The Krumwiede Family Blog

My mom and sister are famous

2009-12-08T05:24:00.000-08:00

By Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

At the Mall of America, Jodi Prip, her mother Pam Heubner, and Jesse Rogers were all trying to stay warm as they waited to get in to see former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. "She started out as a mom and look at what she has become," said Prip.

Ely Blueberry Festival and THE LAND

2009-07-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Took the picture of the pumpkins for Tammy so she could make them for the front of her house. Made out of telephone poles painted orange.

Enjoyed a great day with Mark, Alison, Grand
ma, Charlie and myself at the Ely Blueberry festival and

then lunch at THE LAND. Amazing how much work they have done on the property.

Mom made Special K Bars (just in case you were thinking that you would not have wanted to be with us).

This is Dawn's new floor after taking out her almost brand new carpeting that the puppy had pretty much ruined.

2009-07-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

Here by popular demand..........

The Joni Camp Talent Show!!!!!
Featuring our very own Grandma Krumwiede,
Donald, Wendy, Kevin, & Tammy
(in order of appearance R to L)

Pam and Jed

2009-07-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

Aren't they cute? This photo is way overdue, since Pam's been home for weeks, but I just like it so much I wanted to share it with you. We had such a good time with Pam here. She really shares our heart for Africa, and it was such a blessing to be able to show her why we love it here. We love you, Pam!

Thank you, Great-Grandma!

2009-07-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

After being home with Oliver for a few days, I suddenly realized that I didn't really have a place to set him down. Could this be why my shoulders, neck, back, and arms were so sore? Anyway, Grandma Krumwiede sent us some money and told us to get something we needed. After my epiphany about having no place to set Oliver, we immediately went out to Target to get a swing. The best part is....HE LOVES IT, and will usually take a couple of naps in it per day and sleeps more soundly then in his bed or our arms because he really likes being rocked. Thanks so much, Grandma!!! Oliver thanks you, and my neck, back, shoulders, and arms thank you! :)

(Shelly, maybe you can show this post to Grandma next time she is at your house. Thanks!)

More Pictures of Oliver

2009-06-30T10:50:00.001-07:00

Oliver has very deep blue eyes right now, and I am really hoping they stay that way. I don't mean to brag, but if you get him to look at you he and then move left to right he will track you with his eyes. We need to try to get a video of this as proof.
Here is Oliver in his Amby Bed which is essentially a baby hammock. (www.ambybaby.com) Right now he is sleeping with us at night while I try to put him in the hammock for naps to get him used to the motion.
Getting in the car on the way home from the hospital.
My favorite outfit of his. Sadly, I think it is already too small.
He has MANY knitted hats. I think I brought at least 6 different ones to the hospital.
This one was taking a few hours after his birth.

The Newest Great-Grandchild

2009-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Announcing the birth of Oliver Tristan Fisher! He was born at 5:42 a.m. on June 23rd and weighed in at 8 lbs. 11.2 ounces. After being in labor for over 26 hours, (Oh, the epidural did wonders! I even called and talked on the phone to Grandma Krumwiede during very active labor.) he was finally delivered via c-section. Since his head was pretty pointy he would not descend correctly because he kept turning his head and getting stuck. I pushed in ever position imaginable (to try to get him to come out straight) for over 3 hours with no luck. I was so tired by the end and was actually falling asleep between contractions. During the c-section I was having a bit of pain, so they turned up the epidural thus knocking me out, so my memory of the actual birth is very vague. After 5 days in the hospital we were very happy to be home. Joel went back to work on Monday and Oliver and I have been having a great time together. He is awake for several hours each day, and sleeps really well at night. (I have to wake him up to feed him!) I have yet to hear him fuss if there isn't a reason for it. Since I am recovering for surgery I feel very blessed to have such a peaceful baby. My incision starts to hurt if I've been carrying him around too much, but other then that I am in no pain. Overall my recovery is coming along better then I expected. Usually I feel like I am able to do lots, but I know if I push it too much it will take longer to heal. We picked the name Oliver because of Psalm 128:3, and Tristan is Joel's middle name and it means "bold".

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

you sons will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Psalm 128:3

Fun at Auntie Jodi's

2009-06-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

I sure had fun on Saturday celebrating Auntie Jodi's birthday and Grandma Pam's return to MN!

Thanks, Taylor, for trying to help me enjoy the big kid pool! But I think the baby pool is more my size, at least for now.

Big Winner

2009-06-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Guess who just won $1,000.
And, more surprisingly, they're related to YOU and NOT a Sullivan.

Grandpa and Amanda

2009-06-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Wally spent some fun days here at our place, baking rhubarb desserts (yum!), playing cards (of course!), going for walks, & bonding with Amanda. Of all the above activities, I only have pictures of Wally and Amanda - go figure! ;)

Daddy's Little Apprentice

2009-06-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Amanda loves "helping" Daddy; Daddy is very patient!

Trip to MN and SD

2009-05-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

It was sure great to see so many of you on our way back home through Minneapolis after a friend's wedding in SD. Thanks again, Aunt Alison and Uncle Mark for all the work you did! We had a wonderful time! Once again, my pictures are all backwards in order...

