This is the St. Joseph lighthouse. I almost froze taking the picture but it was a must. Lately we have been getting a lot of snow here in Berrien County. But as it's been said, "cold is bold and ice is nice." Actually I don't mind it. I think it's beautiful and makes driving fun or not. It does bring back memories of sitting in front of the radio, back in the day, just hoping against hope that my school would be announced on the "closed" list. I wish they did that for dental offices, but like I said I'm enjoying the snow and whatever comes along with it.




My friends Matt and Leah Kohls. It was super nice to see them this past Sabbath. Don't they make a great couple!? (married a little over 1 year).



I also spent time with Ruan and Tara. They have the coolest dog who by the way is also a missionary in Bolivia. He rides under the plane and then gets to ride down the baggage claim belt. How fun! Anyways, they gave a really nice vespers about their experience in Bolivia and how God is truly using them to build up a precious school. God has already brought many young people to Christ through their efforts. Praise God that he uses ordinary people like us!



On Superbowl Sunday, at 5 degrees...feeling like sub 0... a 5K race was scheduled and completed! (great job guys! once again...cold is bold)



Ready, Set, GOOOOOO! Actually, I think they shot a gun!



Christian, after a quick 22 minute finish. He received the 2nd place medal in his age group. :) My dad ran a really great race too!!



I also spent some time with my wonderful co-workers (friends) at a dental meeting in Grand Rapids last Friday.



What a great weekend! I praise God that He has made my life so fun and exciting to live!!

God is Trustworthy

Heather and I after her baptism on Sunday. It was a big blessing to be apart of this recommitment to Jesus. There is much to be said about God's greatness and His timing in our lives. I wish you all could know the story of how Heather found God again but just know that she is growing and being used for Jesus!



It's the smile that counts!!! This is Tara and I at GYC. We had so much fun and received more blessings than we deserved.

I want to share some powerful quotes that my sister Heidi pointed out this past weekend. They are taken from Patriarchs and Prophets. While I was reading through the Exodus chapter we went ahead to page 290.

" The great lesson here taught is for all time. Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, " Go forward." We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, wll never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, "Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly; "but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.....The path where God leads the way may lie through the desert or the sea, but it is a SAFE PATH."

I'm so thankful for this encouragement. God is trustworthy!

California Rush

These pictures are a small hint of the wonderful time I had in California and Mexico. And yes, it snowed while I was there. ( they all blamed it on me... something about me bringing it from Michigan). :0 Enjoy!

Tosi's

These are the wonderful friends that I work with everyday. This year we went to Tosi's for our Christmas party. I highly recommend it!
I won some cash for guessing who all the secret santa's were. That was a unexpected $50. Dr. K said next year it's going up to $100! I have to say that there are many reasons why I feel blessed each day. My work is one. God has truly given me a place to feel at home and loved by my co-workers and I think my patients like me too! That's a real plus. May your New Year be filled with blessings.

Room for Jesus

Mary rode on small donkey's back

Over the last hill towards Bethlehem

Joseph walked by small donkey's side

Wondering where they would stay that night

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Or is the master suite taken by somebody else

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Won't you welcome Him in, into your heart right now

So down the main street at the corner hotel

The sign on the window said no vacancy

The innkeeper told them that there was no room

They'd have to reside in the barn that night

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Or is the master suite taken by somebody else

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Won't you welcome Him in, into your heart right now

So off to the stables they stumbled that night

The animals welcomed the Saviour to earth

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Or is the master suite taken by somebody else

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Won't you welcome Him in, into your heart right now

Picture Crazy

What started as a normal Saturday night ended up in a "Creative Picture Scavenger Hunt". We decided on 10 locations where we had to take the most creative picture possible . So we had two teams of 4 and 1 hour to complete the hunt. As you can see from the first picture that we had to take a picture at Schraders . Unfortunately it was closed but the worker in the picture was not quite sure what to make of us. Team 2, Kyle, Paeter, Julie and Adrianne won this one in my garage. I'm glad the Integrate picture came in handy! (Preach it Paeter) I still think Julie was trying to escape into the trash can. Our team voted not to use the trash can because it stunk so bad.
Julie was a pro-skier when it came to the creativity in front of the Andrews Christmas tree.

OH boy! This was pure luck. The campus safety was awesome that night with all the lights flashing. I'm afraid that Cari and Tunisia were caught by Officer Reuben Vincent...New Zealand style! Now you all know just how "innocent" Kyle and Paeter are!

Berrien Springs car wash. I'm not sure if Kyle's car was up for washing or Julie :)

Reuben...how many times do we have to tell you that you can't go in the girls dorm. For cryin out loud...some peoples children...I tell ya!

