Rob Bell, Katie, and I
Sunday Katie and I drove up to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend a conference at the sudo-church, Mars Hill. Mars Hill is a very non-tradition church plant started around 2000 that has grown into thousands of people meeting in their converted mall. This is due to the blessing of God and the very powerful and creative teachings of Rob Bell. I’ve been listening to Rob Bell’s sermons for a couple of years now online. Since I’ve been listening to him for years and have read his book, there weren’t too many new things for me. However, it was really great for Katie and I to get away and focus on what God might be saying to us right now.
Happy 2007
We had a great Christmas at the Gerber’s. Hannah got her rocking chair from Nana and Papa and she loves Rockin Out every day in it. One of the many fun moments at the Gerber’s was watching Hannah play with all her cousins. At Thanksgiving time, she was more in her own little world. But, that wasn’t so this time, her and Clara played so well together. We had to seperate them at least once a day because they wanted to play with the same toy, Great minds think alike. However, they always ended up giving each other great big bear hugs and went to a new toy.
We are now trying to get back on a semi schedule and are in morning of our beloved Buckeyes. Since the start of the New Year, Hannah has had her first open cut right below her lip. (First Blood) Hives all over her body meaning a trip to the Dr. and her first Chucky Cheese experience. WOW, we are going to have one fun Year. Happy New Year Everyone
Merry Christmas ‘06
The Gerbers have enjoyed another Merry Christmas with the Shuttleworths. This year was a little different than years past. First of all because Hannah is more and more fun opening up presents. Secondly because Katie and I had to leave Ohio and run back for church on Christmas Eve. And thirdly because Katie’s grandma was scheduled to have surgery right after Christmas. She came through the surgery Wednesday really well and is recovering with family at her side.
Hannah got many fun presents, including her very own kitchen set. Wednesday, after waiting at the Dayton hospital, we drove to Columbus to spend time with the Gerbers. This is the time where we go from Hannah being the only grandchild to being one of 7!
Photo Blitz
We’ve been bad, very, very bad bloggers. I’m going to try to make up for it now. Let’s start with Hannah’s Lion Halloween costume.
Next up is our friend Uncle Joe’s inner child coming out. Before going to dinner with Joe and Helen we stopped for Hannah to play on a playground.
Papa came for a week for a convention in Indy. Hannah really enjoyed having Papa home every night!
Over Thanksgiving we went for a 4 mile hike with Papa and the Lozadas. Hannah did at least a mile herself!
Last one will be Hannah with the cast of Breakfast in Bethlehem at E91. All of Hannah’s Grandparents and the Bouterse joined Katie and Hannah for the performance. I stayed home under quaratine.
Hannah’s Christmas Present
Katie and I decided to give Hannah something different for Christmas. We got her tickets to see Sesame Street Live in Fort Wayne on Friday night. Although we don’t let her watch the show, she has many toys and books with the Sesame Street characters in them. She loved it! For an hour and a half she danced, clapped, and pointed at the characters on mommy’s lap. We were pretty close so she could see them really well. I think that was a great idea for this year!
Son of a Preacher Man
I guess that’s me. Very early this past Sunday morning I grabbed Hannah and we drove to Columbus to go to church at Beechwold and see my Dad preach for the first time ever (and according to Dad the last time ever). Their new minister starts this coming Sunday so this was kind of a message from an elder before the new guy arrives and the work really begins. Dad did a great job and brought up great points about the past, present, and future of Beechwold. In my youth I would be more bold, but this was Tim Gerber so it was humble and meek.
Vacation Days 2 and 3 *VIDEO*
We had a great time at the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County, Indiana. I’ll let Katie update this post with details, but here’s a video slideshow of some vacation highlights. BTW our camper stayed closer to 70 degrees last night!
SPECIAL THANKS goes to the Coster family from church for letting us borrow their pop-up camper!
Vacation Day 1
Last night was a little cold but the camper stayed in the sixties. Hannah’s having a lot of fun playing in the camper!
Hannah’s First Carousel *VIDEO*
On a beautiful Saturday this weekend we met both sets of grandparents and Aunt Sue at “The Great Darke County Fair” in Greenville, Ohio. Hannah ate a lot (OK we did too) and rode her first carousel ride. Later we were able to visit greatgrandma Shuttleworth in the hospital shortly before she was released to recuperate from surgery at home. Hopefully Hannah’s presence helped!
My Apologies
I don’t know if its our crazy summer schedule or that we’re already boring parents, but we’ve been awful at updating the blog lately.
Last week was BLAST week for Katie and I. Meaning: we’re busy entertaining/teaching 100 preteens until 9 or 10pm every night! It took all weekend to recover.
*UPDATE*- This ministry made possible by our friends the Bouterse, who watched Hannah every night!
This week Katie is in Colorado Springs at the invitation of Group Publishing to join a think tank on pre-teen ministry. Katie is the youngest pre-teen minister and probably has the smallest budget of the 6 picked from around the country. This is an awesome opportunity for her!!!
