END OF FEB. MOOSINGS....

Good Morning folks,

The temperature this morning is -1°, and we are thankful for that!   Last week, the temperatures went as high as 38°, and we had rain.  As heavenly as that sounds, and it was wonderful, it is much too early for such awesome temperatures.  Everything started melting and getting sloppy; the road to the logger’s worksite (really Whitestone’s road) went out.  The loggers were unable to do their work and there was concern about how to get their equipment out of the work site.  Now, things are happily back to as they should be for the end of February temperatures. 

 Here’s the link to Shane Williamson’s family. .  http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-shane-williamson-family-after-loss-to-cancer/311331/update/282957  Shane is the 3 year old grandson of Paul and Nancy Baltrum (their daughter Rachel's son - he passed away after a 3 year battle with an aggresive form of cancer). Thank you for looking at this.

We held Marilyn’s memorial on Sunday.  We had few guests since that was the morning we woke up to rain on ice.  It was a small family gathering that I think Sis Marilyn would’ve appreciated.  Our guests were Don and Liz Werhonig, David and Kim Johnson, Sue Brown, Seth and Ammy, Dora Lopez, Becky Riche, and maybe someone else.  Thomas officiated, Bill Casey spoke and read a poem, as did Griselda, Brad and Becky, Rich and Dora sang – if anyone wants a link to hear that, I’ll happily pass it along),then we had a brunch.

Jessy Geyer started her year with Michael Sowers last week (maybe the 17^th).  Then a few days later, Mike had to return to Canada for a couple of months.  Jessy still seems to be floating on a cloud of happiness. 

Carolyn is still under the weather with her fractured foot and flu problems.  Hopefully, we will glimpse her face again soon.

Kathryn and John’s wedding is a few short weeks away – April 4^th.  They've been diligently preparing their home in order for it to be ready for themselves but also for John’s family to stay there when they come to the wedding. 

Joe Allison is visiting for a couple of days or weeks.  Kelsey will be out on weekends when she can get away from work.

Bonnie went to Texas for ten days or so.  I guess Jim didn't behave; he got left behind.  :)

Bro Dan Riccardelli preaches on Sunday morning, but he’s coming on Saturday night.  We will have a sing along and dessert time with him at the tabernacle. 

Sadly, Rob's special ed teacher from the AGSD is not being retained by the district,  as his teacher. So we will be sad to see her go, she is a real spark plug and Rob likes her - which is important - last week she came out and they both made choc chip cookies in the Tab. Funny thing (and I'm certainly NOT a cookie baker), too much butter was used - or so say the experts - and Rob's final comment was "they are pancake cookies" ...lol..anyway fun was had and cookies were consumed.

Ani continues to enjoy her Panola College activities and courses. She keeps quite busy. Icy weather (amazing for TX!) has stranded students either at the college or at their homes...but she is happy. The college newspaper featured her in one of its recent issues. Ani is an Art major with a Choral Music minor.

http://pcponyexpress.org/student-spotlight-ani-buongiorne/

Still trying to get on to the ski trail, although the warmer weather has made it rather slushy.

SUN IS OUT! YAAAIIIII

!

Have a great day, and a wonderful weekend.

FEB. NEWS SO FAR...

local Delta photographer Sebastian Saarlos, does it again with his amazing shots of the Aurora's we've been having this past month.


Family and Friends,

We’ve had nothing but cold weather since the last time I wrote.  It's been mostly -35 to -40 degree weather.  Sometimes, when the sun does its job, we have temporary temperatures of -13 and -15.  The only redeeming factor about this weather has been that it has NOT gotten windy since it last snowed.  The trees are laden with snow, and we've been blessed with moonlit nights with auroras.  Everything, whether it be night or day, looks shimmery and beautiful although cold.

This photo and caption from Canadian poet Janet martin...captures my state of mind...

We heard from Sis Cathy Owens recently; she is slowly improving day by day. She thanks us for our prayers.  

The memorial for Shane Williamson was last Wednesday.  Stacey and Kenny drove fourteen hours to attend.  I’m so thankful that someone from us was able to support them.  Paul, Nancy, Paul’s bro, Bob, Charity, and Liz O Baltrum were there as well as some of the staff from St. Jude’s.  Rachael made a slideshow of Shane’s short life.  Someday, I’d like to see that.  All so very sad, losing a child has to be the most heartbreaking thing ever...

Another closer loss we've suffered is that of one of our beloved grannies. Marilyn Hagley who came up with her daughter Ali  (Allyson Squires) like 40 years ago or so. I had the privilege of being with her and some of the other ladies singing and praising and helping in any way I could while she slipped away to be with the Lord. She will be sorely missed!

Here's is a short eulogy to her:

" Sis. Marilyn, there you sat on your sunny porch, surrounded by your lovely flowers and you probably never knew how much it meant to each one of us who stopped by for a chat, just to share something we saw or heard, get your input on this or that and then be on our way. Every time I lugged my laundry basket up the ramp I would look towards your cabin, and if you were there you invariably waved - our little secret message - just to say “hi, I’m here - all is well”…gonna miss that!

I think that mothers and grandmothers are one of God's greatest blessings, and you were no exception. Your smile, the twinkle in your eye and sweet voice made you a joy to be around. I will miss you dearly friend. Hope you're gonna tend those lovely flowers beds up there as well, 'cause I'm pretty sure that angels love flowers too!!

 "

Marilyn loved orange lillies like this one! Her's were always the best on the block...

It looks like we’re contemplating having another youth camp this summer.  We have a few things to do beforehand such as Kathryn and John’s wedding and Joe B’s graduation amongst other things like farming, etc.

It will be another busy summer it seems. Ani is planning on coming for the youth camp and then she, Rob and myself will be flying back to Dallas to visit with Ani's extended family in Jefferson (Tesis and my sister Karenza), before flying into Springfield for Rob's special needs summer CAMP BARNABAS on the Table Rock Lake, MO. We did this last summer and it went very well. Not sure what everybody else is up to but that's what we're planning

A guy, James Farner, has come to live here for a year while he establishes himself in the Lord.  He is staying with Kim and Garth mostly.  He is a construction worker, but he also wants to learn how to do anything and everything.  

We had a good convention - it’s so odd to have convention in the middle of the week.  We didn't get hardly any visitors so our convention was super small.  It would be nice if we could have a weekend convention every other year - like swap with Whitestone for the coveted weekend.  It was nice and intimate though and we had lots of food left over! If anybody is interested in the WSF convention messages get in touch with Jeremy Austin, he has a nifty dropbox link that one can download onto a laptop or mobile device...May went to their convention and was very impressed.

Garth is chauffeuring the Ministry around to the next conventions. They’ve been to Haines, now they’re at Hoonah. Soon they will be off to Whitehorse.

My time is up; I need to get to school. Have a great day and weekend.

One of our moonlit nights - see Orion. I love it. This month has been amazing for the auroras and even the Light Joy comet, which Pat and I braving the cold, went out and actually saw through our binocs...