Great Giving Challenge Contest Entry: Rick

Great Giving Challenge Contest Entry: Rick

Financial guru, Dave Ramsey is having a contest in which people can make a video to share their contest entry. The prize for this contest is to be able to give away $1,000 a day for five days. This man has shared his entry.  You can view "Rick's" entry (click on above link)  He wants to be able to provide as many walkers with the seats and handlebar brakes on them to as many needy random people as he can. What a neat way to help those out so they don't have to use a tennis ball walker anymore. If you feel so led, you can support "Rick" by casting your vote for him at http://www.daveramsey.com/ He is doing this in in memory of his late wife who died of cancer. What a neat way to not only help others but also do something to honor his late wife.

Tornado Warnings and Extreme High Winds in October

The last couple days, we have sure experienced a variety of weather from tornado warnings to extremely high wind warnings.  Tuesday, we woke up to a tornado watch until noon.  Keith's school ended up closing and it did turn into a tornado warning at about 10:00 am.  We experienced very high winds here in Wyoming. 

We have seen various pictures posted of Lake Michigan with the huge waves crashing over the various lighthouses and even some "experienced" kayakers braving the waves in Grand Haven.  Many people made trips to Lake Michigan (Holland, Grand Haven or Ludington) experience the crashing waves.  Well, we didn't get over to Lake Michigan, but the next best thing would be to view a video of what it was like in at the Ludington beach.  Here is a very short video that almost makes you feel like you are there:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLvmaCdwRcM

Monday Morning News

Last week, Jess lead a workshop in Washington D.C. for unemployed people to mentor them on how to apply for jobs, write resumes, etc.  If you would like to view an article in the Washington Post, here is a link to view some pictures and read more about it.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/22/AR2010102205928.html

Whirlwind Weekend

Last weekend, Jess brought her special guy home so he could meet some of her friends and see where she grew up.  It was his first visit to Michigan.  Too bad the weather wasn't so great to show off our beautiful West Michigan area! 

As you can imagine, it was a "whirlwind weekend" with Jess and Andy.  They arrived late Friday night and left late Sunday afternoon.  They were on the "go" from the time they arrived until they departed.  Nonetheless, it was a great time.

Late Saturday afternoon, we drove up to Ludington for dinner.  Before dinner, we drove down by the beach and marina area and showed him the Badger in dock.  We also drove up in the Fourth Ward and showed him where Mom lived.  We then drove to the restaurant and met Uncle Bill and Aunt Dianne, Aunt Merna, and Mom and Dad.  We were glad that Dad felt good enough to go, too.  It was a nice time of fellowshipping together.  After, we went back to Mom and Dad's for some of Mom's homemade apple pie.  Needless to say, it was delicious!  Since the "coffee making committee" struggled, we didn't end up serving cofffee.  That'll be a memory in itself.  Ha!  Sorry, no picture of that!

Sunday, they got up and attended church, where they met more friends.  After church, we had roast beef dinner with apple crisp for dessert.  When dinner was over, Keith took them to school, so Andy see where she attended school.  They arrived back home and had a few minutes to do last minute packing and visit a bit, then Keith took them to the airport for their departure. 

We treasured every minute we had with them....as parents do!  Thanks to Jess and Andy for a great weekend!  Already looking forward to a return visit, soon! 

Fall Sunset

Last week, my dad took a fall after first passing out, and I drove up to Ludington to be of support to Mom and Dad. When I arrived at the hospital, I never expected to see him in such a way. He had a huge black eye (very puffed up and almost swollen shut), 13 staples in his head, 5 stitches on his lip, a missing tooth from his plate, 3 broken ribs and other bruises on his face, along with being diagnosed with pneumonia. I felt so bad for him. He had no idea what had happened.