Hannah

A picture of Sam when we pulled in our driveway

The miracle God did on the plane ride home

Chillin' in the hotel room

Todd and Sam at the wedding

Country Church Wedding

Windmills in the middle of nowhere

Visiting with Aunt Alison

Hanging out with Great Grandma

Yummy grilled supper

The Newlyweds

Us at the wedding reception

Braai

2009-05-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a braai (which means barbecue) with all of the orientation people plus some others that were around at the Hands at Work Village. We had Boerwors sausage, mince (which is hamburger) and chicken on the grill. Jed did a great job barbecuing. Everyone brought their own meat and something else. I made a crazy cake, someone had a pasta salad, there was a fruit salad with guavas from off the trees around here, crackers and cheese, and juice to drink. We had a great time. The occasion was a good-by party for Mkhuleko, who had been here for three weeks and was now returning to Swasiland. He had come to learn about accounting for the Community Based Organization there. He was such a nice young man. I have pictures, but Brooke is in Zambia with the laptop, so I can't put them in with this update.
The first week of June, Jed, Brooke and I are going to Swasiland. I will be able to visit Mkhuleko and meet his mother. In order for Mkhuleko to go home, he has to take taxis. He said he will leave about 7 in the morning and ride 7 different taxis for about 12 hours to get home. By car it would take about 5 hours. A taxi is actually a van. They are a form of transportation in Africa. The taxi driver waits until his van is full and then he goes to the next stop. There you get on another taxi and wait for that one to fill up and he drives you to the next stop. You can get all over Africa that way. They really don't have a timetable because you don't know how long it will take for the taxi to fill up. I see them along the road here all the time. In Masoyi there are lots of taxis because the people take them often. So you wouldn't have to wait very long for one to fill up here.
We are done with orientation so next week I will start working with teachers at the centers. On Monday I will be going to Cork. It is a very poor community about 45 minutes away. I am very excited to be able to begin working with kids and teachers. I also hope to be able to help a woman called Bussie. She is the country representative for South Africa and she is very stressed out. I would like to do some things to lighten her load a little. Not sure what I can do, but perhaps God will show me a way.
I have enjoyed talking to my other orientation members about what things are like in their countries. The other members (besides Mkhuleka) are from Zambia, Kenya, United Kingdom, Canada, and one girl whose parents were missionaries in New Guinea most of her life and then they went to the Phillippines. I have been learning about the "bride price" in Africa (about 15 cows), kidney pie in the UK, and all kinds of cultural differences. It's been so interesting and lots of laughs!

South Africa Day 3

2009-05-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

Had an awesome day watching Jed as he started his Junior Achievement group at Masoyi Home Based Care. He had 19 teens, but there were about 70 children there altogether. Some of the others came for the youth program, but most came hoping to get some of the free food. They had a chicken stew like thing, pap (which looks to me like a really thick Cream of Wheat), cold beans, cole slaw and juice. The trainers for Jed's program are in their late teens and early twenties. The kids were very polite and seemed interested. Some of their questions and answers were so interesting. For example, they thought that there were more people in rural areas than in an urban area. They also felt that T-shirts and short pants as well as a dentist were wants rather than needs. That was also true for meat. When you see how and where they live you can begin to see why they think that way. It was fun to watch Jed at work.

Last night we babysat for some Hands at Work volunteers from South Africa. They had three children. One was in bed (the two year old adopted boy). The 2 1/2 year old girl and the 5 year old girl were our responsibility. They had such adorable English accents! Jed and Brooke are great with kids and it was really fun watching them interact with the girls. They are staying in practice with their babysitting skills so Jodi, Kathy and Sandy don't need to worry that they will be out of practice when they return to the States!

Amanda turns one!

2009-04-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 23 - My First Trip to McDonalds

Daddy wanted to take his girl to McDonalds on her first birthday (so much for my "no fast food for this baby"!).

Saturday, April 25 - My First Birthday Party

Opening presents - thanks everyone!

I wasn't very interested in cake until my cousins all started to eat. Thanks for the help guys - yum!

Picnic

2009-04-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of our "picnic a week" time of the year. Todd and I like to meet at a park near his office on whatever day will have the nicest weather spring-fall. Last year, we spent a lot of those lunch hours in the car with the air conditioning running and my swollen feet propped up on the dashboard counting down the final weeks of pregnancy. This year, we're actually getting to play with someone on the playground! It's definitely more fun. Here are some pictures from week #2 of our picnic season...the order got kind of messed up here...the nap was AFTER the fun.

Hannah

29 Weeks

2009-03-31T19:15:00.001-07:00

Everyone keeps asking me to post belly pictures, a.k.a. "How fat are you?" (Hi Aunt Alison), so I thought I would appease the masses before I really get huge. lol In case you don't already know my due date is June 18th and it is a boy. We plan on naming him Oliver Tristan. Tristan is Joel's middle name.

As you can see, I am a bit shocked at my stomach. :)

P.S. It takes a REALLY long time to make a sign if you don't have a Sharpie.

2009-03-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Have collected $975 for Pam's mission trip to see Jed and Brooke in Africa. WooHoo! 6 friends and 4 relatives. Don't worry, there's still time to get your donation in!

At the beach. I don't know why but I don't have any real pictures of Carl.

2009-03-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

Two little ears to look to God

2009-03-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

2009-03-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Gramma gets to see Olivia's first steps

2009-03-27T05:02:00.001-07:00

Visit with Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie Alice

2009-03-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Dad and Alice were sick and we were pretty laid back about using the camera, so these are pretty much all I have from this past weekend. Sam had a lot of fun playing with his grandma, and it was SOOO good to see my parents and Alice. Excuse all the red eye...

Hannah

Another Guessing Game for You All.

2009-03-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

Guess which grandmother was rushed to the Emergency Room after sliding into a HOUSE while sledding with the grandchildren.

Seriously. (I am eliminated as I am not a grandmother!!)

Mark has been home from work for a month. It has come down to color and shape bingo.

2009-03-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

2009-03-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Amanda Joy Walks, Talks, and Hams it Up

2009-03-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

I know we just posted, but the other baby I usually watch is sick and hasn't been here since Monday. So, I actually have a few free moments!

Amanda is now 10 1/2 months old. She jabbers non-stop most days and says Mama, Dada, book, bear, and sometimes picture. She loves Cheerios and hamburgers (homemade by Daddy on the grill, of course, no fast food for this baby). Two of her favorite activities are reading books and pulling things out of drawers. She is such a "ham" sometimes (as you can see by some of the pics) and is now walking everywhere!

New Amanda Pics - Snowy Day

2009-03-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

My First Winter - Amanda Joy - January 2009

Sleepy Sam

2009-03-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

I just adore him!

