It's a New Week...

We thank the Lord for the first week of work Keith had last week.  This is definitely very different than teaching elementary students!  His eyes have been opened to many things and as well as the fact these people are needy in many ways.

Keith started out by telling him a little about himself.  One thing he mentioned was that when he married me, he didn't know ahead of time that I was going to have this chronic disease that we'd be living with.  He told them that even if he knew ahead of time that I had this disease, he would marry me all over again.  One of the ladies said, "Well, I need to find someone like Mr. Keith to marry."  They also could hardly believe that he would drive all the way from Grand Rapids just for them, everyday....i.e.  "Mr. Keith, you mean you drive all that way just for us?"

His first week, Keith had to let two students go.  They were being disrespectful and constantly talking not paying attention, etc.  Others would quiet down and they chose not to listen.  After a conference with Jim, the guy from Michigan Works (I believe he's like a case worker for these people), they decided to let them go.  The one girl ended up coming back the next day to be let back in the program.  (Seems they took some of her government benefits away from her.)  She wasn't readmitted to the program.  Jim had two others that wanted to be in the program and they were to start this week, Monday.

On Fridays, Keith has two students that are working on their GED.  This was definitely his most rewarding day of last week.  These two ladies were so very excited to learn!  One lady said, "Mr. Keith, are you going to help us get our GED?"  He said he was going to try.  

Keith, being the creative teacher that he is, is constantly trying to make class more interesting each day.  Since it's not like working with elementary students, it can be a challenge.  I just know he would covet your prayers as he works on making the class as interesting as he can.  We would also appreciate your prayers regarding this position to continue for another six weeks.  I feel like he's putting so much into this, it would be nice if he would have another chance to use what he's put into it.  The Lord has been stretching Keith out of his comfort zone.  But, Keith is up for the challenge.  He's definitely growing through it all.

Thanks so much for all of your continued prayers for Keith as well as for his students.  Pray they would see that Keith is different and want what he has.  Continue to pray for his strength as well as safety on the road there and back.  After he gets home around 6:00 PM, he eats supper, then more preparation for the next day and then bed.  He is up before 6:00 AM to begin his next day.

All in all, God is good!

"Teach me your way, O Lord,

and I will walk in your truth;

give me an undivided heart,

that i may fear your name."

"I will praise you, O Lord my God,

with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever."

Psalms 86:11-12

First Day of....Class

Text that is used..."Facilitated by:  Keith Wittebols" 

Keith was up before dawn, lunch packed, car packed with his supplies and texts, and ready to leave for Battle Creek.  We prayed together just before he left.

He arrived to his classroom around 7:30 a.m.

I thought about him all morning and prayed that things were going good for him.  Just after noon, he called to let me know things were going good and he was going to try to eat his lunch.  Class resumed for the afternoon session at 12:35 p.m.

Since I didn't hear anything, I called him about 5:00 p.m. to see if he was on his way home yet.  He was just going to pack his car and start for home.

After he got home, he told me about his day:  He had a long but a good day (6:30 am - 6:30 pm). The students were very open and willing to share. They worked in teams all day to implement the concept of team building. (They named their teams: Team Looney Tunes, Team Motivation, and Team Rocket.) 

A Much Different First Day of School...

Photography by James Garringer
Let's pretend this sign says Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

After much preliminary work of studying and preparing, tomorrow Keith hits the road early in the morning to drive to Battle Creek to begin his temporary job for Davenport University.  Just pray that he would have safety on the roads, a clarity of mind, wisdom, and to be able to relate to these young people in a way they will show him respect in return.  Pray that he will be able to get across the importance of these classes, etc. for their own benefit.

Keith has put so much time and effort getting ready for this.  I just pray everything goes well and that he doesn't feel too stressed out the first day.  Once tomorrow is over, I think he'll feel much better knowing who he has to work with in this class.

Once again, I want to thank you all for your continued prayers for this journey.  We are just praying God's will for us.  If this class goes well, there is a possibility they could repeat the sessions another six weeks.  That would be wonderful!  If they do, then Davenport needs to come up with corporations to help fund it.

Special blessings...

One morning last week, Keith answered a call on his phone.  When I hear him say, "What's up?" I usually assume it's Jessica.  However, with the time being in the morning hour, it was questionable.  Then, he asked something about if the person was all ready for school, etc.  Hence was the conversation.  I then knew it wasn't Jess.  It turns out it was one of Keith's former students from last year!  She wanted to know if it would be all right if she brought over some cookies she helped bake.  So, around 11:00 a.m., she and her dad arrived at our house with a pie tin heaped with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

(what was left of the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!)

This sweet girl has been to the back to school potluck supper and open house at school and missed seeing Mr. Wittebols.  She wanted to come visit and bring us a treat.  She and her dad sat and visited with us for almost 2 hours.  What a sweet girl.  She's already learning to be a blessing by thinking of others.

Thankful....

*Photo by James Garringer

Thankful.  Yes, we are thankful for so many things.  We are thankful for God's provision for us day by day, week by week.  How many times have we taken all the little things we have everyday for granted?

Today, we are praising God, as He has provided Keith a temporary job through Davenport University for six weeks, beginning September 10.  For this, we are SO grateful!  Even though this is not teaching elementary students, he will be teaching students ages 18-25 years old.  This position will involve teaching/preparing these young adults to be work ready.  They will be brushing up on their math skills along with their grammar/writing skills.  They will also get  some basic training of Microsoft Office skills as well.  As I stated before, this is a six-week position.  If they have a good response from this, there is a possibility it could continue for another six weeks and another six weeks following.  We are so thankful for God's provision for this job opportunity for Keith.  He will receive an hourly salary as well as mileage to and from Battle Creek daily.  It would be great if this could continue for more weeks.  We'll see what the Lord's plan is. Please keep Keith in your prayers as he prepares for this opportunity.  Pray that he'll have confidence to be able to help these students and to communicate clearly the material he needs to cover.  Pray also for safety on the road as he'll be driving to and from Battle Creek daily.

Recently, Marsha heard a sermon on television.  This speaker was preaching on being bold when we pray. Marsha is being bold and asking God to provide not just any job for Keith, but one that he will love....and that will be just for him.  She knows that God has His unique plan for Keith.  She also knows, whatever that is, He will provide it all in His timing.

FRIENDS...

Last week, we had some friends over for dinner.  It was so nice to catch up with them and get to know them better.  Bill and Cindy are the parents of Jessica's Taylor friend, Meggie.  Our daughters have so many things in common, they say they are "twins."  They both even married Andrews from Philadelphia!  Too funny! With all that said, we really enjoyed our time together and also eating Cindy's delicious cake she brought for dessert!  YUM.  (Maybe, when Marsha bakes it, she'll have to post a picture and recipe.)

Yesterday, Marsha was once again blessed to be able to catch up with her long-time friend, Darlene.  Whenever they catch up, Darlene is such an encouragement to her.

We just want to let you all know, how much we appreciate our praying friends and family.  We really don't know what we would do without all the prayer support we have.  Some days, we have no idea how many people are really praying.  Sometimes we are surprised when we hear so and so is praying for us.  There are many parents, past and present, from Freedom that have been upholding us in prayer for which we are thankful.  We also know our dear family members have also been upholding us as well.  Thanks everyone for  all the encouragement during this difficult journey.  You are all so special to us!

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.