Emilia and David have been engaged for twenty-two days and already have a good part of their wedding and honeymoon planned. Concerning those things I have been made privy to, I have been sworn to secrecy. Yesterday, Emi and I ordered a very beautiful dress (Beyond that, I am not allowed to share any information of any kind for any reason.). It was a touching and heart warming experience. Emi talked with the dress lady, making sure of all the important specifics, and then handed the phone to me to give the dress lady my credit card number.

The process of wedding planning, thus far, has been a fun one. Wedding magazines and books are piling up and advise is pouring in. I am aware that my part in the whole will be very limited. In case you were not aware, men and women have a very different outlook on the daintier things of life. So, apart from doing and enjoying my part, my part will be limited to those tasks delegated to me and keeping our family and friends up to date on the blessed event.

Posted: July 4th, 2008 under General.
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June 13 brought a long awaited, for Emilia, ten-day visit by David. Except for a brief Christmas visit, they have been apart for the past year. David is a year into his doctorate program in chemistry at Montana State University and Emi just finished her fourth year at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC.

The highlight of David’s visit - that which has overshadowed all other events - was his proposal to Emi of marriage. The proposal was made at Fruitlands while picnicking together and was received by Emi with great joy and happiness (Gallery).

We, as parents, could not be more pleased. It is a wonder to see the marvel of God’s wisdom and grace in His providing for His children. We are rejoicing with Emilia in the Lord giving to her this young man of His own choosing.

Note: The above picture was a recreation for our benefit.

Posted: June 21st, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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We traveled to the Shirley Meeting House Saturday (June 14), to hear Moriah in recital, for the last time . This was the last event on her list of last things that she is trilled are at last over. She has enjoyed taking piano and will miss Mrs. German, but is happy to step into a summer’s rest without any encumbrances.

She played Debussy’s Deux Arabesques I, beautifully.

Posted: June 16th, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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Moriah has graduated from high school. It was, of course, inevitable, but still, somehow unexpected. She is very excited about the future, carefully laying out a four-year plan. She has decided that her major at Bob Jones University will be humanities with a minor in teaching English as second language. She is also hoping to continue her studies in Hebrew, both in class (Hebrew is an upper level class that she may or may not be able take.) and on her own and piano (If time allows.). Her biggest short-term dream is a summer study program in Israel after her sophomore year.

Following tradition, we had a graduation party (June 1) for Moriah and her friend Kate, who will also be attending BJU. We will truly miss both of them when they are in school. Both girls have proven themselves repeatedly to be lovingly unselfish before their families and church family. Wonderfully, several of those Moriah invited to the party were able to attend. It was a happy night.

Posted: June 2nd, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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Being creatures of habit, we spent our spring vacation (May 18-25) in the quiet and peaceful village of North Conway, New Hampshire (It should be noted that it is a quiet and peaceful village when we are there because it is off-season. Our week lays right on the edge of bedlam.). As in years past, we were purposefully schedule free - doing only what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it (a truly make believe world). I did keep to my morning ritual: sneaking out of the room early, grabbing a large cup of hot chocolate and retreating to the town gazebo to read for a couple of hours. In short, we did all the old things and two or three new (Gallery). We are already looking forward to next year!

Posted: May 27th, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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Last week (April 30-May 8) could not have been any more full. We traveled two days to Bob Jones University to mark Lincoln’s (Lincoln received his M.A. degree in history.) and Emilia’s (Emilia received her B.A. degree in business management.) academic achievements and then three days later to witness Lincoln and Abby exchange their marriage vows.

It is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” To save you from those thousand words, we will share a few pictures (Graduation, Rehearsal, Pictures, Ceremony, Reception, Apartment) with you. Each picture represents a thousand memories and emotions for us.

Posted: May 12th, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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Moriah, wanting to enjoy her last months in the quiet of home before heading off to college, has retired from the hardware store. Her last day, April 28, was marked by her coworkers with a party that Mia and Jack initiated. Contrary to what some have suggested, she will not be sitting in front of the television eating bonbons. She is continuing with her piano, Hebrew, Spanish and other courses of study that interest her. When time allows, she has also enjoyed afternoon reading in the new hammock we got her for her retirement (In truth, it is for both her and her father.).

Posted: April 29th, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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Because of the business of life and the realities of a hurried and expensive May, Moriah’s eighteenth birthday was celebrated quietly. The low-key nature of our celebration was a bit disheartening for me and Tammy because it may have been her last birthday at home. We are looking forward to our annual visit to North Conway and plan to extend our celebration to Moriah’s “summer home.”

Posted: April 16th, 2008 under General, Special Events.
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