Happy 1st Anniversary Luke & Jessica!

July 30, 2011

Today we honor and celebrate the first anniversary of our nephew, Luke and his bride, Jessica.  We are so happy for them buying their first home and settling into their new lives near Bourbonnais, IL where Luke will be on staff with his dad at Faith Baptist Church!

Jessica & Luke

Lake Keowee, SC Family Vacation 2012

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy,

because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."

Psalm 5:11-12

We love them and pray that they will walk with Jesus all their days loving Him, each other and the people God places in their paths.  We are so thankful for their lives and testimony...we know they will be a blessing to all who have the privilege of knowing them.  We are so glad that we could be a part of their special day just one year ago!  We love you Luke & Jessica!

On the homefront:

Cindy, Liz & Cathy

Tom's Office Girls

What a privilege to have the office ladies here to visit over lunch that God provided!  What joy and laughter they bring, filling Tom in on all the office stories.  You can tell by the smile on Tom's face this was a delightful time and we'll have to make this a regular event to keep him "in the loop" on the high school side of life.  Thanks ladies for a great time!

Our abundant meal on Thursday...

Sloppy Joe's, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Jello Salad...

An AMAZING Cherry Pie...

AND

TWO bags full of chocolate chip cookies!

Thank You Diane Sutliff for your over-abundance of goodness to our tummies!

Friday evening we were able to have our dear friends, Dave and Lori Muschott come for a visit.  They didn't only come for a visit but they brought Jet's Pizza too.  What a great time of fellowship we shared and a game of Skipbo too!  In the flurry of our time I forgot to take a picture.

Summer 2011

This pic is from a year ago...biking with Dave & Lori...good memories, great friends!

Saturday was a day we were long awaiting...the wedding of Courtney Homoelle and Billy Starkey.  This was a very special wedding because the Homoelle's are family to us.  We have "grown up" together through life with Tom and Kent starting their teaching careers together at WCHS "back in the day".  We have vacationed together, spent lazy summer days together, raised children together, fellowshipped together and grieved together.  It was a very special moment when Courtney asked me to coordinate the flowers for the wedding.  I also was able to spend time with Suzanne and Courtney giving my best advice on how to "get married on a shoe-string budget"...it was still fresh with Sarah getting married just 2 years prior.  Sarah was also asked to play the piano for the wedding.  We are so thankful for the roles they have played in our lives and to be able to share this special day with them.

While dropping off the bridal bouquet we had a privileged "sneak peak" at the beautiful bride and the mother-of-the-bride (no she didn't wear those shoes!)

Gorgeous People

The amazing cake...

Made by dear friend, Ulrike Brennan!

Mr. & Mrs. William Starkey

Congratulations!

The fam...

Sarah & Zac

Tom, Lisa & Matt

(wake up Tom...it was during his nap time)

...so take two

Today we head back to OSU Medical Center for Tom's #9 Avastin infusion.  It is a busy week leading up to VACATION!  We are excited to have the opportunity to get away, have some new scenery and spend special family time together.  Thank you for your continued love and prayers on our behalf...God is good...all the time!

Happy Anniversary Dad & Mom

Today we honor and celebrate the 53rd wedding anniversary of my parents!  What a privilege to have such awesome parents who understand what commitment means.

Lowell & Barbara Kline

July 24th, 1959

"Trust in the Lord and do good;

 Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

 Delight yourself in the Lord;

And He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:3-4

We are so thankful for the faithfulness they have cultivated.  They delight themselves in the Lord and He has blessed them with many desires of their hearts.  Thanks mom and dad for loving Jesus, each other, your family, your church and your friends.  You truly are examples that we aspire to be.  May your day be as blessed as you have blessed us and it will be great!

We not only love them, but we love their "young at heart" attitudes...ready for a challenge and any fun that is thrown their way!

On the homefront:

Tom's parents arrived home safely last Thursday...

We miss them...

Spaghetti, Salad, Rolls

and...

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Thank You, Yvonne Quinones!

Saturday we were honored to witness the wedding vows of Brittany & Brian!

We pray God's richest blessings on their new life together.

Chris & Vickie Houts bring dinner on Sunday evening...

Garlic Chicken Pasta, Bread & Strawberry Spinach Salad

and...Blueberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Thank You Chris & Vickie for a delicious dinner & great fellowship

Chris is honoring Tom by riding 180 miles in Pelatonia 2012

Tom & Chris

Go to www.pelotonia.org to learn more about what Chris

& 5,922 other riders are doing on August 11-12th

Special Pelotonia gifts from Chris & Vickie

Tonight we were blessed again by Tracey Albert with

Pasta Bake, Salad

and

More Ice Cream!

Thanks Tracey!

