Memorial Service for Aunt Winnie

I drove up to Mt. Vernon on Friday morning, picking up Claire Smith at Sea-Tak airport where she'd flown in on Jet Blue shortly before 11 a.m. Shirley & Allen Kerr also drove up to Mt. Vernon on Friday, so after meeting at Winnie's apartment we drove downtown together for pizza. (Picture: Winnie, Christmas, 2005)


The memorial service for Winnie (as the sign indicates) was held on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the dining area. All of the staff were very helpful in preparation and Hans, the maintenance man, played his guitar and sang "Amazing Grace" during the service. Claire played the piano and spoke briefly about Winnie; Shirley sang a solo, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Allen was the "head usher" and passed out the memorial folders. I gave the welcome, read Scripture and shared a very brief meditation on 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Shirley led us in one congregational song, "In the Garden."

Several of Winnie and Norm's good friends from Marblemount came to the service, and of course, many of Winnie's friends from Alpine Ridge. (I would estimate that there were about 40 in attendance.) The service was well received, and Gaylyn, Norm's daughter and Winnie's primary family support in recent years--and especially at the last--seemed pleased with everything. (She is pictured below)

In comments to us after the service, many of the residents agreed with our opinion of Winnie, i.e. - that she never seemed to complain and was always cheerful and optimistic about life. She was very faithful to attend Bible studies that were held for the residents and was an inspiration to most everyone. She loved Jesus, loved to play and sing hymns, and having now claimed her eternal inheritance is obviously in a much better place today. It was an honor to share in the service. -rw

Manzanita Vacation

Our family has enjoyed vacations at Manzanita for years. I missed coming for the last three years so it’s a treat to be back. On my birthday it was the lowest tide of the year – a -2.2 at 8 AM. Ron and I headed to Hug Point, which is my favorite place on the Oregon coast. We walked, collected sand dollars and enjoyed seeing starfish and sea anemones at low tide. It was a glorious day. - Nancy

Oregon Coast Weekend

Tasha and I got away for two days to Lincoln City. It wasn’t sunny at the coast but it didn’t rain. I sure enjoyed the cool weather. We ate at Mo’s, walked on the beach, watched a movie and did some shopping. It sure was good to spend time with Tasha. – Nancy

It's a surprise for Daddy!

The finished batik art work was all framed and ready to give to Daddy for Father's Day when he returns from his work trip to Senegal. Quite impressive! - Nancy

Artists in Residence

Batik art work is widely sold in KL. They sell kits so I brought some back for the boys to complete. Here are the artists working on their paintings. Even mommy Marta got to participate. My role was to distribute the paint. - Nancy

Leaning Towers of Petronas

Ron and I can see the Petronas Towers from our kitchen and guest room windows in KL. I thought it would be a fun project for Daniel and I to construct them from a kit I got in KL. Ours turned out OK except that they lean some. Daniel did a great job putting the kit together with me. - Nancy

We also made models of famous landmarks. Eli and Daniel both helped make these.

Eli finishes Kindergarten

I got to attend several end of the year school events while at Mark and Marta's. Here's Eli with his Kindergarten certificate that he got after his class did a wonderful program in Spanish. Eli and Daniel are both in Spanish immersion programs at school. - Nancy

Still Suffering in Oregon ...

... but not without another artichoke! But, alas, still eating alone. Weather, however, was well-nigh perfect today -- 76 degrees on the patio at dinnertime. - rw

Favorite Pictures

Grandparents are entitled to showing off grandkids. - Nancy

Micah, 3&1/2

Eli 6&1/2

Daniel 8

Seeing Monuments

First was the Washington Monument -

Next was the World War II Memorial -

Then a hike to the Lincoln Memorial -

In case you thought they were alone - a picture taken by Daniel of Eli, Micah and me.

It truly was a picture perfect day. - Nancy

Trip on the Metro to the National Mall

It was a perfect weather day and so the boys and I headed out on the Metro to the National Mall. Here are the "Blues Brothers" with the Capital in the background. - Nancy

Building the Petronas Towers

I got Daniel a kit to build the Petronas Towers. The instructions are minimal to say the least and some are in Mandarin. So you see the pile of pieces to put into one tower. If it is ever finished I will post a picture. - Nancy

Meanwhile, back in Oregon ...

If Robert Putnam wrote his book, Bowling Alone, on a sociological phenomenon in America, I supposed my title this week would be Eating Alone. But, fear not. I don't think I'm suffering. In fact, today in a jaunt over to E-Z Orchards, a year-around fruit and vegetable market out in the country, I found the largest artichoke I'd ever seen ... and managed to consume all of it for dinner tonight!



In addition, I managed to work-in a pork chop cooked in tomato soup + a tossed green salad and iced tea. O yes, since it's that glorious 2-4 week period in Oregon when luscious strawberries are ripe, I also managed to find the shortcake recipe on the back of a Bisquick box, bake a few and create strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. It's probably called suffering for Jesus in the absence of my dear wife, Nancy! - rw

Seeing Friends and Family in DC area

One of the nice perks of coming to The DC area is seeing friends and family. Today Connie Buford, a friend from Kenya days, came by Marta's place for a visit.








A delightful surprise was learning that my sister-in-law, Martha Willits, was in the DC area. She stopped by for a nice visit this evening. - Nancy

Daniel School Picnic Day

Marta, Micah and I went to Daniel's school picnic day at the park. Micah got to ride the train. Daniel jumped off the playground equipment and landed wrongly on his foot. It was sprained but his Dr. wanted an x-ray just to make certain that it wasn't broken. Daniel is much better tonight after putting ice on his foot. - Nancy

T-ball Practice

Thunderstorms held off long enough for Eli's team to have T-ball practice. Since his team was short on players the coach asked Daniel to practice with them. Both Eli and Daniel had several good hits. - Nancy

Daniel at school field day.

I got to see Daniel at his school field day. He did the standing long jump





base running --








-- shooting hoops



-- fifty yard dash plus other events.


It was a treat to see Daniel at his school. - Nancy

Micah likes his quilt!

I gave Micah his train quilt and he likes it. He laid it out on his bedroom floor and thought it was best used as a train track for his toys. - Nancy

Beryl at 103

Ron, Tasha and I had dinner with Beryl at her care home on the Sunday after we arrived in OR. She doesn't know us but has no pain and is being well cared for so we are thankful. - Nancy

Oregon Visitors

Ron served as Ron and Carolyn Stansell's tour guide for a day on June 4 before we headed to OR on June 5. Anita had all of us to a delicious dinner at her place. - Nancy