We have been gone in the business of life, but this post is to signify that this blog has not been forgotten. Since my last post as the summer of 2011 was drawing to a close so much has taken place. I can only summarize the highlights with times of celebration, times of change, and times of sadness, all part of this big family who were once altogether in this small house. Andrea and Cherith did leave for seven weeks to work with Harvest Teen Rally out of Indiana. A few short weeks after they left Ricky and Karlyn moved to Baltimore to begin serving the Lord in ministry at Arlington Baptist Church. Ricky had to close down his electrical business and make that work transition. Karlyn had to make the transition especially from having close friends to unknown friends. A few weeks then after that Lois, Eunice, and I left for Michigan to go to the Allegan County Fair, my first time in 28 years. On the way there we had the privilege to stop and help in the first Harvest Teen Rally of the fall. Then on to Michigan we went for Lois and I to serve in the Child Evangelism Fellowship booth at the fair. We made time to visit Aunt Rose a couple of times as well as be with my family. It was our last time to see Aunt Rose alive. Andrea and Cherith finished their time with Harvest Teen Rally at Bob Jones University Farmfest. Josh and Hannah had an unexpected opportunity to visit Cordoba, Argentina for ten days in October. Shortly after their return to the United States Josh graduated from ECPI in Website Development. At the same time in early November Lois completed her therapy after her rotor cuff surgery in June. Thanksgiving was celebrated twice with family since Josh and Hannah had previous commitment for Thanksgiving week. So we celebrated Josh’s graduation, Thanksgiving with Josh and Hannah and family, then Thanksgiving Day with Ricky and Karlyn in town. For Christmas many of the family went to Michigan with the Blaha family. Lois and I spent Christmas with Jesse as he was notified he would be leaving for marine boot camp early in January 2012. He did not have his car to be taken care of as it had been stolen from the side of the interstate where it had broken down in the late fall. Many of the family where home to go to our somewhat traditional New Years Day visit to Chimney Rock, NC. Jesse found out the Wednesday before he would be leaving for MCRD Parris Island January 2, 2012. Once our last child left to pursue his next step of his life the business of life did not change. Josh and Hannah left for their planned visit to Argentina this time visiting both Buenos Airies and again Cordoba. Shortly after their return Andrea left for St. Vincent for a five week mission trip. Next Cherith was able to begin working at the Calvary Baptist preschool. As our income tax return came in and Lois’ settlement for the accident in early 2011 also came in we were able to payoff our unsecured loans and other outstanding debts. We were also able to purchase a very nice automobile to replace the vans that had become unusable the end of 2011. We also had the blessing of replacing our heating and air conditioning unit that had been dead for almost four years. Much excitement grew in anticipation as the time for Jesse to graduate as a new United States Marine quickly came the end of March. Ricky and Karlyn came in the week before as did my sister Ruth and her husband Rick. Andrea flew in from St Vincent on Tuesday morning. My sister Karla and her husband Todd came Tuesday night. Lois, Eunice, Andrea, and I left for Parris Island early Wednesday morning. The others all came the next couple days for Jesse’s graduation on Friday morning. It was a great time of celebration. The next couple of weeks we enjoyed having Jesse around on liberty. Then we took Jesse and PFC Cobb to Camp Geiger at Camp Lejeune, NC. We are hoping now things will not be as busy, but I doubt they will. God has blessed. God is good. God is love.

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A parent’s pride in their children when they make a great accomplishment should be obvious. Our youngest son Jesse graduated from high school Tuesday night May 24, 2011. We are proud of him and very excited for him. We love you Jesse. We do have proof outside our say so that he did indeed graduate from James F Byrnes High School in Duncan, SC. (As you watch please note that no one in our family was escorted out or ticketed. Yes, we all had tickets to get in. We were happy we weren’t given one as we left.)

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From our local TV station:
Graduation Guests Ticketed For Loud Cheering

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When you see Jesse please congratulate him!

On May 31, 2010 the first graduating class from Brashier Middle College Charter High School began their commencement ceremony just after 10:00 AM. Cherith was one of the graduates in that very first graduating class. We are so proud of her.

