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!

So Many Things to Think About....

Last week was doctor appointment week. I met with both doctors on separate days. In a short review, things are going pretty good. We just have to figure out how to get my symptoms to get under control with my medicines. My regular GI said, "If you give me a call in two months and say you're doing GREAT, then I'll consider taking you off one of your medications. Otherwise, I'll consider it in 3 months." He also said that I need to be careful of what I eat so I don't end up with a bowel obstruction again. So, no fresh veggies or fruit or popcorn or foods like that for me. :(

This coming week is a weekend we have been anticipating for quite some time; Commencement for the Class of 2008 at Taylor University! I can't believe it's here already! When Jessica started college almost 4 years ago, she told us she wanted to make sure the money that she invests in her college education is well spent, and therefore, she wanted to major in International Business/Systems instead of something that she was good at like a Business/Spanish major. She wanted to make sure that she learned something out of her "comfort zone." (Of course, it wasn't all easy as pie for her. She would give credit to friends who helped her through some of her classes. Thank you, to Jess' friends who helped her achieve her goal!) Don't most college students take the easy way out and major in something they excel at? Not Jess. She wanted to learn something she could take with her and would make her better qualified for a future job. Congratulations Jess on all your hard work! The end has finally arrived and you will soon be starting on a wonderful new adventure in your life. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments! :)

Items to pray for:

• Pray for a nice sunny day and not rain, so all the family members can attend the graduation with us.
• Pray for nice driving weather there and back for us and there and on to my sister's house for my parents, who will be attending my niece's graduation from Elon University the following weekend in North Carolina.
• Pray for good health for Marsha and her mom as well.
• Pray for safety on the road for Marsha's brother and fiance'
• Pray the Lord's name would be glorified through the Commencement ceremonies.
• Pray for us as we help pack a U-haul truck/van with Jess' belongings. She will be leaving Upland on Monday, May 19, to head to Virginia. After she gets settled in her townhouse, she will then fly home on Thursday where she will be home for about a week and a half, before she heads back to Upland to work for the University Relations Office for two weeks before she starts her job in Virginia on June 23.
• Pray for safety for Jess as she travels to and from Virginia and back to Upland and back to Virginia. She'll be covering alot of miles in a months time.

Thank you, friends and family for your continued prayers on our behalf. Many of you have been so faithful in praying for us and it has really been appreciated. May the Lord bless each of you in a special way!

Taylor University Grandparent's Day/Heritage Weekend 2008

The dedication of the new Memorial Prayer Chapel to be held Saturday, April 26, 2008

Jess with Momma and Grandma Q. at Grandparent's Day/Heritage Weekend 2008

Grandma visiting Jess' house.
Grandma and Jess making brownies.
Jess and her Momma
Me and my Momma at the hotel
Jess and Grandma in Jess' computer class

Mom and I just returned last night after spending two days down at Taylor University with Jessica. This weekend was Grandparent's Day/Heritage Weekend in which the new Memorial Prayer Chapel was going to be dedicated today. Because Jessica is very busy working with the Advancement Office and had alot of work-related obligations, we decided we would drive down on Wednesday and spend Thursday and Friday with her.

Wednesday night, Jess came to our hotel and we went in the hot tub and she also was able to take a swim, in a much larger pool than her neighbor's pool. (wink, wink)

Thursday, after touring her house, we attended her E-Commerce class with her and met some of her friends there as well. After class, she drove us to Muncie where she was able to pick up a shower gift for a house mate. We returned and ate a nice dinner at Cracker Barrel, where we met some more of her friends. Grandma and Jess made some brownies for a friend. After, we headed back to the hotel where she wrote out graduation announcements and then had to get back to do work in the "dungeon" for a couple of hours before going to bed. Because she had to be back on campus earlier Friday morning, she decided to stay at her house instead of with us at the hotel.

Friday morning, we attended chapel, another class, and had lunch in the DC (dining commons). We walked over to the Memorial Prayer Chapel and had an outdoor tour of it, before heading back to Grand Rapids.

We had a great time with Jess. With her being such a busy girl this weekend, we really appreciated the time she sacrificed just to be with us. We sure do love her and pray that she finishes the semester strong. Just a few more weeks, Jess! You'll be graduated and starting your new job and a new life. May the Lord bless you as you finish your 4th and final year at TU.

We love you!

Momma and Grandma Q.

