Job Search Update

We are so thankful for Keith's opportunity to interview at these manufacturing places a week or so ago.  It was a great learning experience for him.  He also has learned a lot about how to update his resume to make it for a certain position he's applying for, etc.  The workshop he attended has been valuable tool for his continued job search.

He did get a letter from one place today meaning he is not being offered a position there.  The Lord has something for him...we're continuing to wait to see just what that position will be.

At this writing, it looks like this temporary job with Davenport University as a facilitator, will be approved.  They are waiting for just that...approval.  The teaching materials and manuals were delivered to Keith on Monday, so that he'll be able to prepare in time for these classes he'll be teaching.  This is just for 6 weeks right now.  However, if they get a good response, it could run another 6 weeks after that and possibly another after that as well.  With this temporary position, there are no benefits offered, of course.

Thank you so much, everyone, for your continued prayers on our behalf.  It really means so much to us to know that we have so many people upholding us in prayer.

Celebrating 60 Years of Marriage

August 9, 2012 Mom and Dad celebrated their 60th Anniversary!
Dennis and Melody hosted a dinner at Big Boy
in Ludington that evening.  As you can see, they
put together a "Program" which included two of their wedding
photos along with the article which was published in
the Ludington Daily News in 1952.  

Mom and Dad enjoying their many cards and letters that we gathered for the occasion.

Mom was totally taken by surprise when she opened a card from President and Mrs. Obama!

Mom and Dad...and Dennis and Melody had even picked up some flowers like
they had at their wedding.  Take note of the bouquet of glads and mums.

Happy 60th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Dennis and Melody were our host and hostess for the evening.  What a great
party they put together.  They are so thoughtful when it comes to remembering
birthdays and anniversaries.  Thanks again, you two.  What a wonderful
evening it was for Mom and Dad.  They will always remember this day.

Bill and Dianne 

Keith and myself

Keith picked up an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen to top off their celebration!

Merna, Bill, Keith, Dad, Mom, Dianne, Melody, and Dennis

Notice, everyone is wearing glasses!  ;)

Mom and Dad, this is quite the milestone in this day and age.  To make it 60 years together take

a lot of unconditional love and commitment to your wedding vows.  When you spoke those words,

you meant every one of them.  After all, a vow is a promise to keep, in good times and bad, in plenty

and in want, in sickness and in health....Congratulations!  It was fun celebrating with you!

Jess had given me this idea to send out some letters to friends and family to write a memory of theirs of  Mom and Dad.  I don't remember just how many letters I actually sent out snail mail to those that I didn't have an email address.  The others, I sent emails to and did receive some nice letters and tributes back.  I am in the process of compiling them into a scrapbook, along with their wedding photos and other vintage photos from years gone by.  

Saturday, Mom went to get the mail and had received a letter from a dear old friend of hers; her childhood friend that played together with her when she was just a kid.  She was really surprised.  Her friend had seen the Anniversary greeting in the Ludington Daily News.  

They had quite the special day.  Again many thanks to Dennis and Melody for their planning the dinner.  

First Interview....DONE!

Yesterday, Keith had his first interview in 24 years.  He said he thought it went good.  They are a company that would be good to work for.  He also said, the company usually hires college students,semi-retired, and retired people.  I told him, that about 3:45, I prayed for him and just put the whole interview in the Lord's hands.  Keith said that he had arrived quite early in the area, so he drove down to another manufacturing place and just sat and took in God's creation.  He feels that he had that time to reflect and gather his thoughts.  During the interview, he felt pretty calm and remembered to smile and focus on the person talking to him.  He will find out within two weeks whether or not he will be offered a position.  Thank you so very much for your continued prayers for us during this time.

