Catching up....

It has been just about a month now since posting, and it's about time for another update with the Wittebols.  As we think back on the month of November, the month of thankfulness, tears come to our eyes as we are so grateful for so many things.  Yes, Keith still needs a full-time job.  Yet, we are grateful to the Lord for providing Marsha with work.  This job could not have been more perfect for her.  She is adjusting to helping people as good as she can on the phone and, if she can't, she gets help and calls them back.  She's definitely feeling more comfortable in the job.  This week, she has had the opportunity to work a few extra hours, which is working out nicely; extra money for us and helping her co-workers out!

Thanksgiving...


This year, Mom, Dad, Lori, Rich and Sadie (their dog), joined us for Thanksgiving.  We had a great day together sharing a wonderful turkey dinner.  Lori made a sweet potato dish, a vegetable casserole, and pumpkin pies.  Keith and Marsha did the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes.  Mark and Denise were missed, though.

Last week, Keith found out he is nearing the end of applying for sub jobs.  He's now, just waiting to be issued his sub permit.  He ran into a member of our former church who told him they are in great need of subs.  So, that's great news!

Last Friday, Keith met with the guys at Davenport University to talk about the possibility of another class in Battle Creek.  That could be a long time coming, since there needs to be funding for the program.  Davenport is making a proposal to Michigan Works in Battle Creek as well as the east side of the state for some more classes.  Hopefully, something will work out with that for Keith.

We are so thankful for the many people who are continuing to pray for us and for a job for Keith.  There are countless people holding us before the Lord; some of which we aren't even aware of.  While we were getting our Christmas tree the other day, we ran into someone who told us they are praying for us everyday.  It means so much.

On Sunday, we were able to drive over to Plymouth for the annual Bush Christmas Party (Cousins from Keith's Mom's side of the family).  By viewing the photo of everyone that attended, there were around 70 family members there.  It was so great to see cousins that Keith has not seen in so long.  One cousin hadn't attended in 35 years.  It was a great time of fellowship and eating delicious food.  Laurie Newman even made her seafoam candy, which Marsha loves!  We came home feeling very blessed to have been able to attend.

Today, Keith went to the mailbox and there was an envelope without a return address.  Inside there was a sweet note along with a gift card to Meijer.  If that happens to be you, we are so thankful and pray the Lord to continue to bless you in a special way.  Thank you!

We wanted to include some photos in this post.  Unfortunately, we were unable to upload any more photos. We'll have to have our techie daughter look into this for us.  :)

Life....

The colors on the trees this year were so vibrant!  These were taken just after it had rained.  

 Being thankful always comes to our minds, as soon as the calendar changes to the month of November.  However, it has come to light in our lives, for the past 5 months, that we are definitely thankful for so much in our lives.

Back in June, when Keith lost his job, we both felt hurt and a bit scared, not knowing all the whys, etc.  Of course, if you have ever gone through the process of losing your life's work, after doing something you absolutely love for the last 31 years and have it snatched away in the blink of an eye, you can imagine you would be a bit scared at first, too.   Through this experience, we continue to put our full trust in the Lord and watch  Him provide in so many ways.

He provided the temporary job through Davenport University and Michigan Works.  Over a week ago, Keith went to a meeting with Dave and Dan in Battle Creek with the Michigan Works people.  They were very pleased with Keith's work with the students; not only with just his work, but that he took a special interest in their personal lives as well.  They were so happy with him, they are hoping, with the necessary funding, they will be able to have him do another class in January.  Keith would be excited to do that again.  Now that he knows more of what to expect from the people he works with, it would be a bit easier for him to put together his lessons as well as handle different situations in the classroom setting.  The guys from Davenport University also were asking him if he would possibly be interested in doing some facilitating of classes/workshops for manufacturing employees.  Keith said he would like to observe a few workshops before taking something like that on.  It sounds like they are hoping to find work for Keith.  Only the Lord knows, at this point, how all this is going to turn out.  We just ask you to continue to pray for the job the Lord has for Keith.  That's the only one he wants to have...God's best choice for him!

This past week, Keith was able to observe one workshop for a couple of days and he also has been applying to a subbing company to substitute teach in various schools in the area.  It's a job just to apply for subbing!  There are many hoops to jump through, testing he had to complete and also must attend a 2 hour meeting on the 12th of November.

On Friday, Marsha completed her third week of her new job working from home.  So far she's loving the fact that she doesn't have to leave her house to go to work as well as when phones are slow, she can multitask.  As long as she's available to answer the phone, she can do most anything around the house.  She just has to be three rings away from the phone.  She received her first full paycheck, which was a real blessing as well.  She would appreciate your prayers as she continues to learn new things each week.

