Grace's 25th birthday

Yesterday we celebrated our church's 25th birthday.

Our pastor, Dave, from the olden days....

and his wife, Marilyn and our dear friend, Irene, who prayed us to Newton and then to Grace.

Grace Community Church was formed in 1987 by a core group of 13 (including Irene above) who began to sense God's direction to establish a new church.  A church that would share a commitment to the

     teaching of God's Word,

            to one another,

                 and to share the message of salvation with those who do not know Jesus.

A church that would be Biblically grounded and culturally relevant. 

Services began with 48 in attendance in rented facilities in the Cedar Village Shopping Center.

We had a huge birthday bash at church in the evening.  Both Grace Newton and Grace Hillsboro, our campus church, were in attendance.  We were served pulled pork sandwiches with sides.  Long lines but they went fast!  The Body Life Council did an outstanding job!

 A blue-grass gospel team played music while people ate and visited.

 Here are a few of the core group, eating their dinner inside.

There was a bouncy house....

There were sno-cones....

and popcorn....

cottoncandy....

The train was a big hit!

 Maybe Preston is saying "make it go, daddy!"?

 Ruby began to cry and cry once the train began to move.  Mommy ran to walk alongside.

The kids LOVED this ride!!   Thanks, Greg for your hard work in making this fun choo-choo!

There was a short program to thank Dave.

There was a roast and lots of laughs!

Dave was presented with a Starbucks mug and several $25 gift cards

Sue read a rendition of Isaiah 61           
                              Her daughter presented him with a drawing she made.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,  a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

What a fun birthday party we had! 

             What a wonderful church family we have! 

                                  What a mighty God we serve!

Daddy's 89th birthday

Last week we celebrated Mindy's birthday.  And last night we celebrated Dad's birthday.  He turns 89 years old today.  Here he is with his older sister, my Aunt Millie.

Here is a baby photo of Dad.

And another of him starting school - front row, the little boy with the hat.

And here in the front row, 4th from the left.

 

We went to my parent's duplex. Jill's family and Mindy came to the party.




Per family tradition, we asked Dad what his favorite meal was and what he would want.  He told us a few times that he didn't care and that we should pick.  We decided to do sort-of Japanese.  We made omu-rice or omelet rice.  It is in all the restaurants in Japan but not what you would typically think of being Japanese.

Rice filled with chicken, peas, onion, ketchup and wrapped in an omelet and topped with ketchup.  You could google for a recipe if you want.  There are variations.

The girls love playing with Grandma Lois' toys!

I found a "denture" ice-cube tray for mom and she had to use them for the occasion of course!

The girls helped blow out the angel food birthday cake. (I don't believe Dad even got one whif in)

We mixed some home-made ice-cream for Dad.  He LOVES to eat from the dash - I remember him doing that so much when I was young.  We thought it would be a treat for him!

And when it all melted, he asked for a straw so he could get the last drop! 

What a fun couple of hours we all had together!  Then we wheeled Dad back to his room.  They have begun the task of preparing him to be able to move back to the duplex!  Mom will have training this week on how to care for him and they came to look at the place to see where there needs to be changes made so this transition can take place!  Won't that be a lovely present for him?

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Our favorite recipe for home-made ice-cream:
4 eggs
   beat until foamy
2 1/2 cups sugar 
   add and beat until thickened
4 cups whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
   Mix well
Approximately 5 cups milk
   Add milk to fill line on can and stir well.
Churn per freezer instructions.
Hmmmm!!