Spring Has Sprung

What a long winter we had! It is officially one for the record books (record snowfall). It did snow last week, but for the most part, winter is behind us. Yay! We took two of our folks to Shoshone Falls. Because of record precipitation, the amount of water going over the falls is the most they've seen since the 70's. 

We've had some great outreach/inreach events with the chapel. Below are a few pics of us helping a gal whose husband is deployed. She was given a great deluxe swing set but needed to disassemble it and set it up at her house. So, Ed recruited help.

We have two great women's studies on base. The one at 1:30 on Thursdays meets at the Kid's Gym. One of our gals had us over to her house for a luncheon. 

Gals from both studies got together to eat and watch the movie "Facing Darkness".

The chapel staff had a volunteer appreciation luncheon for everyone. The food was great and we felt loved and appreciated. The week previous to this, the chapel had a designated offering for our ministry. Over $5000 came in from that!

Mountain Home has some gorgeous scenery. This is just outside of town. 

Our sweet Riley zoomed past the crawling stage (she wasn't even crawling when we saw her last in February) to standing. She is such a joy.

Beginning 2017

We started off 2017 with a bang at the chapel for our "Adventure New Year's Eve Party". Many of us dressed up as adventurers. There were prizes and treasure hunts. There was also a great slide show (put together by Ed) about what we saw God had done at the chapel in 2016. We then prayed in the New Year. (We decided to celebrate it East Coast time, so we could get the children to bed).

We had our second installment in our Homemaker's sessions at our house in January. 

It was so successful that we are planning the third one in a week and a half. 

We have saved air miles throughout the years and were able to fly 4 of us (Ed, Greg, Riley (his daughter) and me) to Alaska for "Second Christmas" and to attend Jesse's promotion to Technical Sergeant.

Some of us even got to ride on a dog sled on a frozen lake (for free!).

We hosted the chapel staff in February for their off site planning day. Janet provided a yummy lunch. The wing chaplain was very grateful and so were most of the staff. 

This is a chalkboard we have in our bathroom.

It has snowed a lot this winter. I am very much looking forward to spring. But God reminds me there is beauty and growth in every season. We've seen growth and beauty among people here in Mt. Home this winter. I also got a picture with my cell phone of the beauty of a snowflake in our yard. 

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.