Pray for this girl...

On January 25, 2009, I posted about a girl new to our area that we got to meet and help. She had been doing well with a job, finishing her GED and getting settled. Old influences die hard, especially when your exposure to Christ is new, and you haven't made a profession of faith. She made some unwise choices this weekend and was in a really horrible car accident. She was flighted to another city for care for her injuries. As of today, she is alive, but has very serious injuries. There is brain injury/swelling, loss of an ear, loss of part of an arm, lacerations, a lacerated liver that was repaired, etc. She is heavily sedated and having help with breathing. Her mother has joined her. A church in the area has someone ministering to the mother and was enjoyed that the mother had a bible open, verses hi-lighted and was reading to her daughter. Please pray that this girl survives, her injuries will heal and most importantly that her mind and heart will come to Christ through all this. I've referred to her in the past as "M". Thanks.

Work Day Birthday!

Well, today is Sammie's 8th Birthday. We started the day out by working at church. We raked, picked up pine cones, cut down dead trees and hauled brush, etc. out of the woods. We don't have pictures of that part of the day since we were a little busy working. :)

Then we came home for Sammie to open some gifts. She was so excited. She got a knitting machine, a hula hoop, Little House on the Prairie Books, and 2 outfits. What a fun birthday. Then she talked to Grandma Siefert on the phone.

The fun knitting machine:


Sammie's new books:


Sammie on the phone:

May is here - yeah!

We are SOOOOOO glad May in finally here. April was insane for our family, especially for me.

My rough totals were:
180 hours of work
60 hours of sitting in classes (Hazardous Materials, weather spotting, EMT refresher, etc.)
15 hours teaching (I trained 3 new First Aid/CPR instructors this month)
12 hours of Fire Dept. activities (meetings, training, etc.)
AWANA, church, school activities, piano lessons for Sammie, playing with the kids, Gathering Place Grand Opening, etc.

Sammie and Kyle finished another year of AWANA graduating to TNT and Sparks respectively. Sammie also had read over 150 books in school this year, and over 1,100,000 words.

Not to mention Steve was on the Marine Biology Trip for 11 days. Luckily my mom came up to help occupy the kids and help out.

So, we are glad to slow down the pace immensely and breath in some of the spring air.

Yesterday, camp started a Biggest Loser/Fitness Challenge for Staff. Since I personally won't be too competitive losing weight, I'm doing the fitness part. Yesterday I put in about 5 miles of walking. Today my ankles really hurt! I took a line drive to my left ankle last July. I didn't break it, but it was badly bruised and I thought better by now...wrong! I guess we're also getting old too! So, today I needed a little rest from walking/running activities and we joined Steve for the canoe trip down the river. I hope you enjoy a few pictures from today's trip with the guys up for the Men's Retreat at Fort.

A tree Kyle and I saw on our walk yesterday:


Steve paddling:


Kyle paddling:


Sammie out cold:


A view on the river:


We all hope you are getting out to enjoy the spring weather. We're looking forward to it being warm enough to start planting someday.