Arrived back in MI. on Sunday, 4/29 very good trip. God has given us much protection and care in many trips in our life time, we never stop being grateful for His love and watching over us.
The news starts out every morning - " the weather will be 10 % below normal for this time of year ", it has been windy and cool.
Our Village in FL. has a new manager, an answere to prayer. Don is still President of our Board of Directors and had too busy a winter, God has answered many prayers just recently for us. One board mbr. got mad at a mtg. and said he was leaving, when asked if he was resigning, he said yes, They accepted his resignation right then. Friday our last day there, he was replaced with Ken Malin until the vote again in Feb. A very capable man was elected to V. Pres. Yesterday the Tres. resigned and our last one said he would fill the position. We thank god for all he did for the park.
After cataract surgery, I now have a film on my right eye, have an appt. Thur. with the specialist, he will examine the eye and if possible do the laser that day. I am praying the will of the Lord will be for me to have good vision. I need to be able to thread my sewing machine, working on our quilts for missionaries. The real biggie is my lack of reading now, it is a real challenge at the moment.
We are so thankful that Kyle & Krysten have been able to care for the house for us in the winter, so nice to come home to clean everything, just unpack and go.
Love to all,
G. & G., Mom & Dad
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Bill & Debbie Howard - Spring 2007
Hi Guys,
I’m late in writing because our lives haven’t exactly been very calm lately! We are tonight trying to finish up the house so a new realtor can come tomorrow, take pictures, and list our house. It has now been off the market for a month and we need to get it back on the market ASAP! The drive is wearing on Bill, at least 1 hour and 20 minutes one way, and we REALLY need more space. For any of you who don’t know Megan & Jonathan moved back in with us @ the middle of Feb. It is going well, but I know we all feel we could use more space. Courtney is also planning on spending at least a part of next Spring, 2008, doing one of her externships in our area. With the baby due August 29th ---we just need more space. We know that God is TOTALLY in control of the situation and are waiting on his timing, which of course, is PERFECT!!!!!!
Bill’s job overall is going great. He loves the people he works with on a daily basis in Sarasota and is definitely treated better than he was in Largo. As with anything dealing with people, some days are definitely better than others……… He already has 16,000 miles on his new car that he bought last Nov.!!!!! At least it gets much better gas mileage than the truck did. Our gas is almost at $3.00/gal for regular unleaded and is climbing.
I am still working at the church and doing well. AWANA is almost over and I’m completing my 15th year. Bill and I look forward to being grandparents and also to spending some time with Becky & Steve in October. I was glad that I was able to attend Stacey’s wedding and see a lot of the family.
Love to all of you!
Bill & Debbie
I’m late in writing because our lives haven’t exactly been very calm lately! We are tonight trying to finish up the house so a new realtor can come tomorrow, take pictures, and list our house. It has now been off the market for a month and we need to get it back on the market ASAP! The drive is wearing on Bill, at least 1 hour and 20 minutes one way, and we REALLY need more space. For any of you who don’t know Megan & Jonathan moved back in with us @ the middle of Feb. It is going well, but I know we all feel we could use more space. Courtney is also planning on spending at least a part of next Spring, 2008, doing one of her externships in our area. With the baby due August 29th ---we just need more space. We know that God is TOTALLY in control of the situation and are waiting on his timing, which of course, is PERFECT!!!!!!
Bill’s job overall is going great. He loves the people he works with on a daily basis in Sarasota and is definitely treated better than he was in Largo. As with anything dealing with people, some days are definitely better than others……… He already has 16,000 miles on his new car that he bought last Nov.!!!!! At least it gets much better gas mileage than the truck did. Our gas is almost at $3.00/gal for regular unleaded and is climbing.
I am still working at the church and doing well. AWANA is almost over and I’m completing my 15th year. Bill and I look forward to being grandparents and also to spending some time with Becky & Steve in October. I was glad that I was able to attend Stacey’s wedding and see a lot of the family.
Love to all of you!
Bill & Debbie
Courtney Howard - Spring 2007
Greetings from Iowa! (not too thrilling, I know, but hey...)
Well, I am almost done with my second semester of grad school at the University of Iowa. It has been a crazy ride, but I am learning so much here and am having as good a time as you can in grad school with a full load of classes, several clients, plus two part-time jobs! I will be here most of the summer as we still have classes and clinic, and then in the fall. Next spring I will be working full-time on two different "outplacements" where I go and work under a speech-language pathologist supervisor for 8 weeks, not get paid, but learn a lot of on-the-job experience stuff. I am hoping to do one of those at home, in Sarasota, and another one in either St. Louis or Kansas City. Please pray that I make the right decisions and go to the best locations that suit my interests as well as have housing (well, obviously not while I'm at home because I'll be at home with 4 other adults plus a new baby- yikes!!) After that semester I am done and will graduate with my Master's in Speech-Language Pathology... then it's off to the real world of real work and paying back loans. Please also pray for wherever the Lord takes me; I am completely open about where to go in the country for a job- as long as it's the right job I'll go. This decision is obviously huge so I greatly appreciate all prayers.
