Wonderful Weekend

We had a great time this past weekend as we traveled with the whole family to Iowa with the Silent Messengers group the girls are in. We all thought it was a bit surreal (?sp) to have our Baldwin friends in our Des Moines setting. Kinda like a dream where you have different parts of your life mix together but you know that it is really not possible. It was so good to see family and friends at Crossroads, Heartland Reformed and even at Pella Christian High School's Chapel.

Thanks to all who were able to come and see us and the Silent Messengers group. Alyssa, or shall I say Drew, thanks for the baby wipes....we never did find the ones we thought we had with and I'm sure the girls would not have wanted to grab lunch at the mall with their makeup on. Doyle, thanks again for being our photographer, the pictures turned out great. See how many faces you recognize in the picture above :o) Also, thanks for the offers to have a more comfortable nights sleep in a bed......even though we couldn't take you up on it this time, we do appreciate it!

Hey, by the way, check out the memory stone for Doetze. Right now Wes has it. But in case you haven't heard the story - here it is in a nutshell. Linda Booth - (friend) Rallied several Baldwin friends of our kids to buy a memory tree (in this case a snow crabapple)- from Hackert Tree Farm. We didn't know where to plant a tree so we talked with Pella hospital. In God's timing they were planting.... get this - sno crabs. So Wes picked up the tree and worked with the hospital to plant it. We assume that it is planted - In the mean time the local funeral director here in Baldwin (Mike O'Connell), suggested that a field stone would be a nice memorial marker. Out of the goodness of his heart he found several stones, from which we picked one, called the local monument company here and at his expense had them engrave this stone with the inscription that you see. We finally delivered it and hope by this summer to take a picture of the tree and stone together. Isn't that cool?

Easter - Sunday, April12

"He has Risen, Just as He said."   We can look forward to Jesus coming again, just like he said.  What hope we have!  This is something to celebrate! Yeah!  

We will plan on Easter dinner at Beppe's house.  Let me know whether to expect you for dinner via a comment on the blog.  I will let you know what to bring, depending who all is coming.  Susie

Doyle's work day at the zoo!

Doyle went to the zoo today.  ING encourages their employees to "volunteer."  They were supposed to paint, but the weather was cold so he ended up raking Emu and Wallabee poop.  Can you see those project managers cleaning the Australia exhibit?  

We had a nice supper discussing how our day went.   Doyle's  work day at the zoo was a lot more exciting to talk about for him than one of his current projects.  After he cleaned out the pen, he said the team  had connections with the "fish aquarium" guy that took them behind the scenes.   Doyle got a chance to hold a jelly fish which someone told him felt like a breast implant.  (He didn't tell the kids that piece of information.)  He also found out that the clown fish is very interesting fish.    The clown fish has a partner and stay together to raise their family.  The male takes care of their babies and if the female dies, the male turns into a female.  You might have to read the last sentence over, but that is what Doyle found out at his "work".   

Silent Messengers coming to Iowa...with Veenstra's in tow

We are all pumped about heading down to Iowa this weekend. I think most of you have heard us talk about this ministry before but in case you haven't a clue....it's a group that tells the story of Jesus through song/mime.....they have a web site SilentMessengers.org ...I think, other wise google it and you'll be able to see some pictures and read more about it. We leave on Saturday afternoon and spend the night at Crossroads in West Des Moines. We will be there Sunday morning (9:30)and at Heartland Reformed Church in Pella Sunday evening (6:00PM). Please come see us if you are able to, we'd love to see you!! Both Anson and I are driving, the girls are all a part of the ministry and Justin is coming along for the ride. Our trip will finish with a chapel service Monday morning at Pella Christian High School. Hope to see you soon!!!!
The Veenstra's in WI

You are Invited!

Sunday, April 5, 2009, Luke will be making public profession of faith!   Caroline called and wanted me to post this on the blog that you are all invited to witness this profession.  She will have dinner at her house after the church service to celebrate.  Please call her and let her know if this will work so she knows how much food to plan.  Peace Reformed Church starts at 10:30 a.m.  If you would like to see him answer some questions from the Catechism, you can show up at 9:30 a.m. during Sunday School.

P.S.   This is the only recent picture that I have of Luke from this past Christmas and he was eating when I took the picture.   If they lived closer, I would take a better picture because I'm sure none of us would choose this picture.  I just like adding photos with the blogs. :-)

Wes & I headed south- our main goals to visit cousins, Earl & Ramona Campbell in Rockport & also the Riverwalk in San Antonio- both of these things were accomplished in a very fun, relaxing way.We enjoyed the water - mostly viewing and listening. The first picture is of the USS Lexington near Corpus Christi, Texas. We took a lot of pictures inside and out. If you have facebook you can get on there and see most of them.

On this one- Wes was carry my purse so I could rest my shoulder. It had some bottled water & granola bars in if we needed a snack so was getting heavy. Nice to be married to a man not afraid to carry my purse! A woman came up to him and told him the purse didn't match his shoes- they had a good laugh on that one!
Wes trying out a bunk on the ship... my nephew, Keaton stayed on the ship as part of a school trip once- and had to sleep in them. He stated they found a few cochroaches- yuck!!!!

Wes doing some stretching to hopefully get the kink out of his back- but what a view of the gulf- this picture was on Mustang Island.
The sunset by my cousin's place was beautiful each night- I almost missed it this night. We saw 4 dophins this night in this area - just off the dock a few yards from Earl's place.

We enjoyed a wonderful time in Rockport area, as well as in San Antonio- the Riverwalk, the Market Plaza, the missions & Mexican food. Then we went to Okalahoma City to tour the National Memorial dedicate to all who lost their lives in the bombing.- Spent 3 hours there- very emotional time.. Can't imagine what it would have been & still is like for those who survived & their families & friends. Trusting the God is with us through it all is so comforting.

We stopped at both kids on the way home to catch up with them, before heading back to the reality of work(which we are blessed to have). Loving all the posts of family- loving all of you! Keep it up! -Arlys

March Madness!

Doyle's favorite time of the year!  The time when he can watch one basketball game after another.   A time when he justifies sitting 3 hours plus in front of T.V. mindlessly.  This is March Madness!  We have a tradition of  filling in the brackets with our family. This year Anson and Sylvia's family and Beppe joined us.  Do I dare say that most of us really have no idea of the strength or weakness of the team since this season in our life.   We do not watch basketball games outside of our children's tournaments every Saturday.  In fact, the only information that I use is how they are seeded.  

Then there is our mother......I'm not sure she really understood what seeded means.  Doyle encouraged her to fill out the bracket with us.   He gave her teams to choose from and she would pick her team with confidence.  He realized after about the third one he read, she would always pick the second one he said.  Doyle tried switching which one he said first.  He then realized that she was picking  states that she liked or places she heard of before.  After the first games, she wondered how many more she had to choose from.  This is where it becomes funny.  After the first round, Beppe is way ahead!!!  She correctly picked the underdogs-- Siena, Wisconsin, Arizona, Cleveland State, Dayton etc.  There are eight of us within 30 points of each other, but Beppe is 30 points ahead of us all.  This is Madness!  

P.S. Next, Doyle's going to give her the Wall Street Journal and have her pick stocks!