Pumpkin Time!

Whitney had never been to a pumpkin patch, so Jason and Nici made sure that she experienced one before the season was over. I think she liked it! Thanks to Rita Bartlett, instead of the messy carving, they ended up with "Pirate Potato Head Pumpkin" and "Princess Potato Head Pumpkin."

Sad news

A dear and godly woman, Charlene Layne, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday morning. She will be dearly missed. Charlene was the director of women's ministries at Grace Chapel for many years. She did a beautiful job too. Charlene had been in remission from leukemia for a number of years, and just a few months ago was diagnosed with another (rare) form of leukemia. The treatment she was getting at UCLA Medical Center was intense chemo. Just a few days ago she contracted pneumonia and her weakened body couldn't put up a fight against it.

At the end of second service yesterday, Pastor Chris couldn't hold back the tears as he announced that Charlene had gone home. It is a very sad, bittersweet time right now. We grieve with her family, but we rejoice (with a bit of jealousy) that she is face to face with the one who loves her best. Please pray for her family.

Storytellers Cafe

The highlight of our trip to Disneyland today was a place called "The Storyteller's Cafe." It is actually in the Grand Californian Hotel which in downtown Disney. A friend had told Rita about it, so we searched until we found it. The hotel itself was a treat ~ the decor, the peacefulness, the grand piano in the lobby with a pianist playing disney songs and old standards.









Today we were interested in trying new things. We rode the Disney Fire Truck for the first time too! Jerry, the driver, took our picture. He taught us how to wave from the truck: "elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist, touch your lips and blow a kiss."

Long-time friends

Way back when we lived in San Diego - back when Nici and Jason were born - God blessed us with Larry & Jeri Anderson and Bruce & Janet Baumgartner. As usual, God scattered us all over the place as we obeyed his call. Larry & Jeri have been in Phelan for almost 20 years. Bruce & Janet are now in Hawaii. And we're in Lancaster. But we all got to see each other again at Bruce's dad's funeral in August. We sat outside after the funeral and chatted and chatted until it was dark and we needed to drive home. How refreshing to be with old friends!

Larry & Jeri

Nici & Jeri

Duane & Bruce

Janet & Cathy

Jeri, Becky, Janet & Nici - today is Becky's 23rd birthday. Happy Birthday, Becky!

Gwin Family Reunion (July 2007)

I realize it has been months since July, but here are some photos from the Gwin Family Reunion in Kingsland, Texas. I promise to post more later. I kind of favor Carolyn's family in this post, I noticed.

This is my dad - Charles Gwin - the reason we have a Gwin family.



Randy & Caden Cox. Randy is married to my niece, Tiffany (Carolyn's daughter).



For the reunion, we rented a 7,000 sq. ft. house on Lake LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson). This is just one picture of the gorgeous sunsets that we saw.



Avery Cox - Randy & Tiffany's daughter. She is such a cutie!!



Adam McDonald - my nephew.



Ruthann (Adam's wife) taught everyone (who was willing to learn) the 'electric slide' line dance. She is in the middle in the green shirt. Randy is in front with the Stetson hat.

A "Wicked" Night in Hollywood

Friday night we had the privilege of going with the Grace Chapel youth staff to see the musical "Wicked" at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. You can see the "Wicked" advertising picture above our heads right below the "hollywood" neon sign. It was an amazing performance. The trip was a 'thank you' from Kevin & Alan Bertaiume to the high school and junior high youth staff for serving during this last school year. Since Jason was the only one in our family that actually serves on the youth staff, we were doubly blessed to be invited to fill the seats of those who couldn't attend! Kevin and Alan served dinner and beverages to all of us on the bus ride to Hollywood - they could put any flight attendant out of a job!

Jason sported a new gotee - and a Mr. Potato Head tie! Check it out!

Brock & Tricia visit Nana

Brock & Tricia (our nephew and his wife) came to visit Nana earlier this month. They came to church with us, then we went to Texas Cattle Company. Tricia is pregnant - due next month. She is so cute! We had so much fun with them. Our friend, Whitney, went to lunch with us too. She is from Texas too, but has repented and converted to become a Californian.

An Amazing 19th Birthday

Jason had an incredible 19th birthday. His youth pastor, Danny Gardner, stopped by our house before we went to lunch and tossed Jason a set of keys and said "Happy Birthday." Jason laughed and tossed them back. Then Danny tossed him a second set of keys. Jason laughed again and said, "Sweet. Thanks." He had no clue what Danny was trying to tell him. Finally we went out front and Jason got the picture - and the truck!!! What a blessing!

Nana moves to Lancaster!

It has been a long time coming, but the day finally came on November 5th! Duane's cousin, William, helped Nana (aka Loree, Mom) drive from Waxahachie, Texas to Lancaster, California - about a 1,500 mile drive. Her belongings arrived early the next morning - before she and Bill even had a decent night's sleep. We were all blessed that William could stay that first week and help Nana's transition into her new place. She had plenty to keep him busy! Thank you, Bill. It was great to be with you again.