As far as non-school news goes, I am attending a local community church. It's odd, but good churches are hard to find here in Iowa City. I like it well enough and have met some really nice people. I am also on a softball team with people from my department; our first game was this past Sunday night- we totally lost but it was a lot of fun. It's nice to have something silly to do as a break from the craziness of school.
Well, I guess that's all. I am super excited about my upcoming break as well as the arrival of my very own nephew whom I'm going to spoil rotten! My life isn't exciting, crazy busy, but not exciting.
Au Revoir ~ Court
Well, I am almost done with my second semester of grad school at the University of Iowa. It has been a crazy ride, but I am learning so much here and am having as good a time as you can in grad school with a full load of classes, several clients, plus two part-time jobs! I will be here most of the summer as we still have classes and clinic, and then in the fall. Next spring I will be working full-time on two different "outplacements" where I go and work under a speech-language pathologist supervisor for 8 weeks, not get paid, but learn a lot of on-the-job experience stuff. I am hoping to do one of those at home, in Sarasota, and another one in either St. Louis or Kansas City. Please pray that I make the right decisions and go to the best locations that suit my interests as well as have housing (well, obviously not while I'm at home because I'll be at home with 4 other adults plus a new baby- yikes!!) After that semester I am done and will graduate with my Master's in Speech-Language Pathology... then it's off to the real world of real work and paying back loans. Please also pray for wherever the Lord takes me; I am completely open about where to go in the country for a job- as long as it's the right job I'll go. This decision is obviously huge so I greatly appreciate all prayers.
As far as non-school news goes, I am attending a local community church. It's odd, but good churches are hard to find here in Iowa City. I like it well enough and have met some really nice people. I am also on a softball team with people from my department; our first game was this past Sunday night- we totally lost but it was a lot of fun. It's nice to have something silly to do as a break from the craziness of school.
Well, I guess that's all. I am super excited about my upcoming break as well as the arrival of my very own nephew whom I'm going to spoil rotten! My life isn't exciting, crazy busy, but not exciting.
Au Revoir ~ Court
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Steve & Becky Shipp- Spring 2007
Hello from the Shipps in Flint,
I want to start by thanking Megan and Stacey for this great idea, and for their hard work in putting it all together. It’s hard to stay connected as an extended family in this day and age, and I’m sure this will help us. We appreciate all their work to get it started, and their efforts in the future too.
Steve and I are “empty nesters” now, and (although we miss our children) we really enjoy it. It’s nice to just have to fit 2 people’s activities into our schedule, and have some evenings where we can just be at home together. We’re both trying to lose weight, so we have been walking most evenings before the sun goes down. We walk about 2 miles and enjoy the time together and the time outdoors. Steve has really been losing weight because of watching his diet and exercising more. I have lost some, but haven’t made as much progress as Steve (who had to put 3 new holes in his belt to keep his pants up!).
Steve is still working for Ferrellgas, as most of you know; however, he really enjoys his job now, which is a big change from the last several years. He mentioned the other day how he hasn’t had any neck aches (tension!) since his job was switched around. He’s in charge of the physical plant locations and the truck maintenance (although he does much more), and those are things he enjoys and is very good at. He drives lots, but again has a company truck to use going to, from and during work.
I’m still working at the attorney’s office 4 days a week and usually enjoy it. Because of our local economy in Genesee County, things are slowing down, but there is usually plenty to keep me busy. We just started scanning all our old files so we can shred them, and that project will take years! I work with Stacey’s mother-in-law, who also attends our church, so we have lots to talk about and can pray for each other and our kids even while at work.
We are both still active at church, and in home projects. Our newest home project (which is just in the beginning stages) is to install new hardwood floors in our kitchen, living room and hallway, re-do the kitchen cupboards, install a new microwave/hood unit, paint the kitchen and living room, and re-do the large bathroom medicine cabinets and (probably) the sink and vanity. It’s a long story as to how the bathroom projects came into the picture when we are working mostly on the kitchen, but they have to be done now because of complications. If you want the details, let us know!
Our bird died this past year (Steve was sad and Becky rejoiced), but we still have the snapping turtle we have had for many years. He’s still growing larger and getting more social. He’s our only pet and is very low maintenance. We do dog-sit occasionally for Stacey’s in-laws, however, and that’s fun.
