Home for awhile

I did promise to blog once we got home but, guess what, we have been home for a month and no blog. Our winter with 3 projects after the first of the year was interesting and challenging. In Jan. we had 3 feet of snow. In Feb. we had to ride in water for a couple of miles to get to the site and in March we worked with just 4 people. Still, we feel like the work was meaningful and helped the staff at each project do more hands-on ministry with the campers. The work was just as varied as the conditions but we did learn some skills that helped us when we got home. Wilmer's "education" in construction really helped him as he put in egress windows in our house this week. We now can legitimately advertise our home as a 3 bedroom home. We are signed up for several projects for the coming year and look forward to that if health and other considerations allow.
We had special family events in California and that is why we chose to work in CA. We spent several week ends with Gary and family. So good to see the Andrew, Hannah, Renae, Michael and of course Lucy. What a bundle of energy she is and such a distinct and loving personality. Then we went to Ridgecrest a couple of times. We got in on Marie's birthday party. And got to spend time with her daughter Amanda. Again, she has such a sweet way about and that smile just melts the hardest heart. (not that I saw that happen, no hard hearts there) We also got to spend Easter with Linda and family and have the fun of seeing another great granddaughter. Linda's granddaughter Kenley is just over a year old and I don't think we have ever heard her cry. Can't beat that! Her learning continues at a fast pace. Such fun to watch that progression in those little ones. Since this is a platform to praise I will continue. We stopped by Jason and Shasta on the way home. Eli is almost 7 and he makes my wonder if kids just come smarter then when we were little or is it the TV or just more exposure to adult talk? Eli asks questions that I didn't know anything about when I were well into my adult life. When he explains how a solar panel works I know something isn't the same as years ago. Then coming home we catch up on Tekoah's progress. He is Donna's grandson, we had seen him in Feb. but he had changed tremendously. Again, few complaints from him. After seeing him in a tan pants, shirt and sweater vest I wondered why we always dressed little boys in such simple and pragmatic clothing - they just weren't available. Styles have changed a lot since our last baby boy 37 years ago and that is a change I can handle! Yesterday in my sorting and giving and cleaning I came across some articles of clothing that our kids had worn, some I had worn and some Wilmer and his family had worn as small children. Each of our kids will get a sampling of the clothing just to appreciate more what is available now. Not only the upkeep when the article was worn but the making everything and then the trimming of embroidery, crocheting and even knitting boggles my mind. Good old flannel homemade night gowns were trimmed, dresses where crocheted, blankets were crocheted around after making them with 2 layers of flannel etc. You get the picture and many of you have done such things as well. That is why I don't mind sorting thru boxes, I relive so many experiences and can appreciate where we come from and how we lived. I have come to the conclusion that we are pack rats or at least keepers. But it is a great way to remember and reminisce. We have been through several eras in our married life and each one allowed us to build on it to go on to do other things. Memorabilia from army life, new babies (20 years from start to finish on that one) farming for 46 years, college with 4 kids in school and living on a farm, Wilmer's involvement with many organizations (and he always assumed a leadership position quickly) 16 years in the Iowa legislature, foster kids, exchange students, seminary, chaplaincy, selling the acreage, humongous downsizing, and having 6 kids, 24 grandchildren and now 5 great grandchildren with one more due any day. Sounds like an obituary, right? No, we are extremely happy that we have had so many opportunities as well as challenges. We are so proud of our family.
We were so happy Kim could come for Dordt graduation. We never get done talking or "digging in the dust" for little tidbits about distant ancestors. Good thing her and Dad and my interest in such things is pretty much equal. Another project I have been working on is sorting pictures. We took a ton of pictures and having over 10,000 in the computer I thought I was pretty well caught up and organized - that was until I discovered hundreds of pictures still looking for a home. Project done for now!!!!
This weekend we went to the graduation of Amy from Central college. She and David graduated in Dec. but she decided to "walk" with her class at the graduation exercises. We took a couple extra days to see Jordan Creek Mall (love to look but rather pricey) and attend Lutheran Church of Hope in Des Moines. This church started 15 years ago and has grown so fast. The sanctuary seats 2500, Bible School enrolls between 2-3000 children, they have 4 services on a weekend and many ministry opportunities during the week. And they serve a buffet breakfast to whoever wants to come. the dining room was filled all the time and much camaraderie and friendships grew during that time. They really have a good location for such a church because they are located in West Des Moines in the midst of mostly new and up scale businesses and homes. People still need the Lord and Hope is cognizant of the particular needs of their locality.
Sorry about the lack of pictures, next time.
Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the vacation times.
Love,
Mom/Marilyn