Happy Anniversary Tim & Julie!

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh."

Ephesians 5:31

Today we celebrate Tom's brother and our sister-in-love, Julie's 26th wedding anniversary!  The weather we are experiencing here in Ohio reminds us of that HOT July day in South Carolina on their wedding day...it was very hot too.  We are so thankful for their lives, their love for each other, their families and their Lord.  What joy it is knowing that they walk hand in hand with Jesus.  We are thankful too for their local body of believers there in Winter Garden who encourage them in their faith through the preaching and teaching of God's Word.  We are also thankful for that same local body of special people who have surrounded Tom's parents with that same love as this is now their church home too.  We know that even though Tim, who is on business in China, and Julie, who is in South Carolina tending to her sister who recently had two major surgeries and a move, will look forward to celebrating their anniversary when Tim returns on Friday.  What servants they are and some of our greatest supporters on our team...we love you Tim and Julie!

Please join us in praying for traveling mercies for Tim's return from China and Tom's parents as they fly back to Florida today.  What a great visit we have had and as usual the time goes too quickly.  We will be sad to see them leave.

Happy Birthday Zac!

Today we celebrate the birth of our 15 year old nephew, Zac.  What life he has brought to our family rounding out and bringing up the end of my parent's eleven grandchildren!  We are so proud of him and his love for Jesus.  He is currently at UNC Wilmington at his church's leadership training for teens.  We are praying that Zac will hear God speak to him personally and that he will be obedient to God's voice...and that he would have a very special birthday!

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;

and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Galatians 2:20

Zac & His 4 Sisters

Zac will start his freshman year at WCHS next month and his Uncle Tom will not be his principal, for which we are very sad about...however, we will be cheering him on in all he does whether it be on the soccer field, basketball court, on the track or in the classroom!  We love him to pieces and pray that his life will reflect Jesus Christ in all he does and many people will be drawn to Jesus because they know Zac.

Now for life on the homefront:

Homemade Biscotti & Coffee

Thank You Margaret Paparella!

Pops, Karen & Granny

We are so thankful to our church, Grace Polaris, and for Karen Carmen for hosting Tom's parents at the Mission's House during their stay here in Columbus.  What a pleasant place for Pops and Granny to rest their heads each night and have a break from life with us!  We so appreciate Karen's hospitality and her kindness to all of us.  We enjoyed having her here for dinner this week and she brought an amazing fruit trifle for dessert...thanks Karen!

Zac, Pops, Matt

Sarah, Granny, Lisa & Tom

A rare moment on Sunday when we were all together!

A gift of encouragement & hymns...

Thank You Holly Varian!

Sunday Dinner Surprise!

Asian Buffet for Pops & Granny

Compliments of the Nishisaki Family

Dessert too...Thanks Scott & Sue!

We are blessed by your friendship.

Roast, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Carrots, Sauteed Squash from our garden & fruit

Thank You Granny Anglea...yum!

While Tom and I were at OSU yesterday for Tom's 8th Avastin infusion Granny was on "dinner duty" and we knew it would be good.  We are so thankful to Pops, Granny and Sarah for all that they did while we were gone.  Pops picked up dog doo in the yard, Granny cooked and ironed and Sarah did laundry and cleaned!  It was an awesome sight when we returned home.  We are so thankful, appreciative and privileged to be a part of FAMILY.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you,

being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us,

to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

Amen."

Ephesians 3:14-21

Happy Birthday Papa!

My Dad

Lowell Frederick Kline

July 16th, 1939

(yep, now you know how young he is!)

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you."

Deuteronomy 5:16

The Bible is very clear about how children are to honor, respect and obey their fathers.  I can be totally honest (many of you may not believe this) but I have not always honored, respected or obeyed my father.  I do not plan to have "prolonged" days on this earth because of my disobedience and disrespect toward my parents.  But praise the Lord for His hand upon my life.  It was the summer before my senior year of high school that my dad decided to follow a life-time dream of moving to Colorado and take a job in Colorado Springs.  It was because of that life-changing decision that my dad had us move across the country and God pulled me from the pit and place me in His palm.  I will never forget the brief time dad and I shared in Colorado before my mom was able to join us.  It was our first weekend in Colorado that dad told me to get the phone book and find a good church!  That was just the beginning of my journey with Jesus.  Thanks dad for keeping your priorities straight and getting us settled into a church family.  I think I picked a good one...Mountainview Brethren in Christ...my parents still keep in touch with several of the friends we met in that short year.  My life was forever changed because of that move...thanks dad for following your heart and allowing God to save mine.

