Wednesday, December 29, 2010


New Years Blessing

I have not posted in quite some time: mostly because all I can think about these days is our little precious baby that will be born in June!!! We kept it a secret for a while since we were waiting to tell Jared's family in person.

So far, pregnancy has been a great experience for us! I really did not get sick much in a first semester--several of my friends have, so I feel like my slight nausea is nothing to complain about. Although the fatigue scale was like an 11 out of 10, I took advantage of the fact that this is the one time in my life where I can sleep as much as I want and not feel guilty about it.

We are already 15 weeks into the adventure--I'm relishing each quiet moment at our house knowing in about 6 months everything will change!!!

We have known for a few years now that we are going to adopt, and of course us being pregnant does not change that plan at all--it may just be a few more years before we start the process. We are thrilled to see the family the Lord is bringing together as we speak:)
~Angela M.

Monday, November 29, 2010


My Favorite Time of Year

The month and a half before Christmas are my favorite of the entire year. I love the sounds and smells of the season. I love the red and green--the silly looking Santa's---multiple manger scenes---the Christmas Trees---the songs---the delight of a sip of hot cocoa after spending a few hours shoveling or sledding.

There is no other time of year like this one, and I love to embrace it for all it's worth. I feel particularly blessed this year as we already have over a foot of snow! Some people see this as a curse rather than a blessing, but I just can't help but marvel at the power God holds to completely cover creation, and the symbolism of Christ covering my sins and making my whiter than snow.

I'm hoping and praying that this Christmas season will yet again bring life long memories. I'm looking forward to playing in retirement homes as I did last year, bringing smiles to the faces of those who are often forgotten during the season.

Love most of all celebrating God, and the gift of His Son Jesus. As it says in the song I'm currently listening to:

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me


Merry Christmas:)



~Angela M.

Monday, October 18, 2010


Time seems to be a phenomenon to me.

It feels like it was just yesterday when Jared and I became no longer individuals--but a united couple...the "A-Team" as we like to refer to ourselves as. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that all our wonderful friends and family were surrounding us and showering us with the blessing of joining us in our celebration? It seems like Jared was just promising to be with me as long as our earthly lives endure...

And yet--it was almost 4 years ago...wow.

In those 4 years, I have understood even more fully what a blessing Jared has been to my life. Not that I couldn't live without Jared, but without a doubt-I would never want to go through this adventure without him. It seems almost impossible to try to express what a joy this journey is. But it really all goes back to our loving Savior. Without Him-there would be no journey to have. No family. No friends. No purpose or joy.

Praise be to the God of all things good.

I remember journaling before Jared and I got married: I decided I did not want to be with anyone unless we were bettering the kingdom of God together more so than we were apart from each other. Then when I experienced the ministry Jared and I were able to do together, I knew it was an answer to prayer.

Thanks God for this gift.
~Angela M.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010


Don't judge me, but I can not help but just LOVE "On the Road with Austin and Santino" This show is simply amazing, funny, and hysterical---even Jared enjoys watching it with me simply for the sheer laugh factor. ADORE.

~Angela M.

Monday, August 16, 2010


Answered Prayer:

Have you ever really prayed for something? I'm talking about on your knees, practically begging, pleading for God's will to take place while you are waiting? That is where Jared and I have been the last few months. Since Jared completed his student teaching in May, he quickly began filling out application after application for Math Teacher positions. We began our process applying here in Spokane and over where my brother lives in Michigan, thinking surely something would happen with one of those jobs...May came and went, June came and went, and by the time July was over, we had applied all over Washington, some in Idaho, and over in Michigan. We went from praying everyday, to praying multiple times a day! I recall one particular day just over a week ago: I was working at Starbucks, and Jared had spent yet another day filling out applications. I am so confident that teaching is exactly where Jared is supossed to be, and I know he will be fantastic, but most employers don't let you put your wife as a reference;) That day, I felt like an Israelite...my prayer sounded something like this "Oh Lord, please let Jared feel like all his hard work and effort is paying off...He needs something...anything...I know he doesn't deserve anything, but he would be so great at serving You through a teaching job. More than anything Lord, we want what You want."
a few hours later, Jared called me with the news that he has been asked to interview for a middle school teaching job here in Spokane he had applied for several months ago. Several days later, he had the interview, 2 days after that, Glover Middle School offered Jared a full time teaching position.
Now what does this have to do with my prayer...I don't know, maybe not much in the realm of Jared actually getting the job, but what I do know, is that God brought me to a place of complete and utter desperation. It was a good place. I found humility in that place. I found that I could not fix everything for Jared. I
found hope and rest in no knowing.
God taught me so much in those desperation prayer moments. I'm so thankful that I feel we have truly grown and learned through this process. We know this job is a complete gift from the Lord and nothing done on our own strength. Jared will be a fantastic teacher, and I feel ready to embrace the times of "not knowing".

