White As Snow....

The month of December has arrived along with alot of snow! With snow, brings cold weather, hot chocolate/lattes, shoveling the driveway, and cleaning off the cars. For me, I prefer a nice sandy beach, warm temperatures, and sunshine! One can always dream, right?!? Don't get me wrong, I do think a picture of freshly fallen fluffy snow on the trees, etc. is beautiful. It makes me think of the song, "White As Snow," and how Jesus washes our sins away and makes us white as snow. With Christmas coming, I can't help but reflect on being white as snow.

Carol Ann Quick -- 1946-2008

It's been awhile since I have made an update on here.

Today, I would like to pay tribute to my Aunt Carol Quick. Carol was my dad's sister, who had Downs Syndrome. Carol had such a tender loving heart. She was a happy go-lucky girl who loved music and to dance. She also loved jewelry and beads. Dad said at home where they lived on the farm, she loved to play with the chickens. Carol had a really rough life, as she had been institutionalized and hospitalized at two different times. She attended the Fountain Trainable Center for some years and loved every minute of it. I believe that was when they were just starting to be able to educate the mentally impaired. Carol never had the mental capacity of more than a four or five year old. After her mother could not care for her anymore, Carol lived in a foster home up in Frankfort, Michigan where she spent the remainder of her life. There is so much to learn from the people with Downs Syndrome. They all have such a big heart. They also trust anyone and have an unconditional love for others. They also don't judge others; they are trusting. Carol has obtained perfection in her new Home in Glory. One day we will see her again!

Jessica came home for a short visit...

Jess came home to attend the wedding of a friend from high school on Saturday, Sept. 13. She flew into Capital City Airport in Lansing late Friday night, the 12th. Keith went to pick her up and when she arrived at the house, she was surprised to find her Grandma Wittebols here for the weekend, too! She was so happy to see her! We didn't tell her she was going to be with us for a few extra days following her Grandma's week at Senior's Week at Maranatha Bible Conference in Muskegon. I had gone to pick her up Friday early afternoon and brought her back to stay so she could see Jess, as she doesn't get the chance to see her much. We figured we would keep it quiet, so Jess would be surprised. She was VERY surprised! :)

Saturday morning, she ran some errands and then came home and got ready for the wedding, which was at 2:00 PM. Then after the wedding, she came home and then went downtown and met a couple friends for dinner. She also spent the night at her girlfriend's house Saturday night. Sunday morning she attended church, then came home, ate a homecooked dinner with us and then spent the rest of the afternoon with us before packing up for her return ride to Lansing airport.

We decided, since we had to make a trip to Lansing anyway, that we would arrange for Keith's brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Judy, to meet us at the airport, so they could pick up Mom Wittebols to drive her back home. It worked out great. We were also greeted at the airport by my brother's fiance', Denise. We had a short visit with everyone and then said our good-byes to Jessica and headed back to Grand Rapids in the pouring down rain. The only negative thing about the weekend was all the rain. It rained almost non-stop from Friday noon until we arrived back to Grand Rapids from Lansing.

It was sure great seeing our daughter, even if it was just a short time. May the Lord continue to watch over her and bless her in a special way. God bless you, Jessica! You are missed!

Denise and Jess

Aunt Judy and Uncle Ken with Jess

Finally!....

Ok...so the house has been finished for a couple weeks now! We are pleased with the outcome of it. I just haven't taken the time to update the blog. I'm going to have to bring you up to date. This post will just show our new look on our house. :)

Out with the old....In with the new....look that is!!

Before any work was done...
Garage before
New roof put on garage
Shutters removed...house powerwashed to prepare for paint job
Paint job completed with doors painted dark blue...shutters (are ordered),

lights, mailbox, and numbers to be added yet.

We thank the Lord for providing the money for us to be able to do this. We also are thankful for our painter, Dylan, who did all the painting. He was so attentive to detail and wanted to do a good job. :) When we get the full new look totally finished, I'll have to post a picture of it as well. It shouldn't be too long.