It has taken me many years of learning the great privilege of honoring, respecting and obeying parents.  I pray that the years since 1982 have reflected growth in these three characteristics.  It was through friends in Colorado that I heard about a small Christian college in Dayton, Tennessee...Bryan College...where I eventually met the man of my dreams, Tom Anglea.  The rest is history, however I always wonder how life would have turned out if my dad had not followed his dream to Colorado...but then again I really don't want to know!

"As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
 For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust."

Psalm 103:12-14

I am so thankful to my dad for his love for his family and the priorities he has made keeping God first in his and his family's life.  Our family will take (Lord willing) our annual family vacation to Norris Lake, Tennessee in August.  It will be a new experience with Tom now in a wheelchair.  We are going to a different vacation home this year after many years at the same place.  We are looking forward to all being together and celebrating LIFE together with Christ at the center.  Please begin to pray for all of us as we plan and prepare for this trip that takes on a new look from a year ago.

I (we) love you dad!

Praying your day is as special as you are to me!

and Tom too!

Happy Anniversary Dan & Brittany!

"Love isn’t a feeling but a tying. The practical translation of “I Love You” is “I am Tied to You” — no matter what breaks loose.  Love never gives up but lays itself down.  Do this — this is the way of God.

All you have here is one lifetime and time. is. your. life.  When you spend time with someone, what you are freely giving away is your life. Do this — this is the way of God."

-Ann Voskamp

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Magee

July 12th, 2008

We know Dan and Brittany are committed to loving each other, their family and their God.  So the above statement "I am tied to you" is true of their relationship.  We know they both are thankful for the rich godly heritage they have on both sides of their family.  What Declan, their precious son, has is beyond priceless.  What a joy to celebrate their fourth anniversary knowing that the "tie" that binds them is for a lifetime!

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ so they are no longer two, but one flesh.  What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Matthew 19:5-6

Yesterday afternoon (during Tom's nap time & because his parents were here) I was able to take a spin on my bike around the neighborhood.  Tom bought me my new bike in the fall of 2010...it's a very nice bike, nicer than I needed, but that's Tom...always wanted the best for me.  We had begun, during our "empty nest" life, to enjoy taking some long rides together.  These days when I pull the car into the garage...the bikes hang and haunt me.  I knew I had to overcome riding again...alone now.  The opportunity hadn't come until yesterday.  It was a great feeling being back on my new bike (I had to dust it off) however the emotion of never being able to experience it with Tom again sunk in and the tears flowed.  I overcame another fear...each time I experience something alone that we previously enjoyed together I am overcoming...not fun.  We truly are "one flesh" and when I do these things it's a ripping, tearing of the flesh apart and believe me...it's painful.  A scab will form and then eventually a scar...a sweet reminder of "the way it was".

Yesterday as I read "A Holy Experience" blog, God so touched my heart with what she had to say...so if you didn't get a chance to read it...here is a short sampling of what touched me where I am:

"Because there is no true happiness apart from holiness, and there is no true holiness apart from knowing what it means to suffer unhappiness. And there is no knowing how to suffer unhappiness apart from God.

It’s through suffering unhappiness that God may beckon you into deeper happiness in Him.

What I am trying to tell you is that no matter where you end up, where the road leads: You can have as much God as you want. As much joy in Him as you want. The real believers relentlessly believe that. The world or circumstances will try to dupe you differently– but it’s a law as irrefutable as gravity itself: no matter what — as much God as you want.

Is there anything else worth wanting or having?"

-Ann Voskamp

Finding Joy in the Drought

So much I want to say...so little I can share, other than it's been a hard week...me wrestling with God (again)...my 'hip a little out of joint', but another reminder of His hand upon me.  As you know we are in a drought here in Columbus...even my faithful watering in the garden can't compete with the extreme heat and lack of God's rain.  I had to sadly pull up one of my zucchini plants last night...bugs and rot taken over.  I felt (notice past tense) like that plant earlier this week.  The drought had taken a toll on me, bugs eating away at my joy.  Do you remember earlier in my journey when I wrote about the "storm" we were in and finding it hard to breathe, swim, see, etc. in the midst of the storm?  I am now learning the other end of the spectrum of seeking liquid refreshment in the dryness of the desert.  Today God met me with a sip of His refreshing, life-giving water.  Why is it a constant learning?  I'm not a great student, but I continue to learn that God wants me to be a student at His feet.  It was September 1994 that He taught me that knowing Him would "be enough":

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of  knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Philippians 3:8-11

Retention...I had to be re-taught this truth because I hadn't retained what He's taught me from previous life lessons!  Knowing Christ...is He enough?  That's what I've wrestled with this week.  What is enough for you?  I know in my head...getting it to my heart is a very different lesson.  I've been given the opportunity to live it out this week.  Well...maybe not a week...I don't learn that fast!  Daily God is giving me opportunity to live out this life lesson of He's enough.