~Angela M.

Monday, August 2, 2010





Several weeks ago my wonderful husband surprised me with a fun and exciting photo scavenger hunt--here are a couple of my favorites from the afternoon! All were taken in the lovely downtown Spokane...hopefully you can tell what we were trying to take pictures of!

~Angela M.

Monday, July 12, 2010


Recovery and Celebration!!

Wow.

I just ran a marathon. A real true live marathon! The preparations in getting ready for the event have been such a long process...5 months of training, but much more then that mentally preparing. It has been a life goal of mine for a few years now to run a marathon, and to run it with my husband. Yesterday I accomplished that unbelievable goal. Unbelievable in the sense that I know with all my heart that I could not have done the race without God's strength. Running this race was an amazing way to connect with God--enjoying His beauty in people and in creation, and in the ability to push through the pain, even when I felt I could now take another step-I was reminded it is Christ's power IN me, living in me, working through me-to take me further then ever before.

Highlights of the Race:
Having my Parents there. I can not express enough how much it meant to me to have my parents there supporting us not only emotionally, but physically being there. At about mile 20, 24, and 25, my parents were there holding signs, cheering for us--telling us how good we looked (even though I'm sure we looked like Zombie's with concrete shoes). I have probably some of the very best parents in the entire world. No exaggeration.

Watching the Sunset over the Mountains:
Probably my favorite moment of the morning in terms of connecting with the Creator. I could not stop looking over to the side as the gorgeous rays of sunlight shattered the skies. "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God".

Seeing Jared and Daniel push through the pain:
I think worse than experiencing any physical pain myself, was seeing Daniel and Jared experience pain. Jared is always the encourager for me, and for one of the first times ever, I was the one being the encourager. And boy did they make me proud. Jared is one of the most amazing men I've ever met in my life--and being with him while I know he was going through excruciating pain, and still going was an amazing moment.

Finishing:

Nothing else to sum it up. You can actually see our finish here

Just type in my bib number: 20

~Angela M.

Sunday, July 4, 2010


1 Week to Go...

It's hard to believe that after about 4 or so months of training, the marathon is only 1 weeks away. I can almost feel the muscle and joint fatigue already! My 20 mile run earlier this week proved to go over better then I thought---I was even able to work a 4 hour shift at work an hour after I had finished running. The difficult thing about this week is actually the lack of running we will be doing. Short runs of about 4-6 miles with 1-2 days of rest somewhere in there.
I am so often reminded during the run that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". I'm sure that verse will be quoted more times then ever before next Sunday morning! In the meantime, resting, stretching and light running. I'm about to go out the door for my last "long run"--just 10 miles today. Never thought I would say I'm "Just" going to go run 10 miles!!
~Angela M.

Monday, June 21, 2010


Countdown to the Marathon:

It's so hard to believe we are actually in the final days of marathon training...
Less than 3 weeks away!!! Jared, Daniel and I ran 18 miles yesterday, in perfect running conditions-60 degrees and overcast--and I could not believe how great it felt! What a relief that was. So far I'm feeling really good-minus the gigantic blisters on both big toes. Occaisionally I'll start to have hip pain after about an hour of running, but I've been trying to be diligent about icing them. Jared has been struggling with some knee pain, but we think it is probably his IT band, so hopefully we can get it under control. And we've gotten a hang of the whole hydration thing-we've got a water belt and every 20 min we walk for about 30 sec or so while we get a drink.
It took us just over 2 and a half hours. I know in the back of my mind I am hoping to finish the marathon in under 4 hours, although I also know it is best to not set a time goal for the first marathon. I know I will be happy just to finish! I'm super thrilled that my parents are both going to make the trip out to Missoula to cheer us on-Wow it will be so amazing to have them there to see us make that accomplishment. We've all got our hotel rooms, registration is complete, and running will start to taper off.

