On the family side

In the middle of this month we were blessed to see Sean and Jill again. We had seen them for a weekend when we were visiting in Indianapolis for our granddaughter, Sophia’s first birthday. The whole family was together for three days in June. Now we got to see Sean and Jill again as they came to Belgium to visit friends that they had not seen in a few years. 

We have also enjoyed being able to video visit with Stephan and Nathalie. When we were visiting them in June they gifted us a digital picture frame which means that they can add pictures of Sophia on their end and we see them immediately on our end. Most recently we were able to see that Sophia is walking. She was just testing out standing when we saw her last. 

Technology is a real blessing in keeping us connected. Shirley is still connected daily to her sister who is struggling with her health in Nebraska. The 7 hour time difference sometimes means that Shirley takes her phone to bed with her, hoping to hear news that will come in at what will be the afternoon in Omaha. But it is good to be able to have information. We of course remember a time when letters or phone calls were the only ways to communicate.

Thank you for your prayers for our family. Praise God for good health and growing families. Continue to ask for healing and strength in the situation surrounding Shirley's sister..

Dog days and family fun

The holidays are usually a time of friends and family. Of course our time here has always been a bit different. We have chosen to live further away from our family. And now that our kids are grown and flown, they too have chosen to live further away from us. Part of that comes from the realization that distance is relative and that family continues over all distances. 

So we enjoyed our Christmas time by visiting with our boys and their girls via technology (for which we are so very thankful). In generations past this would not have been possible. Then it would have been cards, letters, perhaps a long-distance phone call. Now we are able to enjoy pictures and video’s and seeing one another. It is different, but it is still good. 

Here are a few pictures of the cute ones in our boys’ households. Both of our daughters-in-law are amazing photographers, so we are blessed with amazing pictures. Both ladies are also allergic to dogs, which means that they have chosen poodles - which have no dog dander and make them compatible with people who are allergic to dogs. 

Stephan and Natalie have a puppy mini-poodle called Mochi. She plays disc-golf with Stephan and they are enjoying training her and getting used to her in their home. 

Sean and Jill adopted a 10-year-old mini-poodle mix from the shelter. He was already called Pierre, which fits perfectly with them. Pierre has no teeth, so his tongue is always hanging out. He knows it just makes him look chill. 

Our own old man, Chester (turning 13 in February) still has fun with us every day. He knows when we are calling the kids and always wants to get in on the conversation. He still takes the job he learned form his first owner (Willemien) seriously and barks every time the phone or the doorbell rings. 

We have enjoyed seeing all of your pictures in the last days, receiving year-end letters and cards, seeing how God has blessed you in this past year - in spite of or perhaps because of the various challenges in the year. Hold on to family and enjoy each and every minute. Praise God for this past year and put your ;life in His hands for the coming year, living day by day in His grace.