Not much other news. Our vacation plans for this year include trying to go see Kyle & Kristen in Boston sometime, a trip to Iowa to see Steve’s family, a trip to Branson with Deb & Bill in Oct, and a trip with Kyle & Kristen out to Rich & Stacey’s in VA and then a few days of all 6 of us vacationing. We are really looking forward to that. With trying to schedule around jobs, the Navy and Army Reserve, you have to get creative, but hopefully we will pull it off and all have a great time together. We have been very blessed with our children’s spouses and love to spend time with them. We hope this can be a yearly tradition of getting together in the summer, as well as our time together with Steve’s family between Christmas and New Years in Chicago.
Becky (on behalf of Steve & Becky!)
I want to start by thanking Megan and Stacey for this great idea, and for their hard work in putting it all together. It’s hard to stay connected as an extended family in this day and age, and I’m sure this will help us. We appreciate all their work to get it started, and their efforts in the future too.
Steve and I are “empty nesters” now, and (although we miss our children) we really enjoy it. It’s nice to just have to fit 2 people’s activities into our schedule, and have some evenings where we can just be at home together. We’re both trying to lose weight, so we have been walking most evenings before the sun goes down. We walk about 2 miles and enjoy the time together and the time outdoors. Steve has really been losing weight because of watching his diet and exercising more. I have lost some, but haven’t made as much progress as Steve (who had to put 3 new holes in his belt to keep his pants up!).
Steve is still working for Ferrellgas, as most of you know; however, he really enjoys his job now, which is a big change from the last several years. He mentioned the other day how he hasn’t had any neck aches (tension!) since his job was switched around. He’s in charge of the physical plant locations and the truck maintenance (although he does much more), and those are things he enjoys and is very good at. He drives lots, but again has a company truck to use going to, from and during work.
I’m still working at the attorney’s office 4 days a week and usually enjoy it. Because of our local economy in Genesee County, things are slowing down, but there is usually plenty to keep me busy. We just started scanning all our old files so we can shred them, and that project will take years! I work with Stacey’s mother-in-law, who also attends our church, so we have lots to talk about and can pray for each other and our kids even while at work.
We are both still active at church, and in home projects. Our newest home project (which is just in the beginning stages) is to install new hardwood floors in our kitchen, living room and hallway, re-do the kitchen cupboards, install a new microwave/hood unit, paint the kitchen and living room, and re-do the large bathroom medicine cabinets and (probably) the sink and vanity. It’s a long story as to how the bathroom projects came into the picture when we are working mostly on the kitchen, but they have to be done now because of complications. If you want the details, let us know!
Our bird died this past year (Steve was sad and Becky rejoiced), but we still have the snapping turtle we have had for many years. He’s still growing larger and getting more social. He’s our only pet and is very low maintenance. We do dog-sit occasionally for Stacey’s in-laws, however, and that’s fun.
Not much other news. Our vacation plans for this year include trying to go see Kyle & Kristen in Boston sometime, a trip to Iowa to see Steve’s family, a trip to Branson with Deb & Bill in Oct, and a trip with Kyle & Kristen out to Rich & Stacey’s in VA and then a few days of all 6 of us vacationing. We are really looking forward to that. With trying to schedule around jobs, the Navy and Army Reserve, you have to get creative, but hopefully we will pull it off and all have a great time together. We have been very blessed with our children’s spouses and love to spend time with them. We hope this can be a yearly tradition of getting together in the summer, as well as our time together with Steve’s family between Christmas and New Years in Chicago.
Becky (on behalf of Steve & Becky!)
Friday, April 20, 2007
Kyle & Kristen Shipp - Spring 2007
Hello!
Kyle and I moved back to Massachusetts on April 1. We are very happy in our little rental house. It’s a charming, very old place on the top of a hill in a small New England town. We really enjoy this part of the country with the beautiful old towns, ocean, mountains, and all the history.
Kyle is busy working at Bose. He is working in the transducer prototype laboratory. He works with a small group of people on prototype speakers. His specialty is Industrial Engineering, which has more of an emphasis on creating an efficient, worker friendly workspace. He has been working on the layout of the lab space and an effective inventory system over the last year. He did very well this past winter in school, making the dean’s list. This summer he will be working on his thesis for Kettering University. He is scheduled to graduate next spring.
I am applying for jobs for the summer. I was offered an opportunity to go back to the conference center where I worked last summer, but I’m trying to check my options first for something closer to our house. I have been busy spending a lot of time in Chicago with my parents. The church where my parents do ministry just finished a new building and they are in the process of moving into the space, so they have been recruiting all available hands to help. The last weekend of April is the official Celebration weekend, which will open the building to the community and commence all the ministries in the new place.
