Our Other Kids.....

In a past life.....Pat and I were "youth leaders." As surrogate parents for scores of kids over years of time we developed precious relationships that have been maintained over the years. I met Stan while I attended the University of Akron in about 1980. Stan was a pre-med student. He was interested in my views about God which led to conversations with he and other of his friends which in turn led to a series of bible studies. He came home with me on the weekend and became a part of our family. Since then he has changed careers....moved to LA but has continued to stay in touch. On this visit he brought his friend Bless who now also becomes part of the Weaver extended family.......and on it goes......

Kevin was a 17 year old who as a teen was in a very disfunctional family in Texas. Having escaped from being held hostage at gunpoint in his home, he thumbed to his Dad's in Ohio. He came to our youth group as a troubled young man and found....Christ and people who "took him in." He fell in love with Tanya......became a youth leader himself and now worships with his family with us at Newark Naz.

..........and then there is Chris.....I first met Chris at our youth camp here in Newark. I was asked to speak to a youth group in Fork, Maryland where at about the age of 16 he was the youth leader. On one of his trips to Newark he discoveed a girl from Springfield who stayed in the girl's dorm in which Pat was "Dorm Mom." The two fell in love, got married and now have their own teenage kids.....

The moral of this story to me is.....invest in the lives of others.......it pays great dividends........eternal dividends..... in your life....and the lives of others........

.....And Now.....Their Kids......

The Gang's Together Again....

Some of our dearest friends from way back when got together for football, food and fellowship. Stan and Bless (foreground right) came from LA , Caleb(third from left) from North Carolina and Travis ( to the right of Bill) home from the Air National Guard. Here we are toasting the New Year two days early because some of them had to leave for home on Sunday.

Casey and His Dog, Rex....

Casey's dog Rex was a special house guest over the last few days. Rex loves to run and chase the sock.........

..........he's well trained and well loved........

...........by a guy we love as another son.........

Another Goodbye.....

........hugs and thank yous mark another departing...............

...........as the crew prepares to return to Virginia Beach.....

............Dave will be returning to training in Florida and Casey....well.....Casey will be going to somewhere in the world where beards are "in."

............as Pat waves a "till we see you again" goodbye............

Recent Visitors...

During the course of our life adventure we have had a number of folks live with us. Pam in this picture is one of those who lived, traveled and enjoyed life with us. She is as close as a sister to Meg. She and her son Josh stopped by for a visit.

Also stopping on his way from Iowa to Virginia Beach is Casey, a very close friend of David and Megan. Casey lived with them (sound familiar??) for some time and made our living room couch his bed for a few days.

.............I think about how our lives have been enhanced by the close relationships we've built with beople God has providentially brought into our lives over the years.

Kitchen Birds

I've been noticeing on other blogs the success people have feeding peanuts.........so.........I found a clear window feeder and put out the peanuts and wala....chickadees............

...........and titmice.............

............just 3 feet away from our breakfast table!

Christmas Eve.......

................after attending a beautiful and meaningful church candlelight service we returned home where I read from Luke about the birth of Christ and His coming 2000 years ago............

Christmas Morning Is About Kids And Gifts!

........for the first time in years we have children.....well.......children and GRANDCHILDREN......awakening to the sound of Santa (guess who!) outside the bedroom with his bells and Ho Ho Ho.....awakening everyone to presents left under the tree.......... Grandma greets the excited girls and begins the process on unwraping.......

..................Santa demonstrates his sense of humor by bringing drums and keyboard!

...................and a doll that strangely resembles.....well.....ALYSSA!

Granddaughters Zoe and Addy with Gifts....

Hangin Out.....

................Wes and Dave catch up on military matters......

..................breakfast together.........

..............with many morning favorites such as these luscious cinamin nut roles cooked up in Cheryl's Restaurant.....

The Day Ends At Bob and Claudia's

.............more gifts.......

...............a visit from a local Licking Valley hermit..........

............fun with Uncle Dave.....

............and finally the ride home over the Licking River....and to all a good night!

Feeding The Birds

When she woke up this morning....Hailey immediately wanted to go out to feed the birds......so off we went......filling each feeder.....

..................smileing as we went......

.....................and then watching for the birds to appear........