Back to Normal

For most of you life returned to normal on January 2. The holidays were just memories and bills. Ours was extended a couple of weeks. We made the trip to Michigan for a wedding and Camdyn came for a visit (see earlier blogs).

Last week was our return to normal. Cheryl taught an intensive class (Gender Studies) that ended Friday with a noon meal at our house. I spent Saturday cleaning carpets at the church. Sunday was full with two great services, lunch with new church members, and I had a deacons meeting in the afternoon. Monday was return to the office and committee meetings and student advising and D.Min. defenses. Monday evening we had the church elders meeting at our house. Last evening (Tuesday) I had the church staff meeting at our house. Tonight we have a farewell reception at the church. At some point this week I have to patch a leak in the roof of our house (over the garage). Cheryl is working hard grading.

Ahh! Its good to be back to normal.

A Little Model

I needed to distract Camdyn so that Cheryl could leave for the store. I asked if I could take her picture in some goofy glasses. But when we got down stairs she refused to wear the glasses which she had been showing off upstairs. Instead she wanted her picture without it. She proceeded to direct the photo shoot, telling me where and how to sit. She chose her place and posture. She turned the television off because it was distracting her.

Kitty

I wanted to take a picture of Camdyn and the cat. She decided she wanted kitty in her lap for the picture: a two year old set the picture up.

Guess Who

Do you recognize the toddler in these photos? Hint: look at the previous post.

I love to climb high.

I love to slide.

Oops!!!

I love horses.

I love all kinds of horses.

Camdyn Visits

On Tuesday Cheryl and I drove to Pulaski, Virginia where we met Justin's parents (Randy and Gail Allen) and picked up Camdyn. Justin and Camdyn had stayed in Virginia following Christmas for Justin to complete a couple of Doctor of Ministry courses at Wesley Theological Seminary. Justin will pick her up this week-end on his way home to Memphis.

This afternoon we took Camdyn to Tensley Park. She met a new friend and otherwise had a great time. She worked up from going down the big slide with Nanna to insisting on doing it all by herself.

GiGi, Nanna, Camdyn, and Pa.

More, Higher

Twins of spirit

By myself

Pooh Sticks

Wedding Trip

On Friday I drove to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cheryl flew there from New York City where she was attending a consultation on ecumenics. We came to perform a wedding for two of our students, Leslie Carpenter and Matthew Holmes. We had a wonderful time doing the ceremony together and received many complements. They were a beautiful couple as you can see from the pictures.

We will drive home tomorrow. Karisa returned to Wheaton with JohnMark. Alethea is in Memphis working at St. Jude's Childrens Hospital this month. Justin is in DC staying with his parents for another week while he takes a couple of Doctor of Ministry classes. Camdyn is with Justin and his family.


First Dance as Mr and Mrs

Cutting

More Cutting

Cutting up: Cake anyone?

Seminary Family Present

A Promise Kept

Gatlinburg

On Wednesday I went to Pigeon Forge to spend a few days with family. Shirley, Ryan, Darlene, and Thurman met me there. Karisa was ill so she and Cheryl came up on Thursday. Mike came up on Thursday as well. Alethea, Justin and Camdyn stopped on their way to Washington DC and spent Wednesday evening with us. Traffic was terrible, and restaurant service was slow but we had a great time. Our cabin was nice (three bedrooms, three baths, fireplace, mountaintop, etc.-- not to mention a scenic view of the Pigeon Forge traffic.) Karisa requests we refer to this as a trip to Gatlinburg.

Unfortunately, Jimmy had to work so that he and Iris could not join us.

Camdyn took to Thurman. It's a Grand-pa thing.

Gatlinburg

Portrait

So much excitement

Christmas in South Carolina

We began Christmas Day with worship at New Covenant. It was a good service with a good attendance. We left immediately afterward for South Carolina to celebrate Christmas with Cheryl's family. On Monday Cheryl and Karisa took Cheryl's Sister Glenda and her daughter April shopping. April's son Zachary (2 and 1/2 years old) went along. I worked in the yard removing limbs left from the ice storm. We returned to Cleveland today stopping in Senaca to have brunch with Cheryl's nephew Joshuah.

Chery's mom (Thelma) with four of her grandchildren, Joshua, Karisa, Thelma, Seth, and Eric (left to right).

Cheryl, Thelma, Glenda, and Ruth.

Ruth and her husband Greg with sons Seth and Eric

Memphis for Santa's visit

We returned last evening from Memphis where we celebrated Christmas early with Alethea, Justin and Camdyn. Karisa flew there from Chicago and rode home with us. On Tuesday Cheryl and I took Camdyn to the Peabody Hotel to see the famous ducks and we enjoyed lunch at T.G.I. Fridays.



At the Peabody

Baking Cookies for Santa















It was so much fun to watch Camdyn with her toys. She reminds Cheryl and me of Karisa and Alethea as well when they were her age . "Alethea" shows up when her mom tells her not to do something. She gets a determined look with a sheepish grin and does it anyway knowing there will be consequences (e.g., a toy is put away for a couple of days). For example, one of her gifts was a play piano her mother had when she was Camdyn's age (see picture). Camdyn loved playing it but she also loved sitting on it. It had been broken over the years and I had repaired and reinforced it. I suspect Alethea did not trust my skills and did not want Camdyn sitting on the piano. Camdyn looked streight at her mother and plopped down. It was promptly put away for a couple of days.

The Piano

Her favorite toys seemed to be a rocking horse and the refrigerator I made her. but she enjoyed them all.



Papa's Girl

Four Women

Karisa in a rare serious mood.

Justin finds his place in the world.

Larry and Danny Visit

One of the great aspects of a long term pastorate combined with teaching at a seminary is becoming family with students who then become life-long ministry peers. Cheryl and I have several former students who are also former New Covenant members who fit that category. Two have come for a visit this week, Larry McQueen and Danny Alvarez. Larry is in town for Brenda Hughes' graduation from UT Knoxville with an Executive MBA degree. He has recently been accepted into a doctoral program at the University of Birmingham in England. Danny is on break from his doctoral program at Regent University in Virginia and came to see a "friend". The visit included meeting her parents. They are both very special to us and a pleasure to have in our home (they both help with chores around the house).

Larry McQueen


Danny Alvarez


Brenda Hughes

Lane's Visit

We had a special surprise this week-end, Larry and Maxine Lane came over for brunch. Maxine worked at Northwest Bible College when we taught there (1976-1979). In every place there are people who make having lived there special. Larry and Maxine are two of those people. They are warm, loving and gracious friends, a major reason our memories of North Dakota are always pleasant.


Larry and Maxine


Another Thanksgiving shot. Camdyn was checking Santa out from a distance.


Another shot from our front yard.