mr. levi

blogged for all eternity on 1 August 2010 | 9 very cool people left comments

Today I met someone very special.

Someone who means a lot not only to his family, but also to folks who have never met him.

Because the story his family has to share of their faith in God and the goodness of God’s Grace is one of pure strength and love, even in the midst of intense loss and grief.

This special young man’s great-grandparents became members of our church this morning. And so he was there with his grandparents to witness the occasion and celebrate with the congegation.

Jerry and I sat in the pew right in front of them. Somehow, I just knew they looked familiar. And their names tickled my mind when they were introduced during the “Welcome and Announcements.” Although this young fellow’s last name wasn’t said… or I would have known right then. But when His grandma took him out of the baby seat midway through worship and held him in her lap… he looked straight at me, and that’s when I knew!

Mr. Levi! And his grandma, Kathy, holding him of course! Sorry for the bit of blur — either my hand shook at that moment or Mr. Levi wiggled.

Believe me, he was all smiles and joyful noises — such a good boy! Although I think grandma and grandpa might have thought he was fussin’ too much, but he was fine. Jerry and I were sitting there giggling as we listened to Levi behind us — you know how much we love the babies.

Jess and Joel… you have a handsome, beautiful son. Kathy… so happy to meet you — I enjoyed our short chat (it will probably be a couple or so weeks before I call you on the other thing ).

Mr. Levi… it was an honor and a pleasure to meet you and witness your smiling happiness in person.

Visit Jess’ blog to read their family’s story and see more of Mr. Levi.

and the winners are…

blogged for all eternity on 1 August 2010 | 3 very cool people left comments

The winners of the two giveaways I’ve been doing this month are…

*drum roll*

Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Software plus package of my designs:
Jessica Anne @ Adventures With Three Girls

Reader thank you package of Kansas goodies:
Jenilee @ The Goodwin Family

I already know Jenilee’s address, so hey girl, your goodie box will be on it’s way this week!

Jessica, send me your email address by DM in Twitter, or via the “Email” link at the top of this page!

Congratulations to Jenilee and Jessica!

And thank you to everyone who entered the giveaways… it made my blog-aversary so much fun!

then and now

blogged for all eternity on 27 July 2010 | 10 very cool people left comments

{ This post is linked to Wednesday’s Walk. Click the link to join in with your own walk down memory lane. }

Last week I promised I would do a “then and now” post with a few of the photos from my Dad’s albums. I had found three that had subjects in them that still exist today.

This first photo is the grain elevator over on East Broadway Street (center of town)… the left is 1930s, the right is now. I showed a gentleman at the elevator my Dad’s photo and he assured me it’s the same grain elevator, just with several building changes over time. I couldn’t get the photo taken at the same angle as Dad’s due to lots of trees in the way!

Across the street (behind me as I took the grain elevator photo), is the grounds of the Newton Public Library. On the south side of the library is a Civil War cannon and cannon balls. Here are two “then” photos of those with some of Dad’s pals from the 1940s being goofy. Notice the homes and trees in the background.

And here is the “now” photo of the cannon and balls. You can see the library replaced all the trees and homes that used to be in the area.

There is a plaque that was placed with the cannon in 1922 by the local historical society (photo below). It reads:

“Coastal Defense Cannon. A Civil War Memorial. This cannon used in coastal defense during the Civil War was secured through the efforts of Judson Kilpatrick Post No. 36, G. A. R. and Congressman Chester I. Long. Presented to Mayor George W. Young for City of Newton by Hon. J. G. Wood, Topeka, on behalf of Post No. 36 on Oct. 4, 1899. At this ceremony “East Park” was rededicated “Military Park” and is so known today. On Oct. 5, 1899, a city wide celebration and parade were held by the citizens of Newton in honor of the dedication of this Civil War Memorial. Harvey County Historical Society. 1922.”

And lastly, the photo on the left below shows a couple fellows playing in Sand Creek in the late 1930s, long before the city of Newton reconstructed the whole creek corridor from north to south in 2008, which is the photo on the right. Everyone in town knows this as the First Street Bridge. I’m standing on the bike/walking path in Athletic Park to take the photo.

Hope you’re enjoying these photos as much as I enjoy sharing them with you! And I do still have plenty more for future posts. Later, kids!

« newer posts — older posts »