Fathers: Grand and Wonderful

Grandpa Nadeau and Alaina looking over the balcony.

Pete and Alaina waiting outside for Father's Day Breakfast.

Grandpa Nadeau, Pete, Alaina, and Grandpa Donnelson

Alaina and Grandpa Donnelson making fun faces.

Grandpa Nadeau and Alaina - smiles all around.

Alaina's 1st Birthday! June 20

We all had a great time with Alaina.

Faith's 3rd Birthday

It was a beautiful summer day for Faith's birthday. She enjoyed having family and friends over, opening presents, and eating her yummy cake.

GG and Faith at the Mother Daughter Dessert at church.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Happy 1st birthday to Alaina. Faith talks about Alaina a lot and can't wait to see her again.

Congrats to Peter and Emily on expecting a new little one. What a blessing!

Love to all, Debbie

64 Degrees of Freedom

I went swimming in Tim's pool today - it was a chilly 64 degrees Fahrenheit - it felt so good to cool off.

(It will warm up as the summer goes on)

Congratulations Linda!

Well Linda - You did it! I can't imagine what it is like to pack up your class/library for the last time - I can only imagine it is bittersweet. Great memories lurk in your mind but future adventures call your name. I pray that you will be filled with unexpected JOY as you enter this next phase of life. Congratulations Linda

L = Loving Librarian
I = Independent
N = Never Gives Up
D = Dynamic Personality
A = Always thinking of others

Here is a link to an article in the Mining Journal Article about Linda's retirement.

Why God Made Teachers
When God created teachers,
He gave us special friends
To help us understand His world
And truly comprehend
The beauty and the wonder
Of everything we see,
And become a better person
With each discovery.
When God created teachers,
He gave us special guides
To show us ways in which to grow
So we can all decide
How to live and how to do
What's right instead of wrong,
To lead us so that we can lead
And learn how to be strong.
Why God created teachers,
In His wisdom and His grace,
Was to help us learn to make our world
A better, wiser place.

By Kevin William Huff

Love in Action (a little before & after)

Today was a wonderful day. I woke up early (i.e. for a weekend) because I was so excited a team from my church was coming to do a big project at my house: re sodding by downtrodden front yard. It had been taken over by weeds (especially those pesky violets) and crabgrass. It also had a huge dead spot due to the large amount of clay fill that had been deposited into the hole the plumbers created when they dug up my yard to put in new pipes. New grass has been long overdue but the task seemed so daunting to me. Today, on the contrary, 9 lovely people were Love In Action. They removed the sods, put it all in compost bags, rototilled, raked, evened-out, and laid 810 square feet of sod. Not bad for 2 hours and 45 minutes. It was impressive.

My failing yard.

10 days after 2 applications of Round Up!

The finished product

The Amazing Team from Genesis The Church

Double click on the picture below and see the blow-by-blow pictures!

2009 New Sod Love in Action

Prayers Needed

Hi Family,

This past weekend Susie and Paul came to visit Mom{Grandma}. We had a nice visit with them and they are doing well. They did inform us on their children which could use our prayers. Michelle and Jim are both out of work and looking for new jobs. Heather is at a community center following a program their to get her life back on track. At present she does not want to see her family but Sue did go and see her and said she looked better then she had.

Kirsten broke bones in her legs several weeks ago after falling on ice. She had another surgery a couple of weeks ago and has had complications. She got an infection in her leg where they had put screws in and these had to be removed, leaving an open hole the size of a golf ball. She was sent to a nursing home for treatment and drainage of the wound. She now has seen another doctor who will be performing more surgery soon. Kirsten is now at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital awaiting her next surgery. She may have to have a series of surgeries to repair her leg. The doctor says it will be at least a year of healing. All of them could use our prayers. If you would like to send Kirsten a get well the address to the hospital is: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
1775 W. Dempster Ave.
Park Ridge, IL 60068

Winter also has had a bit of bad luck lately. She lost her job a couple of months ago and recently had a fire in her apartment. She is now homeless and jobless. She is on the job hunt and living with us and friends.