Saturday...

Yesterday, we were so blessed to have Keith's brother, Ken and his wife, Judy, come visit us for the day.  It was really a great day of visiting together.  We were also able to Skype with Jessica and Andy and Andy's family, as they are all together in Pennsylvania for a baby shower for Jessica's sister-in-law, Veronica.  Ken and Judy, thank you so much for coming for the day.  We really enjoyed the day together!

Ken and Judy  

Ken with his "little" brother, Keith

A Fall Tradition for Mr. Wittebols...now a family tradition...

It was a yearly tradition for Keith to make apple cider with his class.  So, since he doesn't have a teaching job, he decided to put the cider press to work in our own backyard.

Yesterday, Keith went to an apple orchard and picked up some cider apples.  He was able to get "thirds" as they say, to use for cider making.  Whenever he tried to start making the cider yesterday, it started to rain.  So, he postponed it until today, which was a beautiful day outdoors.

From apples....to apple cider!!!

Cranking the apples in to mush...

From the bucket, he pours it into the gallon jug.

Our fall harvest!
1 1/2 bushel of apples = 3 gallons of apple cider

A Beginning and an End...

The morning of the day we left North Carolina.  {SIGH...}

Today, Marsha completed her first week of working part time for Circle Health Partners, Inc.  It started out a bit hectic, but as the week progressed, so did her experience.  She's beginning to feel much more confident than at the beginning of the week.  After not working for so long, it has taken a little bit to get use to just working and scheduling things at non-work times.  She couldn't ask for a better situation for her job.  She's also finding the people that she works with to be so friendly and willing to help her when needed.  It's very interesting.  God has certainly provided in a big way so that she's able to work from home.


Battle Creek Trips Come to an End....for now

These are the students that were able to get jobs!  :-)

This is his class.

Keith finished up his job as facilitator at Davenport University, Battle Creek today.  Yesterday, was the final day of the full class.  To celebrate the final day, they had a potluck lunch.  Some of the food that was brought in was ribs and fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, cheesy potatoes, homemade spaghetti, salad, cheesecake and brownies.  They even reminded him to bring Marsha a plate of food home.  It was delicious!  The class also wrote Keith some cards of thanks which were very sweet.  All in all, they felt very blessed to have this opportunity to better themselves through this class.  Many learned much about themselves and also valuable skills to take into the workplace.  Our prayer for them is that they all succeed in finding a job, and that their eyes were also opened to see that Keith does really care for them.

Keith also learned a lot through this experience.  He grew in many areas in his personal life as well as his professional life.  His eyes were opened as he was out of his Christian school realm and into the secular world.  (Remember the book, "Out of the Salt Shaker and into the World"???)  He also wishes each of his students the very best with the second 6-week phase of this Academy they are taking and hopes they are able to be successful with their job search.

We thank you so very much for all your prayers for Keith during this past six weeks.  He knew people were praying.  All those early morning trips to Battle Creek, the Lord also kept him safe coming and going.  It is said there are many accidents during the early morning hours.  We're so thankful the Lord kept him safe.

What's Next?

What is next???  That's a great question.  For now, Keith plans to apply for subbing jobs. Please pray for Keith as he pursues employment, whatever the Lord would have for him.

He has a meeting next week with the Davenport University supervisors.  At the present time, this class of students has a second phase to take before it ends in December.  They are going to have a "graduation" ceremony in December.  If there is another Academy like this, it would not start until January.

For now, we just keep praying for the Lord to provide a job; the right job for Keith, all in His time.  When there is nothing in sight, sometimes it's hard to look ahead.  He's provided thus far, which He has promised to do so.  We just need to keep our eyes on Him.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,

according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 

Week 5 Completed and More....

Keith has completed his fifth week teaching his class in Battle Creek for Davenport University/Michigan Works.  It was another week of drama with some of the students.  One other day, he stopped to pick up a treat for one of his student's birthday.  Someone commented that the homemade cookies that he brought last week were better than the ones he had bought.  Ha!

Next week will be his final week.  He will be doing some team teaching a couple of days, and then will wrap up things on Thursday afternoon.  Friday morning, he has the students that are studying for their GED.

At the present time, Keith does not know if they will continue another six weeks until they meet for their debriefing session week after next.  With that being said, we'll appreciate your prayers for continued employment opportunities for Keith.

Marsha Begins Her New Job!

