tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86680286873548454072024-03-13T22:31:04.773-07:00Klicka ChroniclesThe Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-79892075756532925852010-02-23T09:46:00.000-08:002010-02-23T11:22:57.508-08:00Tracy to Speak at Mom Heart Conference, March 12-13, 2010<strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">Come and Be Refreshed!</span></strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Next month, I'll be giving a workshop at the <strong>Mom Heart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFih1S3ch-UaDvfQzW8cjBdC0b0l_r0aMUCqJBHz7Tl24xvbyqF67JI5pBjVdA6eFZx9DZ0tBTWKxMviDNkloTn4-J5djZkAxdEWvzHtwAsx58xuN5eyplRl1qQb3AcG-6V5AAZMeBXWk/s1600-h/head+%26+shoulders,+hslda.jpg"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441515555545589186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFih1S3ch-UaDvfQzW8cjBdC0b0l_r0aMUCqJBHz7Tl24xvbyqF67JI5pBjVdA6eFZx9DZ0tBTWKxMviDNkloTn4-J5djZkAxdEWvzHtwAsx58xuN5eyplRl1qQb3AcG-6V5AAZMeBXWk/s400/head+%26+shoulders,+hslda.jpg" /></span></strong></a> Conference</strong>, sponsored by Sally Clarkson and Whole Heart Ministries. The conference will be taking place on March 12-13 in Raleigh, NC.</span></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The weekend promises to be a wonderful time for fellowship, refreshing, and renewing in your calling as mothers!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">In my talk, <em>My Times are in Your Hands</em>, I'll be encouraging moms with thoughts about about how our lives are truly in our heavenly Father's very loving and all-wise hands. There is no safer place to be than in His care! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Plus, I'll be sharing stories from my 25+ years of marriage with Chris and how God gave us His grace every step of the way, including God's plan for Chris to live with debilitating MS for 15 years and His ultimate call to bring Chris Home on October 12, 2009.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> </div></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><div></div><div></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Chris's book, just being released next month, entitled <em>Power Perfected in Weakness: The Journal of Christopher J. Klicka</em> will also be available for sale for the first time at the conference. For more information about his book, which chronicles his journey the last few with his MS as well as the last three weeks of his life, see <a href="http://www.powerperfectedinweakness.com/"><strong>Power Perfected in Weakness</strong></a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For more information and to register for the conference, see <strong><a href="http://www.wholeheart.org/whcalendaritem.php?eventid=35">Mom Heart Raleigh Conference</a>.</strong> <div></span></div><br /><br /><div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-28409104406628888162009-09-30T16:10:00.000-07:002009-09-30T19:23:43.516-07:00Ways to Give to the Klicka FamilyThe Klickas have been overwhelmed by the many expressions of love and care they have received. Thank you again for your prayers to a faithful Creator on their behalf. Some of you have also asked how to help the Klickas, financially and otherwise. As a result, we have two direct avenues of giving to the Klicka family that you can consider utilizing, and a third avenue of tax-deductible giving to the Klickas' church and its benevolence program:<br /><br /><strong>1. As usual, direct gifts and donations for the family may be sent to their home address at the following address:</strong><br /><br />6779 Riley Rd.<br />Warreton, VA 20187<br /><br /><strong>2. Corey Cheney generously established an account for the Klicka family through which you may electronically donate funds:</strong><br /><br /><div>Please read the below instructions before donating.