Sorry to bring so much bad news in one post but that's the way life is sometimes. I hope that life is going well for the rest of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Debbie

Crews make progress fighting 2 wildfires in UP

This was on my local yahoo news today . . .

ISHPEMING — Light showers, cooler temperatures and diminished winds have helped firefighters battling two wildfires in the north-central Upper Peninsula.

how cool!

I took the leap . . .

of faith and sprayed my entire front lawn with Round Up. Over the next few days I should see my lovely grass weeds fade away into a dull and drab brown.

On May 30th some folks from my church will help me dig up the dead grass and lay down 810 square feet of new sod.
****
As I was spraying the Round Up I was thinking about how God asks us to die to ourselves so that he can put new life into us. The apostle Paul wrote, “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:20). For myself that means that I have to give up my own plans for my life and walk in the path Christ has willed for me. His path is supremely better than mine. "I run in the path of your commands, for You have set my heart free." (Psalm 119:32) Sometimes, however, I am like the stubborn grass weeds and I refuse to die even though it brings new life. Thankfully we have a most persistant God. He will apply another application and draw us closer to Him.

Have you ever experienced this?

A Few Random Updates

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all doing well. Thanks Debbie for writing a post - I love knowing that you are doing well. So a few posts that I have been wanting to write are conglomerated into one here so that I wouldn't forget!

Did you know that Flat Adam came to Africa with me? He is booking his flight back to Wisconsin later this week. He had a great time and especially loved seeing the wild animals. (Double click on the collage and you will be able to see the pictures up close!)


Tim and Carrie were able to attend the Oakland County's Outstanding Teacher of the Year banquet with me on the 7th. I was a nominee. 3 fantastic teachers won - I was honored to be in the running. Then again, Tim and Carrie should have been nominated too! We had a delightful evening - many great speeches given by the teachers - each speech was very different. We then enjoyed an array of hor d'oeurves.


This past Saturday I volunteered for the CDC (Central Detroit Christian)'s Little League Football. We served up a barbecue (hot dogs and burgers) for all of the teams and the volunteers that help with the games. It was lots of fun. We were rained on a bit but we didn't melt. I even had the chance to pass the football around. I LOVE the size of the peewee football - it's just perfect and I can throw a pretty decent spiral with it!

This morning, despite my head cold, I managed to get up at 4:30 am and head on down to the Eastern market for flower day. It is one of my favorite days of the year. Five of us kept warm walking around and picking out new blossoms for our yards. This year I bought dwarf snapdragons, herbs and vegetables, zinnias, dahlias, English daisy (it's really cool - it's pink and white and totally wacky), marigolds, and lobelia. We were home by 8:30 am and were able to all make it to church on time. (We did make a quick stop to one of my favorite bakeries - Avalon - mmmm!)

Family, Faith, and the Final Countdown

Hi All,

Here are some pictures of my favorite granddaughter, Faith and a picture from Mother's Day at Wahlstroms.

We are waiting for some warm weather here. There's been snowflakes in the air today. Only 13 1/2 days left of school for me. {Not that I'm counting or anything} The kids are so done with school it makes the last days seem very long.

Love to all, Debbie

Happy Mother's Day

Grandma, Mom (Emily), Carol, Debbie, Joy, Addy, & Emily Ann

You're my special mother, my gift from God above.
You share your time and talent, and give freely of your love.
You're a best friend to all and even though you're sometimes hurt,
your loyalty will not budge.
My heart is always happier, whenever I hear your voice.
I pray God's angels surround you as He gives you reasons to rejoice.
You're a busy lady now. Your own life is filled with much but you'll always be close by as you're always in my heart.

(adapted from a poem my mom framed for me called "A Special Daughter.")

I love you, Mom!

