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Featuring The Youngest Stauffers

I enjoyed spending each weekday morning having “school” with Japheth and Aimee’s three oldest children.  Their fourth child, Wayne, sometimes joined us for “recess”. 

One of the children’s favorite things to do was go on field trips.  Sometimes this sixty-two-year-old great aunt had trouble keeping after them.

Japheth loved to ask questions, learn new things, and explain things to me.  He is certainly aware of what his grandparents and parents do and how they do it – whether cooking maple syrup or planting garden. 

In this picture he was explaining what his grandpa does with this tractor. 

Jeremiah is also eager to learn new things.  This photo reminds me of the look on his face each time I asked him to repeat the Bible verse for the week.  He would smile and distinctly say, “God created the heavens and the earth”  Genesis 1:1.

He and Loraine were often a pair when playing.  Aimee keeps an empty cupboard, just for a neat hiding place.

Loraine reminds me a bit of Maria in Sound of Music – wanting to capture life in every moment.

If it can be explored or climbed, she does it.  She makes me smile.

She loved going with me on walks or field trips.

Wayne is a pleasant, quiet little guy.  He is not quite walking yet, so seems content in watching what everyone else is doing.

He loves when Loraine plays with him.

Jaden is almost a month old and just beginning to display his personality.  It will be interesting to see who God created when He made this little guy. 

In this photo, Great Grandma has his full attention.

Alisha was just a few days old in this photo.  It will be fun to see what gifts and personality traits God gave her.

We were anxious to get the Stauffer cousins in one picture, but they didn’t seem interested in each other.   

A four generation photo with Japheth and Aimee’s children.  Left to Right:  Grandma Doris, Loraine, Japheth, Great Grandma Ella, Jaden, Jeremiah, Daddy Japheth, and Wayne.

If you missed the four generation picture featuring Alisha – scroll through my entries to May 8.

More Pictures From Our Trip to Minnesota

The Mothers

Cerwin’s mother Ella (right) with his youngest sister Doris.  Doris and Mother treasured the time they had together.

My stepmother Velma (right) reading to Japheth, Jeremiah, and Loraine.  Mother Hershey has had a special place in her heart for the Stauffers, ever since she and my dad visited them, along with Cerwin’s parents, throughout the years – going back to the time Bob and Doris lived in Canada. 

Since our fathers death (1997 & 2000), Cerwin and I enjoy taking our mothers to visit the Stauffer’s – every other year.  They would not be comfortable traveling alone, so we receive a double blessing – watching them have a good time and having a great time ourselves.

Us

This trip is a highlight for Cerwin because he gets time to be with his sister Doris’ family.  Pictured here (L. to R.) Cerwin, Loraine, Mother, Alisha, and Jen.

He especially enjoys helping Bob (right) in the shop.  Here they are moving the boat to the garage – to make repairs on a rainy day.

Are you surprised that one of my favorite things to do is capture memories with photographs?  This is how I look most times I am working on my Xanga blog – sitting on a La-Z-Boy with my laptop.  Judi liked to sit next to me as I edited photos. 

 Bob & Doris

I have used most of the good photos I took of Bob, but have not yet had opportunity to use this one on Xanga!  Bob is a great brother-in-law, wonderful friend, and skilled cabinetmaker.  It is thrilling to watch God work through his life as husband, father, grandfather, and pastor.  

Doris (yes, she and I share the same name) is a great hostess.  She has meal preparations scheduled ahead of time, making mealtime delicious and relaxing.  She is a godly example of what a pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, and friend should be.  Here she is holding her newest treasure, granddaughter Alisha, as daughter-in-law Jen beams at her new baby.

The Stauffer Children

Juanita, a teacher’s assistant at a nearby public school, desires to be a godly example to her students.  She loves flowers and gardening, and is a great cook.  I enjoyed having her as my walking partner during this trip.  We made the two-mile trip to church twice – once on Sunday morning, and the other time to Jon and Jen’s house (they live next to the church).  Another time we probably walked a mile, taking time to visit neighbors Dawson and Hope. 

Japheth is owner of Stitch In Time (sewing machine sales and repairs), and a great husband and father.  He and Aimee are amazing parents, with hearts to serve the Lord.

Aimee (right – holding Loraine) is Japheth’s wife.  We slept in their home and were amazed at her care and patience with their five preschool children – the oldest will be five this summer.  

Jon (left), playing Pente with family friend Jesse, is skilled in carpentry and drywalling, and became a father the day we arrived in Minnesota.  It has been fun watching Jonathan move from a young, single man, to a godly husband and father.  

We are just getting to know Jen, Jon’s wife of one-and-a-half-years.  She is a joy to visit and a neat friend.  Baby Alisha was just five days old when I captured this picture of them walking home from church.  In the afternoon the young people had a Bible study at their house.  No wonder she was feeling a bit weary when we stopped for a short visit that evening!! 

Jon & Jen’s house.

Judi (left), the Stauffer’s youngest child loves her family and treasures moments spent with her Grandma.  She serves the Lord with her whole heart, is a great friend, and makes awesome bread and pies…

 …which is the reason for this sign at the end of their driveway.  Her goodies are a favorite at a local resort on Moose Lake.