-Hannah

Picture You Will Love

2009-03-02T11:21:00.000-08:00

Pastor Palmer gave me this picture so I thought I would share.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Pam has purchased her tickets for Africa! We have talked and you know how she is, so I am taking responsibility of organizing a family fundraiser so she can have money to take with her to purchase whatever she needs to make a difference where she is. SO, if you would like to help, just send a check to me at 504 East 38th Street, Hibbing, MN 55746. Pam will be leaving about May 1st, so our deadline will be April 1st. Thanks!

The Scam

2009-02-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...just wondering why Shelly's picture still pops up everywhere, and every month of the year, we're reminded that Charlie's birthday is July 31st...

Two extra

2009-02-15T10:18:00.001-08:00

The county Social Service system is undergoing a lot of changes. When we started Foster Care it seemed the only placements available were teenagers who weren't getting a long at home. Now, 25 years later, they are inundated with young children whose parents have been picked up for one reason or another. When we went to the shelter there were 9 kids running around the livingroom, all under the age of 5. The county is desperate for quality homes. We decided to just give this a try. The placement may last as short as two weeks, as long as six months. It is really different for us - ages 3 and 6, with Dawn almost 8. Charlie is home most days so I think we can make it work. I'm warning the Valine girls, if Charlie calls you during the day it's because he's a stay at home dad now. Funny, the best time of my life was when my own kids were 4-6-8. All this fun and they still pay us $1 per hour per kid! Here they are holding the flowers April sent Dawn for Valentines Day.

Save the Date

2009-02-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

Not that we expect you to come to Buffalo AGAIN, but we thought it would be advantageous to announce the unofficial date (which will be made official at some point when I see him again) for Shannon and my (Alice) wedding - September 26th, 2009. Don't worry; those of you who have already been to Buffalo for weddings multiple times will receive some sort of "yet to be determined" fabulous award, should you choose to attend. We had a hard time picking this date between babies (Naomi and Paul are due on September 19th) and the fact that Shannon's family are all midwestern farmers who can't leave town in October (harvest season). Since we didn't want to wait until November, the 26th of September was our only option.

Shannon will be moving to Colorado in another week and a half to take a job in Boulder. We're really excited about living in the mountains. Hooray for Estes Park being close to Boulder and the fact that there's a family reunion there next year!

More pics for my mom

2009-01-30T12:39:00.001-08:00

Here are some more of the two boys...

Cousins

2009-01-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

Naomi and Jonah have been spending the week here with me and Sam. In retrospect, having 2 6-month-olds on 2 different schedules doesn't allow for much mommy sleep time, but we're having fun. Here are some pictures of Sam wanting everything that Jonah has. I think that this is a glimpse into what our visits together will be like in the future, aka...MINE!

-Hannah

Sam Jumps, Sleeps, Eats Rice Cereal, and Is Adorable

2009-01-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

2009-01-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

Update on PJ

2009-01-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

Ellie has been updating her life on her blog. You can see what PJ is doing on:

http://www.pjandellie.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Ellie is coming to our house on Monday, Jan 12th, to babysit Dawn while Charlie and I spend 4 days in Puerto Vallarta next week. April and Ellie will both be here next weekend. We're going to celebrate PJ's birthday.

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2009-01-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

Olivia in the snow...where she belongs!

2008-12-29T14:33:00.001-08:00

liquor store sighting!!!!!

2008-12-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

One of the infamous Krumwiede sisters was recently sighted doing some last minute Holiday shopping at a local liquor store ... read the choices below and quess who it was!

A. Pam - they ran out of kool-aid at the daycare and the kids were cold.

B. Shelly - too many reasons to list ...

C. Wendy - just kidding, we all know it wasn't her.

D. Tammy - being the good saint, she was reaching out to those in her community and shopping with someone who needed a friend.

E. Alison - Carl's coming home for Christmas!!!!

Please give explanations for your answers ...

Olivia and Jonah Meet

2008-12-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

The McLeods are in town for the holidays, so Tammy met up with Emily and went to Naomi's house. The babies enjoyed meeting each other - true to their mothers' personalities, Olivia smiled and danced and Jonah cried if anyone but his mother tried to hold him.

Historical and Biographical Notes

2008-11-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

At the insistance of Alison, I have re-typed some 13 pages of history that was dated February, 1941, on the top of a document she received at mom's house. It is a history of the Krumwiede family, mostly dealing in the late 1800's. It was Alison's intention to make this available to anyone interested, so here it is. It was difficult to re-type in that the spelling was often wrong, and I hesitated to correct it as the misspellings themselves were part of the character. Anyway, for anyone who is interested, here it is. I am returning the original document to mom.
http://hhsreunion.com/pj/history.htm

PJ Deployed on Nov 16th

2008-11-15T10:37:00.001-08:00

PJ will be spending the next twelve months in Iraq. Know that I am counting on all of you for daily prayers for both PJ and Ellie.
You can contact Ellie directly at eleanorsullivan3@yahoo.com
and PJ is receving email at pjsullivan11@hotmail.com
I know they both would like to hear from you. Just today Ellie received internet access in their home in Germany, and PJ hopes to have access once he settles in Iraq. I will provide his mailing address to you once we have it.

This picture is from Paris where they spent the weekend prior to his deployment.

Sam

2008-11-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

Sam is babbling all the time! I think he's got Krumwiede blood in him!

Hannah

Sam's Baptism

2008-10-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

Hannah, Todd, and Sam, as well as Naomi, Paul, and Jonah, were here visiting us this weekend. We had a very pleasant weekend with them, and enjoyed a trip to the Oles' family farm on Saturday afternoon. Sam was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church this morning. Enjoy the photos!

2008-10

Good job, Mommy!

2008-10-16T05:57:00.000-07:00

Someone's getting bigger (and it's not me for once)!

Hannah

Tie Die for Halloween!

