Colorado Weather and Windy Visitors

8 JANUARY 2009 - 65 degrees and sunny in Colorado Springs.

It was awesome! That is Pike's Peak in the background.

9 JANUARY 2009 - Flurries, WINDY, 34 degrees and feels like 24 according to weather.com. In Iowa we had corn for scenery. Here in the mountains, not too far north of the desert, we have tumbleweed. Sometimes too much tumbleweed. So much that it blocks your front door. But we'll survive, back in the 50's later in the week.

A POST FROM SANDI

Hello everyone!! Just wanted to share a conversation I had with Colin during supper tonight.
Keep in mind as you read this that I wore my hair curly today!! :)

So we are in the middle of supper and Colin looks at me and waves his hand in dramatic fashion in a circle towards my head and says -

Mom- why did Jesus make your hair so crazy??

I replied with - Well that is a very good question and I plan to ask him that when I get to heaven!!

Colin says - Why don't you get on your knees (he sits on his feet in his chair to demonstrate) and look up to heaven and pray to God to give you straight hair like me.

What a hoot!!!

I love how he is beginning to see Jesus as the one to go to when we need something. He is starting to remind me of my niece, Sidney. Her heart is focused on Jesus!!!!

Enjoy your weekend!!!!

The Faces of Freedom

LTC RICHARD BERRETTINI (CAMP DR. & FRIEND)

SFC COLLIN BOWEN (GREAT FRIEND & WARRIOR)

SGT SHAWN HILL (OUTSTANDING FRIEND & FELLOW COMBAT ENGINEER)On 2 January 2008 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, these 3 heroes from my camp were on a Ground Assault Convoy when their HMMWV struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The explosion immediately killed SGT Hill and there was a huge fire. LTC Berrettini & SFC Bowen got out of the HMMWV, both badly burned. They were treated on scene and airlifted out of country through Germany to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. For 10 days LTC Berrettini fought hard but on Friday 11 January his injuries overcame him. SFC Bowen held on through several surgeries. Everyone was hopeful. But on 14 March 2008, over 70 days later, SFC Bowen died from his wounds.

My friends, my brothers, you may be gone but never forgotten!!

Christmas At The Farm No Blizzard Could Stop

Well, the original plan for Christmas at the farm fell on a day when Iowa and Minnesota had bad blizzards. Sandi's Grandmother's funeral however, ended up bringing everyone together. Christmas at the farm was back on.

"Drew, is it my turn?"

IN CASE YOU CAN'T READ THE T-SHIRT, IT SAYS:

"MY AUNT ROCKS!"

SLEEPING BEAUTY PRINCESSES "Can you believe I sat long enough for a picture?"
THE CALLON SISTERS IBO

("In Birth Order" - a term we hear at every family gathering) SIDNEY READING HER NEW BIBLE ME & "THE DOCTOR" (Dr. is my nickname for Daniel Raymond) "ME & MY BOY JAXON" THE COUSINS

Family From Iowa

It was so good to see Rick, Kay, Chrissy & Andrew last week!! They came out to Colorado to visit a few families that they know here. Unfortunately, we did not get to spend as much time with them as we wanted to. They are a part of our Christian Family from Grace Church back home. We miss them so much! They are so special!! We tried to get a picture of Chrissy and Andrew when they we here but they were too busy exploring Colorado when I tried. We can't wait to see you guys again. Until we do, God Bless!

A Shared Birthday, December 25, 2008

Christmas day was bittersweet for us this year. My grandma passed away after a brief fight with cancer. But as the pastor shared with all of us before her funeral, how fitting that she was born into eternity on the same day we celebrate the birth of Christ, who was sent to earth to save all of us from our sins. I have great peace knowing she is now with Jesus and I will see her again.

I miss you and love you Grandma!!!! ~ Sandi

Hannah & Cousin Sydney

Hannah's Baptism

Grandma Althea giving marital advice at Lynn's wedding.

Althea Williams. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She leaves behind a legacy of 11 children, 25 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. She always had a warm smile and a hug and kiss on the cheek for me. I'm reminded of a Bible Study I did in Afghanistan called "3:16, The Numbers of Hope" by Max Lucado. The entire study is on the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Whoever, wherever, whenever. Whenever is now. Wherever is right where you are at this moment. Whoever is all of us. He takes us all, the 70 year Christian or those of us that come to Him later in life. Whoever is me, whoever is you. Whoever is Althea, who is currently in the Glory of God living Eternal Life!

Happy New Year & Thank You to Those Serving Overseas!!

Words cannot express our grattitude for what you do for our country every day to keep us and our families safe! Thanks!