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Cherith’s senior project was a collection of thirty-six Bible lessons for five year olds that she wrote herself. Each senior had a mentor for their project. Cherith’s was Pastor Ben Ice of Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC. The senior project grade was the overall graduating grade. She with sixty-eight others made their passing grades and are now the first graduated class of Brashier Middle College Charter High School. We are thankful for her testimony in the two years she has been at BMCCHS and for the difference she has made. Again, for graduating from BMCCHS we congratulate you.

This is the time of year when we remember the dearly departed. With Memorial Day we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the United States of America. They went into battle knowing full well there was the greatest likelihood of not ever returning. To these we hold in the highest regard and appreciation.

But for the living I refer to a different dearly departed. Starting this week we have the dearly departed having departed to the lake, to the mountains, to other states or countries. to the beach, to the campground… Strange that a thing called ‘the school year’ brings many of these dearly departed back to a somewhat stable living place and routine.

Addressing the second part of the title first I had my complete post Saved (several times) and pressed Publish and in less than a second the text and pictures COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED!!! Just remember: Inanimate and non-human items can never and will never apologize for anything. They don’t care. They don’t have to. They are like Democrats and Socialists (it is hard to tell the difference anymore!!! Why do they even call themselves Democrats? They aren’t democratic. ). So that is what can happen in a second.

We had the great blessing of having Josh & Han and Ricky & Karlyn get married in the time span of just the last four weeks. Josh and Han had their wedding on the shore of Lake Robinson just north of Greer, SC. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was wonderful time. We found out that Josh should have raise at least one if not two goats for the dowry, but, oh well. Live and learn. But there was also the testament of God’s work in both Josh and Hannah’s lives and where they are right now. Many Blaha’s arrived from Michigan on Friday. Some including Grandpa and Grandma Blaha (Dad & Mom to me) were there for the rehearsal dinner. The wedding was wonderful and went well. Josh and Han had a great time as their honeymoon was a cruise to the Bahamas.

Fortunately Josh and Han’s wedding was local. God provide for local travel. God’s provision to and from Ricky and Karlyn’s was totally different and came from unexpected sources for which we are very grateful. For those who had a part, THANK YOU. Ricky had to get to Michigan anyway and so paid for the fuel to get there. God provided also through significantly reduced fuel prices. That made little go much longer. We traveled up on Wednesday night to Dad & Mom’s. Jesse and I took the opportunity to walk, as best we could, the perimeter of the farm. We had discussions of days long past and dreams and the future. After a great night’s rest at Karla’s Bed and Breakfast (not officially that, but may as well be for family and friends from all over the world) we headed NORTH. Yes, we were already NORTH of Mr. Mason and Mr. Dixon’s geopolitical line, but this was further NORTH in Michigan.

The rehearsal dinner was at the Chee Peng Chinese Restaurant (had fun decorating there). After the rehearsal at Faith Baptist in Fremont, MI we also enjoy a story and testimony about Ricky and Karlyn’s lives. (Ricky didn’t have to worry about goats at all!)

Lois and I, Josh and Han stayed in a cottage on Pickerel Lake. The morning of fog and swans swimming and flying in and out of it were accented by one lone fisherman on the the lake (Rick Blair – We were staying at Rick’s father and step-mother’s cottage while Rick and Ruth (my sister) stayed in their house). Rick and Ruth then took us (Josh, Han, Lois, and I) to the North Star Cafe for breakfast which was very good. Then on to the wedding.

Ricky and Karlyn’s wedding was, like Josh & Han’s, a great witness of God’s grace. A special memorial part of the wedding was the acknowledgment of Karlyn’s father, Steven Tipmore, who had been pastor at the church until his unexpected death in April 2007. Their wedding was as unique to them as Josh & Han’s was. As you can see the conveyance away to begin their trip to their honeymoon in Colorado with a side trip to New Mexico. (No, they didn’t take the wagon all the way to Colorado, but it was a great start.)

Our return trip was provided for in several special ways. Eunice was driving Karlyn’s car back to SC and so between that car and Josh and Han driving back and Ricky away on his honeymoon, Lois and I were to stay awhile longer in Michigan and travel back alone. On the way back a very special friend offered to have us stay at her place in Kentucky. Since I had an appointment in Greenville, SC Monday afternoon we had to be closer to Greenville if we were to stay anywhere overnight. She still wanted to see us so she paid for us to eat together a an Olive Garden. She also paid for us to take a hotel much further on our way. To each who had a part in anyway in helping us on our trip we praise God for you and for the blessing of it all.