Hi, I guess it is time to write again since it has been several months. The first weekend in Nov. we went to Illinois to reshingle Ron's (Martin) roof. It was a fun and profitable weekend we stayed until Tuesday so that Greg could get it completely done. On Sat. the youth came down to help with things the girls that came worked inside except Melissa she would rather have been outside so she was helping on the roof and to clean up the yard - also making sure Jake didn't over do himself since not long before that he had surgery. We were out again for Thanksgiving and spent the time at Ron's - Lynette and the children came for Thanksgiving as well. Jessica enjoyed playing with Anna again. Since Dad & Mom left for Florida on Thanksgiving to see Henry's we didn't see my family except at church on Sun. I thought they would be busy on Thanksgiving Day with the Ulrich's and with everyone at Ron's I didn't feel like we had a lot of time for other things. The weekend of Dec. 16th we had 3 Christmas', Matt's and Dad & Mom came out Friday evening and we had our Christmas then. On Sat. we had the Bender and Miller Christmas' right after each other basically (I guess there was a couple of hours in between). Then we had a week before Ron's came on Sunday and we had Christmas with them on Christmas Day. They stayed until Wens. morning, then they left for Michigan for the Kauffman Christmas. We went up on Friday then and Sat. was the Kauffman Christmas. We all left on Sunday, Greg couldn't get going quick enough when he found out Grand Rapids was suppose to get freezing rain. It was all enjoyable being with all of our families again and yet I am so glad it is over. The business of the season drives me crazy the last couple of years - I hate going shopping even for groceries in Dec. let alone trying to find gifts and other things as well. Jan. has started out nice and quite thankfully since I need to recoup from Dec. On Wens. or Thurs. of this week (the 10th or 11th) while having devotions I came up with some thoughts that might provoke a little discussion here is the short chapter and my thoughts feel free to comment on any of it. Chapter 21 - God’s Fondest Dream Division or Unity in A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado Verses for this chapter: I have other sheep which are not of this flock and I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16 Father, I pray that they can be one … Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them as much as you loved me. John 17: 21, & 23 Some Time Ago I came upon a fellow on a trip who was carrying a Bible. “Are you a believer?” I asked him. “Yes,” he said excitedly. I’ve learned you can’t be too careful. “Virgin birth?” I asked. “I accept it.” “Deity of Jesus?” “No doubt.” “Death of Christ on the cross?” “He died for all people.” Could it be that I was face to face with a Christian? Perhaps/ Nonetheless, I continued my checklist. “Status of man.” “Sinner in need of grace.” “Definition of grace.” “God doing for man what man can’t do.” “Return of Christ?” “Imminent.” “Bible?” “Inspired.” “The church?” “The body of Christ.” I started getting excited. “Conservative or liberal?” He was getting interested too. “Conservative.” My heart began to beat faster. “Heritage?” “Southern Congregationalist Holy Son of God Dispensationalist Triune Convention.” That was mine! “Branch?” “Pre-millennial, post-trib, noncharismatic, King James, one-cup communion.” My eyes misted. I had only one other question. “Is your pulpit wooden or fiberglass?” “Fiberglass,” he responded. I withdrew my hand and stiffened my neck. “Heretic!” I said and walked away. * * * Far-fetched? If so, only a little. Suspicion and distrust often lurk at God’s table. The Baptists distrust the Methodists. The Church of Christ avoids the Presbyterians. The Calvinists scoff at the Armenians. Charismatics. Immersionists. Patternists. Around the table the siblings squabble, and the Father sighs. The Father sighs because he has a dream. “I have other sheep that are not in this flock, and I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16) God has only one flock. Somehow we missed that. Religious division is not his idea. Franchises and sectarianism are not in God’s plan. God has one flock. The flock has one shepherd. And though we may think there are many, we are wrong. There is only one. Never in the Bible are we told to create unity. We are simply told to maintain the unity that exists. Paul exhorts us to preserve “the unity which the Spirit gives” (Eph. 4:3, NEB) Our task is not to invent unity, but to acknowledge it. I have two sisters and a brother. We are siblings because we came from the same family. We have the same father and mother. I’m sure there have been times when they didn’t want to call me their brother, but they don’t have that choice. Nor do we. When I see someone calling God Father and Jesus Savior, I meet a brother or sister – regardless of the name of their church or denomination. By the way, the church names we banter about? They do not exist in heaven. The Book of life does not list your denomination next to your name. Why? Because it is not the denomination that saves you. And I wonder, if there are no denominations in heaven, why do we have denominations on