family

I like to think of myself as a family man. I like my family and miss not being able to be with them much. Actually we intentionally came here to the Villa instead of moving to where one of our children lives because we didn't want any one of them to end up being responsible for our care someday. So living away from all of them is the result of that decision.

We are surrounded here by our four wonderful children. This picture was taken a little over three years ago, so we've all aged a bit since then, but not a great lot I guess. In ages they range from 51 to 44 (I think). Gordon and Ron live in Ohio, Carol near St. Louis, and Lynne in Arizona. We also think very highly of our three inlaws, and love them like our own.

We are also blessed with eleven grandchildren. Each of the three married children has three girls, and in addition Gordon and Chris have two boys. At this writing two granddaughters are married and each has a son, giving us our first two great grandsons. One granddaughter is working and living at home, one is in medical school, four are in college, two are in high school and one is in eighth grade.

Of course these people are all very intelligent and will in some way make their mark in the world. One of the things we feel the best about is how all of our family have done in their faith development. We like to believe that all are seeking in some way to follow Jesus in their lives. Obviously none of us have reached the goal to which we have been called, to be like Jesus in all we do, but we're on the way! God isn't finished with any of us yet!

Both Clara and I came from homes where faith in Christ was taught and lived. Both of us truly appreciate the faith of our parents, and grandparents, even though none of them was perfect. I knew only one of my grandparents but was told that they all were followers of Jesus and lived that out in the best way they knew how. I'm truly glad that our ancestors were able to transmit the Christian life to their children so that we might have the heritage we do have, and for which we are indeed thankful. My prayer continues to be that the line of faith will continue on until Jesus comes again. May it be so.

Pilgrim on the way