2008-10-10T16:31:00.001-07:00

I got the idea from Tammy who made the shirts with her friend Kyle. We couldn't find orange die so we mixed red and yellow. Had a great afternoon making these. Just tie die the shirt and then draw in the faces with permanent marker.

2008-10-10T05:04:00.001-07:00

Ok well while I am at it..check this out. http://www.myvictoriaonline.com/content/view/980438/145/

I will try this and see if it works

2008-10-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

Emily had the honor of being named "teacher of the week" in Victoria, Texas. They came to her school and had a microphone on her for 2 hours. All for a few minutes of fame. Then she had to go to the studio and receive her award. You can view this at http://www.myvictoriaonline.com/content/view/980709/47/.

She was also named teacher of the month at her school.

like father, like daughter!

2008-09-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

One more cute Sam photo

2008-09-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist adding this one on too...

Sam is Home

2008-09-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...we're finally home! Sam is doing great, and today (2 days after his surgery), he felt well enough to start smiling at us! He is a different baby since the surgery. I can't believe how contented and happy a baby can be. He used to have a pain scream that we heard every day (for long periods at a time!), but it's completely gone now. Here are some pictures from him being in the hospital, as well as the one the nurse took as we all headed home. I love the picture where it looks like he's raising his hand..."can I go home now?" The reason we're smiling in all the pictures is because the surgery is over in all of them. Thank you for all your prayers and support. No baby should have to go through what that child went through, but God helped him get through it (his mommy and daddy too!). We're on our way up now.

-Hannah, Todd, and Sam

Prayer Request

2008-09-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Please keep Hannah, Todd, and Samuel in your prayers. Sam was originally a patient at Hannah and Todd's local hospital, but was transfered yesterday to a larger children's hospital. The muscle between his stomach and intestine is enlarged, causing him to be unable to digest any food. The poor little guy throws up everything he eats. He is currently on an IV for hydration, and will be undergoing surgery to cut the muscle this afternoon. Please pray that Sam would be able to have the surgery soon (there is a rather long list of patients before him), that it would be successful, and that Hannah and Todd would have peace.

Update: Samuel is out of surgery now. He made it through just fine. They're counting the hours to get him through doses of Pedialyte, sugar water, and then finally back to milk. Mom says Sam's penetrating eyes are just saying, "Can we please be done with this now? Can you please just give me some food?" Poor baby. Their tentative time for checking out of the hospital is tomorrow night.

Amanda Joy - 4 1/2 Months

2008-09-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new pictures. Amanda loves chewing on her fingers - and to her way of thinking, two hands are better than one! (The last picture has nothing to do with sucking on her fingers, but I just thought it was so cute that I had to include it.)

Sullivan receives NWA Presidents Award

2008-09-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

I promise this will be the end of this, just thought you might like to read my article. The picture was one professionally done on a four hour photo shoot in Minneapolis. I also received three positive space airline tickets and a $2500 vacation package from MLT Tours. On October 2nd, Charlie and I are going to Atlanta, Georgia, to be introduced at the Annual Delta Awards Banquet.

Sullivan receives NWA Presidents Award
Reservations Sales Agent Shelly Sullivan from the Iron Range Reservations Center in Chisholm is the recipient of the 2007 Northwest Airlines President's Award.
This prestigious award is presented annually to honor the "best of the best," Northwest people who have made truly outstanding contributions toward running a great airline, putting the customer first and securing our future. Sullivan is the first to receive this award from the Chisholm office.
Sullivan started her career with Northwest Airlines as a reservations sales agent in 1996 when the Iron Range Reservations Center opened in Chisholm. She achieves outstanding performance metros and frequently trains and mentors her co-workers - often on job functions for which she has, quite literally, written the book. She frequently receives praise from Northwest customers, and has assumed the role as primary luggage trainer for the office, developing call flows and modeling how luggage related calls can be handled most effectively.
Sullivan supports her colleagues in initiatives such as "Children's Clothing Exchanges," honoring those with family members in the military, has been a member on the Relay for Life team for nine years, is active in recruitment and has a leadership role in the Work Environment Committee. She also invests her time in the community, benefiting those in greatest need. In addition to raising her own children, Shelly and her husband have also helped raise 75 foster children. Her contributions to Northwest, her colleagues and the community, have made a significant and far reaching impact.
President's Award recipients are highlighted in Northwest's Annual Report and the Recognition publication in Passages. In addition, award recipients were honored at the Employee Recognition banquet held in June, which Shelly attended along with her husband and three children.

Thomas Leland Valine

2008-09-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

I realize this is a little late, but that doesn't make it any less important!

Introducing Thomas Leland Valine, born August 21st, 2008 at 6:12 A.M. weighing 7 lbs., 4 1/2 oz.

- Alice

Telling or Displaying the Gospel

2008-09-04T01:55:00.000-07:00

Back in February this year Brooke and I were able to attend the South African Missionsfest held in a massive Dutch Reformed Church just outside Pretoria, SA. The founder and CEO of our NGO Hands at Work was a speaker there. It was an amazing opportunity to hear him speak to the church. He was also asked to contribute an article for the program guide. The following is that article.

"He has told you, ow man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Earlier this year I was working close to the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border when I met Tamara. She was not home at first, and while we waited for her, curious neighbors began to gather around us. Eventually a young girl, out of breath and sweating profusely, came walking up to us. I could see her surprise at finding a white man sitting in front of her humble little house. I could also see immediately she was sick, and it didn't take me long to guess at the cause. I have seen too many young girls dying of AIDS. She was eighteen years old.

Our conversation began with this and that (the real African way). Many in the community knew Tamara and her difficult history. Tamara was an illegal immigrant in Mozambique. She and her parents had fled from Zimbabwe to Mozambique, and she ended up being the only survivor. As I listened, I could not believe this was happening to a child of eighteen: a refugee in a foreign country, dying, slowly, without a single person caring for her.