Friday, Marsha began her new job.  She went to her supervisor's house to get some instruction on what she will be doing.  She also picked up her computer, phone, and other materials; now to install the cable from the phone to the wireless router, and second monitor, and phone headset.  She'll feel better when she gets her permanent work space set up.  As of now, she will begin with the phone work Monday.  She'll appreciate your prayers as she adjusts and learns the system, etc.  Once she gets familiar with the website, she'll feel  more confident, of course.

Thanks, once again, for your prayers for us as we go through this journey.  One year ago, we would have never thought we would be in this position today.  God has a plan.  We wait for Him to reveal that perfect plan for Keith and me.  We are so blessed!  Keith may not have a job, but we know that God is so good to us.  He is our ultimate Provider.  Keith has realized this more and more as he has worked with these students.  Some of them live in shelters with their kids; one girl has six kids and she's about Jessica's age.  It is said that you can always look around and find someone who is worse off than you in whatever circumstance you find yourself in.

Faithfully waiting for His plan in His perfect time.....

Our Whirlwind Wedding Weekend at Topsail Beach, NC

Friday, October 5

Keith and I made our way to North Carolina.  Our flight left Grand Rapids, on time, and we were able to make our connecting flight to Jacksonville in Atlanta on time.  When we arrived, Andy was there to pick us up to drive us to the rehearsal dinner in Wilmington.  We arrived about the same time as Mom and Dad.  Needless to say, they were glad to see that we had arrived safe and sound.  

Evan's parents hosted the dinner in the historical section of town at the Front Street Brewery.  The dinner was delicious and we had a great time with family. 

Mark and Denise

Jess and Andy

Jen and Jess

Keith and Marsha

Mom and Dad

Marsha and Lori

Jess with Grandpa and Grandma

Keith, Marsha, Andy and Jess

Following the dinner, Andy drove us back to the beach house at Topsail Beach, where we would be staying for the remaining of the weekend.  We arrived at this mammoth beach house!  This is where the wedding would take place as well as the reception.  What a gorgeous place!

View from the ocean.

King size bed and on-suite bath with shower. Our patio door opened to
a wrap around porch facing the road.  However, we walked around the porch to
the ocean side of the house.

Lori is such a gracious hostess!  She had a "Welcome" bag on our bed that contained 2 bottled waters, some sunscreen, Q-tips, dental floss, small pack of tissues, a scented candle, and I'm sure I'm leaving something out.  How thoughtful was that!?!

Saturday, October 6
Keith and I woke up early enough to watch the sunrise this morning.  What a wonderful sight of God's creation!

"His mercies are new every morning."

Uncle Keith with Jessica Cobb and Abby and Ellie at the shore.
He was able to get Ellie to go into the water.  Normally, she's not fond of water.

Saturday was a busy day or preparations to be finished up.  Many hands make light work.

Great Grandma rocking sleepy Ellie

After preparations were finished, it was time to get ready for the big day!

Abby, princess #1 all ready in her pretty dress.  So sweet!

Ellie, princess #2 in her pretty dress.  Both girls looked so cute with their hair and  dress and little ballet slippers.

Lori, Jennifer, Sara, Jessica

Stunning bride!  She never stopped smiling the whole day!

When everyone was ready, it's time for the wedding to begin!

Kris ushering Grandpa and Grandma to their seat.

Kris ushering Lori to her seat.

Here come the bridesmaids and flower girls!

They were told to drop the rose petals on the sand.  So, they
literally tipped their baskets upside down and dumped them.
It was so cute!  

Here comes the bride!

Beautiful!!!

Giving away the bride.

The emotional bridemaids

Marriage ceremony

The kiss

Mr. and Mrs. Evan Martin!!!

Keith and Marsha at sunset

Sunset

Keith holding sweet Samuel (age 1)

I told Joe, "Before you know it, you'll be dancing at Abby's wedding."

Mom and Lori

Jess dancing with her Grandma!  They're having fun!!!

Andy and Jess

Jess and Jennifer

Bride and Groom depart with a sparkler send off!

What a beautiful day it was.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  God is so good!

Sunday, October 7

Had my coffee on the steps of the boardwalk to the beach,
while soaking in the sound of the surf.  Love it!  Eventually, the sun
came out and it was another beautiful day.

Visiting with each other before some people had to leave.

Our flight left at 4:50 from Jacksonville.  Rich drove us to the airport.  Dad came along.  It was nice to see some more of the area in daylight.  We had a great return trip.  When we woke up this morning, there was no ocean in our backyard or sound of the surf.  Sigh.... The weekend went by in a flash!

God was so good to us in providing so that we could attend the wedding.  Lori and Rich graciously provided a place for us to stay.  God is the great Provider.