I'm so excited...we have actually started planning our next marathon for the fall!! We're open to suggestions-September or Octoberish
~Angela M.

Monday, May 3, 2010

So Proud!

So much to be thankful for! I am really loving running these days-yesterday My mom, Jared, and myself all ran in Bloomsday-the local humongeous 12k race that over 50,000 of my closest friends were also running. My goal was to do it in less than an hour...and I just barely squeaked under the radar at 59 min and 46 sec! It even got me into the top 25 of all 29year old women who were racing:) Maybe I should do more of this running stuff!


~Angela M.

Saturday, April 17, 2010


































Going Further Than Before:

So much is changing in us, and in me these days. Good changes/difficult changes all at the same time. It's been interesting to see the changes happen in every area of life all at once: physical, mental, and Spiritual.

Today I won a race. It was just a little 5k fun run to help raise money for the Arc of Spokane. Jared let me go past him at the finish line, a time of 22:17-a little slower then I was hoping for, but definitely much better then anything I have ever done before. Never in my life would I have expected to win any race...especially running. I've never considered myself an athlete until last year when we completed the triathlon. After years of casual running to maintain weight goals, I am baffled by how well I am doing, and more importantly how much I am enjoying it. I love reading about running, talking about it, sharing info, getting better, watching other people, and now I actually love doing it.

More importantly, God is just rocking our world these days. and I LOVE it. From reading Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker, to Serving God, Saving the Planet, to Make Poverty Personal...hardly a day goes by when my heart to being tugged closer and closer to what I think it is really supposed to look like. It has been excruciating to look at myself--deep in my heart. When I was in college at Spring Arbor University, I remember several friends of mine who had true compassion for the poor and needy in our community, and they did something about it. The way they lived was different from the way I did. Probably mostly in the way that their hearts were consistently in tune with God's. I think I have lived most of my adult life giving here and there with my time and resources, but my heart has not ached for the poor. I have not lost sleep over the fact that there are 144 million orphans in the world today. Until a few weeks ago. I feel like God has given me a new pair of eyes, that see so much more clearly then my old ones.

We are still figuring out all the changes this means for our lives--some are easy to make, some more painful (primarily because it means seeing my humanity)---but I love making them.

We know without a doubt this will mean adoption for us sometime in the future (once Jared gets a full time teaching gig). Hopefully not too far off in the future. We know this means letting go of many of the "american dream" ideas we never even realized we had. For me, it even means something as simple as trying to never use another disposable cup, having a birthday party in the park downtown and inviting the poor and needy to celebrate with us, and trying to find ways to make a difference with God's love.

So many other small and large changes will come, and I embrace them all.

~Angela M.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Counting on God

Good Times coming up on Easter morning at Timberview! Be Prepared...
~Angela M.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010


Upcoming Daniel Fast...

Once again the Daniel Fast is approaching so quickly! I can hardly believe a year has gone by since we last did this Spiritual Discipline. It was 3 years ago when I first heard about the DF (as we lovingly refer to it as). That first year of 21 days of eating nothing but Veggies, beans, lentils and fruit was rough to say the least. Jared and I had only been married a few months, and figuring out what to make for the two of us was increasingly difficult. Embarrassingly enough there were several dinner-time meals where I simply heated up a bag of frozen veggies. But we made it through.

Year 2, we knew much more of what we were getting ourselves into, and found many different options that tasted so delicious. We also ate most of our meals with the Crydo family which seemed to make everything more exciting.

Last year (which would be the 3rd if you're keeping track), 3 weeks did not seem quite long enough, so I added on another week, making it 4 weeks total of the DF.

So here we are entering the 4th year of the DF world. I'm really not concerned about what we will eat during the next 5 weeks. I seem to have a good handle on things that work and are very fulfilling (which can be challenging when you consider no meat, dairy, sugar, flour, pasta, caffine), but this year, I am feeling really challenged to break away from the food focus and to move onto the focus of the Holy Spirit in my soul. I do not want to be concerned about impressing anyone with my sacrifice of this food substituting-and I'm not even concerned with impressing God (have i ever really thought that was possible?? ugh...) Maybe this year as I empty myself of some things, the Lord can fill me up more then I thought possible. And not because I'm doing anything great, but hopefully just because I'll make more room, more space, more permission for free reign...that would be an awesome result and a successful DF for the year.
~Angela M.

