Update on Metekle...

Today I wanted to give an update on our Ethiopian school project. Our goal is to have $120,000.00 raised by December in order to add a second story onto Metekle primary school in Mekele, Ethiopia. Currently, we have raised $38,774,72. We are almost a third of the way there! As you can see, I have added a charity thermometer to the sidebar of my blog.

If you care deeply about education and wish to partner with us to help Ethiopian children break the cycle of poverty, feel free to visit our website at http://allgodschildren.org/get-involved/projects-that-need-you/metekle-primary-school/. Thank you so much, friends! We couldn't do it without you!

It's High Time...

...that I update the old blog again. Here are some things we've been up to lately.

1. Adrian got 2 new lambs. They are twins, and had never been away from their mother before. We were warned that they would cry for the first several days. But you know what? They did awesome. I'm thinking it's because of the twin dynamic...it definitely reminded me of how easy Jalen and Jordan's adjustment to a new family and a new home seemed to be because they still had each other.

 2. Ashton got new chickens...layers this time.

3. Malia is still waiting patiently for her goats. This place is turning into a regular farm!

4. Jalen saw these flowers growing by the side of the road and had to pick them for me. I can always depend on my little buddy to bring me flowers.

5. The twins got haircuts after probably almost a year. Check out all those tight little curls!

 6. My boys...minus one. Adrian doesn't enjoy getting his picture taken.

7. I have a college student now! Shana will be taking an online college course in the fall. She will only be a 14-year-old freshman in high school, but the College Credit Plus program is a great way to get a jump-start on college...for free!

8. Malia loves to play school, and will be an awesome teacher some day. I have to smile at the things I find around the house after one of her "school days."

9. I am so excited that Chris and I have a little getaway planned next week for our 15th anniversary! Frequent Flier miles, lots of hotel points, and $200 off attraction tickets make for a pretty inexpensive trip, and I'm looking so forward to it. More on that later. :)

10. I decided to be ambitious this morning and do a little update to our boring, faded old garage door. I love the results! It definitely added some curb appeal!

Before:

After:

Halfway done:

Yay! I love the faux wood look.

And that's all for now. See you again soon!

Goodbye for Now...

This weekend, we are burying a very special man, the patriarch of Chris's large family. We love you and will miss you, Grandpa Eli! Thank you so much for everything you have done for us, and for your wonderful Christian example throughout the years.

Elias Jacob Manz, 89, died at 6:52 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Paulding County Hospital.

He was born on June 16, 1925 at Paulding, Ohio, the son of Henry and Magdalena (Suttor) Manz. On April 25, 1948, he married Evelyn Sauder, who preceded him in death on February 7, 2011. Eli was a devoted husband of 62 years and father, grandfather, and great-grandfather for nearly 66 years. He served in the US Army as a medic during WWII and worked at the US Post Office in Paulding for 41 years retiring as Postmaster in 1988. He also ran their farm east of Paulding where they raised their family. He was baptized on February 13, 1945, and was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church for over 70 years.

Survivors are seven sons, David (Kathy), Donald (Connie), Kenneth (Gwen), Lester (Karen), John (Diane), Russell (Vera) and Roger (Lisa), all of Paulding, Ohio; seven daughters, Emily (John) Rufener of Rittman, Ohio, Susan (Roger) Gasser of Paulding, Ohio, Rebecca (Kenneth) Zollinger and Alice (Darrell) Widmer of Sterling, Ohio, Barbara (Robert) Brink and Peggy (Keith) Wiemken of Defiance, Ohio and Mildred (Jeffrey) Stoller of Orrville, Ohio; 70 grandchildren, two step grandchildren, 152 great-grandchildren and four great-step grandchildren. One sister, Madeline Manz and one brother, Ben (Carolyn) Manz both of Paulding, Ohio also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Henrietta Baumann, a daughter-in-law and a great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 12 p.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Latty Apostolic Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 12867 Road 82, Paulding, Ohio.

The funeral for Eli will be at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Apostolic Christian Church of Junction, 13582 Road 147, Defiance, Ohio. There will be visitation at the church on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. until time of services. Burial will be at the Dotterer Cemetery.

To honor Elias’s wishes and that of the family, please omit flowers, throws etc. Please make memorials to the Apostolic Christian Home for the Handicapped, 2125 Veterans Road, Morton, Ill., 61550; Apostolic Christian Church World Relief; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.denherderfh.com

Den Herder Funeral Home, Paulding, is handling arrangements.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

And Baby Makes 9...

In case you missed the last post, we are expecting a baby right around Thanksgiving! It came as somewhat of a surprise to all of us, but we are excited to see what and who God has in store for us. We told the kids on Sunday night by having each one of them open a gift. Inside each package was a baby item. It was so interesting to see the looks on their faces when they figured out what the items were for! They are thrilled, and our little one will certainly have lots of love! They all keep saying, "I just can't wait until Thanksgiving!"

Surprise!!!

Karl and Angie 4-5-2015

Karl and Angie were married on Easter Sunday. It was a busy and beautiful time for all of us.

Lots of little cuties!

Reception:

Here are the centerpieces I helped put together:

Signing the marriage license:

 Story time with Grandpa:

Shana was a bridesmaid for the first time!

Karl and Angie, we wish you God's richest blessings throughout your life together!