Niece

~Janessa Elyse~

March 30, 2010

Welcomed by Joel & Judith

and big sister Kaelyn.

Since the aunts were too far away to hold the new baby we went shopping for her.

Vases for flowers

The sign at Randi's read, "Recycle your old vases for free flowers." So Betsy and I hunted up several vases from the basement and exchanged them for a bouquet of flowers.

Dozen

Brian's goats produced an even dozen kids this season. Kidding lasted six days--Saturday to Thursday. Brian assisted with several births and I starred in one of the stories now in his repertoire. We didn't lose any kids this season, though, and none of them spent time in cardboard boxes near the heat vent in the kitchen.

Renewal

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

...They go from strength to strength

Psalm 84:5,7 NIV

Pastor & Bunica

This month Pastor and Bunica (Romanian for grandmother) retired for the third time. Mervin and Ruth Potteiger served the Bethel Brethren in Christ congregation for the past four years since returning from Romania. Monday morning they loaded their earthly possession in trailers and headed south to retirement.

Installation Service

Breakfast after the Sunrise Service

Vacation Bible School

Baby Dedication Service

Sunday School Picnic

Birthday Dinner

Outdoor Hymn Sing

Camping at Lazy T

Friendship Sunday

Morning beach

Last weekend Julie, Betsy, and I shared a hotel room in Ludington with our friend Lauren. Sunday morning Lauren woke up to discover the other half of the bed was empty. "Where's Amy?" she asked my sisters.

"Oh, she went to the beach," they replied.

"She went to the beach!" Lauren sputtered, "But it's dark... and cold... and nobody's there."

It was wonderful.

Butterflies

Wednesday morning my friend Amanda, Betsy and I experienced the warmth and color of the tropics. We visited "Butterflies in Bloom" in the conservatory of a local gardens. The air was heavy with moisture and full of the songs of birds. Butterflies flitted between vibrant flowers or rested beside the lily pad adorned pond. It was an enchanting escape from the mud and bleakness of Michigan spring. And it made Amanda sigh and long for the Dominican Republic.

Laundry

Kids

Brian's goats had seven kids this weekend, ranging in size from a twelve pound buck to a five pound doe. Sunday afternoon I visited the maternity ward in the barn to see the new arrivals. I took a few photos and then loaded them onto my laptop. That's when I realized it was more than a few pictures. From 4:00 p.m. to 4:09 p.m. I shot 105 frames.

North Breakwater

I played hooky last Saturday morning on the shore of Lake Michigan. Aaron, Julie and Betsy were determined to attend a weekend singles' retreat in Ludington, on the west side of the state. I accompanied them but was able to steal away from my responsibilities long enough for a walk along the beach to the lighthouse.

Praise

Ludington Light

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,

who daily bears our burdens.

Selah Psalm 68:19 NIV

John and Martha

Baptism

He was seven-years-old, Logan told friends and family sitting in the pews of a neighboring church building, when he realized his older siblings had a relationship with God that he didn't have. One night, before bed, he asked Dad if he could pray to be saved. They prayed together. Wednesday evening on his confession of faith, Logan was baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Tree trimming