Sunday, January 24, 2010


FOOD INC.

I just rented Food Inc.

My family isn't exactly enjoying all these crazy ideas I'm having (especially when it involves me forcing them to watch and read everything I'm filling my brain with). They think I'm weird enough with food and preventing excess trash etc. (but on the other hand, I have had to endure far too many hours this afternoon of stupid football games....ugh)

I already know how bad most of the food in our supermarket is, I can only imagine the truths this movie will bring to light on the subject! Review on the movie will follow-

~Angela M.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

I want change. I need change. I crave change in my heart and to spill out to my life.

After my most recent reads and taking the time to listen to the Lords stirring, I feel a change coming on, and I can tell it is one that will effect my daily life. Not just a fancy thing way far off in the distance. I'm still praying through some things but I know there are things I can do today to really and truly care for the poor and oppressed around the world. One of those things is making changes at work

I work at starbucks. We waste so much paper plastic electricity and dairy it is disgusting. But I'm not looking to get out of here. That woud be the easy thing to do and would not change anything. So today I went berserk. (who knew that was an actual word?) I created a list of all the things we waste, how we waste it, and created a list of ways to end our excess waste that only adds to the vicious cycle the American lifestyle is in. Some co workers love the idea. I'm sure others will not be too happy.

But today I felt like I made real change.~Angela M.

Friday, January 22, 2010


My dad brought me back from his trip to Florida a few books to ruin my life. The aforementioned interrupted by Jen hatmaker and serve god save the planet by Matthew sleeth. I finished jens book in just over a day and am a quarter through the next. God has been moving and shaking some life changing ideas in my head for a while now and these books are just continuing to rip up my heart and brain to shreds.

I love it.

Angela M.

Thursday, January 21, 2010


How to be a Christian in America

For the last several years there has been a stirring inside of me--something that made it obviously clear to me that serving Christ and chasing the American dream did not go hand in hand. I know many other followers of Jesus who are caught up in that very same dicotomy. I don't want to live the same as the rest of the world who are pursuing personal gain, status, happiness, and more and more things. If the only difference between myself and someone who doesn't know the Lord is that I read my Bible and go to church, but nothing else in my life tells otherwise, then it's not really living the way Christ did.

So here I sit in the familiar place I've been in for a few years now...thinking, reading and praying about how life needs to change. Several new books I am reading, including "Interrupted" by Jen Hatmaker are helping my process through the turmoil in my head. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has had similar thoughts to mine.

It's time for a change.

~Angela M.

Saturday, January 16, 2010


Running Year:

One list I have made for the year is a list of runs...no not the kind in your stockings, or the kind after you've eaten too much Taco Bell...the kind where you train and beat your body until you stand at the starting line with your heart pounding, legs shaking, and you feel like you're going to have a case of either the runs or like everything you ate in the last 48 hours will come bursting out of your mouth...alas, I digress.

So here are my running goals for the year:
March-St. Patricks 5k run
May-Bloomsday 12k
June-Missoula Half Marathon 13.1 miles
Sept/Oct.-Full Marathon 26.2 miles


So there it is. Quite the challenge to myself. I'm sure trips to the Chiropractor will be more frequent, and I should have many stories to share somewhere between here and the finish line. I am starting to run with a new gals running group tomorrow and did a 3 mile run 3 times this week already. And in the meantime, I'm doing a bunch of reading and research to help prepare myself. Anyone care to join the list?

~Angela M.

Thursday, January 7, 2010


Baby It's Cold Outside:

Winter time is always a challenge for myself and probably many others in terms of exercising. I'm a runner--but I HATE running when it's freezing cold out, and hours are limited by sunlight. Also, since Jared and I are saving up every penny so we can pay of his Master's work debt free, we do not have a gym membership.




Problem: No running, biking, swimming, or gym.

Solution: Jillian Michaels

About a year ago I first found Jillian's workouts on comcast ondemand. I have since become an addict-
Here is my review on the one I do most often: Banish Fat Boost Metabolism (which is great because you don't need anything but a little space)

The workout begins with a little 5 min. warm up: (sidenote, one of the great things about this workout is that she gives explanations behind things like why you should not raise your hands above your heart while running etc.)