Tender Flower

This picture captures Alaina just how I see her - so sweet - so tender - so beautiful.

the next Julia Child

I had a blast spending time with Alaina-loo the last weekend in April. One of our favorite activities was "cooking" with spoons, pots, and bowls. If you want to see the images closer up - double click on the image.

Top 10 Most Favorite Moments in Africa

In no particular order . . . these are my top 10 favorite moments in Africa. I have to say I love being there (although I miss you all terribly).

1. Being greeted at the airport by some of the African teens (they really are in their 20's but they are called teens). They came with open arms and were so excited to see us all again. How did they remember my name? I loved talking with mCopseni - for such a young man - he sure is wise. He insisted that he carry my carry-on bag wherever we went!!

2. Driving around Africa all day picking up kids for the clinic. I drove into the heart of the black townships and deep into the rural areas. The roads were atrocious - potholes, dirt holes, missing parts of the road, and roads that really weren't roads - just cow paths. At one point in the day I dropped 38 kids off at the clinic. Yes - 38 kids fit into my 10 passenger van. The kids would sing the entire way - I'll upload some video of that soon. By the way - African's drive on the left side of the road.

3. Praying with people before they left the clinic. The people were so receptive to prayer - many people were sick, tired, and worried about their futures - especially their children. One woman I prayed with was diagnosed with HIV, her husband died a few months ago and she was desperately trying to find a job so that she could leave her children with some money. She prayed along side me with great passion.

4. Seeing the African sky at night - the stars are mind boggling - they are "thick" and you feel that you could reach out and touch them. The milky way and the Southern Cross were in full view. (My camera does the sky no justice)

5. Laughing with my missionary host Mercy - she always makes me smile until my cheeks hurt.

6. Praying with people in the hospital in Empengeni. Our friend, Katie, has been a missionary in South Africa since the 1950's. She is now in her 80's battling breast cancer. Despite everything - she is an ACTIVE missionary (she is from the U.S. and speaks fluent Zulu). She visits the hospital regularly and is able to "get us in" to pray with people who are ill. It is a real privilege. This year a message was given in each ward, we then sang 2 Zulu songs, and then prayed with each person. One boy I prayed with asked Jesus into his heart and I was able to give him a Bible. Katie followed up with him after we visited and all of the boys I prayed with in that wing asked for Bibles. My friend Prasanth and I also prayed for a man in bed H28 who had been shot through the mouth. He was unable to speak and he was trembling with fear. Big wet tears rolled down his eyes as we prayed for him. I was really moved by God's power in that moment.

7. I loved my time with the grandmothers (gogo's) who are given the title of respect "mama". Two particular ladies warm my heart every year: Mama nKosi (her last name translates to Lord) and Mama Zima. They both always great me with huge open arms and we have lovely conversations about everything. They are very wise old women - they have been incredibly courageous - living through the apartheid - poverty - and many of her family members affected by HIV. Mama nKosi is a nurse - her husband has passed away and she takes care of many people in her household. She lives in a very rural area and I had the opportunity to drive her home with my friend Cebo late in the evening after a clinic. She normally rides in the back of the 4x4 truck and it is a very bumpy ride. She was so excited to be in the van (it was still bumpy to me) and she said that I drove so smoothly that she would like me to drive her all the way to Durban (3 hours away) so she could enjoy the smoothness. [Thanks Dad] Mama nKosi also drove in my front seat on the way up to the top of the mountain and I asked her all about her life. She had never been to the mountain but the doctors insisted that she go because she is the best interpreter. Mama Zima always gives me a hardy laugh and puts her hands on my hips and says "studla" which roughly translates to hearty and active girl. It's a real compliment in Africa - I'll take it!