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=marketing_us/send_money" target="_blank">Click here</a> to send a donation to the Klickas<br /></div><div><br /><div><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1</i></b><i>. After clicking the above link a new page will open that has a "To" & "From" E-mail field & a box for you to enter in the amount you would like to donate. (In the "To" field put this E-mail address: tracy.klicka@gmail.com)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2</i></b><i>. Click the "Personal" button right under the "Amount" box, then select the "Gift" option, then click "Continue".<br /><br /></i></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3</i></b><i>. On the next page you will be asked if you already have a Pay-Pal account. If you do, sign in. If you do not have an account, click "Sign-up"<br /><br /></i></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>4</i></b><i>. After you sign-in to your Pay-Pal account, you will see the checkout page. Just make sure everything is correct & add your personal note to the Klicka family!<br /><br /></i></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>5</i></b><i>. Click "Send Money" & the donation will be sent!</i></div><div><br /><strong>3. Finally, tax deductible gifts to their church's benevolence fund may be sent to:</strong><br /><br />Grace Community Church<br />Benevolence Fund<br />19420 Golf Vista Plaza, Suite 220<br />Lansdowne, VA 20176<br /><br />Thank you so much and may God bless you.<br /><br />Tito Mercado<br />Pastor, Grace Community Church</div></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-81304256329869089042009-07-20T13:49:00.000-07:002009-07-20T15:24:56.051-07:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>Chris to Receive HBOT Treatment</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ffffff;"><strong><em>at Miracle Mountain, NC</em></strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>July 19-August 10, 2009</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><p></p><p>We would like to invite all our friends and family to join us in praying for Chris while he is at Miracle Mountain in North Carolina for three weeks receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment. </p><div align="left"></div><p>As some of you may already know, Chris was in a car accident (hit-and-run) last December, which set off a whole series of new and debilitating MS symptoms. In March, Chris tried prednisone therapy, which not only did not help him, but made things much worse. He just hasn't recovered from these incidents except in very small degrees. </p><p>Thus the interest in trying Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. At the last minute, he was able to get an opening at the clinic. We are praying this treatment will be successful in helping stop the progression of the MS and perhaps restore some of what he has lost.</p><p>If you are interested in finding out more about his treatment, as well as be kept apprised of prayer needs & praise reports, you can visit Chris' health blog through Caring Bridge website:</p><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisklicka">www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisklicka</a> </div><br /><p>Thank you for your friendship and your prayers!<br /></p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-65700063802570672172009-05-27T12:14:00.000-07:002009-05-27T13:01:21.436-07:00Thoughts from Talk at FPEA--"When Jesus Waits...What Can We Learn From His Silence?"My secret desire in speaking at homeschool conventions is to be able to get up and share the secret of my "success", or give the talk that starts with "How to...". That certainly didn't happen this past weekend in Florida. Rather, I distinctly felt God tugging on my heart by His Spirit, to speak openly and honestly about some of our challenges, so great at times, it really does seem that Jesus is silent.<br /><br />Luke 24 reminds us, though, that while Jesus' death prevailed in the minds of His followers and He was kept from being recognized by them on the road to Emmaus, it didn't change the reality that Jesus was right there with them. He had triumphed over the grave, and at just the right moment, He chose to reveal Himself to His followers as the risen, victorious Lord.