little to do with turning
50), but Kitty was having none of that (the voice of reason and sanity). So a compromise
was needed and on Memorial Day Greg picked up a new Pontiac G6 GTP coupe. Something
about driving a bright metallic orange sports car just made easing into mid-life a
little easier. Growing up in auto company families near the Motor City, we knew we had
to do some tinkering with this car to make it look and sound even sportier. It does
turn some heads and we may enter it in a few local car shows in 2007.
June was an emotional roller coaster. The first weekend we hosted Greg’s parents,
aunts and uncles, and other family members as they gathered for a memorial service for
Greg’s paternal grandmother at our church. This was a celebration of her life and a
time for the family – who are spread across the country – to share stories and catch up
with each other. It was so good to visit with family, some of whom we hadn’t seen in
many years Immediately after that weekend our faithful 15-year-old dog, Bear, had a
stroke and we had to say good-bye to him. This was a very difficult time for Kitty,
especially. But God provided encouragement and excitement through new life just a
couple of weeks later when Ella was born. How wonderful to see Will and his new sister
together, and to see Kim & Doug’s family growing. What a month!
During the Summer we made a road trip across Michigan to visit family and escape
some of the Midwest heat. Two couples we know in St. Louis asked Greg to preside over
marriage vows: a wedding for one couple and renewal of vows at a 25th
anniversary celebration for the other. And there was plenty to do at our church and
with friends in the neighborhood.
But we kept counting down the days until our third grandchild was due. October
2nd we flew to Tampa to be there when Ruthie was born. We are so excited for
Kristy & Cam! We stuck around until they came home with Ruth, then left for a weekend
Bahamas cruise while they got settled in as a family. A quick stop to see Kitty’s
parents and to see the kids and our newest granddaughter again, then it was all too
soon to go home and get ready for Fall.
Greg returned to Mexico for a long weekend in November to participate in the
same house-building mission we went on last year. It seemed a little easier this year,
maybe because he knew what to expect. Still, he came home tired and with some sore
muscles, but also really happy that another needy family had a new home to make their
lives a little easier. Kim and Doug hosted a lot of Greg’s side of the family for
Thanksgiving. The Lord blessed us with a great time to enjoy all three of the little
ones together with their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and
great-grandparents!
Christmas found us again traveling around Michigan to be with as much of the family as
we could (sadly no kids or grandkids as we had to share them with the rest of their
families). But we were glad to be at the wedding of Mandy & Mike (Greg’s brother) at
their home just two days after Christmas. It was a wonderful, intimate ceremony and
reception.
to God for these beautiful little girls and their families. And that despite the distances, we’ve been able to visit with the kids and grandkids a number of times already to enjoy the two babies and watch Will grow so quickly.