Exciting Adventure

Over the past year or so James has taken on a new responsibility.  Following after the example of Dr. Ralph Woodworth, James decided to attempt writing for a Sunday School literature organization, Union Gospel Press.  Dr. Woodworth, now deceased, had written various articles and curriculum for this well known organization for years.  Upon his death, my husband felt God was leading him into this new adventure.  After acceptance of an example article, he was given his first assignment, a world missions article for a quarterly magazine, The Gospel Herald and Sunday School Times.  Since that time, James has accomplished other assignments and is currently working on lessons for a 13 week assignment in world missions for the Bible Expositor and Illuminator, which is their in-depth adult Bible quarterly. 

It was our privilege to visit Union Gospel Press located in Cleveland, Ohio, yesterday.  We were very impressed, to say the least!  We had an official tour of the entire compound, including many introductions to multiple and distinguished staff serving this organization.  Rev. Lanny Akers, the Editor of Publications, kindly guided us through the campus and printing press areas.  He introduced us to Miss Grace M. Todd, the President of Union Gospel Press.  We appreciated the great hospitality that was shown, and the privilege to tour this great organization.  Rev. Akers made it clear to let him know when James is preaching within a 150 mile radius of the Cleveland area.  He wants to hear him preach!  I thought that was a great way to show his interest in James' accomplishment as a minister of the gospel.

The Paper!

An employee in action

Printing Press Operators

Shipping and Handling area

Cutting, binding, and stapling

Main Entrance

Main Building with apartments above where workers once lived (only 4 elderly ladies remain).

The Printing Press Building

Campus area

L. to R.:  Rev. Lanny Akers, James, and Miss Grace M. Todd

Rev. Lanny Akers and Miss Grace M. Todd

A couple of their recent publications

By the way, James' first article he wrote for Union Gospel Press should be coming out in the Spring of 2012.  The others will follow in the various publications he has been assigned to.  This fifth assignment he is currently working on should be published in the Spring of 2013. 

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day brings about many happy memories from my childhood.  My dad was/is a strong believer in supporting his family through hard work!  He maintained that belief all throughout my childhood, and up through this very day.  If my dad wasn't at his workplace; he was mowing the lawn, fixing something in disrepair, or constructing a much needed item.  He is definitely a man of ambition.

Not only did my father provide us with a strong work ethic, but he gave me a sense of security in our home.  When Dad was gone, especially at night, I would feel insecure and afraid.  Mom was there, but something about Dad being away caused me to fear and dread nighttime.  I always thought my dad was very strong and could beat anyone up!  :D  He was not gone very often, but I sure hated it when he was away.

Now, since Dad has retired, he remains busy constructing various items out of wood:  Bookshelves, desks, decorative projects, and others.  He can make almost anything!  He can fix about anything too!  When I was a girl, something would break, and he thought he couldn't fix it.  With some prodding and encouragement from my mom, he would almost always fix the problem!

Although rather quiet, my dad is a special man to me.  He is very gifted in many ways.  I appreciate the many hours he has sacrificed to our family to help fix something, remodel a room, or lend a helping hand in some manner!  He is a wonderful dad! 

I love you Dad!  You are the greatest!  Happy Father's Day!


My husband is a great Father too!  Since we had our very first child, he has been there to provide love and care.  His reassuring words, his kind acts, and the time he spends with each one of the children is a rarity indeed.  Many fathers neglect the importance of spending time with their family.  Not this Daddy! 

Through the years he has changed many diapers, changed many clothes, accomplished many loads of laundry, read hundreds of books to the kids, played an abundance of games, and has provided LOADS of support to me.  After coming home from a long day at work, he would gladly sit one of the children on his lap and read a book, or tell a story, and play a game.  I could not begin to tell you of the joy and fun he has brought into our lives.  He loves to bring laughter and happiness into our home!

His spiritual guidance has been substantial through the years too.  With his unerring example of private devotions every day, his consistent walk with the Lord, and his christ-like attitude, he has proven a life in full surrender to Christ and a blessing to our family. His seemingly unending knowledge of the Bible has always been amazing to me, and has been such a help in our various capacities of ministry. 