An Anniversary Tribute to Mom and Dad....

Today we wish to congratulate my parents, Allen and Wilma, on 56 years together! You both have been a blessing to our family and we wish you many more years together. We also thank you for all the love and encouragement you've given us over the years. May God continue to bless you for many more years.

To celebrate this special day, we decided to meet Mom and Dad in Muskegon at Logan's Roadhouse for dinner.

At Logan's everyone has a huge bucket of peanuts in the shells on each table. The patrons are welcome to eat as many as they want and then throw their shells on the floor. They also serve warm made-from-scratch yeast rolls. Our food was delicious and our server, Eric, was great. No complaints whatsoever! :)
Normally, we don't have any room left for any dessert. However, they offered these "mini-bucket" desserts. They offered: strawberry cheesecake, hot fudge brownie, and Nutter Butter fudgeslide...YUM!! (We even got to keep the mini-buckets!)
All in all, we had a delicious dinner, wonderful fellowship, and just a really nice afternoon together before heading back home. Again, Congratulations, Mom and Dad! We love you very much!

Praise the Lord, Keith has Completed Another Summer at Freedom...

Keith has been blessed with the opportunity to be able to work here for a summer job doing maintenance for the last 16 out of 20 summers. This summer we are truly thankful for the hours he has been given. :)
Keith and Paul (the main Boss Man, who has been a blessing for Keith to work with all these years.) Paul has served the Lord by giving of his talents of maintaining the building and grounds of Freedom Baptist Schools for the last 19 years. Paul goes above and beyond the call of duty as the Chief Maintenance Man for Freedom.
Keith and his "Deere" ...JOHN DEERE

Keith has spend numerous hours on the "John Deere" mowing the ballfields as well as other lawn duties at the school. Along with the lawn duties, he has spent hours stripping and waxing tile floors, cleaning lights and heaters, and other "fun stuff" like that.

Thank you, Keith, for working so hard this summer. You have been working one full-time and two part-time cleaning jobs so that we can catch up on some financial obligations. You have always been willing to go above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak, when we have some things to be taken care of. Thank you for being such a blessing to our family and how you have been such a wonderful husband to me and a dad to Jessica. We truly are grateful to the Lord for blessing our family with your life. :)

More Family Reunion Pictures!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Perry Family Reunion 2008

Penny scramble for all the kids 4 and under

Ed Nordine and niece Candace Nordine playing in the "golf tourney."

Quick family minus Kristopher Cobb and his fiance', Ashley, Joe, Jessica and Abigail Cobb, and Jessica Wittebols could not make it. Sad.

The Perry Family --July 26, 2008

July 26, 2008, the Perry family met at the Ludington State Park, in Ludington, Michigan for a family reunion. We gathered at the park pavillion for dinner, games and fellowship. Josh and Cheryl Snyder had various games such as a penny scramble for kids 4 and under, a flipflop toss, a water balloon toss for the grown-ups and a "golf tournament." We had an abundance of food, as usual, and sweet fellowship together. Weather-wise, we couldn't have asked for a better day. It was a beautiful sunny day in the high 70's to low 80's.

Family news: Mark Quick and Denise Wier are engaged to be married. Kris Cobb and Ashley Forehand are engaged to be married next July. Jennifer Cobb and Jessica Wittebols graduated from college in May and have new "real" jobs. Abigail was born to Joe and Jessica Cobb last March. Upcoming birthdays were Ale and Audrey Buritica's daughter, Abigail, Lee and Candace's daughter, Isabel, Ed Nordine, Dianne Perry. They all celebrated with a birthday song and a birthday cake. Other family that couldn't be with us was Wendy Nordine and Ale Buritica. We also had two of Emin Toro's cousins from Albania visiting. This was their first time in the United States.

It was a wonderful day together.

Thanking the Lord for a Nice Weekend...

