We spent several days in Germany on the way back from India. We were able to do a little traveling around including to the Austrian border and to Dachau, the first concentration camp. One of my more memorable experiences was driving on the autobaun. Our group leader got sick and I drove us back to Frankfurt. Driving a nine pasenger van at 120 to 150 km/hr (75 to 95 mph) is definitely a new experience. It takes a whole different style of driving that what we do in the US. The cars come up beside you very quickly!

I just got back this week-end from a trip to India and Germany. We conducted six medical clinics in the Bangalore India area. We treated over 1000 people in that six days.

Every America should travel to a third world contry. It will make you understand how much we have and how great of an opportunity we have been given. It was an amazing experience!

We went to Hawaii the end of September and it seems like it takes forever to get caught up. What a beautiful place!! We got our fill of Honolulu first, and even got to see some really big waves on the north shore. But our real fun was on the Big Island, where we were able to snorkel until we just couldn't did it any more! We got up to the volcanoes, which are always impressive. It makes you realize just how little control we have over everything. It made me glad He is in control. We had a really great 10 days, but it was sure god to see Missouri again even if it was only in the 40s the whole month of October.

Jacobs turned 7 this last week!! Its hard to believe he is getting that old all ready. He is not the baby anymore, but you can see that he is the clan clown!

Jenna & Carrie

Jenna & Carrie are always a hoot to be around. They may be sisters, but you can see which one is the more outgoing, the one "in control". We love all the grandkids very much.

Welcome

This is a new experience for me!! I have followed a number of blogs, but didn't create my own until now. I have a lot of ideas I want to post, like my many interests. I have been in the fire service for 35+ years and haver loved my job almost all of it. But, like most people it doesn't define me just because that is what I do. I have many other interests like my grandchildren, my church, and a lake home that we spend every spare minute working around.

What is important is people. That is why one of my passions is my church. Another one is fire prevention. Guess I've seen too many tragic instances that could have easily been avoided with just a little bit of precaution. (There are links posted for fire organizations with ideas how to avoid disaster).

One of the things I have really enjoyed doing the last couple of years has been taking trips to foreigncountries with church/medical groups. You don't have to go far at all to see how good we have it!!! I have been to the Phillipines and Guatemala the lastr couple of years and helped with a medical clinic and an orphanage. The picture of the Eagles nest that is posted on the site is from the orphanage in Guatemala.

Well, I hope you enjoy the things we post and follow as we have some fun together and talk about some serious things too.