Stix With Dennis Mertz

After we took the work team to the airport, we went to an antique store and then to Lora's when she got off of work. She drove us to Stix at Legends in Kansas City. We met Dennis Mertz, Ed's son there. It was a wonderful Japanese Steak House. After we ate, Chuck and I went back to Lora's and spent the night. She is adjusting well and loves KC.

Dennis Mertz and Chuck, seems like just yesterday when we took Denise Mertz bowling to try and induce her labor to have Dennis!! My how time flies. We had a great visit with him!

Chuck and I with our City Gal!

Work Team to PNG Send Off!

February 15, 2008

On February 15, 2009, we had a special sending off service for the work team going to PNG to build the house for Natalie and Steve Arn. It was a very special service and we had several visitors from other churches. We had a church dinner and then began the packing of the items that had been brought for the Laneys, The Arns, The VanDerDeckers and Helen. What a job. The suitcases could not weigh over 70 pounds and each of the 8 guys were allowed 2 suitcases. We are still thankful for everyone's help, to Tara Carpenter for helping with the tickets and for the heads up on the buy one get one free, to each individual and church that sent so many essential items and so many special items, like chocolate, coffee creamer, gifts for the kids, and house warming gifts for Natalie. Also a special thanks to Dr. Renee Walker in Joplin who sent several hundred dollars worth of tape for the Kaulong people. I don't know all the items sent and who all they came from but, God does!

2009 Work Team, Top Row, Callan Wilkins, Andrew Wilkins, Mike Wilkins, Middle Row, Spencer Covey, Landon Jones, Front Row, Don Laney, Ray Madden, Not Pictured, Ryan Laney

Steve Arn's parents, sister, nieces and nephew.

Andrew and Callan Wilkins before we packed!

Joe, Janie and Mike Wilkins

Airport Preparations!!

Esther, Aaron, Kimmie, Jerri, Don and Ryan Laney

Spencer Covey and Landon Jones

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Ray and Carolyn Madden, saying their goodbyes! All the guys made it through security just fine this time! No knifes in their carry ons!!

Savonburg Bible Church

We had a fun trip to Savonburg Bible Church, Savonburg is located about 22 miles from Chanute. Mike and Jill and Chuck and I went to tell about our first trip to PNG and to tell them about the upcoming building project for Steve and Natalie Arn. Savonburg is Steve's home-sending church. There was lots of love there for the Lord and for the Arns. They served us a wonderful dinner and we had lots of fun visiting. The people who sat across from us at dinner said they had a grandaughter that lived in Opolis.....what a small world, it is the young girl who lives in Aunt Carrie's house. The people there have the same love for the PNG people and have helped considerably with this work team trip.

Savonburg Bible Church

Our PNG Display, complete with Caleb and Jacob!

Jill and Angela's Grandma

Beware!!! Jill with the Blow Gun!

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Road Trip!

Yesterday we had a fun day, out and about!! My good friend Noma and I drove to Springfield, picked up my Aunt Evelyn and drove on to Branson to meet Janie and Danny for lunch and to see the new Hollister Baptist Church in progress!! We had so much fun visiting and getting caught up. Noma had never been to Janie and Danny's so, we went there also and got to see Janie's Himalayan cat, Garfield. (Did you know Janie liked cats???? Remember Boots, the best dressed cat in Opolis in the 1960's!)

Evelyn in Her Favorite Room!

Evelyn and Me!

Evelyn and Noma!

One of Evelyn's walls of pictures!

Danny Hartwell in their new sanctuary!

The Sanctuary in Progress!

An outside view of the new church!

Danny and Janie in the new Kitchen at the Church!

Garfield!

We had lots of fun catching up on all the news! What a great day! Jill was suppose to get to go with us but, has been sick with a sore throat and bad cough. Hopefully next time she can go!!

A Special Anniversary

Life is good, January is awesome!! I've been having a great time just enjoying being at home. Lora is settling in well in Lenexa and seems to be doing good. Chuck has been building a handicap ramp at the duplex for Gary and Becky, who are going to move to Lora's side. Gary had a couple of blood clots in his lung and is in a wheel chair now, life can change quickly.

Amy and I have been working on Baby Tins and Wedding Tins and we are just about done!! I know she is probably as happy about that as I am.

I didn't have much to write today but, it would have been Homer and Anna Mary's anniversary, so this is to remember them!! They were married on a very cold January day as Homer was home on leave and only had a couple of days. He was in the Navy and it was World War II, 1945 to be exact. Unfortunately he wasn't old enough to get married and had to have his dad's permission (he was old enough to fight for his country). They had a happy life and we certainly look forward to seeing them again someday.

Company Came

We had a fun day today!! One of our best and sweetest customers from near Davenport, Iowa came for a visit. Heather and her husband Brian bring their 11 year old son to race a midget at Tulsa at the Expo Center this time each year. We had a good time discussing ornament ideas, shows and just about everything. Had lunch at Chatters and Amy was able to work us in to her busy 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday schedule!! The really fun part was meeting Bailie, their sweet little monkey!!! Chuck put his hand out to her and she took it, put it to her mouth and kissed it!! Then she put it up to her cheek and hugged it. She is almost 3 years old and they have had her since she was 13 days old. They said she fit in their hand then. When I took her picture, she smiled for me, I know a lot of 3 year old kids who won't do that!! So, enjoy my Bailie pictures!!

Country Crafts Christmas Party

Our group is small now for Country Crafts, just Judy Marcus, Jason and Amy but, we had a fun evening by having our Christmas Party at Horses of Hope near Baxter Springs, Kansas. We reserved a table and had lots of fun being entertained by the Duling Family before the meal. They always have a silent auction and a country store with Horses of Hope items. All proceeds go to a very good cause helping many with disabilities to be able to ride for therapy. It is always a fun evening!! After the meal a group of young people perform a play sharing the true reason for the season. I won a snowman in the silent auction but, Lora won a beautiful painting and some pottery mugs. She has bought some of the pottery every year!! Amy was going for a beautiful Santa tree topper but, she and Jake had to leave right after the meal and although we bid a dozen times for her, we didn't win. We had a fun evening!!

We saw our sweet friends, Art and Pam Brown and their daughter Abi there.