In Green Pastures

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:1-3

There are times when the goodness of life astounds me. Of course, there are also times when its difficulties astound me, but lately the times have been good. Reminds me of a winter trip to Phoenix a few years ago, leaving snow and overcast skies for sunshine and deep blue (see below).

Brian, Sarah and Alex arrived safely in Grand Rapids from Australia and promptly set to work figuring out what to do next. Brian received several employment offers from naval architecture firms in the DC area and one from a small pipeline engineering firm in west Michigan (which happens to be mine). He and Sarah chose the latter, and we are very pleased to have them back in Grand Rapids along with their wonderful son (and our grandson!).

I think the prospect of inexpensive and loving child care may have entered into their decision. They have purchased a car (Scion XB) and are in the process of purchasing a beautiful house, soon to be their loving home. We pray for God's blessing as they settle in, and I look forward to October 8 when a quality engineer joins the crew at HT Engineering!

Tom's Army National Guard training is stepping up as he prepares for overseas deployment next year. We pray for his growth in grace, his safety and that the Lord will allow stability in the Middle East! We love you, Tom!

Excitement

We are excited that Brian, Sarah and Alex are coming for a visit in about two weeks!

Check out this picture of the little guy. Can you now understand why we so look forward to meeting him?!

Family Reunion Vacation

June 23-30, 2007 - The extended Cooper family gathered at Teal Point Resort on Lake Norfork near Mountain Home, Arkansas for a family reunion vacation--32 of us in five cottages. It was a fabulous time of fellowship, fun and relaxation in the sun, water and beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Many thanks to my dear brother, Ken, for providing the administrative genius to make it happen so successfully!

The Cooper Group

Rhonda and Cathy Enjoy the Pool
Dad & Mom - Family Dinner at Dan & Rhonda's Cottage
Ski Outing on the Pontoon Boat

So Far Away

Here I am, looking at pictures of Alex on Brian and Sarah's flickr site, wishing that I could hold him. I do love looking at his pictures and videos, though.

Nate & Katie Wedding Prep

Here are some exquisite examples of wedding handiwork by the lovely and talented women of FHBC (Rhonda, Susie VR, Judy VR , etc.) carried out in preparation for Katie and Nate's wedding. A true labor of love. The wedding was a beautiful thing--solemn, fun and God-glorifying.

Unity Candle

Wedding Banner
Floral Arrangement

Progressive Dinner Party

On April 14 we enjoyed a neighborhood progressive dinner, complete with wine tasting at each stop. We hosted the main course (co-hosted by the Vincents), which included grilled pork loin and pineapple, roasted rosemary potatoes and asparagus, and buttered carrots. The red wine was a 2003 Hayman & Hill Meritage, Monterey County, California Reserve Selection #38, and the white was a 2002 Beaucanon estate, Ehlers Lane, Napa Valley Chardonnay. The blended red was especially good.

Dessert at Bradys' included a very nice port, R.L.Buller & Son “Victoria Tawny” from Victoria, Australia. Excellent choice.

You may notice some new dining furniture, recently made by Amish crafstmen in southeastern Ohio. The table is actually a loaner graciously provided by Bears in the Woods (the retailer) until ours, which is running late, is ready.
This rocking chair was a gift from the Oostermans, our next-door neighbors in Alger Heights about 25 years ago. It was Mr. Oosterman's disabled brother's favorite chair, who's belt rubbed the paint off the spindles during many years of use. We have left them so in his honor.
This would be a nice place to rock our grandson, Alex, if he came for a visit. But alas, he is far away for now.

Eskimo Slumber Party

Kate and John have been working diligently on an igloo in the back yard--made possible by the continuation of winter's snowy blast. They finished the igloo yesterday and, although it was snowing and blowing hard, they decided to sleep in it last night.
Here are Danny, John and Kate, all snug in their sleeping bags and ready for lights out! They put down a tarp and foam pads and woke up warm and dry. Quite cozy.
Elizabeth waxing artistic with Paint
A study in Cranberry Juice