A Good Old Fashioned Scottish Tea Party
Sorry to have taken so long between posts, it's been a bit busy here lately with IWT stuff and plenty of guests. Last wed. we said goodbye to the Rittenhouses (Aunt Esther and Uncle Jim) and Anita and James Stoltzfus. We had a great time with them doing all sorts of things including golfing on a real Scottish golf course. Gary from our small group after hearing James was a golfer decided to invite us out to Aberfoyle and picked up a couple of bags of clubs for us as well. I think I can speak for James and say that was his favorite part of the trip and that's saying something considering the fact that they saw more of the UK in two weeks than we've seen in two years. I enjoyed the golf as well and didn't embarrass myself too much considering I don't really golf.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the castles, and the hills and highlands and yes as you can see above, there was even a wee Scottish tea party in our very own back garden. All in all much fun was had and once again the departure of guests made our house feel a bit lonely, but not for long...

On Saturday and Sunday we had our friends the Lawsons come out from Edinburgh for a visit. Chris and Jenifer and their two children (Jez and Karis) are missionaries here to Scotland from California. Chris has an apologetics ministry and has just finished up his new web site after months and months of research and planning. Well done Chris, it looks great. You all can check it out here.

In between all this I have been busy with meetings and doing training in Kilmarnock in preparation for the tour. I think I've made the commute about 5 out of the last 8 days. I don't think I need to be down there for a couple weeks so that gives us time to catch up on things around here.

Next week we host two of the famous Andrews kids (Kirsten and Brigeta). Sorry, Brigeta if I mispelled your name, I just completely forgot how to spell it as well as some other words. I must be getting old or something. We'll give a full report after the Andrews invasion, I'm sure it'll be interesting.

Well I could go on and on here but we'll just have to post more often I guess.

Once again, thanks to the Rittenhouses, Stoltzfus' and Lawsons for blessing us with your visits, we had a great time with all of you. Special thanks to James for doing your mouth noises, that's the hardest I've laughed since watching Dumb and Dumber with my good friend Mike. I really thought I was going to pass out.

Later 

Had a minute to blog inbetween writing newsletter notes which has taken, well... 2 months so far. Sorry! I WILL be done tonight with this project! Yippee!

Seems so much is going on in my familys lives not to mention it. Would you pray with us for them all?

Arlene and Wolfe are going through so much right now with personal health issues then Mima ( Wolfe's mom) has been diagnosed with cancer that is incredibly progressive and Opa (his dad) is in the hospital and they said that he may actually go first. Its so hard to see those you love struggle so much and I know this is really difficult in more ways than one for the whole family! I feel my hands are tied at the moment other than cards and prayers. Its a frustrating feeling, I know God is with them, just wish I could be too at times like this.

Diane is dealing with some maj. ongoing pain in the butt (not actually anything having to do with her butt to make that clear :) health issues and Jeff is, well I just got an email saying he is making a MAJ. career change after 15 some years at ACTV! Mom could use prayer too as she is being such a mom in all of this! Amazing!

We are both so blessed with family (Hamers and Stoltzfus) and love and miss each one to bits!!! Sometimes, to be honest the distance has been interesting because it has brought some relationships to a deeper level and at the same time the distance feels like a world away most of the time. There is no-one in the world like a family member! Its amazing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNA, POP-POP &
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! Sounds like it was one to remember!!! We love you ALL so much.
Heres a picture Diane sent over from Moms 70th party at Easter.

In other news... Frank & Becky are off to the USA for a wedding and some IWT International leaders meetings so we are fish and plant sitting. Things have been progressing with the work in Kilmarnock to prepare for the tour in the fall. The big thing just now is Disciplesip set up and Local Link (alter councelor) trainings that are manditory and set up many, many times for them to come to. Thats what its about! Sharing our faith... proclaiming Jesus and what he has done in our lives. We are soooo lazy with that way too often so a kick in the pants is a healthy thing for each of us, ehh?! Allllllllllllso, we are looking forward to the arrival of Uncle Jim, Aunt Esther, Anita and James after their tour in England! What fun that visit will be!

Must go now and help Kayleigh settle down. She has been in bed for an hour and still not asleep. She says its too light out and her eyes just wont stay closed. Hmmmmm. :) Sunset is about 9:30 just now so summer is coming, YIPPEE!

Later, Julie