Update on Everybody

Gerald-has had some painful spasms start back up in his side due to lifting. He’s had to start his pain meds back for a couple weeks, but knows not to lift now. He’s still getting opportunities to preach and has adjusted very well to his new job. He was asked recently to candidate for a church 40 minutes away, but after praying about it did not have peace about it. He will be a back up for their supply pastor.
Vicky-I don’t have trouble staying busy with the school year here. I fit a home project in every now and then like painting, scraping, or yard work. With our lives settling down more since the move I’ve enjoyed getting to cook more and relieve Shanna from the kitchen. We’ve all enjoyed our schedule this year and it’s not unusual to see me, Gerald or one of the older ones reading to or playing with the younger ones these days. We really missed that while Gerald was so sick. I’ve recently started helping with Ryana’s Sunday School class and I think I’m gonna enjoy the opportunity.
Shanna-She is getting a lot of opportunities to sell her crafts. Family members and church members are asking for them either for themselves or to take to work with them or set up at a craft show. So far she hasn’t had to actually go anywhere, just send them. She has also been very busy helping Gerald’s parents landscape a part of their yard. She still helps me with schooling when needed and in the kitchen. She is still playing the guitar with another girl on mandolin at church. Recently she was honored to get the opportunity to lead a young cousin to the Lord.
Gera-She has taken over a lot of Shanna’s former cleaning chores and is in the kitchen a lot more. Of course it’s hard to keep her away from the piano if a song idea pops in her mind. She recently set a song her grandfather wrote to music and the girls sang it at a nearby revival. She’ll be the church pianist this Sunday while some are away on vacation, but will go back to the organ after that. She is still our family secretary and keeps a check on this blog and our emails. Her and Shanna practice new songs with the girls and Gera is still giving piano lessons to Ryana and Sarah. Gera has caught on quickly to playing the mandolin and has begun playing it with some of the songs they sing.
Ryana-The biggest excitement for her recently was passing out while I was using the curling iron on her. I had just gotten done cutting her hair and I didn’t know she had locked her knees trying to stand very still. She got hot and fell forward into the sink narrowly missing the smaller curling iron beside it. I don’t handle these passing out spells too well.
Her desire to teach is as strong as ever and she has begun writing historical stories for fun. She is also our family detective. Since she loves to collect clues on anything we give all mysterious unsolved cases to her.
Sarah-Along with Ryana and Faith, Sarah is helping out in the choir. She loves to sing. She’s eight, but looks younger because of her height so it surprises people to see her following along in the hymn books. She has become a real little worker around here. She is helping Shanna with the yard work at their grandparents, too. She and Ryana are helping more with Gerald Loren. Each have learned to get him to sleep at nap time.
Faith-School work is a fun time of day for Faith. We try to get her started by 10:00 to stagger it a little bit. She gets to sleep in a little later too, but still has her chores. She loves to help in kitchen. We still have to watch her around scissors…her latest victim was her new Christmas doll’s bangs. She actually did a good job, but I didn’t tell her that.
Gerald Jr.-All I need to write here is WOW! I still stand in awe at the fact that we have a boy. Every morning he wants to go see Boppa and Bobba (Grandpa and Grandma). Gera or I one try to take him for a walk each morning via the stroller or the wagon. Sometimes (or most times) that walk includes a visit to the grandparents. He even starts calling for them when we turn onto our road. I think the feeling is mutual because his grandma laughs at everything he does and says it takes her back years when his daddy was a little boy.
~Vicky~