Our Grandson

Our family has had some busy days with everyone’s comings and goings and new school years beginning.  After all the dust settled, we have ended up with 4 family members in Waukesha, WI at New Tribes Bible Institute, 3 family members in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute, and 2 of us are here in Missouri.  We are adjusting to an empty nest and thankful our kids are where they are—right where God wants them to be—and that they are together in two locations (only 2 hours apart)!

So much has happened over the past few months that it’s hard to tell about everything, but here is a brief run-down of events:

July 25^th – Melanie went to Waukesha, WI with BJ & Carissa (after they were with us in Missouri for 5 weeks)

July 31^st – John and Josh went to Waukesha, WI

August 1^st – Bethany’s due date…no baby

August 2^nd – John and Josh helped BJ & Carissa move to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago

August 5^th – Josh went to Michigan for an MK retreat

August 6^th – Charity arrived in Waukesha from Chicago for a few days’ visit; our first grandson arrived!

Bethany & Zach welcomed their son,

Mason Howaul  Parker

at 2:40 pm on August 6, 2014

weighing 8 lbs 9 oz and measuring 22” long

[Howaul = Howard + Paul, his two grandpa’s middle names]

August 8^th – John returned to Missouri

August 9^th – Charity went back to Chicago; BJ & Carissa returned to Waukesha for a few days’ visit

August 10^th – Josh returned to Waukesha, moved into his dorm room, and had about 4 days of work before the semester began at New Tribes Bible Institute

August 13^th – BJ & Carissa went back to Chicago; Charity (as a member of the MuKappa leadership team) began preparations for the MK Orientation at Moody

August 14^th – Zach’s parents and sister arrived in Waukesha to meet Mason and visit

August 16^th–19^th – Charity, BJ & Carissa had the MK Orientation at Moody

August 17^th – Josh had registration and a welcome/kick-off at NTBI; Melanie returned to Missouri with Zach’s family

August 18^th-19^th – Josh had Orientation at NTBI; Zach & Bethany began the new semester, continuing on staff at NTBI (although Bethany was still on maternity leave)

August 18^th – Kick-off and welcome at the Missionary Training Center for John & Melanie

August 19^th – Orientation and classes began at MTC for John & Melanie

August 20^th – Josh started classes at NTBI; BJ & Carissa continued with regular Orientation at Moody

August 25^th – Charity, BJ & Carissa started classes at Moody

We are thankful that Bethany’s labor and delivery went smoothly at the birth center assisted by the midwives there.  Because Melanie arrived a week before Bethany’s due date (August 1^st), she was able to help with some final preparations for Mason’s arrival.  She thoroughly enjoyed being there for special bonding time with Mason and for helping with meals, laundry, cleaning, etc.  We are so thankful that Mason was born a day and a half before John had to leave, so John had a little time with him.  Charity, BJ & Carissa, and Josh were all able to meet Mason at different times within the first 4 days of his life and they were so excited to meet this little person we’ve all been waiting for!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  We are thankful to be partnering together in God’s work!