I looked at this smiling girl, and I thought to myself, "the worst is yet to come for you, young girl." So I asked her, "If I could take one problem from your life, what would it be?" Immediately, she wept. But she pulled herself together, and her quiet answer surprised me. "Please, please," she said, "find me another house to stay in." The request seemed strange, but slowly she shared more, and I came to understand that though this little home was clean, she was being abused daily by the others in that place. Listening to her story hurt badly. I couldn't sleep that night, thinking of the pain Tamara had gone through alone. I wrestled with my faith. As a Christian, I was embarrassed to think of all the churches within walking distance of Tamara.

Feeling very vulnerable myself, I prayed that night. "O God," I said, "Please don't come back yet...we have not displayed Your Son. We have failed you! I have failed you! I know we failed Tamara and her community. Today the whole community watched us, what an opportunity it was to display your beloved Son!"

When I think of that night now, my mind wanders also to the old grandmother I met in Malawi late one afternoon as she returned from the fields with a baby on her back. I was with a group of local pastors speaking to these grannies. It went well, I thought. Until I asked the question that ripped the air open. "Tell me about the Church," I asked. Immediately, the old granny stood and, softly, said a single word: "useless."

I responded with surprise. "Why would you say that of the Church?" I asked. And I still remember the voice in which she answered, such a shaky voice, yet somehow firm. She pointed to the pastors, but spoke to us all. "All they will do is come to us, carrying their Bibles, saying, 'If you don't pray and read your Bible, you will to to hell.' We can't go to hell! We are already in hell!" We left that day in silence. "Oh Jesus," I thought to myself, "Have mercy on us." I was awake for another night of wrestling.

Four years earlier I had sat with five thousand others at the African AIDS Conference in Dar es Salaam listening to international statesmen speaking on the AIDS pandemic. Each of them, without exception, including Peter Piot and the UN's Stephen Lewis, spoke the same message to the Church: "You are the agent able to save Africa from this. People look up to you. Tell them to care for the dying, for the orphans. Tell them not to judge the infected."

Sitting in that crowd, tears rolled unashamedly down my cheeks. The World was standing on an international stage pleading, begging us to simply practice what we preach. Thinking of Jesus with the leprosy-filled man, with the tax collector, the adulterous woman, the criminal on the cross, I wondered how we got this far from the truth?

When I think about the work of the church, I can't help but think also about Tamara, about the old grandmother. What will it take for us to have true revelation of the Father's heart? God's throne is built upon Righteousness and Justice. Righteousness is our relationship with God, and the work of this was done by Jesus who brought us our salvation. Justice is our relationship with our neighbors, and this is where we show the world that we understand the grace Jesus had on us, that while we were still sinners, He died for us. Only if we truly understand and make this truth our own can we live lives of justice. As Isaiah the prophet call it: "Spending yourself on behalf of the poor."

The first step of love is wanting for others exactly what you want for yourself. I have come to the conclusion that it is easy to tell others about Jesus' love, but much harder to display that love to our neighbors. Yet it is what we must do.

Hands at work in Africa is striving to reach 100 000 orphans and vulnerable children by 2010 through our community-based projects across southern Africa. We believe that each vulnerable child is God's child, and as part of the body that makes the vulnerable child our responsibility.

George Snyman

Hands at Work in Africa

It's A Boy!

2008-08-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Announcing the birth of Jonah Paul on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 3:45 A.M.

7 lbs., 9 oz.

Dedication Sunday

2008-08-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

Amanda was dedicated to Jesus on Sunday, August 17, 2008. (3 months, 3 weeks old). We love the look passing between Amanda and Pastor Jim. She is really trying to figure this whole thing out. (If you click on the picture, you can see her expression up close.)

Amanda and Momma before dedication

Amanda being prayed over by Pastor Jim Anderson and Mommy & Daddy

Amanda in her new frilly dress

Thanks to everyone who came to help celebrate Amanda's special day!

Samuel Todd

2008-08-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

He's here! After a complication that kept me in the hospital longer and is making me anemic for a month, we're finally getting to enjoy our little munchkin. And, no...we did not name him after pizza.

-Hannah and Todd

Another great Independence Day celebration

2008-07-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

Wendy it was so much fun seeing your pictures. Shelly S is helping me post mine. (I'm driving her crazy) But we had our whole family together and Mom too. Some members of our family ran in a race. Matt, Carl and Emily ran the 10k and Mark,Matt, Lisa, Cameron and Parker ran 2 miles. Parker was the winner of the 2 mile race. Lisa was concerned about him running by himself but she couldn't catch up to him. Olivia saw Minnesota for the first time and loved it. She can't wait to come back again. If I can figure how to add the pictures I will add one with the racers in it.

Note from Shelly: I finally kicked her out of the chair and took over.

Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In

2008-07-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

I was going through some old videos tonight, and came across this one. I thought that you all would enjoy seeing Naomi's fabulous harmonica skills and Carl's improvisational skills.

Hershey Kisses to Hannah and Todd

2008-07-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

In our quest to visit all of our nieces and nephews, this month we were the guests of Hannah and Todd Huber. They were excellent!

We discovered for ourselves that Hannah is not big enough to have a baby yet!

Their home is in a delightful little town (and I do mean little) in the heart of Pennsylvania.

Charlie and I both decided we could live there in a heartbeat. The area is just beautiful! We had a wonderful supper prepared by Hannah, spent a lot of time visiting and watching Dawn swim in their town pool.

Here's Hannah and Dawn as we head for Hershey!

We all LOVED Hershey, PA! Fortunately, I was up to the task of eating a ton of chocolate. Charlie, however, had about 2 candies and was full.

We highly recommend you all visit Hannah and Todd. The accommodations are great, food is wonderful and conversation delightful.

It's definitely time for Todd to have someone around all the time to play with. He'll make a great dad.

Valine Grandchildren #2,3,and 4.