<br /><br />Over the years, the Lord has had a different plan for me when speaking to homeschoolers at the state conventions I've been at. Instead of showing homeschooling moms how to do it all, He's asked me to be a model of brokenness and dependency on Him.<br /><br />This is a good place to be, mind you, for I firmly believe that God receives glory when we make much of Him, rather than much of ourselves. His trustworthiness is so great that I can't help but glory in Him. That doesn't mean, however, that the path He leads us on is going to be easy. Rather, He often chooses to build our trust in His trustworthiness by letting us feel our inadequacy, our need, our desperation for His help and sustaining power at times to show us just how much He truly can be depended upon.<br /><br />I would rather be tossed about in a small boat in the midst of a storm if Jesus is with me there, than bask in the summer sunshine by the side of a refreshing pool on my recliner while sipping cold lemonade.<br /><br />That takes courage for me to say, because there are days when I say, "O Lord, I sure would love the latter right about now." Help me not to believe for a single moment that there is any better place to be than with You--Your love, Your grace, Your presence mean more to me than ANY other place without You!The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-74872855084688940612009-05-19T18:28:00.000-07:002009-05-19T19:08:36.833-07:00Tracy to Speak at the FPEA Convention, May 22-23, 2009<span style="font-family:verdana;">In conjunction with doing two workshops on parenting teens, I put together a list of recommended reading for parents to assist them in this high calling from the Lord.<br /><br />Our primary goal as parents of teens isn't to control outward behavior, but to draw out the hearts of our young people and help them see God's standards and where they may have strayed; to encourage them to follow His Word and ways, and to affirm expressions of genuine faith and trust in the Lord.<br /><br />When we take the time to listen well, ask good questions, and pursue our children out of our love for them, they will be more inclined to hear what we have to say as we point them to God's Word.<br /><br />There are some really excellent books that can help us with this task. Below are a few we highly recommend:<br /><br />1. <em>Age of Opportunity</em>, Paul David Tripp<br />2. <em>Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free</em>, Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh<br />3. <em>The Five Love Languages of Teenagers</em>, Gary Chapman<br />4. <em>Preparing for Adolescence</em>, Dr. James Dobson<br />5. <em>Discover Your Children's Gifts</em>, Don and Katie Fortune<br />6. <em>Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, </em>Paul David Tripp<br />7. <em>Not Even a Hint, </em>Joshua Harris<br />8. <em>The Ministry of Motherhood</em>, Sally Clarkson<br />9. <em>Speaking Truth in Love</em>,<em> </em>David Powlison<br />10. <em>I Kissed Dating Good-bye</em>, Joshua Harris<br />11. <em>Girl Talk--Mother/Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood</em>, Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Mahaney Whitacre<br /><em>12. Relationships, A Mess Worth Making</em>, Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp<br />13. <em>Idols of the Heart, Learning to Long for God Alone</em>, Elyse Fitzpatrick<br />14. <em>Worldliness, Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World</em>, edited by C.J. Mahaney<br />15. <em>Don't Waste Your Life</em>, John Piper<br /><br />We believe all of the above books are not only relevant to raising teens, but offer sound biblical wisdom and insight into the power of the gospel to transform our hearts and sustain us as believers to run the race of faith in a way that brings glory to God! God bless you!</span>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-10799905209361545252008-12-19T10:58:00.000-08:002008-12-22T16:24:13.584-08:00Updates on Our Family, Episode Three--Our First Wedding!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJv7xC4erRog_ow8nT6Bz1bA-5dyCZWkIa2QvpLxXMdqcfDfJ5dNoJeW4FFwyAswj_zWmUeoVvMC0uM2diRQdNXR2s614LMRVZUSLi_Oil39a10P5mFsdiRWOkKivqhHLEYYKkeivtkA/s1600-h/Ben+%26+Bethany--close-up.