earth? What would happen (I know this is a crazy thought), but what would happen if all the churches agreed, on a given day, to change their names to simply “church”? What if any reference to any denomination were removed and we were all just Christians? And then when people chose which church to attend, they wouldn’t do so by the sign outside … they’d do so by the hearts of the people inside. And then when people were asked what church they attended, their answer wouldn’t be a label but just a location. And then we Christians wouldn’t be known for what divides us; instead we’d be known for what unites us – our common Father. Crazy idea? Perhaps. But I think God would like it. It was his to begin with. MY THOUGHTS AFTER READING THIS CHAPTER: We have been attending Maple City Chapel, so I’m going to use that as an example of what I’ve been thinking. Maple City Chapel has brought ALL types of Christians together – Conservative Mennonite – Liberal Mennonite – Amish – used to be Catholics – all of us sinners and in need of grace from God. Yet this church is judged by some because of their: · Minister – where he used to be WHO cares where he used to be does it make him a better Christian just because he USED to be what some class as Conservative and is now Liberal maybe he is closer to God now then he was before how do we know unless we have been in his shoes. Some don’t like how blunt he is when preaching maybe he isn’t being blunt enough – I haven’t read anywhere that we are suppose to beat around the bush when telling someone about or teaching the Word of God. · Style of Worship – they don’t sing only out of hymnals, they have a band instead of just a song leader. They sing the contemporary music and play that kind of music as well – some may sway to the music (or as some prefer to put dance to the music). SO WHAT!! WHO CARES!! Us humans who think we are more spiritual – or were never brought up in this kind of church – to US it is WRONG. What does God think – I would feel safe to say that God loves the sound of that kind of worship to Him it is wonderful – just as much so as those that sit and sing the hymns. God knows if our hearts are in the right place and if they are who are we to say how the worship service should be in every church? REMEMBER: Matt. 7:1 Judge NOT that ye be not judged. Not everyone has the same convictions. After I read that chapter and was thinking through all this I had to question myself why am I wearing a veil??? Have I been doing it all along because that is all I’ve heard the past 30 years that a woman should wear a veil over her head? Am I wearing one because I have been convicted to wear one? If I quit wearing it I would feel guilty – but why for which reason would I feel guilty??? If I haven’t been convicted to wear a veil AM I just as guilty as if I wouldn’t wear one???? I had quit wearing a veil of any sort when I had been living in sin several years ago, when I gave my life back over to Christ I automatically started to wear a veil – is that being convicted?? How do I know if I’ve been convicted to wear one? Anyway we need to be less of a judge about peoples convictions or their style of dress and worship and more concerned for ourselves and be sure we are where are – right with God and doing everything we know ACCORDING to the Bible – NOT traditions. Dear Lord, help me not to judge others especially when I don’t know the situations in their life – which may have caused them to react the way the do or did. Help me to concentrate on my life alone and to raise our children in Your will and according to Your Word. If someone asked me for advice help me to give them the correct advice and to remember to pray for them in that situation. Amen Kathy | 
We had a little boy, his name is Lincoln Reed he was born on March 2 at 8:00 am he weighed 6 lbs. 3.8 oz and was 19.5 inches long. Here are a few photos and a web page you can go to and see a few more. The unfortunate thing about the web page is it is from the hospital and two pictures are upside down. Grandma Martin is here for a week or so to help out which is very much appreciated.
You can keep praying that all goes well with this.
. We tried to make it to the gas station and we were almost there when the van died (blue van)
. We noticed a guy standing out in front of a house so Greg took a couple of dollars and went up to see if they had oil we could buy from them - he didn't. Greg checked the oil and it was only on the add mark the van then started and we drove on to the gas station. We just pulled in and the van died again
. So Greg put 2 qrts of oil and a full tank of gas in the van and we went home. All the way home the knocking kept getting worse we just turned into the drive when it died again. We coasted to a stop and that is where the van still sits
. Someone told me that if we did an oil change that it may take care of the problem. So Greg did an oil change and started the van he revved the engine a bit and it died. So he started it again and reeeaaally revved up the engine suddenly I noticed that the van was smoking and pieces were falling out of the bottom so I told him he better shut it off. We haven't started it again it know has a big hole in the engine. So we found and bought a 1999 Jetta - we love it!!!