February into March

Hello Spring!  Winter is winding down and it has been a mild one for sure.  The kids got new sleds for Christmas and barely used them once.  Now we are thinking about mowing the yard and planting flowers.  We could still get more snow but most days the weather is 40-60 degrees and that is just fine with me.  Josh's baseball has been practicing all winter on strength and agility.  Soon they will start playing outside.  Here are a few pics from the indoor practices.

We had a fun weekend with Nick, Autumn, Nolan, and Wyatt.  They live near Chicago so we enjoyed a day at the Brookfield Zoo.  The weather was wonderful and so was the company.  We always love being with the married families.

Cate continues to wow us with her volleyball skills and intensity of play.  We love to watch this girl attack the ball.  She is 5ft. 1in and can spike the ball!  Quite the vertical leap and athleticism God has gifted this child with.  Go Cate Go!

The fan section!

We finally talked the kids (especially Cate) into getting haircuts.  Their hair seems to be a vital part of their identity and they never want it cut.  Josh of course gets his cut regularly but Cate only consents about once a year when it finally gets so long and heavy she is getting headaches.  Then it is always so nice a little shorter and she wonders why she didn't say ok earlier.  They both look great in any style of hairdo!  Nice looking kiddos!

We currently have 4 adorable grandchildren I just got to show off.  We are also getting 3 new babies this year.  God is so good!

 This is our oldest grandson, Nolan Denham Clark.   Nolan is a fan of super heroes and is always eager to save someone in need!  Nolan is 4-1/2 and in preschool.

This is Evelyn Hope Kennedy, age 2 years. She is beautiful like her mother.

This blonde curly headed child is Konrad Walker Clark, age 22 months.  Konrad is a world traveler and is currently visiting his other grandma and grandpa in Germany.  

This sweet boy is Wyatt Lee Clark, age 16 months.  He is a doll baby and loves to chase after big brother and save the world.    

Aren't children precious and such a gift from God?  Just think we are getting 3 more grandbabies by the end of summer 2016.  So fun!

Below is a photo of Josh and Cate during their first Easter season in America.  Look at these babies!  Ages 11 and 10.  My goodness they look young and adorable.  This was then....

and 4 years later...this is now.

A couple of things I notice by comparing these photos.  Josh is now taller than Cate which has been his goal for years.  The look on their faces is much more relaxed and less forced.  They seem relaxed and not so stiff.  Both are holding their heads up high which tells me they feel good!  Cate still puts her hand on her hip for a picture!  Josh is feeling pretty cool wearing his Dad's IU shirt since he is cheering for IU in the NCAA tournament. They are both comfortable choosing their own clothes for school and wearing what they like.  They have grown into their teenager faces and they are still adorable, beautiful people created and loved by Jesus.  A wise person once told me always look at how far you have come and not at how far you have to go!  Wise words those were.  Yes we have come along ways from that first Easter.  

You'll see the goodness of the Lord....wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart!  

Psalm 27:13

The NIV says it this way.

 I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  

How can you not see goodness in these faces? I'm telling you Jeff and I could not walk this journey with Josh and Cate if we weren't being led, and sometimes carried, by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   I pray you know Him today.  

Happy Easter 2016.  He has risen.  He has risen indeed.

Thanks for reading the blog and praying for us.  

Choosing joy,

Chris & crew

January into February

Things are just going along here at the Clark house.  I for one am thrilled our winter has not been to extreme.  We have only had one e-learning day but as I type this it is raining ice and snow is on the way.  They are predicting no school (which means e-learning ) the next 2 days.  Ugh!

Cate plays a lot of volleyball and loves it.  She plays with 7 other ladies on a team called Summit Wave coached by Scott Haddix.  The girls all enjoy each other and it has been a good "friends" experience.  We are happy to have a  Christian coach that nurtures Cate as well as improves her physical and mental capabilities so she can be successful on and off the court.

 Matt and Anna Troup came to Fort Wayne to introduce their new son, Lincoln, to his Great Grandma Joan.  We were able to pop in for a few minutes and get a peek at the newest Clark great-grandchild.  Matt is the son of Aunt Dawn and Uncle Tim.  Lincoln was the perfect gentleman and Cate loved seeing Anna.  We were thankful they made the trip down from Chicago and we got to get together.

 This grandma was lucky to get to go north to spend a night with Nick's family.  They had an outing to Chik-filet where some reptiles were on display.  Lots of fun being with this family.

We are all happy in this house when the older kids bring the grandsons and come home.  We love that time together.  Luke and Susi came up for the day recently.  Konrad is a keeper for sure.  Love that kid!

Of course we had to go to our favorite restaurant to eat Chinese, Yen Chings.  Josh always says "My friend works here!"  He loves the chefs!

Josh has been very sick the last couple weeks.  He even ran a 105 temp so you know he had a mighty strong germ attacking his body.  He missed a whole week of school.  This kid has not missed 1 day due to illness since he came to the USA.  He would rather go to school than stay home but he just couldn't overcome this bug.  Here are a few shots of his patheticness!  Poor guy!  He is better now but still dragging.

Last weekend we visited some of our favorite people, John and Kim Porter.  They treated us to a firepit evening with roasted hotdogs and s'mores.  The weather was perfect and so was the company.  Thanks John and Kim for loving on us.  

  Kim was a trooper and joined me on the bleachers ALL DAY to watch Cate's volleyball team.  Now that is true friendship plus she even bought me a coke!  Thanks Kim!

We could not survive on this life journey without support from our friends. We are thankful and blessed by the friends and family that love us.  Thank you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.....A person standing along can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. 

Thanks for reading the blog and praying for us.  We appreciate you!  

Choosing joy,

Chris & crew