headed to El Paso

Now, it has been quite a while since I've been back to my old summer stomping grounds in El Paso, Texas. I went there for 7 summers, working with the children's missions organization GMTC: Gospel Ministries To Children. Ben Dowdy, director of SWGMTC El Paso, shot me an email and a phone call to let me know that my dear friends, Chad and Cody Kitchens, had just lost their mom, Annie Kitchens. I still don't know what happened to bring about her physical departure from us, but I know that she was a believer and that she was an incredible woman, a woman that I used to call mom. I had stayed with the Kitchens numerous times during my times in El Paso. One of my most found memories of Annie was when she, Chad, and I were listening to some dc Talk and they said that they liked their old rap stuff better than their newer rock phase (this was a while back); they both then introduced me to The Pirates of Penzance. I love my brothers, Chad and Cody, and I want to be there for them if I can be. So, with that said, I contacted Ben Dowdy, asked if he knew anyone's place I might be able to crash at for Friday night (the memorial service is Friday at 6pm), and he offered his place to me (even though it is 30 minutes from where the Kitchens live). I gratefully accepted, so I took tomorrow off from teaching at DVHS, and I am headed to El Paso in the morning. I am going by myself, with our only vehicle, but Amy has her parents in town, at least, and they have car seats for our kids if they need to go anywhere over the day that I will be gone. I am thankful that the LORD let me have this time where I can go and be with my brothers in El Paso, even though it is going to be a time of mourning while there. I love these guys. Pray for their family, please, and for my safety, as well as for Amy's sanity in dealing with the kids while I'm gone (Aidan's been quite a pain these past few days, "bless his heart").

writer dies

James Oliver Rigney Jr, a.k.a. Robert Jordan, the beloved author of The Wheel of Time series, died Sunday. Jordan died of a rare blood disease at the age of 58. This is a sad time for his wife and for his readers. For his readers, they are probably even more upset that Jordan died while writing the final installment of the series, book 12. Jordan will now never have the opportunity to finish his epic fantasy where Rand al'Thor takes on "ultimate evil."

obituary for howard ernest betts

Howard Ernest Betts, 92, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on April 27, 2007. He was born in Guthrie Center, Iowa to Burl and Eunice Betts. He moved to Arizona in 1955 from Colorado. He was the owner of Betts Construction. Howard is survived by his wife Irene Betts; sons David Betts and Paul (Brenda) Betts of Phoenix; sister Gladys Teter, Coon Rapids, IA; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 9:00 am on Friday, May 4, 2007 at Palmcroft Baptist Church, 15825 North 35th Ave. Arrangements by Hansen Mortuary.

sickness becomes us?

Alright, so we all hate being sick, especially when that sickness gives vomiting and diarrhea. Aidan was sick on Tuesday and had the symptoms mentioned above. Amy got the same sickness (probably a 24 hour flu) on Wednesday. She was so sick, she was unable to keep any water down, so we took her to the maternity admitting area at Thunderbird Hospital because she was having major contractions and was in need of an IV. By midnight we were able to take her home. I had to practice with the choir that evening, so Mike (Amy's dad) came and relieved me of duty for an hour or two so I could go sing. There was to be another practice on Thursday night. So we try to sleep, and then I woke up with the aforementioned symptoms. I must have thrown up 8 or so times during the time I should have been teaching. Good thing I can take a sick day. I then tried to sleep the rest of the day. I woke up around 6:30pm when Amy called me to remind me I had practice at the church again, which I knew I had but there was no way I was in shape to make it or, even if I did make it, that I would be any good to anyone. Wednesday night and Thursday we had family in town, too, so I had to miss those get-togethers, as well. Friday came and we had a funeral for Howard Betts, my step-grandfather, husband to my grandma Irene (previously Van Liew) Betts. Amy's parents were going to join us, but they had gotten the same flu that Aidan, Amy, and I had earlier, so they were home with the same symptoms. Today is now Saturday, the day after the funeral, and we came to find out this morning that my mom (still in town for the funeral, supposed to fly out about now) had the same sickness. She's not been having a good time with it, either, so my dad called to change their flights to tomorrow. Let's just hope he doesn't get sick tomorrow and have to fly home like that. Does that sound like a fun week? I think the little bug that got us sick had a grand ol' time.

howard betts graduates

Howard Betts, my step-grandfather, married my dad's mom (Irene Violet Bendure Van Liew Betts) back in 1993 or 4. Howard had a series of strokes over the last 5 to 10 years. He went to spend the rest of eternity with his Heavenly Father last night in Phoenix, AZ. More information to come on his life, funeral, etc.

grandma van's obituary

Mildred Marceta Charles Van Liew of Phoenix, AZ, 100, was born in Grand Haven, Michigan on February 27, 1907, the third of 12 children. Mildred grew up in the Fremont, Michigan area and graduated from high school there. She married George C. Van Liew on June 14, 1928, and they birthed four sons, the first of whom died in infancy. With their remaining three sons, they moved to Arizona in 1947, purchasing a grocery store in Mesa, Arizona where they served until 1952 when they founded Van's Mobile Homes, aka Van's RV Trailer Co., now in the Sun City area. Mildred was a vital part of the business until the late 1980's when she retired. Son George C. Van Liew, Jr. is deceased, son David A. Van Liew resides in Seattle, Washington, and son Paul E. Van Liew resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Mildred is also survived by two brothers, fourteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Palmcroft Baptist Church, 15825 North 35th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona, Friday evening April 20, 2007, 6:30 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. Funeral Services will also be held at Palmcroft Baptist Church, Saturday morning, April 21, 2007, 10:30 A.M. According to Mildred's desire, in lieu of flowers, please forward any memorial gifts to Harvest Foundation, P.O. Box 2670, Phoenix, Arizona 85002. The Van Liew Family is proudly being served by Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, AZ.

From: http://www.legacy.com/AZCentral/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=87215212

mildred marceta charles van liew

Great Grandma Van has now graduated into glory. She now stands accepted and covered by the blood of the Lamb in front of the Lamb in paradise. She passed away on Wednesday night, and I know I said goodbye a long time ago, but I am still having a harder time reconciling that she is truly gone right now. Her incredible legacy spurs me on and calls me out. I now am waiting for the funeral service with all the family and her friends that come. In the midst of the comfort I am receiving for her security in Christ, I am down about other things in life and therefore not celebrating her graduation as I think I should be. Easily discouraged? Maybe. My dad always told me that his dad was easily depressed; my dad is easily depressed; and I can see myself that way, as well. Maybe that's simply how we deal with hard to process situations, I'm not sure. I can tell you that I will remember ggvan and I will share her legacy with my children. I love you, Grandma Van.

Precious in the sight of the LORD

Is the death of His godly ones.

ps 116.15

gerald ford

President Gerald Ford, our 38th President, died late in 2006. His funeral was today at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Family and former Presidents gave speeches in his honor. There was a lot of Scripture read today. Former President George Bush said, "He was like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life." He led a life of "honor and integrity." The former President's speech was well written, well presented, and hit the nail on the head. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State, said President Ford was "unpresuming and without gile." It was something to see all of the formality of the ceremony, along with the military involvement in carrying the casket and bringing in the colors.