Happy Birthdays and Sad Good Byes

These past couple of weeks we've celebrated a number of birthdays among our family. Since my extended family has grown considerably on the DeVries side, we get together once a month to celebrate whosever birthday was that month. In May, Minsook (my "adopted" sister from Korea), Brett (Dennae's boyfriend), and I all had birthdays. It was fun, as usual, out at my Mom and Dad's house. They now have a contract on their house that will hopefully turn into a sale in the days to come.

Shane and Sjanie Medhurst, and their two-year old son Brock, are leaving us and moving back to Australia today, May 31, as I enter this blog. I met Shane on a mission trip to Australia back in the late 1990s; Sjanie moved in to our basement with our family in the late 1990s. They met on a mission trip to Australia in 2000, fell in love, and got married in 2002. Shane moved here, and they've spent the last several years establishing themselves. And now the time has come for them to move to Australia and fulfill some God-given privileges and responsibilities there. We will miss them dearly as friends and church members and pray God's richest blessings on the. On Thursday night, 80 people from our church family showed up to say "farewell" to them.

Also, Michael enjoyed his 5th Grade Graduation this past week. We are now entering the phase of life where all of our children are either in middle or high school. Please pray for us.

Don't forge the pictures at the bottom of the blog.

Have a great day for Christ's sake,

MJD,Sr.

Jami was 13 and I'm 43!

This past few weeks have seen a few small changes in our family. Dennae got a new puppy that she and Brett and going to watch after and have signed a contract swearing their allegiance to perform all the duties necessary for Denzell's welfare whether he needs food, drink, discipline or if he decides to leave unsightly traces of his presence around the house, yard, etc. The last thing I needed right now in my life is another dog. Angel is old and cranky; she nips at people, dogs and other things she unwittingly bumps into with her diminishing eye sight. She's kind of pathetic at this point; she's 13 years old and I've enjoyed her so much since we got her only a few months old. But she's starting to fade, so I guess a new dog is OK for the family. As far as Denzell is concerned, the new pup, he's actually a pretty neat little dog, a mix of an Australian shepherd and black lab mix. Everybody's really taken to him.

Ivy went to a soccer camp that some of the Colorado Rapids players hosted. She got her picture taken with many of them, and of course, is always thrilled to get those opportunities. She has tryouts for another year of competitive soccer. Her team didn't do so hot this past season so they'll be moving down to a lower league, but they have high hopes and soon making it back to the highest level of competition in the Colorado Youth Soccer Association.

Also, we came across some pictures of Jami when she turned 13 years old a few years ago. I thought you'd all enjoy seeing a few of those. She's changed a lot since then, really blossoming into a fine young lady! Her wit, humor and extremely bright little mind are always keeping me and Noel guessing and looking at each other just wondering where this girl came from. She is quite unique - marches to the beat of her own drum, doesn't really care what others think, is an active apologist for the faith at school with teachers and students - just a lot of fun! Please pray for her.

I turned 43 this past week. I'm enjoying life as much now as I ever have in many ways. God has blessed me richly with a great family, wonderful friends in our church family, a nice house, but most of all, hope for the future, an eternal hope that grows brighter as each day passes!

Don't' forget to look at the pictures at the bottom of this page. Hope you have a great day for Christ's sake, and until the next entry in this little blog, Soli Deo Gloria!

MJD,Sr.