Holiday Greetings!

All but 2 of our beautiful grandchildren

Hello to friends and family! Happy Holidays!

I'm taking the internet route to bring you our yearly update. It's virtually the easiest way to communicate.  How did we do life before online conveniences, our cell phones and instant access to knowledge? 

No big changes to report this year, other than I've visited the social security office twice and am making decisions I feel too young to make. Kevin is a few years behind, in fact just a brand new 60s-er. He had a month of celebrations with several small gatherings of friends and a day and overnight with me at the beach along Lake Michigan. It was a late September day with cool breezes tugging at our sweatshirts and jeans and a bright sun warming our backs as we sat in the sand. I had never experienced the Lake with waves the height of ocean crests. It satisfied my sea-loving heart and an extra bonus was having the beach mostly to ourselves. We stayed at a Airbnb with a 15 minute walk away from Warren Dunes. While there, the tallest dune begged to be climbed and we succumbed, in spite of our bodies' protests the entire way up.  I highly recommend a fall time visit to the Lake!

March began with a trip to Virginia to celebrate my Dad's 90th birthday. It was a simple, yet wonderful time with family. We are thankful for the good health Dad enjoys.  He still creates furniture in the woodshop of the retirement community they live in! Anyone need a walker fixed? Call Omar.  He even has a spare for you to use while yours is in repair. Dad freely expresses his love for Jesus and it's a pleasure to be with him and Lena.

Memorial Day weekend brought a trip to CA to visit Austin, Ashley, Rowan(3) and Wesley (1). It was my first visit to CA and we enjoyed a few wonderful days together in the Sacramento area, which included a visit to the Jesus Culture church where they attend. 

July 4th was the highlight of the year as all our children and grandchildren were together for a day at our house. The weather was frightfully hot and foiled some of our plan to be outside most of the day.. But we made use of the outdoor space for bocce ball competitions for the youth and adults and a bouncy house for the younger kids. We hired our neighbors to cater the evening meal of BBQ chicken and fixins' and homemade ice cream. Every kind of bed from sleeper sofa to pack 'n play was put to use for the families who stayed over during that week. I had prepared some meals ahead, and for others we visited favorite restaurants in town. Evenings were filled with fun games of Up and Down the River and 4 Up, 4 Down. Most of the grandkids are old enough to play with the adults now which means a large reach for the dealer to hand out cards to all the players around the big table. What a blessing to be together and I'm thankful for all the awesome people I get to call family!

Josh and Kira have three high schoolers in their household- Brayden, Jill and Elle. Cody, their oldest, has his own place.  Dan and Kristina, our one local family, have one teenager, Aubrey, 12 year old Shawn and 8 year old Rebecca. 

Jodi and kids (Ian 10, Dominic 8 and Noah 3) remained here longer, and I got to travel with them back to Florida for a week. Amanda and Auron (11), Elika (8) and Zane (3) remained for an extended stay for the rest of the summer. Lots of cousin and grandkid time! Dads (Emmanuel and A.J.), came and went as work schedules allowed.

Kevin continues at his job with Tri-State Compressed Air, and I returned to work at the GC Library after my summer break. Kevin devotes weekly time to caring for his parents who live in the retirement village in town. They have health challenges, but keep as active as possible, participating in some of the activities the village provides.

Our church is attracting younger families now, and it is exciting to be a part of what God is doing among us.  Kevin and I hosted a small group this Fall for step parents. I highly recommend any of Ron Deal's materials for how to successfully navigate a second time marriage and all the challenges that go with it, for kids and parents. Ron's message is practical and full of God's grace. 

October found us on another trip to VA where we spent time with Amanda and her family in Williamsburg and a long weekend with Dad and Lena and most of my siblings. Family ties can't be beat!

This month Kevin and I were privileged to be part of a gathering of Schrock siblings in southern Indiana. It is a joy to be connected to Joe's family.  His parents live in a house with 24 hour home care and the care of Joe's sister who lives nearby. 

Aside from these highlights, life is full of the usual work schedules, visits with friends, and learning more about trusting in and surrendering to our Lord Jesus Christ.  It's a lifetime adventure.

The Lord bless and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face to you and give you peace. Num. 6:24-26

Our love,

Ruth and Kevin