2008-07-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

In response to the pressure from Alison, I am posting the latest pictures of my daughters. The minute these photos go up, I will get pressure from my daughters who will want to know why I did it. I think pregnant women are beautiful, so I think they all look great. FYI, the pictures are in order of the anticipated arrival. Here is "Baby Boy Huber".

Here is Thomas Valine. My favorite picture of Emma's belly is not her favorite, so I chose to post this less revealing photo. What a great mother-in-law!

Here is the "Gender unknown Baby Marks". Why anyone would have a gender unknown child in today's world is beyond me! It has given Paul and I something to banter about for seven and a half months now. FYI, I am a great mother-in-law here, also, because they have left the sealed envelope with the child's gender written inside lying in plain view on the desk in the living room ever since they got it. I have not peeked, steamed, held up to the light, or out and out stolen the envelope! I have been tempted to do all of the above, but I have refrained. What I have done, however, is buy this gender unknown child several dresses. Couldn't help myself!

Expected arrival dates are between August 2 and September 2. It will certainly be a month for the Valine family history book!

4th of July Week

2008-07-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Stricker family had a memorable get-together the week of July 4th. With the exception of Beth and her family, everyone else was present. What fun it was to be together! Here are a few highlights:

Aimee's family met us in eastern Wisconsin where Aunt Priscilla(David's sister) met a new grandniece.

Science teacher, Uncle Brian, helped the big

kids make a tornado in a bottle while the little

ones busied themselves playing in water.

David and Brian walked 23 miles from our house in Red Wing to Kaya and Joe's house in Cannon Falls. It took 9 1/2 hours from 5:00 AM. to 2:30 PM. We all met at Kaya's house and cheered them across the finish line.

Afterwards we walked to a nearby park to celebrate with a picnic lunch.

Note the victory medal around David's neck. It was bestowed on him at the finish line. Brian got one too.

David, Brian and Kevin took in a Twins game and brought home a win.

Philip installed sound on my computer!

Along with parade(Those of us who didn't attend the parade saw highlights which Philip video taped for IdaMae), fireworks(IdaMae's reaction after the first firework went off was,"Pop! More, more!" as she signed the word "more"), and a traditional July 4th cookout, the whole week was a great celebration!

Amanda Joy Heubner

2008-07-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Introducing Amanda Joy Heubner - born on April 23, 2008 @ 3:16 pm - 7 lbs, 11 oz.

Amanda means "she who must be loved" - and that sure is true! She's been a huge hit throughout our whole church and with all of our friends. And, of course, Mommy and Daddy are smitten!

Her middle name, Joy, is true as well. She smiles and coos and "talks" up a storm! She brings her mommy and daddy lots of joy.

She is now just over 2 months old. She is alert and active - and even rolled over this week!

With all the changes in our lives: Jacob's new job as a technology consultant, miss Amanda Joy's arrival, and Sandy's new role as a stay-at-home mom, as well as all the things we are still involved in, life continues to be very busy. We've had lots of visits by relatives and friends and are truly enjoying being parents for the first time. Thanks again to everyone for all your prayers, thoughts, gifts, and blessings!

Portia in the Parade

2008-06-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

You cannot imagine what a hit Jimmer's dog was in the Mines and Pines Hibbing parade. At least 500 pictures were taken, many with picture cell phones. Dawn walked Portia with the Northwest Airlines float. Jim is home for the weekend for the street dance festivities. It is great to have him home! And Dawn is thrilled with Portia.

For the curious - only non sweetened Kool-aid, and we heard this was illegal in California.

Father Ryan Moravitz

2008-06-28T16:58:00.001-07:00

Father Ryan Moravitz was ordained in Duluth on Friday, June 20th. PJ and Ellie drove up for the ceremony. Over 500 people attended, busses arrived from Ely, Babbitt, and Brainard. Ryan wore vestments that were worn by the Pope on the final day of the World Youth Rally held in Denver a few years back. About fifty priests were at the ceremony, one from Rome and one from Belgium. The following morning a Thanksgiving ceremony was held in Ely, followed by lunch and a polka dance. It was truly something to see! Ryan is probably the best thing that has happened to the Catholic Church since Shelly changed catholic.

Misc. Pictures

2008-06-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! How's your summer going? I thought I'd put up a couple pictures to show you. The first one is from when Alison, Mark, and my parents spent the night at our house on their way to Rhode Island and Carl's graduation. The second picture is from the few days that Todd and I spent at the beach with his family last week.

Everything is going great around here. It's been really busy! We're getting closer to being done unpacking, and we almost have everything ready for the baby. Childbirth classes start next week! Talk to you all soon!

Hannah

California Fun in the Sun

2008-05-18T10:23:00.001-07:00

California Girls

April, Shelly and 14 year old Zak took a typical Sullivan Trip and ended up in Los Angeles for 30 hours. Here's Martha and April showing their 'class' in the back of our rented convertible. Martha and Joel are absolutely EXCELLENT hosts and we give their place a ***** (5 star) rating. Highlights had to be the Santa Monica Beach and visiting with Martha and Joel.

April tried her new skills at navigation (we give her a ***). Spent 20 minutes in LA Rush Hour traffic heading in the wrong direction! Corrected by Martha who realized the sun set in the WEST and that her house is EAST (another example of high quality home schooling).

Here's the newlyweds and Zak baking in the sun. Perfect weather, great food, wonderful conversation. It was just the perfect trip!

Our Thanks to Martha and Joel! We highly recommend you all visit them soon! I know we're planning on going back at least once a month. (ok, maybe twice a year). We still have a few more nieces to visit. (you can take that as a warning).

Update on My Life

2008-05-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've posted on the Krumwiede blog, and since I'm the administrator, I guess I shouldn't let that happen. I didn't even make it possible for everyone to make fun of each other a few months ago, since hardly anyone posted before the deadline. But, I thought that I'd post a little update on what's happening in my life.

