Bontrager Christmas 2007

This is my husband's mother's side of the family. Bob's cousin Janet made a quiz about the Bontragers. She asked us questions about the family that went back about 4 or 5 generations. It was interesting to me to hear about the past. There were about 50-60 people there that would be Mom Brenneman's siblings and their kids and grandkids. She had 11 siblings that lived to adulthood out of 15 all together! I still don't know everyone's name but I mostly can tell which aunt or uncle they belong with now after 26 years of marriage.

Is it really me?

Can you believe I ever looked like that? The first picture is from way back in May of 1973. I was with my sister Jenny in blue and my friends, Michelle and Delores. They stayed overnight at my house. The second one is me baby-sitting the neighbor boy. I was about 14 years old there. It sure seems like more than a lifetime ago that I dressed like that. We were a part of a non-denominational church where we wore head coverings and long dresses or skirts. I dressed that way from the time I was 8 until I was 16.

Ladies Retreat 2007

In the Garden: Living Stones

This was our theme for our 21st annual ladies retreat at TLCC, on October 19-21. I was blessed to have my wonderful 17 year old "baby" go with me. Everyone would tell me how much I was blessed to have her with me. I truly was! Amber went with me one year but had a couple friends with her so it didn't feel the same. Breanna was with me most of the time (and was the only teenager there) while Amber was mostly with her friends. (I love you, Amber. You are my beautiful oldest daughter and I blessed to have you, too.)

There was one "incident" that happened on Sunday morning, which dampened the retreat a little bit. One person got hurt when we were throwing our palm sized stones (representing hurts and pain we have hung on to) into the lake (representing the ocean of God's love and forgiveness). God used it to bring more healing in the end, though! Praise His name.

Terry F. made a wonderful Prayer Garden at one corner of our meeting room. It was so beautiful and peaceful. There was a electric water fall in the one corner. These women are finding a take-home stone with the words, "In the Garden Living Stones, 2007 Ladies Retreat" on them.

Isn't she so beautiful?

On Saturday, we all brought a long-stemmed flower. Terry put them all into a bouquet. Katie brought the stuffed smiley flower. I thought Terry did a wonderful job incorporating it into the bouquet. We all are flowers in God's garden, beautiful by ourselves yet when we are put together for a purpose, we are more beautiful!

Sunday morning, Doreen had us all pick a verse from "God's Garden" for us to read later. It was so amazing that so many of the verses the women chose spoke into something they were struggling with or dealing with. Breanna and I were no exception.

Breanna has struggled with feeling loved and accepted by God. Her verse was Deuteronomy 26:18, "And the Lord has declared to you this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all of His commands."

One woman was trying to release her over 21 year old son, who wasn't making the best choices, to God and not operate out of anxiety for him any longer. She hadn't called for almost 2 weeks but was still struggling with anxiety about it. Her verse was Isaiah 43:5, "Do not be afraid for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."

Mine was Isaiah 40:28-29, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." I have found that in my life, God has turned my greatest weakness into strength. I have been overcome with panic and anxiety many times in my life. Now God uses me to bring healing to others who are struggling with this disorder. There is nothing so great as being able to help others through what you've been through yourself.

Needless to say, lots of tears flowed that morning at the retreat!

Thank you, God, for all the blessings you have given me and for freeing me from the chains that have bound me for many years.

October Birthday Bananza

It's the three birthday bonanza in our immediate family and then add 4 more from the extended family all in one week! Monday was Lincoln's, Tuesday was Breanna's and Anthony's, Wednesday was Kyle's and Cheryl's, Thursday was mine, and next Tuesday is Lindsey's. Quite a lot all in a bunch! Kyle and Amber came up last weekend and Amber couldn't wait for us to open the gifts. She and Kyle (and Matt) got me the table cloth, table runner, leaf dish, and matching salt and pepper shakers/grinder as well as matching dish towels. It goes perfect with my new colors in my kitchen and dining room! Bob and Breanna got me two dangling earring sets from Kohl's, one clear crystal, and one pink. Breanna got a necklace and a couple DVD's from Amber and Kyle (and Matt) and got a new cell phone from us. Amber got Kyle a book and we ordered him a book and a surprise from Amazon that won't come in until November. Shh! Don't tell him!

Bob surprised me by sending me flowers on my birthday to my office. It was so pretty yellow and pink flowers with one yellow rose in the center (see picture below). The card said, "Marla, you are my hidden treasure that stands out among the others. Your happiness is my greatest joy. Love you, Baby Cakes." He was like a school boy getting the flowers delivered. The same woman who helped him get the order done came and delivered them. She was kind of giddy as she said, "These are for you!" I actually blushed when I read the card. I was glad no one was around me when they came!

Bob took me and Breanna out to South Side Soda Shop for supper on my birthday, too. Jezra sent me a birthday greeting on a video from Utube by Adam Sandler. Also, I spent my lunch hour with Mom. Jenny called when I was there to wish me happy birthday. Brina was at Jenny's. Later that evening, Brina called me and wished me a happy birthday, too. Amber called me when I wasn't home and a classmate of mine sang happy birthday in German over the answering machine. It was truly a special day for me.

It was weird for Kyle not to be home on his birthday. Long distance celebrating isn't as fun!

Baby Shower for Zao and Breanna's concert

Before Breanna's concert, we stopped in to see Zao before the shower even started. Moe and Kristen are very proud parents of their baby boy. He is about 6 weeks old here.

