End of 2016

This fall we decided to have a 1:30 women's bible study in the far corner of the kid's gym on base. It has worked very well.

Our fifth annual Christmas tea party.

The occasional Catch Phrase game.

Some of our group enjoying a Christmas play in Boise.

Evening bible study Christmas party.

Twelve Days of Christmas acted out.

Christmas Eve service at the chapel.

Early Fall 2016

We had a great lunch with Matt and Annick Slick of CARM. We met them at the apologetics conference we went to in April. They live in our area. We also got to sit in on his daily radio show. What a treat!

Of course, I have to insert a picture of Riley...:)

Table Rock in Boise. 

Spending time with my mom and step dad in New Plymouth, Idaho

Preparing for the Operation Christmas Child ministry. Once again, we are teaming up with the chapel.

Joyce Schroeder from Cadence HQ visited us. I took her to Bruneau Dunes. We were just going to look at it. We ended up climbing to the top. What fun!

This bougainvillea plant was given to me when Julie was born 26 years ago. It normally doesn't bloom like this. 

Our supervisor, Dick Reynolds and his wife MaryEtta visited us. We are very encouraged. We four go way back with them. Dick and MaryEtta were youth sponsors in Ed's youth group in high school. They were also our supervisors (all four of us) back in the 90's in Germany. We all still like each other. :)

I meet with Xiomara every week at her house on base. While we were talking, her two oldest sons were playing outside. "The Star Spangled Banner" started over the loud speaker and they immediately stopped and placed their hands on their chests and waited for the song to be over. They didn't know we were watching them. 

Summer 2016

I already posted a picture of my granddaughter Riley born in July. Here are some more pics.

Right after this, we dove into Vacation Bible School on base. All four of us Cadence missionaries participated.

Shortly after this, I got to visit my daughter and her family in Alaska. I got sick while there (as of this writing I am still sick almost 6 weeks later). Still, it was wonderful to be with them. 

We got to visit with my dad's cousin's family there. I hadn't seen some of them since my childhood. 

We went blueberry picking in the Arctic Valley. It was so beautiful and the blueberries were abundant and delicious.

I saw some moose while driving to the commissary on base.

From Alaska, I traveled directly to Roseburg, Oregon to help Ed's folks clear out their home. Mark and his daughters came from California. Sam and Sarah came from Washington.

I also got to visit my mom and brother's family. 

Riley Paige

Our granddaughter Riley was born on July 13 at 1:13 (1313) PM. She weighed 5 lbs 10 oz and was 19 inches long. 

Spring 16

During our first years in Mountain Home, Ed developed a friendship with a chaplain (Richard) and a chief (Vance) that has continued strong ever since. They keep each other accountable to live godly lives. God provided for us to go to Andrews Air Force Base for Vance's retirement. Vance was the Command Chief there. Richard's family was there too. It was a great reunion. 

Resurrection week, we put on a Journey to the Cross event at the chapel. It was a lot of work but worth it.

The above picture is one of the stations. 

Our wonderful Chaplain Findley, started Wonderful Wednesdays each week this spring. His wife LaWanda made supper and then we would break up into small groups. I think it was a great experiment that we plan to continue in the fall.

Chaplain Findley has invited us to help him reach out to various units on base. Janet and I have each made hundreds of breakfast burritos to hand out to the airmen. We have only gone to one unit but plan to do more when Ch. Findley's schedule allows. This is a huge honor for us. 

2016 marks 30 years of marriage. I always wanted to go on a trip with Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM). They usually go to the Holy Land. We can't afford that. This year they did a trip in the Caribbean at a much more affordable price. God provided the funds for us to celebrate 30 years and go with MRM and CARM (Christian Apologetic Research Ministry). If you know me, you know I love Mormons and have a desire to reach the LDS people with the true Gospel of Jesus. I got to meet perhaps the most knowledgable Christians on the planet about mormornism. One of my "giants of the faith" Sandra Tanner was there. 

We met Andrew Rappaport (Striving for Eternity Ministries) while standing in line to check in. 

At the beginning of the trip, we were already enjoying being with each other.

One of the many meals we enjoyed with our group.

The whole group dressed up for dinner.

On a trip into Mexico to visit Chichin Itza.

The week after we got back, we went to NE Oregon to help a widow with repairs and upkeep for the Christian camp she manages. We had excellent participation from our group here. The nine men worked very hard. We had one AF guy who grew up in the Bronx who had never done anything like this. He loved it. Janet and I fixed the meals.