JUST A LITTLE DONKEY

Just a little donkey,

but on my back I bore

The one and only Savior

the world was waiting for.

 

Just a little donkey,

but I was strong and proud--

I gladly carried Mary

through the chaos of the crowd.

 

I brought her to a stable

where she made a tiny bed...

A place for Baby Jesus

to lay his little head.

 

I pray the world remembers

that special Christmas night

when just a little donkey

carried Heaven's Precious Light.

          --Rita S. Beer

 

I received this verse from a very dear friend, and thought it was worth sharing.  May each and everyone of you have a Blessed Christmas.

Bev and Donnie

Beverly Pearson- Update -  is now home from surgery.  She had right kidney removed due to cancer and is doing well.

 Don De Joode  - Update - Fell from trimming a tree with branch and chain saw.  Concussion, broken collar bone, broken thumb, all ribs on right side (except two) broken, broken pelvis.  Rod and screws in pelvis.  Now out of ICU.  Still in hospital.  When he does go home he will be in a wheel chair for approximately five weeks.  Very black and blue all over.

OUCH

 On Monday, November 9th, Trudy Hauserman had a fall in her home.  She hit her head on the tile causing a brain bleed, and rushed to the hospital finding she has a compound fracture on her left foot.  A broken bone that went through the skin bleeding and another broken bone on the other side of the same foot. 

 After a few days in ICU, her right foot was painful also and very bruised.  In checking out that foot, she learned she had another problem - a fracture in the arch - a broken metatarsal bone plus another broken bone.   

But, she is looking on the bright side, as she was told she gets to wear a special "wood" shoe.  This will give her some support to help her put weight on the right foot. 

After spending a few days in ICU, she will be going to a nursing home where she will be having therapy for a minimum of one week.  

Connett Fall Gathering

Saturday, September 26th - it was fun and excitement as the "Connett" family all gathered for a good Fall Gathering in Freeport, Illinois.  (Carrie) and family coming in from Waukee, Iowa and (Lynsley) and family coming in from Milton, Wisconsin.  Of course besides eating all day long, we had to have a few pictures and make more memories.

 Phyllis and Dick with Lynsley and Carrie.

Our guest Paul, Granddaughter Danielle, Grandsons Dakota (showing off his new Iowa State socks), Nick and Joseph.  Denver couldn't make the trip due to another commitment that was planned far in advance of this date.  Dirk couldn't come due to other commitments.

Our "noon" lunch was at the Country Junction in Freeport.  Grandson Joseph thought he could tackle the "Freeport Burger" which was two beef patties with all the trimmings in-between three pieces of Texas toast.  Although he was very hungry, he just couldn't quite finish the works...  

After lunch, we spent a little time at Krape Park in Freeport.  "Our guest" had never been to Freeport, so we had to show him the town.  We "got to ride" (more or less just sit) on this old fire truck (approximately dated in the early 1900's) which has been in the park for years. 

(Phyllis, granddaughter Danielle, Lynsley, Dick, grandsons Nick and Dakota, guest Paul, son-in-law Chris, and in front is Carrie and grandson Joseph)

Grandson Nick was our "driver"...

 Back home, more pictures, more eating and more fun... 

We don't travel back north for Christmas, so this is the time we get together and have a good time.  Each year we have a Christmas Gift Hunt, and the grandchildren have to go around and collect their goods.  They are patiently waiting....  After a good long day, a lot of food, laughs and stories, all left for their homes in Iowa and Wisconsin...

 

 Early Sunday morning, Dick and Phyllis drove to Milton, Wisconsin where they met Lynsley and then all drove up to Milwaukee to watch grandson Nick (in the red hat) march in the high school marching band competition.  We tell everyone that we are retired, but sometimes I don't think we even have time to or know that meaning ....  Now Nick is back in high school and the rest are all back to college. It was a great day with the family. 

High School Graduations

Dick and Phyllis have been back to Iowa quite a few times this summer.  This time was for Denver's high school graduation. 

 

Denver is now all settled in his dorm at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa where he will be a medical major.  

 

 

Then a trip to Milton, Wisconsin for another grandson's high school graduation. 

 

Joseph is all set for the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Wisconsin where he will be majoring in Engineering.

 

We are very proud of our grandson's. 

 

Dolls for Africa

Carrie and Denver have been going to Africa for a few weeks doing missionary work.  Every year we have collected different things that they can take to help out the village people.  This year 70 dolls that Phyllis made with the help of Dick and her sister Barb, was sent along with 100 tooth brushes, 100 flip flops and medical supplies.  Phyllis has now completed another 37 dolls ready for their  trip in 2016.  Thirty-seven dolls don't sound like a lot, but when you have to stuff two legs and two arms for each doll - 148 parts - now that is tiring.   But, the enjoyment of those receiving the dolls is well worth all the work.

 

Some of the children getting a doll, our daughter Carrie and our friend Maddy in background.

 

And some of the ladies want a doll for themselves also.  As this lady is heading to collect water, you can see the doll hanging beside her tub. 

 

 

This gentleman wanted in on the action also and clutches his doll.  In the background is Denver with friend Maddy.

Graduations for 2015

I believe this year (2015) is the largest number of high school graduates for the "De Joode" family.  Congratulations to all.  Sounds like all have some great plans for the future.

Denver Richard McClelland (Carrie Christensen)...Plans:  Medical at Iowa University - Iowa City, Iowa

Joseph Christopher Hipsky (Lynsley and Chris Hipsky) Plans:  Electrical Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Platteville - Platteville, Wisconsin

Jessica Trimble (Mark De Joode) Plans: undecided - entering DMAC - Des Moines, Iowa

Kayla Mead (Tennille and Brian Mead)  Plans:  Joining Air Force

Matthew Lafrenz (Melissa and Jim Lafrenz)  Plans:  Elementary Education/Special
Education.  Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa then onto UNI

Natasha Bartos (Rick Wilson)  Plans:  Pursing Art and Photography classes

Shelbie and Dakota are grandchildren of
Steve Curry






Shelbie Curry (Clint and Loreesa Curry) Plans:  Medical at Ellsworth College - Iowa Falls, Iowa

Dakota Timmins (Mike and Jen Timmins) Plans:  Diesel Mechanics and Farm Ag. at DMAC










GOOD LUCK TO ALL