Birthday blessings

Aunt Wilma, Pam and I went to the Olive Garden for our Birthday dinner on Tuesday night. Our birthdays are all in May -- it is always nice to spend time together.

I had a great birthday this week - I received a beautiful plant from Emily and Ben, gift card from Nick and Jenni and a gift card from Nate and Brooke and Hudson. Jack got me a gift certificate for a pedicure/manicure. Some friends at work took me out to lunch! Jack and I went out to dinner at Rose's and then to Jersey Junction for ice cream. I am grateful for another birthday!!

Memorial Day

Friday Pam and I went to a memorial service at the senior center where my mom was involved leading Bible Study for some of the people there. They had a really nice service with singing and a time of remembrance of those who had passed away during the past year. We were also given a nice memorial certificate from the senior center and they are going to plant a tree in Pinery Park in their memory. One of the ladies that was in her Bible Study group came and talked to us - she was very happy that someone from Nola's family were at the service. She (May) said they really missed her Bible Studies and that no one was able to take her place and that Bible Study wasn't the same.

The memorial certificate
The "Shades of Gray" sang some great songs.
Pam and I went to the cemetary on Saturday to put flowers on the graves of mom and dad - dad had a flag on his because he was a veteran. We are very glad that we had parents who set a Christ-like examples for us and pray that we can carry out being Christian examples for our children and grandchildren too!

Happy Birthday to my sister Pam!!

Sisters Together!

I thank God for giving me a sister like you - we can cry together, we can laugh together (sometimes in stereo!!), we can eat (but where shall we meet?) lunch together, we can plan events together (whether sad or joyful), we can talk on the phone together (oh yea, who's cell phone is always ringing), we can work together (what's with 40 hours a week??), we can sit on the beach together (who gets tanner??), we can take walks together, we can clean together (that is more fun for one of us!!), we can dream together (oh yea, one of us can remember the dreams!!), we can shop together (what happened to VC??), we can camp together (can it rain for a whole week with 6 kids in a camper??), we can always celebrate our birthdays together-- we can always depend on each other but above all we can praise our Heavenly Father in heaven together !

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

I Love You very Much!

~ Your older and only sister --Sue

In Memory of Joe Meekhof

This is the obituary of my friend, Irene son Joe -

Joseph D. "Joe" Meekhof, aged 26, of Byron Center, passed away into the arms of his Lord on Thursday, May 15, 2008. He was preceded in death by his grand-parents, Pete and Joann Van'tHof. Joe is survived by his parents, Dan and Irene Meekhof; a sister, Rochelle Meekhof-Tuit; his grandparents, Marv and Margaret Meekhof; and his special friend, Rachel Boyer; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. The Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 19, at Hillside Community Church, 1440 68th St. SE, with Rev. Ronald Kool officiating. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be given to Hillside Community Church.

May God grant His perfect peace and comfort to the family and friends of Joe!

Please pray for Irene and her family!

Dan and Irene

Many of you know my friend Irene. Irene and I have been friends since high school. Today, a received a call from her that her son, Joe had passed away. Joe was 26 years old and very much loved by his family and friends. Please take a moment right now and say a prayer for this family. As of right now, the cause of death is not known - they are having an autopsy. They were unable to wake him this morning - and on the way to the hospital, his heart stopped. I can't imagine how it would feel to lose a child (I know that some of you have experienced this pain). I know that God will hold them close and I know God will answer our prayers for comfort and peace for Dan, Irene, and their daughter, Rochelle.

A Beautiful Sunday

Today is Sunday - a day set apart to think reflect on God and how He shows himself to us in many ways! Sometimes, it means going to worship Him in church - to fed by His Spirit and how to learn how to live your life as He wants you to live. Sometimes, it means taking some time for Him to speak through quiet times in nature, taking a walk, listening to music that warms your soul like sunshine. God is everywhere - He listens to the desires of your heart, He walks with you through the dew-covered grass, He provides the warm sunshine to let the flowers of the fields to add color to the green grass, He brings spring time birds to the trees as we listen to their voices praise Him. His universe is vast and He always has time for the small things, yes, even me!

The path the God leads us on is not always straight - but He provides a walkway that will keep us out of the water and rocks if we obey Him!
Sometimes our lives seems like trees without leaves........
Then He makes us beautiful and bloom where we are planted!
We don't know our future, but we know our God provides for us as He does for nature all around us. As God gives sunshine and rain for all of nature - isn't it awesome how He cares for us! Take some time today and see how God provides for you - whether in the small things or the big things!

Cousins Glenda and Paul

Saturday night we met my cousin Glenda and her husband Paul in Wayland for dinner. Glenda had left her glasses in our car a few weeks ago and she called to see if we would like to meet them halfway (they live in Kalamazoo) and have dinner together. She got her glasses back and we had a nice dinner at Ucellos. It was nice to catch up with each others families.

Girls and Toes!

Beth getting her "margarita" pedicure!
Jan soaking her toes!
Bubbles, bubbles - they will soon be colorful!
Ready to go!!