Amber and Zao. Kyle actually held him but my camera battery ran out before I could get a picture of him.

Granny Annie (as she calls herself) was busy getting the punch ready for the party. Great Grandma is looking on.

Matt and Breanna milling around before the concert.

After the concert. Glad it's over, I guess!

Church Picnic on September 30, 2007

We met at Bonneyville Mill after church for a wonderful picnic. The weather was very nice...not too hot but hot enough to enjoy the day fellowshipping with our church family.

Amanda holding the newest Lamb.

Kesha, Bekki, and Amanda enjoying time together.

The new TLCC football team! Steve was the coached and showed these middle school boys some pointers on how to throw and catch the ball. I can't wait until they form a team and compete. Anyone interested in getting this going?

Destinee enjoyed the day!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

My parents will celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary tomorrow (September 25).

Happy anniversary to you! I love you! I'm glad that you are my parents! May you have many, many more years together.

I don't have to report!

I called the number tonight after work to find out if I still needed to report for jury duty and found out the trial was canceled. I'm so glad. I hated to have to miss work so soon after I started. I would have gotten paid my full salary, though, as long as I turned in any mileage reimbursement and check they gave me. What a benefit.

I really like my job. I enjoy the people I'm working with. I know they like me, too. I'm learning a lot about financial services in the process of working here.

Amanda is making supper for us tonight. What a blessing! We enjoy having them here.

Purdue visit

This is "the look" except the kids said that it isn't really it because I don't mean it! They are all very familiar with this look from me!

Jezra enjoyed teaching us about the test and talking about what it all means after we got our scores finished. He loves his psychology class!

We went to Purdue on Saturday to visit Jezra. It was so good to see him! He is growing a beard and mustache. He looks much more mature than he did. He loves being in college. We spent part of the afternoon (after eating in a Mediterranean restaurant) doing a test together that Jezra had taken to help you find out what career you would be best at. It was so fun finding out how much the same and how different we each are.

I thought of my dad when we were at the park and Bob proceeded to do a front handspring. Everyone else (but me) tried to do one, too. We also did cartwheels (I even did some). Then Bob showed the kids how to do a roll back like a backward somersault, put your hands down, flip your feet up in the air and spring up to a standing position. (I don't have any pictures of this but it was so fun to watch!) Kyle and Amber (who tried this the most) were very sore today and of course so was Bob.

My dad is always trying to get us to do things like that when we are all together like standing in front of a tall log laying on the beach and jumping over it. He told the kids they had to believe they could do it. Dad, you would have enjoyed being with us!

I told the kids this is why everyone thinks our family is so weird. They said it made our family fun!

First week at a new job

I know I'm going to enjoy my job. I'm getting used to getting up a little early. I enjoy most of what I have to do. I learned a lot. Some of what I did was orientation by watching a computer screen power point and then answering questions. One training was on the computer data program they use and one was to familiarize myself with MMA, their history, their mission, and what they do.

On Wednesday, I could feel myself coming down with a cold. By Thursday, I was dripping sinuses and coughing and sneezing all day. I found out I had a slight fever when I got home. I felt pretty miserable but knew I couldn't take off work on my first week on the job! Bob prayed for me that evening before I fell asleep and I slept well and didn't feel bad in the morning. I did cough a lot (I took a cough drop every 15 minutes because without one, I would cough and cough) but I didn't have a headache or fever.

The nice thing was the boss and another financial counselor had a business meeting in Canada so they weren't there Wed through Fri. That meant I didn't have many calls to answer or people to come in for appointments. (We only have three counselors that work out of this office including the boss.) This also meant I could learn the other parts of my job like the accounts payable without many interruptions.

On Wednesday, I received a letter saying I was summoned for jury duty on September 25. The nice thing is that MMA pays you your full salary while you serve and doesn't use your vacation days for it. That's nice because I won't be able to use my vacation days for 6 months. I told my supervisor and she said to send an email to all the staff letting them know. I will find out on the 24th if the case is still up for trial or if it's canceled. This is my fourth or fifth summons in 15 years! Bob was up for jury all year last year and didn't get summoned once. He's never been summoned before! I guess I don't care one way or the other if I have to serve or not.

Youth Group Party

The church youth group did an activity with digital cameras. Breanna's group took these pictures. See if you can figure out what was really happening!

Goodbye gifts from the church

Last Sunday, I received this plaque and flowers as well as a monetary gift from the church for serving them in the office for 8 1/2 years. I felt very honored and appreciated. Pastor Dave said some really nice things about me. I hope that they were true of my time serving in the office. I wanted to serve the congregation as if I was serving the Lord. I know I didn't always do that but it was my intention.

Moving In

Mark and Amanda moved in last weekend to our basement. It now looks very homey. We have enjoyed having them here. They feel like they are part of our family.

Bike Trip to Shipshe

Grandma and Grandpa and Matt along with Bob, Breanna, and me drove to Middlebury and ate breakfast at the Essenhaus. We were going to ride the Pumpkinvine trail to Shipshe. We found the beginning of it in Middlebury but outside of town, it was only a grassy trail. We rode on it for about 2 miles and then got off. It was very bumpy and loaded with mosquitoes! We rode the rest of the way on regular county roads with lots of ups and downs! We walked in the flea market for 1/2 hour or so, ate ice cream at Wana Cup, and then rode back to Middlebury. We were pretty tired but it was a good ride. We rode about 22 miles all together.