On another note, today, Keith will be meeting to explore a temporary 'teaching' opportunity.  This would be teaching unemployed people in the within the ages of 18-30 years, basic math, writing, and some Microsoft Word and Power Point skills.  It would also involve a daily commute to Battle Creek for the duration of the 6-week class.  If there is a good response to the class, it could turn into another opportunity of another 6 weeks and another 6 weeks.  Since this is a temporary position, there are no benefits, of course.  However, he will be reimbursed for his daily mileage.  While talking to the guy about this job, Keith said, "The 'funny' thing is, I have just taken a Ready Now workshops this week.  So, he would definitely be able to use these materials for his upcoming class!  The meeting will take place this morning at 10:30.  I will definitely update on this opportunity as soon as he hears more regarding curriculum, etc.

Friday, through the Ready Now program, Keith will be interviewing with two other manufacturing companies.  These companies will definitely be hiring.

We appreciate your continued prayers as we go through this journey.  Love and hugs to you all!

News on the home front...

Two weeks ago, our cousins who are career missionaries in the Philippines were in town for the day.  They had brought their daughter and son-in-law to Ford International to catch their flight to their destination of Colorado.  They were able to spend time with their whole family, who is spread over the US.  We made arrangements to meet them for dinner at Applebee's.  We had a great time catching up and fellowshipping together.  Since they are home for a short furlough, we are hoping to be able to see them once again before they return to the field.

This was taken awhile back when we had been struggling keeping our grass green and the flowers blooming. 

News from the job search...


This week Keith has news to report.  We had heard about this program called "Ready Now" through the Michigan Works.  (http://www.woodradio.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=125494&article=10291034)  Keith was accepted for this program for which he is very excited.  You had to have some experience working in manufacturing.  Keith had worked for Ford Motor Co. right out of high school before starting his first year in college.  It didn't matter how long ago it was.  He went to an orientation meeting yesterday and the workshops will be next week.  At the end of these workshops, there will be a few jobs to actually interview for.

While he was on the road, he received a call from a friend of ours.  Her husband had lost his job as well, a few years ago, and now is working at this manufacturing company in Zeeland.  Our friend, told Keith he should just go there and fill out an application as well as use her husband's name for a reference.  When he finished, he was asked when a good time next week would be for an interview!  He will be interviewing on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.  We would really appreciate your prayers for calmness for Keith to be able to present himself.  This particular job does include benefits.  This company is very unusual in that it urges it's workers to participate in missions trips.  They pay them while they are away serving and they don't have to use it as their vacation time.  Who ever heard of that?!?  Your continued prayers will be much appreciated.  Keith continues to search and fill out more job applications.

A Little Behind in Posting so here goes...

We were blessed to have Jess and Andy visit us over Father's Day weekend.  (About a month ago, now)  Keith and the two of them went downtown and went into the Ford Museum Visitor Center.  I liked this photo that Jess took while down there.  When they come home, they like to visit various places in the city.

SATURDAY

Keith and I decided since they were going to be home, we would celebrate Andy's birthday (July 2) early.  Since Andy's second love is apple anything such as pie or apple crisp, I decided to bake an apple crisp instead of a birthday cake. 

Birthday Crisp with Candles

Birthday presents!

 A book about Mao 

 Shaving kit

While Jess and Keith went out to do some errands, she came back with a big pack of FIREWORKS!

Big smile with a big box of fireworks!

Many Fourth of July's, Keith and Jess would shoot off fireworks at the base of our driveway.  Since they weren't going to be here for the 4th of July celebration, they celebrated a bit early.  I took a few shots of them going off.

Yep, Andy was even getting into it!  

SUNDAY

Sunday, after church, we drove up to Ludington to celebrate Father's Day with my Dad.  It was nice to see Lori and Rich (my sister and brother-in-law from NC) while we were there.  However, I was disappointed we never took any pictures with them while we were there.  :(  

Dad opening his Father Day's gift.  He was surprised!

MONDAY

On Monday, Jess and Andy had their own errands and people to visit.  They spent their day on their own doing just that.

TUESDAY

Tuesday, we took them to a used bookstore over in East Grand Rapids, visited some shops with Jess while Andy was at the bookstore, stopped at Starbucks for a 'fix' for Jess, and picked up Andy from the bookstore and headed back to Wyoming for some bowling and dinner before they had to head to the airport.