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281624609524952642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJv7xC4erRog_ow8nT6Bz1bA-5dyCZWkIa2QvpLxXMdqcfDfJ5dNoJeW4FFwyAswj_zWmUeoVvMC0uM2diRQdNXR2s614LMRVZUSLi_Oil39a10P5mFsdiRWOkKivqhHLEYYKkeivtkA/s200/Ben+%26+Bethany--close-up.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Bethany & Ben </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Arnold-Bik, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">August 30, 2008</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It was one of the best days of our lives...the years of praying for God to bring His perfect mate for your child, and seeing it come to pass. God is so good!!!<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281631894113094786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNefklB3DvmjNA4xusUW75oz4blou4uRJFcbYq5wy5_fAIiWZ8rOaiZ9dxQvh15eBGGBvLwQLV_K-0I9mlr42ylaE75FCdaaOYEXDtz9I9jY2eaH2Q7gLQXL5qfB_j8Z24XDeoxTY7nn0/s200/Bethany+dress+on+hammock.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281646934070143458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2D_E39eo5nwB9ZehpHOTQbzyPLJN79naq2RbF2qBtRd4AJSnkx8TOzIQUKgsmLaoHIQAVYjTZG1eS5EpILs9Iwx7z91l_OSI9FvB-kp87yQLpBQyEa6vMYmEYq315Lf2yE7lAS2H2r0/s200/Ben,+close-up.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2D_E39eo5nwB9ZehpHOTQbzyPLJN79naq2RbF2qBtRd4AJSnkx8TOzIQUKgsmLaoHIQAVYjTZG1eS5EpILs9Iwx7z91l_OSI9FvB-kp87yQLpBQyEa6vMYmEYq315Lf2yE7lAS2H2r0/s1600-h/Ben,+close-up.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281624804629804418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: right" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1acwFFZ-sG3CaMYHTcguzgh2pSysH839PuCiwCtW-aAZ2zTR77WrfsLol5ebZ6zhdCcwwNHuEzRnjA55AD7J_MtKgN-qq-YgWrKXEUcsE-IBM9Ac-9jkeZXvIWXxYpV8AoiihxTjTLL8/s200/Bethany+dancing+in+dress.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Their wedding was a celebration of God's love and faithfulness, the blessing of family, the gift of friends, and the joy that comes from knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. He is the center of Ben & Bethany's union and life together. He is the One who has redeemed them and brought them together. He is the One that will give them the grace to live lives that are pleasing to Him. We know they desire to glorify God in their marriage, and that His Word is true and trustworthy. Their joy in each other is surpassed only by their joy in God.</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyIZtLiN9_LaAtOgybb7UMjM1gcJKsc3QubdgF1AUdMKoH_1qisWdDHvyTHwKkdfN0U3r4H8O3pLqT6jbWtIrThaj0-wRvgCIO_iszwJMqzavpXKzi8DlW041kQTPqxNHGVTFA_FYHXM/s1600-h/Arnold-Biks+%26+Klickas,+smaller.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281675598600446306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 107px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyIZtLiN9_LaAtOgybb7UMjM1gcJKsc3QubdgF1AUdMKoH_1qisWdDHvyTHwKkdfN0U3r4H8O3pLqT6jbWtIrThaj0-wRvgCIO_iszwJMqzavpXKzi8DlW041kQTPqxNHGVTFA_FYHXM/s200/Arnold-Biks+%26+Klickas,+smaller.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We love Ben and his family, and are so thankful to be entering with them into this new season of our children's marriage.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A few highlights from the day:</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">many relatives could be there, including all the grandparents</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">so many friends came and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAcvX0VU_1ZV_BzvvI7VGL6VE_tFr9VS2SxJTNBM27qBSiULfe-sasApIxyRIydfmhGnf53umDXgefiFKwGzFR-De3Kv4_z1zouUHlJXGkIrzWAMyk0JWLrZ0XjewrZeT7TTpkiacSZc/s1600-h/Grandparents.