I may have continued to reminisce about our trip to Minnesota, but I have also been quite busy in the TFC office since our return on Tuesday evening.

Yesterday I (my printer) printed addresses on 5,818 envelopes.

Today thirteen faithful volunteers came to insert newsletters into those envelopes…

…which filled forty-one mail trays, and in turn filled our van!

By 1:00 PM Cerwin delivered them to our local post office.  I am always pleased when that job is finished.  After that I dealt with the mail and 100+ emails that came while I was away.

Kitchi Pines Church

On Sunday morning Juanita and I took advantage of the beautiful morning and walked to church – about two miles.

The others opted to drive.  Bob and Cerwin passed us when we were about half way there.

I didn’t want to disturb the service, so took this photo as people were beginning to arrive.  When it was time to start, every bench was full.  Cerwin and I love to visit this friendly church fellowship.   

The Stauffer sons (our nephews), their wives, and children – Jaden is in the baby seat on the floor.

I waited until the morning service was over to take these exterior pictures – so the sun was in the right position for good lighting.

The last two photos were taken following the 5:00 PM service. 

Some of you will recognize Val Yoder (center left) whose wife Crystal died suddenly a few months ago.  He and his children, recently arrived home from SMBI and are still planning to move to Thailand in fall to begin a training center for missionaries.  The family is doing well, despite some difficult moments.  They continue to rely on the strength of the Lord and covet your prayers.

Several young women enjoy fellowship after the evening service. 

Cerwin Had a Great Week in Minnesota

Today I am going to feature some of the things he and Bob did in the woodshop and at the deer stand.  

Cerwin (right) enjoys helping in Bob’s wood shop.  Yesterday, as we were in the plane, talking about the week, Cerwin said he always learns new woodworking tips when spending time with Bob.  This time they built two bed frames for one of the log houses on Moose Lake.

The customer wanted bed frames for the loft area of the cabin…

This photo was taken at another log house.  Cerwin wanted to give you an idea of the beautiful cabinet work Bob does.  These are kitchen cabinets he built and installed.  If you need kitchen cabinets, let me know, I will put you in touch with him!

The Deer Stand 0r “Sissy Shack” as it is called in Minnesota.

I know there are a few hunters who read my blog.  You may wish you could track down this place.  (Sorry it is on private land!!)  I am not a hunter – but am married to one – and was pleased that Cerwin and Bob invited me along on an awesome walk to the place Bob calls his “Blessing Place”.

Bob not only uses this as a place to hunt, he also uses it as a place to pray, meditate, and study.  His real heart is serving the Lord as pastor at Kitchi Pines Church.  (I will feature the church later today, or in tomorrow’s entry.)

Bob and Cerwin entering the woods.

We  saw lots of evidence (tracks) that there are deer in the area.

The deer stand.  What hunter wouldn’t like to have a place like this!

Most deer stands don’t have the lower part enclosed, but he did that, partially for wood storage.  (You will see later why he needs wood!!)

His viewing area and countertop!

I caught Cerwin with his eyes shut on this photo, so I am titling it “Dreaming of Hunting in a Place Like This”!

The view out three sides of the stand looks pretty much like this.

The fourth and most scenic side is where Bob bagged his deer last year – in the open field area of this photo. 

Cerwin and Bob went to the stand on Monday evening to enjoy supper and look for deer.  They didn’t see any deer, but as they were listening to the woods come alive with the sounds of birds, peepers (tiny frogs), insects, etc., there was a sudden silence.   

They looked to see what happened, and noticed a hawk on a nearby tree.  Cerwin took this picture through the spotting scope lens.  (It is rectangular – instead of round in shape – because I cropped the area that had glare on it.)

The fourth wall has a small window and stove pipe.

This is the small wood stove someone gave Bob for use in his sissy shack.  He is anxious to see how it works. 

On the walk when I took these photos, we heard a Ruffed Grouse “drumming” his wings.  I was not familiar with the sound and asked if that was some kind of hit and miss engine!  Bob explained what it was, and asked if I wanted to see it.  Of course I did, so he took us to the area where he thought it was.  When we got there, he couldn’t find it, and responded, “I was sure it would be here.”  At that moment it flew away!  I was impressed that he was so good at tracking the grouse – and that the grouse was so good at hiding from us.

Our Heat Source in Minnesota

A stack of logs 

 The building that houses the wood furnace.  Notice the small greenhouse on the left.

 The “critter” that consumes the stack of wood.

  When smoke was coming out of the stack, we knew we would be warm on cold days. 

Now that we are back in Pennsylvania, it is hard to imagine that we needed heat for most of the past eight days.  It even snowed one morning! 

Japheth and Aimee’s three oldest children check out the greenhouse part of the building…

   …where tomatoes and a few other things are beginning to grow.

We arrived home safely.  Thanks for praying.

Pray for us as we travel back to Pennsylvania today.

I’ll post more Minnesota pictures this evening and tomorrow.

Four Generations

Doris Stauffer, Jon Stauffer, Ella High, and Alisha Stauffer

Baking Bread

In this household, baking bread begins with grinding the wheat.

Judi is the official bread baker.

I missed the kneading and mixing – I was probably having “school” next door with Japheth’s and Aimee’s children – but…

…was glad to be around for the finished product.