Just five years ago we moved from our home area in Michigan to New Tribes Mission of Canada located in Durham, Ontario. We entered the missions training program with Chesley, who was then nine months old. We lived in a two bedroom apartment without any running water. (You can see our water storage there by our feet that we used daily).
So much has happened since then. I’m so thankful that God has lead us along each step of the way!
Kaden is growing up so fast. He use to be a quiet little guy, letting his brother talk for him. Now, lets just say it is no longer his brother we are reminding to use an “inside voice”. He is and has always been very independent. Often he will take off and play in the sand box or find some toys in the other room to play with by himself.
Recently Kaden has taken up wrestling with anyone who is up for the challange. He has wrestled Grandma and Grandpa Haynes, Mommy and Daddy, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Amber, and of course… his brother, Chesley. Though he’s a little guy he does have one thing going for him… his desire to never give up!
Over a week ago I finished a day of house cleaning only to notice that my wedding and engagement ring were missing. I always wear them and it drives me crazy when I take them off just for a moment to put on lotion, do some scrubbing, or knead some bread dough. But I had no memory of taking it off, and it was not on my finger. I looked in all the places it might be with no luck.
After a few days went by I started to talk about the possibility of it being lost forever. Karl specifically picked out the dimond for me and had them put it in the ring. Then on Feburary 14, 2002 he knelt down and asked me to marry him with it. Later on June 22 the engagement ring was joined with the wedding band after we said our vows to each other before our friends and family. I loved that ring!
Yet, it was gone…
But today, over a week later, I went to get a wash cloth in the kitchen only to see it sitting there in the bottom of the drawer! I yelled over and over, “I found it!” as my eyes filled with tears.
What can I say… It feels so good to have it back on my finger again!
On Thursday, June 25th Grandma Herrick suffered cardiac arrest. Karl, Chesley, Kaden, and I were all there as the EMTs did CPR on her. After 26 minutes they were able to get a weak pulse, and then took her in the ambulance to the hospital.
On Sunday, June 28th she died with her family standing around her. She was 80 years old and was leaving behind 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
We are all going to miss Grandma Herrick but we are comforted to know that she’s now in heaven. We know that Grandma trusted Christ as her personal Savior. Some day, Karl will get to see her again and thank her for the part she played in his life.
“My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won’t grieve over them and be like people who don’t have any hope. We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died. Our Lord Jesus told us that when he comes, we won’t go up to meet him ahead of his followers who have already died.
With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever. Encourage each other with these words.”
1 Thes 4:13-18
So… about 8 months ago I was telling someone that I had been married 6 years when she responded with, “Wow, good for you, staying together for so long.”
I couldn’t help but feel a little sad by her statement. Could 6 years really be considered “so long“? If we get married to spend our lifetime together, then 6 years is only the beginning!
Today is our 7 year anniversary and it’s hard to believe. I couldn’t imagine my life without Karl. I love him so much! We’ve gone through so much together and have made so many memories. I’m looking forward to all the ones we’ll make in the future!
Happy Anniversary Karl!
I came across our huge amounts of Jungle Camp pictures and couldn’t help but post some. Back in the summer of 2005 we built a house out of poles, plastic, and duct tape. Then we lived in it for five and a half weeks. It was part of the missionary training we did. It was tons of work but it made for lots of good memories. It was most definately the most unique camping we’ve ever experienced!