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625356309468290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAcvX0VU_1ZV_BzvvI7VGL6VE_tFr9VS2SxJTNBM27qBSiULfe-sasApIxyRIydfmhGnf53umDXgefiFKwGzFR-De3Kv4_z1zouUHlJXGkIrzWAMyk0JWLrZ0XjewrZeT7TTpkiacSZc/s200/Grandparents.JPG" border="0" /></a>rejoiced with us</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">God provided many, many friends to help make the day so beautiful</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">all the details for the day were faithfully carried out by our loving God; even with the little glitches that came up, God worked everything out wonderfully </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">worshiping together during the service seemed the most natural way to thank our great God for His lovingkindness</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">our joy was so full, we could barely contain it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KYbxHDAJfVS32TVhWLqDuc8Az-__d3KhcWc7YlQB8BnaC7gOlfY64KIdWXZwfMU9xqqYqge6do8wnKtSckX5o6GqfPeNdRneILs4DzVTFPxAzX9SpRVpEiZeCdWrQxXvoxpDYXS6-q4/s1600-h/Tito+with+Ben+%26+Bethany.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281669761110916770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KYbxHDAJfVS32TVhWLqDuc8Az-__d3KhcWc7YlQB8BnaC7gOlfY64KIdWXZwfMU9xqqYqge6do8wnKtSckX5o6GqfPeNdRneILs4DzVTFPxAzX9SpRVpEiZeCdWrQxXvoxpDYXS6-q4/s200/Tito+with+Ben+%26+Bethany.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625481072275602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAhXgj14QszW0QnVEAsYx9evehZ_gAMuvCoauSP1tsDE_ab0ZXhsHFZYTkX8JIRcsENup09RWWT04wYX02E4TkGbfhts0G-e97YgNcqy6ZCB38wiDiu40lxP6NmRpin90ZBFjp0SSUmQ/s200/B&B+Ceremony.JPG" border="0" /></span></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Some funny moments:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At the beginning of the ceremony, Cindy and I couldn't get our candles lit with the adult-proof torches; we almost burst out laughing when we finally got them to work</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ben trying to light the unity candle with the torch instead of the family candle; Bethany had to tap Ben's hand to let him know he needed to grab the lit candle instead </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bethany getting swatted on the backside by the Marines who announced their marriage at the reception<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX-eWQbLsBc5mAdasngsuzJmusw3_H3-aW2eNvloPcGkQsyI1Gctj0Xr_Ol4ve5mUdkDmfIMGCyeVhj0albHjoeeAGilNb0b9a3UMPt80-oUGTkOltXSpzIRMV0HRE39_jM1kP-2CwAU/s1600-h/the+Jesse+surprise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281631503455110146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX-eWQbLsBc5mAdasngsuzJmusw3_H3-aW2eNvloPcGkQsyI1Gctj0Xr_Ol4ve5mUdkDmfIMGCyeVhj0albHjoeeAGilNb0b9a3UMPt80-oUGTkOltXSpzIRMV0HRE39_jM1kP-2CwAU/s200/the+Jesse+surprise.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281626266109796722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7kGIlRuW-TLNFkzUUfqdicl3fd5k93J9dtLtHIE5IaF5csyG9UdCb4F-Ueqkbu7khH737xWDxAlnKPEUl2rzSvcHMOUiKzFRn4Q0KuTjE-qzbAreX7G6i9dXwHmbZtsdRppv5zj6Uwk/s200/Announcing....JPG" border="0" /></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jesse hiding in the back of Ben's SUV and as Bethany and Ben started driving away, opened the back window and waved good-bye to everybody</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Some touching moments:</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmrSsxwP22AHZbnPXJkMN3NFGfAOfUkp3TYpzwRFwJuWBsNHndentTuwHjXjaacPn190o9FGdZnZeiI4YdYDZshfsAZjSJdvSjTTrZutf-nKZeuUaChXcx90dTAhX7WWLJcdJSw6OeAc/s1600-h/Jesse+%26+Bethany.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281634554424212034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmrSsxwP22AHZbnPXJkMN3NFGfAOfUkp3TYpzwRFwJuWBsNHndentTuwHjXjaacPn190o9FGdZnZeiI4YdYDZshfsAZjSJdvSjTTrZutf-nKZeuUaChXcx90dTAhX7WWLJcdJSw6OeAc/s200/Jesse+%26+Bethany.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During the bridesmaids processional, Susanna, who was the last to enter, was quite overcome with emotion and was fighting back the tears; that got Tracy, grandmas, and twins Charity and Amy teary-eyed then</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Because Chris couldn't walk Bethany in during the processional, she asked her brother Jesse if he could escort her in; it was a sweet moment to see that proud brother hand her to her father waiting up front</span></li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXLqUWzhM8ri-ab1GpS6meBicx5XIc2c7nZz8b3dhW_c65fvZ2chTV1RkAoyMDy9FI0uW5LaSDgaeSsepuJjHoLr6GLP42JdY1LTkVSYG_qda803JvsEn9FVd2f0Y9_APQKgJojSohI0/s1600-h/Bethany+looking+in+mirror.