I'm spending the spring/most of the summer in Souderton, Pennsylvania. As you may recall, Hannah spent the summer here two years ago, and Martha did last year. The Joni and Friends Greater Philadelphia office is located here. This office, along with the Lancaster, PA office, holds several weeks of family retreats for families affected by disabilities in the summer. Right now, I am doing a lot of office work and organization (mostly working with the online registration system, making sure all of the volunteers are registered). As we get closer to retreats starting, I will get to play with Power Points, nametags, and lots of other fun stuff.

I volunteer there Monday through Friday, and then I spend the weekends with a family I have known from camp for several years. They have two older girls (ages fifteen and twelve) and twin eight-year-old girls with disabilities. I enjoy my time with them, even though it is tiring. It's great to be here, though, and I'm discovering the things I need to keep from being lonely or sad--mainly time to work out at the YMCA and good food.

I am looking foward to some "vacations" later on this month. Memorial Day weekend I am going to Lancaster, PA to visit another family from camp. The following weekend, I am going on a young adult retreat with the church I have been attending. After camp (which ends on the Fourth of July), I will be going home. I have a camping trip planned then with some friends, which I am really looking foward to. In August, I attend one more week of family retreats before returning to Souderton. The twins are having knee surgery, so I will be here for a few weeks helping them before flying down to San Antonio to be with Sebastian when Micah and Emma have their baby.

So, that's my summer. I'm learning all sorts of things, enjoying this chance to draw closer to God, and having a rich and meaningful time of life.

Me working in my office Jerry and Joan, the couple that I am living and working with
The coffee shop at the church that I go to on Wedesday nights.
Candace and Ciara, the twins
Candace and I

My First Post Is To Say "Happy Birthday"

2008-05-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well, on this auspicious occasion of my first post to the Krumwiede family blog, I would like to say Happy Birthday to my dear sister Wendy. I hope you do something fun today! For those of you whose minds don't take you there, this is also the birthday of Grandma Behrens. I think she would be about 110 by now. She was a great grandma, wasn't she? How nice of mother to have a child on her mother's birthday. This is also May Day. Did any of you put flowers in a cone on your neighbor's doorstep? I recently found directions for how to wind a May Day pole. I wish we were together because I would make you all do it. It requires 20 participants. I only need to add a husband for Alice and four more grandchildren before I can force my family to do it. Anyway, thank you Wendy for you help to post.

"Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you.....Happy Birthday dear Wendy....Happy Birthday to you."

Tammy

Comments

2008-04-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

After owning my computer for 8 months I finally figured out how to find the Krumwiede Family Blog. It has taken me another week to learn how to put a comment on the Blog. So, I won't go back and add my comments to everything that I have missed commenting on in the past except to say that the picture of IdaMae playing bocce ball was adorable. Also, I am very impressed with the newest blog addition, Olivia Mae. She is just captivating! What a beautiful little girl! However, I think she may have intimidated Jake and Sandy since they haven't posted a picture of their new baby even though she was born almost a week ago. But maybe they're just letting Olivia have her day in the sun before they outshine her.(If that's even possible!) Or perhaps they're just too busy taking care of their new arrival to worry about Family Blogs and the fact that some of us don't even know her name yet. I'm sure we will eventually get to see her. No offense, Jake and Sandy! I hope you are enjoying parenthood and it only gets better. God bless your family! -Wendy

2008-03-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

Olivia Mae McLeod ... Born Feb. 23, 2008 ... 6 lbs. 10 oz. ... 18 1/2 in. long

2008-02-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

Florida Vacation

2008-02-09T08:44:00.001-08:00

A rather short vacation, just two days in Florida, but we enjoyed 85 degree weather. Zak (13) met his dad for the first time ever! We spent one day at the ocean and the other day at Sea World. Great Fun!

January Sports

2008-02-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

With all these photos of babies on the way, I just thought I'd post a photo to show everyone how to properly train a Krumwiede grandchild: teach them how to play bocce ball before they turn one! *grin* Of course, bocce ball in January might be difficult for you northern people. You might lose your jack ball in the snow! -Aimee

3 months worth

2008-02-05T07:11:00.001-08:00

Ok, so it's not much, but it's more than I had! And don't worry Uncle Charlie, I'm talking to the child about making an appearance on your birthday.

Pregnant (Fat) Pictures of Emily

2008-02-02T20:29:00.001-08:00

Pam's Grant

2008-01-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

I see no one has put anything new on the blog in accordance with Alice's directions, so me, being the obedient one, will be first, even though I have nothing special to report. Although Wally and I are going on vacation to Azizona to visit Mom for 9 days which I think is our longest vacation ever. Wally said just this morning he is so excited he can hardly stand it! That's a first for him, I think. We are flying out on Thursday, and even though Mom says it's only in the 60's there it's sure going to beat the -50 degrees we've had here for the last 2 days.
The other news is that I now have a life coach. A life coach is someone who is hired to help you get your act together. Her name is Jessie Schunk and I got her because of a grant that I wrote and got. My first grant! It was for $3500. I am quite proud of myself that I was able to get one, but I guess the grant people could see that I obviously needed help, so maybe it's not such a good thing. Anyway, I got it for the daycare to help me develop my leadership skills, my organizational skills and my time management skills. I meet with her on the phone once a week and she gives me assignments that will help me organize the daycare office and get more bossy with my staff members. The grant also provides for helping write a mission statement with the staff and for $1000 for playground equipment. In order to get the grant, I have to take a class from Child Care Resources and Referral called "Developing Your Leadership Potential" that meets online every Tuesday night from 8:00-8:45 P.M. for six weeks. It better be good because I have to miss American Idol to take it. So by the time all this is over, I should be an extremely organized, well functioning person. You may not recognize me the next time you see me!

Christmas Decorating

2007-12-01T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hannah here...

Thanks to Emma's grandma, I didn't have to throw away the second batch of cutout cookies I was trying to make as a side to the sorbet we're having with company tonight. Note: recipes can't be turned in to lactose-free recipes unless specified. Margarine is NOT the same as butter!I promised her a picture, as well as a picture of our Christmas tree that we went out to get today.