She then goes into 7 different circuits each with about 5-6 repeating moves.
The first circuit is kickboxing: kicking and punching, which I think is fantastic--it really gets your heart rate up there in a hurry.
2nd Circuit is balistic craziness: burpees, 180 jumps, 1 legged hops. By the end of this one I am usually way out of breath.
3rd circuit is callistetics, butt kicks, high knees, leg raises. Nice rest time during the leg raises.
4th Circuit is abs and butt all on the floor. Anything from supermans, to oblique crunches.
5th circuit It think is back to kick boxing stuff-more kicks and punches
6th circuit This is the toughest one and I just want to stop throughout the whole things, but I don't. Jump squats and a bunch of other mean stuff (like standing mountain climbers...ugh)
7th circuit is some punching, knee crunches, and jump rope.

Then there is a cool down and that is it! Beware, this workout is not for the beginner! It is extremely high intensity and if you are pretty fit, I have found you can always modify to make things more difficult. Part of what makes this so difficult is the fact that there is no resting at all. I highly recommend this workout to anyone who likes to workout at home or just needs a change of pace and needs something challenging!

The 2 girls doing the workout with her are disgustingly in-shape, and of course so is Jillian so it is a great motivation too:)

My favorite quote from Jillian in this workout is: "I want you to feel like you're going to die!"


~Angela M.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010


Recipes for a New Year

Several friends have been asking for some of my healthy recipes, so rather then just send a bunch of e-mails, here they are for all to share:)

Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs with Edamame

1 ½ C. Brown Rice
1 ¼ Lbs. Ground chicken or turkey
¼ sweet onion
2 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
2 Tbsp oil
1/2 lb snowpeas
1 C. frozen shelled Edamame
½ C. low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Cook Rice according to pkg. Meanwhile in a large bowl combine meat, onions and ginger and shape into balls. Heat oil in pan-cook meatballs 10-12 min. Empty and wipe out pan, add meatballs and veggies, soy sauce and brown sugar-cook 2-3 more min.


Grilled Halibut Soft Tacos with Orange Salsa

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp. lime juice
¼ tsp salt and pepper
Halibut fillets (I use tilapia too)
8 6 inch corn tortillas

In a large Ziploc bag, combine oil and spices—add thawed fish and shake till covered. Place on grill and cook through. When cooled, use a fork to chop fish into small pices.

For salsa
2 Large Oranges
2 Medium limes
1 tsp cilantro
½ garlic clove
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 medium Serrano chile
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Peel oranges and limes—remove all membranes—finely chop fruit. Mix with all other ingredients---pour over tacos!

Black Bean Soup

1 Tbsp Olive oil
½ yellow bell pepper (chopped)
1 Green Pepper
1 minced garlic cloves
1 lb. dry rinsed black beans
5 C. Water
3 C. broth
2 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt
2 dried bay leaves
1 ½ C. salsa
1 can corn
½ Red Pepper
¼ chopped cilantro

In a crock pot add oil-turn on high-stir in onion-cook for 5 min. Add green papper, garlic, beans, water, broth, chilies, cumin, thyme, salt and pepper, and bay leaves. Cover and cook 7 and a half hrs on high. Remove bay leaves, add corn and salsa-cook another 30 min. Mash soup and top with peppers and cilantro.

Red Lentil Stew

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Medium sweet onion (chopped)
3 celery stalks
3 carrots
2 garlic cloves
1 Bay leaf
1 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 Can diced tomatoes
7 C. water/broth
1 ½ C dried lentils
3 potatoes
2 Tbsp vinegar

Heat oil in pan. Add onions, carrots, and celery-cook 5 min. Add garlic-heat 1 more min. Add bay leaf and all seasonings, tomatoes, potatoes, water, and lentils. Boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for 45 min. Add vinegar just before serving.

Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup
5 C. broth
1 C. dried lentils
½ onion
3 sweet potatoes
3-5 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp cumin
½ tsp. tumeric
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ c. cilantro
1 lemon

Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Combine all ingredients except lemon into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Bring down to a simmer for 20-30 min. Puree with food processor or hand blender. Add lemon juice and serve

Lentil Salad
1 ¼ C. Brown Lentils dried and rinsed
¼ C. red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 Large cucumber (chopped)
½ C. chopped parsley
½ C. Chopped red onion

In a small saucepan, cover lentils with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 min. Drain well. Wisk oil and vinegar together in separate bowl—add lentils and all ingredients to oil and vinegar mixture.

