Emily

Happy 11th Birthday

Emily!

November 23, 2000

(Thanksgiving Day)

9:53 am

8Ibs. 12oz.

21 1/4 in.

Creation Museum - part 1

In September, we had the opportunity to visit the Creation Museum near Cincinnati, OH with the Bergen extended family.  This was done in honor of Grandpa Bergen, who had always been a big supporter of this ministry.  Him and Grandma had visited the museum many times, but most of the rest of us had never had the opportunity to do so.  The christmas just before he passed away, he mentioned that he really wanted to take us all there as a family (children & grandchildren).  Sadly, that never came about as he unexpectedly went to be with the Lord two short months later.

This trip would not have been possible without Uncle Stan's (Dad's oldest brother's) efforts.  The Lord laid it on his heart to make this trip possible, and we are so grateful to his family for all of their work to make it happen!

It was a very precious time together as we reflected on the legacy that our father/grandfather left us.  We were overwhelmed with the realization of the rich blessings that God has poured on us because of Grandpa's faithfulness to Him and commitment to point the next generation to Him!  Prov. 20:7 - "The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."

We will share a little more detailed post about our trip later.  In the mean time here is a slideshow that Bethany put together of some random pics from our trip.  She got some beautiful and creative shots in the museum's amazing outdoor garden which are included in the slideshow, so enjoy! :-)

  

Click here to see Part 2 to this post.

Josiah

Happy 13th Birthday Josiah!

November 14, 1998

9:04 am

8Ibs.  8oz.

20 3/4 in.

Upcoming Concert!!!

Emmaus Mennonite Church

9070 NW Meadowlark Rd

Whitewater, KS   

Sunday, November 6, 2011

7:00 PM

If you've never heard this family sing, don't miss this opportunity!  We were privileged to have them share at our church last month, and they were such a blessing!  Not only do they have a beautiful, God-given talent; but they really have sincere hearts to serve the Lord and shine His light to those around them.  You will go away refreshed!

Western KS Trip

Sunday, Sept. 4th, all but two of our family headed out early in the morning for western KS to spend the day with Mom's side of the family.  It had been a long time since we were all (including Mom's siblings' families) together, so it was a special time of catching up.  The time went all too quickly, as we had to leave right after supper to travel the 3 1/2hrs. back home.

Eating lunch after the church service

The kids playing "knock-out"

We enjoyed indoor games during the afternoon.

We went to a nearby park for supper and the kids enjoyed some outdoor play time.

The sun was just right and made these cool shadows of the kids lined up for a game of "red light, green light".

It was a gorgeous evening, and the kids enjoyed getting their energy out before our long drive home.

Like 'Big Brother' Like 'Little Brother'  ;-)

Church Retreat - Part 2

Yes, I'm finally finishing up this post.  We've had a LOT going on the past couple of weeks; including a trip to western KS for a family reunion, and then to Ohio/Kentucky with the Bergen extended family to visit the Creation Museum.  I'm working on compiling all the pictures from that, and as soon as I weed them down I'll be posting some of them... so, check back soon.;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Each team was assigned a meal to clean-up after, which got things done faster and in a more organized manner.  And, that way nobody was accidentally "left out" of helping with the dishes. ;-D

The Reckabites got an extra point for having the most difficult meal
(Sunday breakfast) to clean up after. :-)

John even helped :-)

There was a really nice sand-volleyball court, which the young people were very happy about; so guess what they spent most of their free time doing?  Yep.... playing volleyball! ;-)

Dividing up into three teams for "speed volleyball"

John & Cathi Beeson enjoying the playground

Enjoying some games while the treasure and clues for the hunt were
being hidden outside

John relaxing with Kyle Beeson

Josiah, Jonathan Busentiz & Traci Beeson

Emily & Cathi Beeson Sunday morning

Enjoying the cool of the morning before church service

~We enjoyed some canoeing before packing up to head home Sunday evening.

Um, something tells me that this was a purposeful
capsize!

Canoeing turned into "swimming" for some.
Thus, the reason for the wet clothes. ;-)

A scenic view from the bridge

“I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

(1 John 2:13)

Dad

Happy Birthday Dad!

Sept. 9, 1960

7 Ibs. 12 oz.

21 in.

Dad is second from the left.

Church Retreat - Part 1

On June 25 and 26, the Lord provided our church with the opportunity for a retreat at a ranch in the Flint Hills.  It was a very fun and spiritually enriching weekend together!  Not all of the families were able to make it, but it was well worth it for those of us who were there - though we did miss being all together.  Mr. Jasper Franklin, a relative of one of the families, was our special speaker.  His theme for us was, "Ye have known the Father", taken from 1 John 2:13,14.  He challenged us in our faithfulness in personal witnessing and living a victorious life.

There were a few organized games that everyone (from the youngest to the oldest) was able to participate in.  We were all divided up into four teams, with a couple assigned to lead each one.

NAZARITES

ISRAELITES

RECKABITES

LEVITES

~ We played a new variation of Jeopardy.

This was a lot of fun, as we learned some new facts about each family.

The Reckabites discussing a question

The Nazarites waiting for their turn

~We also learned a new variation of volleyball - Four-Square Volleyball (this is how you play with four teams;-)

~ A Treasure Hunt - the treasure was a bag of starbursts shared with everyone, but the best part was figuring out the clues. ;-)

What happens when there is only ONE car key, but all four teams need the same
clue at the same time?

The Nazarites putting their heads together to solve a puzzle

...so this is how you get your clue (which is written on a ping-pong ball) out
of a jug with out touching it!

~ The weather was very warm, so the Water Games were enthusiastically welcomed!

The parents and younger ones preferred to watch ;-)

We enjoyed some softball as well.

We only had ONE injury the whole weekend.  One of our first-basemen was
run into by a runner.... we won't mention which GIRL it was who ran into him!
Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it looked.

We kept meals simple, which allowed more time for us to be all together, rather than the gals being in the kitchen most of the time.

Buddies ;-)

Mr. Beeson made us a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuits
& sausage gravy on Sunday morning.  Some of the others were up and
ready early enough to help.