I pray that God will allow me to celebrate many more Father's days with this special man:  The man of more than my dreams.  Happy Father's Day Sweetheart!  I'm thankful you are the father of our children, and best of all, my husband!

Happy 18th Birthday Evangelyn!

Not only did Evangelyn just graduate, but her birthday is today, June 16th!  Our sweet little blonde girl is now 18 years old.  I'll never forget the day she was born in Joliet, Illinois.  The moment she arrived in this world, she was screaming at the top of her lungs.  Soon thereafter, when placed on a little bed, she was rolling over with all the gusto an infant could muster!  She was a strong little one for sure.  I was convinced she was a boy, until the opposite was proven true at birth.  I'm so thankful God gave us another little girl to love and care for. 

Her name was chosen before birth.  After reading books about Evangeline Booth, James desired to name our daughter after this great lady.  So "Evangelyn" it was.  We decided to change the spelling a little, so the desired pronunciation would be more evident.  Her middle name "Lora" is my middle name, as well as my Grandmother's (her great-grandmother's) first name.

Happy Birthday Dear Evangelyn!  May God grant you many more years!

Evangelyn Graduates with Honors!

Time is racing away, and it seems I can barely keep up!  Evangelyn has reached another milestone in life and this Mama can hardly believe that she is already grown and out of high school!  Where have the years gone?  Well, I must write of other matters, lest I become too teary-eyed to type.  :`( 

We arose rather early Saturday morning in preparation for Evangelyn's graduation from the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, an online public school based in Columbus, Ohio.  The ceremony was to be at the Schottenstein Center at the Ohio State University campus in Columbus at 2:30 in the afternoon.  Pursuant to the actual graduation was an induction ceremony for those accepted into the National Honor Society.  Evangelyn and Nathan both received these honors Saturday morning, and were given awards to cherish and keep for years to come.  I am very grateful for their accomplishments! 

Two-thirty arrived, and finally the moment came we had all been waiting for:  The graduates walked into the arena from all four corners.  It was heartening to see so many at one time!  There were 968 graduates present at the ceremony and 2,300 who were eligible to participate, but some couldn't make it for various reasons.  ECOT (as it is known) has the largest graduating class in the nation!  Next year they expect to have as many graduates as there are students in the Cincinnati school district! 



Evangelyn receiving National Honor Society Awards



National Honor Society Awards

Evangelyn and Nathan with ECOT's high school principal, Jim Condron

Ready for the ceremony

Waiting ............

Jim Condron, High School principal, speaking

Evangelyn receiving her diploma (too far away)

Confetti and fireworks

Confetti!

It's over!

Our newest graduate and Grandpa Baker

Evangelyn, Grandpa, and Uncle Jim and Aunt Marilyn (James' mom's sister and husband)

Our family with Grandpa Baker

Evangelyn and Grandpa and Grandma Rish

Our family with Grandpa and Grandma Rish

Schottenstein Center at OSU in Columbus, OH

Our Beautiful 2011 Graduate!

Brotherly Love!!  (couldn't resist ~ on the way home)

Unknown to us, the Governor of Ohio, Governer John Kasich, was the invited speaker. Normally, I don't enjoy sitting and listening to long, drawn out speeches, but this was so different!  I was VERY impressed by the words Governer Kasich shared with those in attendance.  He gave a short synopsis of his life:  Impressive, to say the least!  He definitely has "backbone" and a voice that is not ashamed to speak the truth!  Few Holiness Christians are as bold as he!  May God help us!  He proceeded to encourage the students to seek the Creator's plan for their life and to follow it!  I was thrilled that ECOT had chosen such a person as their Graduation speaker!  Following the longggg line of students receiving their diplomas, we all awaited the BIG moment!  When the turning of the tassells were announced, fireworks went off and confetti fell over the Graduates!  It was a beautiful sight!  Congratuations Evangelyn!  We are proud of you!