Lentil Taco Meat

¾ C. Dry lentils
¾ C. Brown rice
¼ chopped onion
2 minced garlic cloves
4 C. Water
2 boullion cubes
4 Tsp chili powder
1 tsp. cumin

Bring water to a boil, add all ingredients. Turn down to a simmer and cook till done (20-30 min). Stir well.

3 Bean Salad

¾ C. Red Wine/Pomegranate/Balsamic Vinegar
3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. parsley
½ tsp salt
1 can kidney beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can black beans
1 yellow bell pepper
½ onion chopped

Rinse and drain all beans. Combine in a medium sized bowl vinegar, oil and spices. Add beans, pepper and onion. Chill for 2 hrs before serving for best flavor.

Oatmeal pancakes

2 ½ C. oats
6 egg whites
1 C. soymilk
1 Tbsp. flaxseed
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. Applesauce

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Cook over griddle. Serve with honey or natural peanut butter.

Vegetarian Chili

2 Green Peppers
1 Red Pepper
3 Celery Stalks
½ Onion
¾ Cup Corn
1 Can diced tomatoes (or fresh)
½ Can tomato paste
½-1 Cup of Water
1 Can Black Bean
1 Can Kidney beans
1 Can White Bean
1 tsp Chili Powder
Salt and Pepper

Chop up vegetables, combine all ingredients into Crock pot-Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours!


~Angela M.


Operation 6 months No Sugar Underway:

January 2, I started my second annual fast from sugar. No I am not going extreme, I know there is sugar in just about everything from bread and pasta to yogurt, but I have cut out all sweets-ice cream, cookies, sweet breads, candy, juice with added sugar etc. I do use honey and agave as a replacement in oatmeal, and some recipes. (side note, I NEVER use artificial sweetners---they are worse for your overall health and are proven to have negative side effects such as CANCER!)

Last year, I went from January 2 until April 22 on my birthday. This year I want to push myself to do 6 months (for those of you who may have trouble with the math that is until June 2). The first few days as always difficult-especially since I work at starbucks, but I always notice great benefits from having more energy, sleeping better, and losing weight. It's pretty awesome to say "this double chocolate brownie with ice cream and fudge is not worth my health" (well sometimes it is;)

Taking out sugar from my diet also makes the transition to the Daniel Fast we will do for the lent season easier.

Anyone who wants to join me in this venture please let me know! I know sometimes it seems impossible, but I love being in control of my own body---you can be too:)!!!


~Angela M.

Saturday, January 2, 2010


New Year New Post

It has been a loooong time since my last blog. Life has been busy-much has changed, especially through our Whirlwind Christmas Season.

Grandma and Grandpa Teal passed away last week. We actually got the call 8:00 am on Christmas morning that Grandpa went to be with Jesus. My poor dad spent almost all day on the phone with airlines trying to work things out for all of us to get to Niagara Falls for the funeral---the most touching moment of the day for me was when a family friend gave a generous gift to me by purchasing my plane ticket for me----an unbelievable gift.

We all left Sunday morning and arrived in Detroit to stay with my brother and his family. Drove to Niagara Falls on Monday. Alex and I walked up to see Grandma in her room at Bella Sr. Care---Jared and Becky stayed with the kids downstairs...Grandma was hardly conscious. We talked to her for a bit and then sang How Great Thou Art to her. I could hardly sing most of it. I just had a feeling that would be the last time I saw her. We kissed her on the forehead, said I love You, and left the room. It wasn't more then a few hours later at Grandpa's viewing that my Grandmother slipped from this earthly world into the heavenly realms.
2 days later, we held a double funeral for both of them---it could not have been more fitting. Sad of course, but somehow very comforting to know my grandparents have new heavenly bodies and are in a place of no more tears, sorrows, or pain.

We arrived back home New Years Eve--a Whirlwind of a week.

So now here we are back in Spokane--resting and recovering. Mourning and Celebrating. Enjoying a new year and waiting with anticipation for what the Lord has in store.




~Angela M.