Not much else is new around here. We've been really busy lately. I'm going to hate leaving the apartment now that the tree is up.

Other random note: We live in a great state for getting Christmas trees. We go to this place that even has a hay ride for people to take their kids on to go out and chop their own. Someday we'll do that, but for now, we're all about the pre-cut.

The Next Generation

2007-11-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

We told both girls they were not big enough for this kind of picture, but Alison insisted. They both look GREAT! How exciting!

- Posted by Shelly.

Sullivans Report on Hawkinson Hunting Lodge

2007-11-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, Uncle Mark purchased a Finlander Estate 30 miles north of Hibbing. On the property are 10 buildings including a sauna, bunk house (main lodge), trailer house, well house, mini barn (doll house), tool shed and other buildings that we just can't come up with a name for.

Hunting party consists of: Mark Hawkinson, Andy Heim and Mark Hawkinson.

First deer was shot on the Hawkinson property using Grandpa Krumwiede's gun. This was the first deer this particular gun has ever shot, oddly enough, within the first hour of hunting.

Main Lodge

Mark, inside of Main Lodge complete with heat, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, bunk beds, table, chairs, and futon. All the comforts of home including running water (except you have to "run" for the water). (Uncle Charlie's joke.)

We will admit that the land is beautiful!

Hello from the Sullivans

2007-11-10T10:00:00.001-08:00

Here's the REALLY BIG NEWS from the Sullivan House. The above ticket is a scan of the actual Viking Ticket sold on October 28th for that game. Someone recognized PJ and Jim and gave us a copy. At the Sullivan house, LIFE DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS! The picture is reported to have appeared on a Vikings Program also.

Dawn is busy, started Tennis and Basketball and also Daisy's (the first step to Girl Scouts). Charlie made a 'tennis room' in the basement for her and I sewed 7 little Daisy aprons (the uniform) for her troop. Nothing has changed.

Jim was home for a week looking for a job. While he was gone they colored his dog green with unsweetened Kool aid. Jim is now a lawyer, his swearing in ceremony took place a couple of weeks ago. But he has a green dog. Nothing has changed.

PJ is at West Point with Ellie this weekend going to a wedding. Most of his friends will be there, one is still in Iraq. PJ and Ellie are doing great.

April still loves her job and everybody loves her. She went with us to the Broadway play, The Lion King last weekend.

*** CAMP GRANDMA PICTURES ***

Here's everyone on our way to the Park. We had a really wonderful day. There was a craft project, music, a play, lunch, snack, no nap except for Aunt Shelly who was the only one there without any real grandchildren so she thought it would be ok to take a little break from all of the excitement.

I don't really qualify as a grandma because I'm not old enough yet, but here is my picture with the other grandmothers.

Words

2007-10-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

The following pictures are of what's going on around here...BEAUTIFUL fall leaves on the mountains, and our obsession with canned applesauce. We spent TEN HOURS canning 2 bushels of apples on Saturday, and we ended up with 35 quarts. We had to make enough for ourselves, a few Christmas presents, and to give to Naomi, since she canned 10 jars of salsa for us. I particularly like the non-staged picture of Todd working. Notice the hot mitt in his back pocket. He was more into it than I was. :-) The blanket picture is to benefit my sisters. I wanted to show them what the blanket I just finished making looks like. I hope you're all having a great day! Talk to you soon.

Hannah and Todd

P.S. Our apartment is usually spotless, so I put the picture of me sewing during our canning day in there to remind me what our apartment CAN look like if I'm not daily obsessed. This is not normal.

More...

2007-10-23T06:54:00.001-07:00

Pictures from Pennsylvania

2007-10-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings From Africa

2007-10-16T07:21:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd post a quick little note from Brooke and me. Things are going well here in South Africa. We are working with an organization called Hands at Work (check out their web page www.handsatwork.org). They do work in 7 different countries and are also spread out throughout all of South Africa. They are a Faith Based Organization (FBO) and they are doing amazing work. Being here is definitely an answer to our prayers. Many of you know Brooke and I applied to the Peace Corps and waited for almost 2 years before we got our assignment. During our waiting time we had thought maybe God was calling us to do something else. We looked at several different missions trips, but none of them felt right. We wanted to live in a community and stay for an extended period of time without having to spend our own money to get there and live there. We wanted a two year experience like the Peace Corps, but wanted it to be like a mission trip. Well it just goes to show that God has his own timing. We could not have picked a better organization to be with had we picked it ourselves. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers. Please continue to pray for us as we are here. If you have a chance check out our blog at heubner.blogspot.com. Hope all is well back in the states, and feel free to come and visit!

Love,

Jed

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

2007-07-31T19:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!
--Sweet Pea

Charlie, Happy birthday from the Texas Valines! --Micah, Emma, & Sebastian

Happy 54th Birthday Uncle Charlie! (Uncle Steve, not quite as old as you!)

Dear Uncle Charlie,

Happy birthday! It's too bad we are not getting to celebrate birthday
week with you as in years past, but hopefully you are doing something
really fun to make up for the fact of not being with us. Ha ha.

Love,
Naomi

Happy birthday dad! The older you get the older it makes me...I'm not sure
how I feel about that! But you might as well enjoy getting closer to being
a COG-I still don't think you're old enough to qualify
--April Sullivan

Charlie: It itsn't enough that the entire church softball group has to sing birthday greetings to you, now you get e-mail greetings too! You must be pretty popular!! Hope your day was especially happy. Have a piece of licorice for us. Love, Pam and Wally

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE CHARLIE!!!!
It was great talking to you on the phone this past weekend, and we're looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks! Party hard!

Love,
Hannah and Todd

Happy Birthday Uncle Charlie - happy to save your life so that you can enjoy
another birthday celebration!

Josh