 Gaslight Village

 Starbucks!

 Fun time at the bowling alley!

Keith and I hadn't bowled in about 10 years! It was so fun.  We've really missed it.  

Sit back and watch very carefully.  I only wish the camera would have taped the next few seconds following the end of this one!

Following our bowling adventure, we went out for dinner at Chili's before they had to leave for the airport.

These are our "Farewell" photos.  

What's up with the Wittebols?

Yesterday, we were blessed to have attended a wedding of some dear friends of ours.  As Keith and I were leaving the reception, he wanted to take a picture of me.  This nice lady came up to us and asked us if we would want one of the two of us together, rather than trying to photo shop the two pictures.  This was taken at Thornapple Point Golf Club.

Job Search

By now, many of you are probably wondering what is going on with the Wittebols and the job situation.  Unfortunately, I have no news on that end.  I was telling someone the other day, job searching sure has changed in the last 30 years.  It use to be, you go fill out an application, have a call for an interview and get hired.  Now, you fill out the applications online (most of the time), and they even ask you don't come to the place unless they call you.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for us and for places for us both to search for jobs.  Even though I am limited as to the hours I can work, because of my physical problems every morning, I'm at least going to be more aggressive and see if places could work with me on scheduling.  I feel at this time, I have to try to help out in this way, whatever I am able to do.

We really appreciate the emails and words of encouragement that some of our friends have given us.  It means so much to know we have so many people praying for us.  Probably more than we ever can imagine! The Lord is so good to have provided us with Christian friends through the years.

A New Journey

Mr. Wittebols doing what he does best....loving on kids

Our hearts are broken as we share this news with you all.  After 24 years of faithful service to Freedom Christian Schools, Keith's tenure has come to an end.  Two weeks ago, he was told that he they were not going to renew his contract for next year.  With this said, we are asking for you all to be in prayer for us as we ask the Lord what He would have for Keith do for his next position.  We would also appreciate if you would keep your ears open as to any openings either in education or not, for a job.  We thank the Lord our health insurance will not end until September 1, along with his paychecks.

Third grade class at Charlton Park in Hastings for their annual field trip

Blessing upon blessing....

We would like to thank all the parents who have been involved in supporting Keith within the classroom setting.  He has had so many moms and dads who have given of their time to help with parties, do lunchroom duties, take recess duties, help in the classroom by reading, and coming on field trips.

Not only have we been blessed in the classroom setting, but as a family numerous times throughout the years.  Years ago, when we had just moved into our house, Keith came home from his Christmas party with a gift bag full of cash.  There was enough in that bag for us to replace our old stove that had been tagged by DTE Energy at the time.  God is so good...He IS our provider... Another time both of our old cars had died.  One family let us use theirs until we could either fix ours or replace one.  Keith called me from school at lunch time.  He said, "You will never guess what happened.  I was handed an envelope today and after opening it, I found a cashier's check for $5,000, along with a note that said, 'he owns the cattle on a thousand hills.'"  At the end of that day, Keith called me again, and said the same thing happened again, only it was from a mom.  She said she wanted us to know who it came from and that we were under no obligation to repay it.  It was a total gift.  So, we not only had  one check but two!  God totally provided us a very reliable car which lasted us for many years.  Every time we got into that car, we knew it was "God's car."  God is so good.  Friends and family, those are just two specific times God provided for us in very huge ways.  There were numerous other examples we could share with you.

During our time at Freedom, Jessica started school there and attended through her high school graduation.  During those years, we were able to develop some very good friendships that we still have today.  Yes, Freedom has changed in many ways since those great years.  It's not the same place, but our friends will never change!  We certainly treasure our friends and always will.

We love you all and thank you ahead of time for your prayer support at this difficult time.  God has a bigger and better plan for Keith.  Now, we're trusting the Lord to give us clear direction as we seek what our next step will be. 

 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me an find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back...to the place from which I carried you into exile."  Jeremiah 29:11-14