A New Place to Live....

the entrance to the townhouse; Jess' room is on the right hand side as you enter the building.
the room Jess will have for her bedroom
living room
back of the townhouse/garage
front of the townhouse

Jess' private bath

dining room/snack bar/kitchen

Sitting room

Jess was very pleased with this townhouse to make her home here when she moves to Virginia. Keith was able to see it as well. He was very pleased with what he saw, too. :) Of all the places they looked at, this one was by far the best one and the cleanest one!

Thank you, Lord, for how you lead in our lives and

that you have lead Jess to this place

to make her new home.

News...

Marsha had her colonscopy last Friday, April 4. Today, she got a call from the doctor's office with the pathology report. Everything is clear. He had removed a polyp which was inflamed. These are common in people with Crohn's disease. The other concern we had was he was not able to scope into the small bowel. According to the nurse, there didn't seem to be a conern about that. Marsha will see both doctors May 7 and May 8 for the follow-up visits. Thank you, for praying!

This is the weekend in which Keith will be accompanying Jessica to Reston, VA to go apartment hunting. For now, it looks like she may be rooming with the girls I mentioned in the previous post with the townhouse. They do have some other possibilities, but for now, this one seems the most likely one. Please pray for their safety as well as their opportunities to check out various housing possibilities. Jess wants to be where the Lord wants her to be. :)

Their itinerary:

April 10: Keith will leave GR approximately 9:15 am and drive to Upland, Indiana.
He will arrive at Taylor around 1:00 pm where he will meet up with Jess at her
house. They will then pack a car and leave for Indianapolis for a friend's house
where they will leave the car and be transported to the airport.
6:25 pm--flight leaves Indianapolis for Baltimore, MA
8:00 pm--arrive in Baltimore, MA; will get rental car and drive to Annandale, VA to cousin's house to stay the night.
April 11 and 12: Friday and Saturday, they will be busy looking around Reston and touring the Accenture building on Friday.
Sunday: 8:35 am--flight leaves for Indianapolis; arriving at 10:20 am
Grab luggage and head to church service at Common Ground Church in Indianapolis.

Following church, head back to Upland; dinner with Jessica and head home to Grand Rapids.

Monday morning: RETURN to school! Spring break is officially overwith, already! :(

God is truly amazing....

Could this be where Jess will be living?????

Last week, Jessica decided she needed to schedule a time to visit Reston, VA to find a place to live. After figuring out what dates she would actually be able to make a trip, we realized that the exact dates she is figuring on going is when Keith will be finishing up his spring break! I mentioned to him I thought it would be a great idea for him to accompany her on this trip. After all, it would be over a 9 hour drive from Upland, Indiana to Reston, Virginia. Plus, for Keith, add another 3.5 hours drive down to Upland to join Jess. I was so excited that he was going to be able to go with her. Something kept gnawing at me that this was really going to be a long drive for such a short time. The other night while discussing my concern with Keith, he asked me to see how much it would cost to fly down there. After checking out several airfare websites, I decided to check on the Southwest one as they have been advertising cheap fares for the month of April. I was able to reserve tickets for them to fly down from Indianapolis to Baltimore (a direct flight) for almost the price of ONE ticket! God is truly amazing in how He has provided for us in the past and continues to provide for us in the present,....just as He has promised He would do. :)

Since they have been planning this trip mainly to check on housing options for Jessica, she has been emailed some resources from a cousin (Katie) that lives in Annandale, VA. Katie emailed her some links to a couple of church websites of young professional groups. They have a "classifieds" section in their newsletter from their young professionals group. In the meantime, she has been in contact with two young ladies that live in a townhouse that would be 5 miles from where Jess works. They are very interested in her and will be meeting with her and Keith on Saturday morning. This would be for a two year old 3-story townhouse with a gas fireplace, a huge kitchen (which the two girls don't cook, but Jess would), a living room and it's already furnished accept for bedroom furniture where Jess would reside. These girls are both Christians and doing some church shopping. They have been visiting different churches in the area. The two girls said they met while playing softball at a church young professionals group. Jessica has talked to mainly the one potential housemate, and she said she "sounds so sweet, Mom." She would like to be living in Reston, if possible. But, if she can't find something there, this certainly would be an option.

We know that just as God has provided this new job for Jess, He will or already has a place picked out for her to live as well. She just needs to find out where that place is! Please continue to pray for her and Keith as they go down April 10-13. Thanks so very much! :)