Keith and I decided it was such a beautiful day, that we would take a drive over to Grand Haven. We drove over and found a nice parking place on very close to the waterfront. We decided we would walk out to the pier. We started on the opposite end of the pier and walked the boardwalk to the lighthouse.
As we were walking the boardwalk toward the pier, I heard someone say our names. I looked over and who would I see but my cousins, Dennis and Melody Nordine, who are missionaries in the Philippines and are home on furlough! So, we greeted them and sat and had a nice visit with them. They had been in a church in Grand Haven in the morning and decided to stop and spend some time walking out to the lighthouse. Come to find out, the pastor of the church they were at is Rev. Ray Paget. He's a board member at Freedom Baptist Schools.
We finally made it out to the lighthouse! It's the first time I had ever walked waaay out to the lighthouse in Grand Haven. Keith had walked out there before with Jessica, but I hadn't.

Sunday was a really nice day as we left Grand Rapids. However, as soon as we got to Grand Haven, the sky turned overcast and chilly. We did our walk to the pier and returned back to the boardwalk/marina area. We got to where the little shops are and we just HAD to have some ice cream. So, Keith went to an ice cream place and got a turtle sundae. It was a delicious sundae, and we had such a nice afternoon just enjoying the beautiful day and surroundings.

Saturday evening, we took another little trip. This time it was to the grocery store! Now, for most of you, I'm sure that doesn't sound very exciting. However, for Keith and myself, it was pretty exciting. Normally, I don't do the grocery shopping, as I would always get in line and then have to look up a restroom, which would be very frustrating for me. Anyway, we did our shopping together and drove back home without incident. Awesome! :)

We sure thanked the Lord for working in my life so that I was healthy enough to make these outings. Right now, we are making baby steps for each little thing.

Thank you so much Lord for the strength you gave me to do these things.

Update on Jessica's New Life...

The girls in front of the White House
From the time that Jess set foot in Virginia, she has been off and running! After settling into her new townhouse, and beginning her new job, she has had various opportunities to go into Washington, D.C. She was invited to The Kennedy Center for the 2008 Presidential Scholars Awards in which various students performed various instruments. She said they put her to "shame." haha...

During the first week of work, her group did some volunteering at a Day Care, which they had a great time doing. Everyone really enjoyed the day.

The 4th of July, she and 5 other girls from Taylor went to D.C. for the fireworks. They went to dinner and viewed the fireworks that night. Above, is a picture from that night.

Jessica has also been attending a church in Reston. Right from the beginning, she wanted to get involved in the young professional group there. She has also been asked if she would like to take part in the worship band there as well, which she was very excited about. All of you know just how much she enjoys her music! :) The group also meets on Tuesday nights for a Bible study time and a worship time, which she has really enjoyed.

Jessica will be flying to Chicago on Saturday for two weeks for more training at the home office. Pray for safety and for her to keep her focus on all the learning she will need to do during this time.

4th of July Weekend Away

The beautiful Ludington beach and a view of the lighthouse and pier

Over the 4th of July, Keith and I were able to take a quick trip up to Ludington, where my parents live. It was nice to get away from the Grand Rapids area for a few days.

On Thursday afternoon, my mom's stove broke, so they decided instead of trying to fix it, they would replace it. Since there is only one appliance store in the town, Saturday, they ended up driving up to Manistee to shop for a new stove. Mom was able to get the one she wanted, with what she wanted on it.

Friday, there was a 4th of July parade, which my dad and Keith ended up going to. There was also some fireworks at night, which Mom and Dad went to. Keith and I stayed home and watched some fireworks on television that was being broadcast from Washington, D.C.

Saturday, after Keith and Mom and Dad had gone to Manistee to shop for a stove, we had a cookout on their patio in the backyard. It was just a nice relaxing time together.

Sunday, we left as early as we could to return to Grand Rapids to get a head start on beating the all the traffic going back home. Since there were about 40,000 people at a music festival in Rothbury, we didn't want to get caught in all that when we returned home. Thankfully, we were able to leave at a decent time before any of that traffic was leaving Rothbury.

