Home Group Boating Trip

We have such a fun home group! Yesterday after church we all met at Foster Lake. One family has a boat and spent the whole day giving us all rides and pulling us on the tube. It was lots of fun! Here we are. Noah was mad on the boat because he wanted in the water. He's such a fish! And the rocking of the boat put Eli right to sleep on my lap.

Here's everyone from home group... except a cupple little ones and two other families... including us. We had to jet out early to check on our Synder pup left home alone for the first time.

The Rodgers

Oh boy! I don't think I can hold back my tears while I type this out. Rory, Lindsey, RoRo & Baby #2 are moving today... on mine & Jonny's 5 year wedding anniversary. Jonny spent the morning at their house helping load up their trailer. The boys & I stopped by later to play for a couple hours. We just got home, and I am so sad. I've been crying all month at the thought of our best friends moving, so I thought I got all my tears out before going over today. Nope. It's so hard to say goodbye to such good friends. We're going to miss them so much! They are such a blessing to us, and we love them so much!

Best Buds

Goodbye, Sabos.

In September, or maybe it was October, we had the privilege of meeting the Sabos. They used live in Corvallis and go to Calvary, but about six years ago they moved across the country to Virginia. We actually met them one Sunday in early 2003, when Jonny and I first started going to Calvary. We remember them because Julie was pregnant, and when Jonny asked if this was their first they smiled and casually said, "No this is number nine." (Which is totally them- so laid back and chill.) About four years later there was a little 'Sabo Update' in the Calvary Connection at church, so we read about what they were up to and saw that the Lord had blessed them with a couple more kids. Then, two summers ago they came out to Corvallis for a visit, and the Sunday they came to church Jonny and I were serving in the nursery with their latest addition- number 11, Ezra.

So yeah, over the years we've heard the buzz of the Sabo's. So of course when we heard that they were moving back for a year so Matt could go to the School of Ministry at Calvary, we were so excited to get a chance to know them. And we did! (They even tried convincing us to move back to Va with them!) After becoming friends with them this year we can totally understand why everyone is in love with them and caught up in their wake. They are an incredible family. Incredible because, well, the obvious- they have a ton of kids! They have a ton of kids but are as laid back as if they only had two. They are also incredible because after spending just a brief time with them, we witnessed their genuine love for each other and for the Lord. The Sabo kids are wonderfully kind and in love with Jesus. They are also such loving servants. The oldest kids- all they way down to ten year old MerriGrace- served in the child care for women's ministry all year long. Eli has loved getting to play ball with 'Tawar & Efan' (Taylor & Ethan). We have loved getting to know this family. They are such an encouragement. If a mom of twelve kids can home school, keep a house, make dinner, change diapers, be a sweet wifey, all the while discipling her children through every task, and still have time to be a friend and pour her life into others, I think I can make through my days. I love that their eyes are on the Lord before anything else. They don't do things the way the world would suggest. Seriously- who would quit their job to move their family of 14 across the country to go to bible school? It's a little nuts. (I think driving four hours to Klamath is pushing the limits.) BUT It's so encouraging to see a family sold out for Jesus- willing to take a huge step of faith and obey what God has put on their heart. They know first hand, that the Lord's ways are not our ways.

Anyway, all that to say- what fun friends we've made! We are going to miss them so much! We're sad to see that 15 passenger van with the 'Fl Qvr" license plate go, but excited to see what God has next for 'Team Sabo.' We can't wait to make a trip out to the east coast to visit them! And you never know what God might have in store... there may be a science opening in Goucester, Va one of these years! :0

Jim Rockholt Nov. 21,1930 - Jan. 8, 2009

I was eleven when my family moved to Klamath Falls, OR. Two of my first friends were Telena & Rachelle Nelson. They were cousins- double cousins. Their moms were twin sisters who married the Nelson brothers. I was intrigued by their family. We instantly clicked & became the best of friends. They, like many of the people of Klamath Falls, were born & raised there. They both continue to live there today, as they raise their own children. Their entire family on both sides live there. Aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents- they all live in Klamath Falls. This was so different than my family. I only had my mom, Becky & my grandma (Grandma didn't move to Klamath until I was in high school). I didn't know what it was like to have cousins or aunts & uncles. I didn't even know what it was like to have a dad... & three of my siblings lived far away. Because my family dynamic was so different I loved hanging out with Telena & Rachelle's family. There were always lots of people around.

I particularly liked their grandparents, Jim & Judy. They were the example of what I want my marriage to be when I'm a grandma. They were both in love with the Lord & in love with each other. You know how every once in awhile, you walk into the grocery store & see an old man carrying a bouquet of roses out to his car- that was Jim Rockholt. Don't you just love seeing that?! Why is it that people lose that passion & love for each other after so many years of being married? I pray that doesn't become my marriage. It certainly wasn't Jim & Judy. He loved his wife. He valued & honored her. She was his queen. They were best friends & spent every day together. They didn't even go to the grocery store without the other one. They were always going on road trips & little get-away vacations together. It was just a delight to see Jim & Judy's love for each other.

Jim was actually Judy's second husband. She lost her first husband about 35-40 years ago in a tragic car accident. She & Jim have been married for the last 20 years. My heart just breaks for her. I try not to let myself think of losing Jonny. I can't imagine what that must feel like, to spend every day for 20+ years with the same person, your best friend. To be so in love with this man & then gone... just gone. Wow. I know Judy is just crying out to the Lord for strength. If you think of it, join me in praying for her as she grieves the loss of a husband.... for the second time...

Jim was such a sweet, kind man. Our culture says that a lot of men become bitter, cranky & grumpy as they age. Not Jim! He was not at all unpleasant to be around. In fact, I enjoyed his company very much. I loved talking with him. Because I didn't grow up with a dad or grandpa, sometimes I feel awkward relating to men & talking with them. It's foreign to me. But not with Jim. He had Christ's love & kindness.

Jim also loved children. He used to work as a teacher & Principal. He was also blessed with lots & lots of grandchildren & great-grandchildren to lavish his love on. In fact, after Jonny & I had Eli we went down to visit friends/family in Klamath Falls for Christmas. Telena was living with Jim & Judy at the time. They were so excited to meet our new baby. Judy said, "Come sit with Grandma Judy." They even got out their camera to take pictures. That's the kind of people they are- kind, welcoming, & loving. They treated me like family.

Jim was also very humble & forgiving. He opened up his home when Telena & her two kids needed a place to live, not just for a week or month, but for two years! They graciously gave up their master bedroom & bathroom & took a smaller room at the end of the hallway. They didn't mind their life being interrupted with all the toys & noise that little ones bring. They welcomed & embraced Telena & her kids. Jim was also forgiving of people who had betrayed or hurt his family. He provided odd jobs around the house as a way for Telena's ex husband to earn a little extra money. Jim also made a little room up for him in the side room of their garage. He extended grace & mercy where a lessor person would have been cold & unforgiving.

I'm so glad I got to see Jim one last time nine days ago when we were in Klamath. I'm so blessed to have known a man of God like Jim. His life has ministered to me. I know he is so happy to be home with his Father. My prayer is that God would use Jim's passing to draw their family to Himself. I pray that Jim's love for Jesus would penetrate the hearts of all the unsaved who knew him & that they would turn to Christ & find eternal life in Him.