When I arrived at the hospital, Mom had been at the hospital all day with Uncle Bill and Aunt Dianne. They had left just before I arrived. (Their help and support was so appreciated!) When Dad finally got settled into his room, Mom and I went and got something to eat and then headed back to the house. Mom got into the house and I took a very fast drive down to the lakeshore to snap this picture of the sunet. I couldn't help myself; I just had to get it!

Just another beautiful portrait by our Creator. Thank You, Lord, for your many blessings for which we are so underserving.

Dominican Trip 2010

The students working on the trench.

This was the eleventh trip Freedom Christian School had taken to Juan Tomas, Dominican Republic. There were 20 students and 4 leaders that went on this trip. They departed at 4:00 a.m. on April 1, and arrived safely at their destination at 10:00 p.m. with all luggage and tubs in tow. They had made it through customs without delay and quicker than they had in the previous five trips down, according to Freedom alumnus, Beka Bole who has gone on this trip previously. It had been a long day.

The next morning, they toured the goat farm the missionaries depend on for a living. After the tour they started with their work assignments for the week. While they were there, they painted, dug holes, put up fencing, and leveled some ground for a laundry area, put up beams for swing sets. Keith's group worked on digging a 250 foot long trench, 2 feet deep through stone, clay, and rock. They mostly used pick axes and put in an inch pipe and put in an electrical line on top, cemented every ten feet so the piping could not be pulled out and then buried it all back up. It was very hard and hot work. This project was completed in six days.

Freedom kept the tradition of working hard on the projects given while there. The missionary and the director of Partners in Christ both agreed they were very encouraged with all the work that had been accomplished while they were there.

The team agreed that even when there is a language barrier, everyone can praise God and be so blessed. The Dominicans have so little but love the Lord. They all realized that we Americans have so much to be thankful for. The teens came back with a greater appreciation of what they have and not to take what we do have for granted.

They also had an opportunity to visit a Haitian village in the Dominican. They put on a 3-day Bible Club. One of the teens commented how you could see the sadness on the children's faces. They were awstruck when they saw the living conditions of the people there. They go to a place to pump water and carry it back to their homes. There is an 80% unemployment rate.

The final Saturday they were there, they visited a market and then were able to visit an all-inclusive resort. They spent the day relaxing by eating and swimming and just having fun before heading back to the US. It was a wonderful way to end the week!

Some of the things that Keith took away from this trip: How blessed he is. Sometimes people get so wrapped up with material things, we lose sight of what we do have. He has learned to be thankful in all circumstances. His prayer life has deepened. He has learned that he needs to depend on God in every situation he faces in his life. He also grew by having been put in a leadership role.

Keith is very grateful he was able to go on this trip.

A Tribute to Mom....

Today my mom celebrates her 82nd birthday. Mom is such a beautiful lady, inside and out. She always taught us to do our best when we were growing up. I can remember when I came home from school so worried because I was going to get my first C+ on my report card. She told me that it was okay, as long as it was the best I could do and that I had tried my hardest to get help with the subject.

I also have fond memories of Mom always putting us kids and others before herself. (I know, now, that's what a mom does! ) Instead of her buying a new dress or shoes, she would buy them for us. Even though she worked outside the home at various times, I always remember our house being neat and clean and homecooked meals on the table at meal time.

Mom has been through a lot physically. Through all her ailments, though, she keeps on going and never complains that she's in pain. She suffers with arthritis and has had a knee replacement along with several other ailments.

We were always taught right from wrong as well. Mom has handed down her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to us. We were taught that in order to get to Heaven, we needed to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as our personal Savior. I did this at the age of 9, upstairs kneeling by my bed. When I was done, I immediately went downstairs and told my mom. :)
Even though at that time, I didn't know all there was to know about living a life of faith. It wasn't until I got to college that I realized I needed to be living this faith day by day. I thank God for Mom. She is a great Mom and grandma (and now, great-grandma) and loved and appreciated so much. She certainly has a love for her family. It's the most happiest times for her when we can all be together with her and Dad.

Happy Birthday, Mom, with our love!