All in all, it was just a really nice weekend and time away.

THE BIG DAY HAS ARRIVED!

I'm sure, if you think of her, Jess would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers today and the next few weeks as she begins her training time with her new position at Accenture. I'm sure she'll be meeting alot of new people, too. Our prayer is that she will have strength and wisdom for this new job. Also, that she will pace herself as she settles in to life in Virginia, that she'll take time to be involved in church activities, but also take time for time with herself and to rest as well. May she also let the Lord's love shine through her life.

Blessings to you, Jess. Have a wonderful first day of work in your "real job." You'll do just great!! :)

STRAWBERRIES!

Our first strawberries of the season. We bought a flat and these

are the final 2 1/2 quarts we had left to clean and hull.

My helper, and cleaner-upper, Keith! He's the BEST helper, ever!

(Rewards: strawberry jam, strawberry shortcake, strawberries with ice cream!!)

and...the finished product! YUM!!!

Hopefully, this will last for a few months. :)

Jessica's New Home Sweet Home....

These pictures were taken the first time Jessica drove to Virginia. Of course, she got bored after driving the long trip, and stopped along the way to enjoy the view.
Someone took her picture at this scenic view.
Her new home sweet room in Virginia, which Jess will be arriving shortly tonight to settle in. Her long drive will be behind her, and all she has to look forward to will be settling into her new life with new friends, new church, and her new job, beginning on Monday, June 23.

Note to Jess: We wish you the very best as you begin your new life in Virginia. May the Lord continue to bless you as you start your new career on Monday. We love you so very much! Our prayers are with you as you begin your new job. :) Many blessings to you as you begin your life in the big scarey world. Just always live your life to "Honor God in all you do."

Love,

Mom & Dad

Thanking the Lord for His Protection....

How many times are we away from our kids and the Lord keeps them safe when we don't even realize they may be in or near trouble?

We are thanking the Lord today for keeping Jessica and her friend safe in the car yesterday as they were driving to a wedding near Louisville, Kentucky. They had attended one wedding in Upland, Indiana early in the day and had planned to drive to this other wedding afterward just two hours away. She had called us for a street address for the church they were going to so she could enter it into her GPS Unit for directions. (Keith and I were just leaving the house for a graduation open house at this first call.) On our way home, Jess called her Dad's cell phone and said they weren't going to be able to get to the wedding. The authorities had closed all the main highways around Indianapolis because of all flooding they had around there. If she had been going through that area earlier or at a different time, she could have been right in the middle of it all.

Thank you, Lord, for keeping Jessica safe in your hands and taking care of her while she is away from us.

A Few More Graduation Pictures...

Some of Jess' professors

It's official! She's now joined many others as Taylor Alumni!

Jess' view at Commencement

Jess and Jill (TUFB fans and house mates at the Ritz for two years)

Jessica's New Home...

Yesterday, Jessica drove a 14 foot U-haul truck from Columbus, Ohio, to Virginia, where she will now live after she begins her new job on June 23. Today, she is getting her room settled. After driving most of the day, she arrived around 5:00 pm and her new house mates helped her unload the truck. They had it finished in about 45 minutes, and she was able to return the truck as well. Her cousin, Katie, and her kids brought dinner over and they ate a little picnic dinner on the back of the truck outside her townhouse. Thank you, Katie for that wonderful dinner you prepared!

Today, Jess will be settling into her room and preparing for her return flight tomorrow afternoon back to Michigan. :) We'll get to see her for a few more days before she returns to Upland to work her "in-between job" until she starts her "real job" in Virginia.

May God bless you, Jess, as you settle into your new community and find and make new friends, at your work and church. We are so happy the Lord has given you this great opportunity to work at Accenture.

Graduation Weekend at Taylor University

Friday Evening:
My parents and the three of us attended the Senior Buffet in the Dining Commons. Following the Senior Buffet, we all went to the Senior Program in Rediger Auditorium/Chapel. There we experienced a worship service with a time of worship songs, a senior video, testimonies from a couple of seniors, and then President and Mrs. Habecker shared their hearts with the seniors. This was over around 10:00 pm. Since we all had a long day, we headed to the hotel to get some much needed rest.