Our Pastor's mom brought flowers to welcome her.

Duane turns 50

Duane turned 50 on November 18. He says he wants to grow old quietly. Yet he wears his new birthday present: "Old Guys Rule" shirt proudly.

The Frevert Family

These are our friends, the Freverts (Marcy, Marianne, Mitch and Marilyn). Last Sunday they shared about their missions trip this summer to China. They were a blessing to a ministry called "Circo Redempto" that ministers to the children of the Nosu tribe in China. This summer the Freverts taught English, music, dancing - among other classes - to the Nosu children who were a part of the camp. Each day began as early as 5:30 a.m. when they would get up and run 3 miles with the kids before the day of classes began. God taught them so much as they gave of themselves to these children.

Their dog Max lived at our house while they were gone, so we had a daily reminder to pray for them! We are blessed by their friendship and their example of selflessness. For a single mom with three kids at home, Marilyn has a really good excuse NOT to "go onto all the world" and share the gospel, but instead she feels even more compelled to teach her kids that this is what life is all about - bringing hope to a dying world.

Sisters

While I was in Texas to help Nana pack, my sister, Cyndi treated me to a John Mayer concert in Houston area. I drove from Waxahachie, she drove from San Antonio (where she was training for her new job - praise the Lord!) and we met in the Woodlands for Chinese food, a John Mayer concert, and staying up half the night talking. We're not as young as we used to be - staying up half the night was all we could manage! It was really fun to be together, even it was such a short visit. Thank you, Cyndi!

Answered Prayer

Escrow closed this week for Mom's new place! We are so excited! I leave Monday for Waxahachie, TX to help her however I can for this major move to California. For a lady who will be 80 years old in April, she has blessed me with her willingness to make changes, even when they are really big ones. Please pray for her! We'll be getting things ready on this end. Our friend, Brad, will paint. It was so fun yesterday to go to Dunn Edwards and fill the back of my van up with cans of paint for Nana's house. It means that it won't be long and she'll be here!

Still praying

Well, the second deal has fallen through for "Nana" to buy an affordable place and move to Lancaster. We're not sure what God is saying, but we are praying for God's wisdom and timing. We'd appreciate your prayers too!

Another thing you can pray for... Eternity Bible College is going to be a lot of work for Nici and Jason. This is Jason's first semester of college. I think his head is spinning and he's wondering if he'll ever have a life again. Pray he can soon get into the groove of school, homework and all the ministry responsibilities he has at Grace Chapel. On a fun note... Duane and I are auditing their Theology I class. It is awesome! But I also realize how much work it is!

He passed!

Jason passed his driver's test this morning! Yipee... I think.

Starting School at Eternity Bible College

Jason & Nici begin their school year Tuesday morning (bright and early) as they commute to Simi Valley for classes at Eternity Bible College. Please keep them in prayer for safe travels as well as a great school year. They are both really excited. And yes, Jason is sporting a beard these days. After several camping trips with the high school and junior high ministries, and a trip to Oregon with the college pastor, Jason just gave up shaving for awhile.

My Turn

I awoke this morning to breakfast in bed and my family singing "Happy birthday to you." Balloons floated in the front lawn announcing to the neighborhood that it was my birthday... Thank you, Bartletts, for not advertisizing my age with that!
I was blessed all day long with a wonderful birthday! I thank the Lord for blessing me with such wonderful family and friends.

Nici turns 21

On August 16th Nici officially became an adult. We began celebrating on Aug. 8th by taking her to dinner at Sisley Kitchen in Valencia. The gold locket she is wearing was a special gift from her family heritage. My mother (who passed away in 1990) had been given the locket by my dad and it is inscribed with a sweet sentiment. I think she likes it!

On the morning of her birthday she was served breakfast in bed compliments of Mary Bartlett, complete with scones from Panera Bread, her favorite! In the evening we had a few friends over for birthday cake and coffee.







"Charm is deceptive, and beauty fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Prov. 31:30

I read this quote last night in Newsweek magazine. Billy Graham is interviewed and looking back over his 87 years he said, "The greatest regret that I have is that I didn't study more and read more. I regret it, because now I feel at times I am empty of what I would like to have been. I have friends that have memorized great portions of the Bible. They can quote (so much), and that would mean a lot to me now."

His wife, Ruth, has spent these summer months memorizing and reciting Psalms 90. She suffers from macular degeneration and so her secretary types out the psalms on a word processor, printing the words in huge type - there might be six or eight words on a page - and then collects the text in big black binders, from which Ruth reads.

Lord, help me learn from their example!

Nici & Nana

Duane's mom (Nana to her grandkids) will be moving to Lancaster before very long! We can't wait! It will be wonderful to have her closer. She has given this family a godly heritage that we don't take for granted.