J.N. Andrews was a little cold so Kyle shared his winter hat with him. They seem to all be taking a good look at the library. Interesting.

McDonald's was happy to give us some straws but they wouldn't let us come inside....hmmm...crazy people with ties around their heads.

Team 1 , Reuben, Tunisia, Cari and I, made it back first but we lost because we well... we... ummm... cheated. Actually we thought it would be okay to take the pictures a little out of order but that was not a good idea. ;)

This year the MI VIDA SMILE AWARD goes to Julie Christman and Melanie Towar.

So after the picture hunt we were actually worn out. I think we all slept good that night. Hope you got some great ideas to spice up your Saturday nights. We are planning another one because the first one was so much fun.

Have a very Merry Christmas and God bless you with His peace and love.

just exchange it

This is Christmas in the making. Today we are having a cookie exchange at work for Christmas. So last night I dipped a bunch of pretzel sticks and then sprinkled them with yummy sugar. So I will trade 4 cookies for 4 cookies and come home with around 40 other cookies. What to do with 40 cookies?!

Just an update. Today in Michigan it is snowy and windy. I just got back from eating my greek salad at Panera and I almost turned into a snowwoman out there. I wish we could exchange weather with California for Christmas but I guess the weather doesn't work quite like a cookie exchange. But I know what does.... I know for sure that Jesus exchanges my sinful heart for a new clean heart as white as the snow. That's why I like the snow. It serves to remind me of God's desire to wash me. :)

A Full Weekend

I'm so happy that I got to spend time with Tara and Ruan. We have been close friends for several years. They are back from Bolivia where they are serving as missionaries.

Tara really wanted to have some tofutti ice cream after being in Bolivia where there is no Apple Valley Market. I can't blame her... we all had some!

For all of you who pay someone to hang your christmas lights and spend lots of money at Walmart buying lights.... well... I got lucky this year. My car was decorated with 9 strands of multi-colored lights for free, plus all the trimmings. Christmas bows, splashes of lip stick, duck tape and christmas greetings where all part of the deal. WOW!

I forgot to mention that this was accomplished while I was in my house and my car was in the garage. Opps! Good job guys, you win. Just in case you wish your car was decorated for christmas let me tell you who to contact: KA, JLW, MLG, TS... I am not sure who else but information is coming in daily that continues to "unwrap" this christmas mystery!

El Dia de Gracia

Yes there is nothing like roasting your hotdog right inside the house. That's what we did during our Thanksgiving festivities at my Grandparent's house in Kansas. This is Lauren and I trying our luck with those oh so famous Loma Linda Big Franks.

It always thrills my Grandma when we use the old wood stove to cook food. I have to mention that although the weather was plenty warm outside she still had a raging fire to "keep the house warm". Needless to say, we kept opening all the doors and windows to keep from melting down.

My Grandma and her two girls. She was so happy to have everyone home! Her smile shows it.

My Dad and my cousin Tim made an agreement that if the Cardinals won the World Series that my dad would have to wear a Cardinal's hat. Of course the opposite was part of the deal too. Well, much to my Dad's dismay he had to put on a Cardinal's hat.

Jackson was the biggest highlight of Thanksgiving. He is the first great-grandchild in the family and much loved. He was having so much fun taking a bath and for us it was very entertaining.

I'm grateful for my family. God has blessed me beyond what I know.

Many Moons Ago

This is my first car. This is my first car after a big prank. No I am not into NASCAR or racing stripes.

They had way too much fun getting the job done. Let's just say that my first car suffered a lot. When I worked at camp it was found on the beach one morning, locked in the fort, pushed to the other side of the lake another day, the tire was removed and put on top of a pole too tall for me to get, filled with balloons and much more. The problem was that it didn't lock and it was a standard. That was 7 years ago. I used to see it driving around in Berrien Springs, but maybe it finally died. I'm just glad to have my Vue now.
Back in the day....bowling!

Camp AuSable in the winter. This is me on the boardwalk just sittin and thinkin.

fall time

In the corn maze. Cornhuggers!

The all famous and getting more so Indian soup. This last weekend I was in Wisconsin visiting my friend Jennifer. They were having a womens retreat with an Indian theme on Sat. night. Thus the soup! People loved it along side their Nan and mango ice cream.

Next were the adventures on the farm. Jen and her family have llamas, goats, horses, dogs and cats.

Lily giving me a very unexpected kiss.

Jen and Sky

George. My favorite and probably because he is so curious. He is always checking out what you are doing, making sure he is not missing anything.