We are looking forward to a good summer in this temporary home. There is a garage and workshop below the main living area. Kyle has been spending lots of time down there. He is refinishing a 1930’s bureau and making some adaptations so it can be used as an entertainment center. I’ve been preparing to plant some gardens. I started some seeds inside, but if this nasty weather doesn’t break they will be indoors for much too long. We also purchased a hanging basket on a whim, when we had some sunshine for several days, only to get home and have to put it in the dining room until it stops snowing here!
Kyle has an upcoming Army commitment for several weeks in May, so please be praying for him. He will be in Louisiana. Also, please pray for a flexible part time job for me that is close to our home.
We wish you all well and will be praying for you. Enjoy the summer!
Kristen & Kyle Shipp
Kyle and I moved back to Massachusetts on April 1. We are very happy in our little rental house. It’s a charming, very old place on the top of a hill in a small New England town. We really enjoy this part of the country with the beautiful old towns, ocean, mountains, and all the history.
Kyle is busy working at Bose. He is working in the transducer prototype laboratory. He works with a small group of people on prototype speakers. His specialty is Industrial Engineering, which has more of an emphasis on creating an efficient, worker friendly workspace. He has been working on the layout of the lab space and an effective inventory system over the last year. He did very well this past winter in school, making the dean’s list. This summer he will be working on his thesis for Kettering University. He is scheduled to graduate next spring.
I am applying for jobs for the summer. I was offered an opportunity to go back to the conference center where I worked last summer, but I’m trying to check my options first for something closer to our house. I have been busy spending a lot of time in Chicago with my parents. The church where my parents do ministry just finished a new building and they are in the process of moving into the space, so they have been recruiting all available hands to help. The last weekend of April is the official Celebration weekend, which will open the building to the community and commence all the ministries in the new place.
We are looking forward to a good summer in this temporary home. There is a garage and workshop below the main living area. Kyle has been spending lots of time down there. He is refinishing a 1930’s bureau and making some adaptations so it can be used as an entertainment center. I’ve been preparing to plant some gardens. I started some seeds inside, but if this nasty weather doesn’t break they will be indoors for much too long. We also purchased a hanging basket on a whim, when we had some sunshine for several days, only to get home and have to put it in the dining room until it stops snowing here!
Kyle has an upcoming Army commitment for several weeks in May, so please be praying for him. He will be in Louisiana. Also, please pray for a flexible part time job for me that is close to our home.
We wish you all well and will be praying for you. Enjoy the summer!
Kristen & Kyle Shipp
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Calendar of Birthdates and Anniversaries
January
13- Heather Kocher 1984
February
8-Kyle Shipp 1984
23-Bill & Deb Howard 1980
March
1- Kristen Shipp 1984
14- Grandma Harris 1933
19-Stacey Brill 1982
April
7-Matt Vogel 1992
21- Richard Brill 1982
May
21- Steve Shipp 1957
27- Jim & Jeannie Vogel 1978
28- Karis Vogel 1987
June
20-Jonathan Fusco 1982
July
1-Bill Howard 1960
9- Jim Vogel 1952
15- Christopher & Heather Kocher 2006
August
September
10- Kyle & Kristen Shipp 2005
14- Christopher Kocher 1984
17- Grandpa Harris 1932
18- Jeannie Vogel 1956
24- Deb Howard 1954
26-Becky Shipp 1958
26- Megan Fusco 1980
October
12- Nate Vogel 1981
14- Richard & Stacey Brill 2006
November
24-Steve & Becky Shipp 1978
December
8-Grandma & Grandpa Harris 1951
14-Courtney Howard 1983
31- Jonathan & Megan Fusco 2005
31- Megan Vogel 1988
13- Heather Kocher 1984
February
8-Kyle Shipp 1984
23-Bill & Deb Howard 1980
March
1- Kristen Shipp 1984
14- Grandma Harris 1933
19-Stacey Brill 1982
April
7-Matt Vogel 1992
21- Richard Brill 1982
May
21- Steve Shipp 1957
27- Jim & Jeannie Vogel 1978
28- Karis Vogel 1987
June
20-Jonathan Fusco 1982
July
1-Bill Howard 1960
9- Jim Vogel 1952
15- Christopher & Heather Kocher 2006
August
September
10- Kyle & Kristen Shipp 2005
14- Christopher Kocher 1984
17- Grandpa Harris 1932
18- Jeannie Vogel 1956
24- Deb Howard 1954
26-Becky Shipp 1958
26- Megan Fusco 1980
October
12- Nate Vogel 1981
14- Richard & Stacey Brill 2006
November
24-Steve & Becky Shipp 1978
December
8-Grandma & Grandpa Harris 1951
14-Courtney Howard 1983
31- Jonathan & Megan Fusco 2005
31- Megan Vogel 1988
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