"My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace,

Not even blessing, but Himself, my God."

-Oswald Chambers

As I re-read this quote I'm realizing this is my goal, what I am striving for...I guess I'll never fully understand it here under the clouds.  When I see Him face to face...this drought, this parched life, this thirst will be fully quenched...I honestly can't wait...but while I do wait I have to live with this goal in mind, knowing what is to come.  Now that's hope...I have hope...praying you do too.

Gerber Daisy's of Joy

Thank You, Anne Marie!

In the midst of the driest point this week, some very dear prayer warrior friends and family brought me truth from God's word, visits with hugs and texts of cheer...thank you to my dear support team!

Now on to the "homefront news"...Tom's parents arrived by plane yesterday afternoon for a 10 day visit.  We are so thankful to have them.  After dinner we enjoyed a pleasant break in the temperature with a short walk, visit to the garden and conversation on the patio!

Saturday Homemade Chinese Trio of Chicken, Scallops & Shrimp!

Thank You, Nightingale Chen...you are a blessing!

Sarah & Bethany

We enjoyed having Bethany Klein, Sarah's friend from Grace College, here visiting for the weekend.  She (we girls) tried to beat the guys in Skipbo, but the boys were relentless and she'll have to make another visit to take them on in a rematch!  Thanks Beth for a fun visit!

Orange Leaf...frozen yogurt on a hot night!

Zac, Lisa, Tom, Matt, Beth & Sarah

A Western-Pennsylvania Specialty

Steak Salad with Fries, Fresh Fruit & Bread

AND

Peach Cobbler

Thank You Dave & Alicia O'Roark...what a fun, different & tasty meal!

This Is Our Life...Anniversary Special

Yesterday Tom and I went back in time...reminiscing our life over the past 27 years.

We started with going to the card shop to select a card to present to each other and then discreetly place it back in its slot for someone else to spend $4...we saved $8!

Our final selections...

Tom schemed with Sarah to get us a beautiful anniversary bouquet of flowers!

When we started our adventure the car temperature read 100 degrees, at one point it reached 104!

The happy couple enjoy the cool ride of our chariot "Saturn Outlook"!

Ready for a trip down memory lane...

Tom's first home while working his first job at WCHS...

Sarah McNutt's...West Jeffrey Place...looks better today than in 1985!

I joined Tom here for one night after we returned from our honeymoon...

Then our first apartment was ready...

5252A Fenway Place

A visit to our first "home"...our little apartment we enjoyed as home for 1 year!

We were happy to see how well maintained the apartments were and garages had been added!

Just one street north of our first apartment...our first home...

139 Westview Avenue

It doesn't look much different (the roof still needs replaced)...

The picket fence, window box and brick walkway...still standing strong...

our nice home improvement projects (thanks papa)!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Northstar Cafe in Beechwold...

(holding the wheelchair from going onto the street, getting the sign & us in the picture makes for tricky photo taking!)

Tom's Meal...Nieman Burger & Sweet Potato Fries...Delicious

Lisa's Meal...Thai Chicken Wrap...Delicious also

Where we bought our first Columbus car...Chevy Astro Mini Van...Quality Chevrolet

Now Out-of-Business

Tom worked for one year at the Huntington Operations Center on Morse Road...

(This was one of our 1st stops since it's close to home, I sure had him confused when I missed the entrance and pulled in Rosie O'Grady's Bar!)

Down to Bexley to reminisce with about Tom's numerous painting jobs on the "City Wide Paint Crew" and trips to Johnson's for Ice Cream!

Tom recalls with fondness his years at Capital as Scott Weakley's assistant basketball coach!

I remember making Sarah a purple and white outfit with a capital "C" on the front to wear to the games...fun times!

A drive past Lisa's first place of employment...

OmniStar offices were located on the top floor of this building...

I was the secretary/receptionist (administrative assistant) at this business brokerage firm.

The name of the Building has changed...but otherwise looks the same.

Our last stop down memory lane...WCHS...

Where Tom started his teaching career in 1984 and it came to a sudden, unexpected halt in 2011!

A surprise, impromptu dessert stop at Cold Stone Creamery with Terry & Kelly!

Thanks Terry & Kelly for topping our special evening!

What a special day spent recalling special memories with my super special husband...

I love you, Tom

I have to share that Tom wouldn't know where we were going, but once we were at our destination he could recall memories, events and places almost better than me!

He came home exhausted...I seem to be good at wearing him out lately...

When Matt arrived home from work he presented us with more beautiful flowers!

Truly a day of great memories...thank you, Lord for Your leading & guiding!