Saturday:
First thing in the morning, Keith and my dad went to pick up the U-Haul truck that Jessica would be taking to Virginia this week. Then, they came back to the hotel and finished getting ready for Commencement, which started at 10:00 am. Because of forecasted rain, a decision was made Thursday to hold it indoors, which meant some relatives would have to view Commencement in the Rediger Auditorium via closed circuit television. Keith went to the Odle Arena to save some seats for us, as we would arrive a later. My brother, Mark, and his fiance', Denise, arrived at our hotel, just in time so we all drove to campus together. Since they were viewing it from the auditorium, he dropped us off at the arena and then parked. It worked out really well for the parking arrangement, as he came back to the arena before Commencement finished and told us where he had parked. I was so very thankful to the Lord that I actually made it on time!

Commencement was awesome; the speaker was awesome. He was from the Salvation Army. As I sat listening to his charge to the graduates, I felt they couldn't have gotten a better speaker. Then, Keith's phone beeped. He checked his phone and he had an incoming text message from my sister, Lori, in North Carolina! (They couldn't attend Taylor Commencement, as their daughter, Jennifer, will be graduating on Saturday, from Elon University in NC.) She said she was "sitting here bawling, listening to Commencement..." on her computer via livestream online. I'm glad we purchased a DVD of it so we can watch her actually getting her diploma. To be honest, I don't even remember seeing her actually get it! (I know she did, though!) Taylor graduates along with their diplomas receive a towel that represents servanthood. This is to remind the graduates no matter where they go they are to continue to serve the Lord in their new life.

Jessica after Commencement

Following Commencement, our family, along with 25 other friends of the Habecker's, were invited to the President's Luncheon in the Alspaugh Room of the dining commons. It was a very special time as we met several people that Jess had been involved in the University Advancement Office with, as well as the Provost and his wife and President Eugene Habecker and his wife, MaryLou.

Keith, Dad, Mark, Marsha, Denise, Mom, and Jess
Grandpa, Jess, Grandma Keith, Jess, Me Uncle Mark, Aunt (to-be :-) Denise, Jess

After the President's Luncheon, we all went to Jess' house to decide on a plan for the packing. After taking us back to the hotel, Mark and Denise headed back to Grand Ledge. Keith, Dad, and Jess headed to Muncie to pick up packing materials; Mom and I headed to the hotel room to chill out before we started the packing. They didn't get back from Muncie until about 6:45 pm. We ate some dinner and then went over to Jess' house to begin packing. We worked until about 10:00 pm and then headed back to the hotel for the night.

Sunday:

Mom and Dad decided to head down the road toward North Carolina, to Lori and Rich's for Jennifer's graduation celebration next weekend. Keith and I went to Jess' house and worked a few hours packing her truck. We took a break for some lunch at Ivanhoe's and returned to the house to do more packing. About 5:00, we had done most of all we could do. Keith took Jess out for a test drive in the truck. She did great. Jess commented to me, "It's not going to be fun, but I'll get the job done." :) Then, Keith and I got in the cars and headed home tandem driving. We didn't get home until 9:00-ish pm. We were completely exhausted.

On the way back to Grand Rapids, I praised the Lord for my family and the awesome daughter he has blessed us with. I was so grateful to even attend the graduation, and having the strenght to attend all the other things we took part in. It was truly a blessed weekend, and one I will remember for the rest of my life. :)

The Moms in Our Life...Happy Mother's Day!

Keith's mom

Marsha's mom

Today as we celebrate Mother's Day 2008, I wish to give a tribute to our moms. They have sure sacrificed and provided a loving home and family life for us. We appreciate and are so thankful to the Lord for giving us such loving moms. Thanks, Moms! We love you so very much. Happy Mother's Day!