8. I had two different opportunities to "perform"! I was the lead actress in the skit about depression for the community. The doctors held a 1/2 day seminar on the topic. I decided to just go for it and be as dramatic as I could be [yes mom - I know this is not a stretch for me] and it went off without a hitch. I think people were surprised. Several teenagers came up to me afterward and expressed how they could relate to my "character" so it made me feel good that I didn't hold back. I also was invited to sing at the Easter service. The kids had heard the songs from the CD that my church put together last year and they insisted that I sing "cease striving". It was such an honor since my African friends can REALLY SING. The Easter service was a true highlight for me - there was an ABUNDANCE of JOY in the people. The wooden church was packed to the gills - there was singing - rejoicing and testimonies. The teenagers - ran the whole thing under the watchful eye of Baba (father) Mafu (Isaiah to us). We served South African sausages, a pasta like salad and homemade cake with the entire congregation. It may have been the only meal that day for many of the people attending. We also hid Easter eggs (empty) and handed out candy and then played games with the kids. It was so much fun. Several of the little girls wanted to hold my hand so I just took 3 or 4 hands into each one of mine and ran and ran and ran with them. I loved it!!

9. I loved seeing the animals - Giraffes (my favorite), elephants (my favorite too), warthogs, zebras, a LION, cape buffalo, rhinos, hyena, a leopard (I swear), blue guinea, exotic butterflies, vultures, baboons, monkeys and these gorgeous iridescent blue birds.

10. Handing out medicine to the people who needed it so badly. What an honor to be God's hands and feet. I loved explaining to the kids how to take their medicine and coding the dispensing cups with symbols so that mom's and grandmother's could keep track of what medicine went with which dropper. I loved shaking the hand of each patient and even getting and occasional hug when I was able. I loved when the old ladies would listen in on what I was saying to the patient in the next chair and hearing them chime in. I loved meeting all of the different people. The pharmacy is a really hectic place to work - but I love the pace and I loved that I have to be serious there - it's just who I am. I loved improving my Zulu. It was thrilling when I was able to hand over the pain medicine we provided for the cleaning staff at the game park after all of our clinics were done. Mercy stood by and I was able to explain, rudimentaly, what I was giving her and how to use the medicine. The woman was so thrilled and said that I must be Zulu I spoke so well. It was really cool!!

I have so many other wonderful memories - but these are my current highlights. God moved mysteriously on this trip - we were without luggage and water and we faced many challenges - but God's mighty arm led us. He worked in marvelous ways - feeding the community, healing the community, giving hope to the community and bringing me Joy even when I hadn't showered in days!

Had a Great Time in Florida

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Paul and I really enjoyed seeing Emily Ann, Peter, and Alaina. Emily Ann's parents joined us this year and what great people they are. I saw my sister Yvonne and Dick and they are doing fine. Thought you would enjoy seeing some pictures.

Tim's new house

I bought a new house!

Tim's new "blue" is:
3450 Ellenboro
Troy, MI 48083

It is only 10 minutes away from Tracy, and less than 15 minutes from school.
I cannot wait to have you all over to swim in the...wait for it... pool!

The specs: 1971, 3 bedroom, 1600sq ft, original owner, ranch, full basement, above ground pool, .25 acres, and blue!

I used the time during my spring break to move in. Luckily I don't have much "big stuff", therefore I've taken my time to bring things over and unpack bit by bit.

Lindsey the teacher!

Here is Faith coloring eggs for Easter. Wishing all of you a very Happy Easter!

Hi All,

Here are some pictures of Lindsey's class which we visited when we were in Phoenix. The kids just love Lindsey and were excited to meet her parents. We had a great time on our trip. Pete and I both liked flying. We had smooth flights and loved coming into Phoenix at night with all the lights.

Love, Debbie

In one minute it will be tomorrow . . .

and tomorrow is the day I leave for South Africa!

I can't wait to tell you all about my adventures - I am sure I'll have a few blog worth stories and adventures. Flat Adam arrived today just in time to make the trip (I am so relieved!)

I'll also fill you in on all the adventures leading up to the trip including my guinea pigs gigantor bladder stone removal!!

I will miss you all while I am gone - keep on postin' and keep on prayin' - can't wait to see you soon.

Love, Tracy