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625938986067138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXLqUWzhM8ri-ab1GpS6meBicx5XIc2c7nZz8b3dhW_c65fvZ2chTV1RkAoyMDy9FI0uW5LaSDgaeSsepuJjHoLr6GLP42JdY1LTkVSYG_qda803JvsEn9FVd2f0Y9_APQKgJojSohI0/s200/Bethany+looking+in+mirror.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bethany asked Tracy to sing during the Unity Candle lighting, and at one moment, she got kind of choked up singing about God's faithfulness; He has been so faithful!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bethany and Ben dancing their first dance to Martina McBride's "My Valentine", a special song she picked out because Ben's birthday is on Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwpgr3UulNhSl9bVEvz2H5j_5Ksy2YfPDHm6sja_4bS9vh0uIxw4Oce7Z-SiXURc3DYZ-GYtBYnmmbYFoF2xbEdVF4ix-9A3PUj4aQWiRKBLiB_XJGMpOoBQTPA8IFDCyjbEdTNgEQxM/s1600-h/dancing2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281627157529030306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwpgr3UulNhSl9bVEvz2H5j_5Ksy2YfPDHm6sja_4bS9vh0uIxw4Oce7Z-SiXURc3DYZ-GYtBYnmmbYFoF2xbEdVF4ix-9A3PUj4aQWiRKBLiB_XJGMpOoBQTPA8IFDCyjbEdTNgEQxM/s200/dancing2.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGepAyN5RRJunnwmmQiUO2OOCFUPiLcC1L1s0VJqE_OR3om9A9-_NiPzxDI1t0OU9eKA_TwT3c-i8rd8uTRQZ038l2ckR6m327djAENtSszXSZDGBOIfIfgjccwlIPKD9BZuaLFvOQSU/s1600-h/Bethany+%26+Chris,+father-daughter+dance.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281626124142640802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGepAyN5RRJunnwmmQiUO2OOCFUPiLcC1L1s0VJqE_OR3om9A9-_NiPzxDI1t0OU9eKA_TwT3c-i8rd8uTRQZ038l2ckR6m327djAENtSszXSZDGBOIfIfgjccwlIPKD9BZuaLFvOQSU/s200/Bethany+%26+Chris,+father-daughter+dance.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since Chris was unable to dance with Bethany for the Father/Daughter dance, Bethany picked out a special song, "I Loved Her First", and our videographer put video footage and photos of Bethany and her dad over the years together as a special presentation at the wedding reception; there wasn't a dry eye in the whole hall! Shortly after, our dear friend Rick Boyer wrote a poem for Chris about his Father/Daughter dance with Bethany and the legacy of His life being lived for the Lord through much har<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Dhyb_W7TPEDhqfLciYcfprbcKSjXWEfzpbx0pV9-nVGhAHagJ-QM5haleA2LIg5yoelfMcPlk4ZWUOXqlfU-ltQv374OU3S2cwshIid2LAUlx1sHychFcdkv3h_utsaKpgTrPwa9sfk/s1600-h/The+Blessing+Tree.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281632379935515474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Dhyb_W7TPEDhqfLciYcfprbcKSjXWEfzpbx0pV9-nVGhAHagJ-QM5haleA2LIg5yoelfMcPlk4ZWUOXqlfU-ltQv374OU3S2cwshIid2LAUlx1sHychFcdkv3h_utsaKpgTrPwa9sfk/s200/The+Blessing+Tree.JPG" border="0" /></a>dship with MS</span></li></ul><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281632259670725298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn7IDEza8QOCMfkZGvLmh9mdUzmo5HvELBaKCuAqKc3GEpCWQhQizxSx5lHNAzAUVanZt6z7mogf54_n7gNW-ii7_pj-Wigx2E7rsUwx4vVOMqNq59E9t-atTiYqosJv9W8-2_58hHi4/s200/Photo+Gallery.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We wanted to bless Ben & Bethany in a special way, so we set up a "Blessing Tree" where family and friends could share their prayers, wishes and Scripture <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1Vkqozb10Uc3MFaec8uzag1X9eCN3ZQtQluA0SZyi1qtSNsiGZXXpHPVQ_dpASrUEMgP5WKzO-fBg6Fr7e93t4eL4pqCCY7YLm60rWsXvq7vx9eSynVoj8sFnnOVifrm77PBMYJHL7U/s1600-h/A+kiss.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281632831917226754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1Vkqozb10Uc3MFaec8uzag1X9eCN3ZQtQluA0SZyi1qtSNsiGZXXpHPVQ_dpASrUEMgP5WKzO-fBg6Fr7e93t4eL4pqCCY7YLm60rWsXvq7vx9eSynVoj8sFnnOVifrm77PBMYJHL7U/s200/A+kiss.JPG" border="0" /></a>verses with the couple.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281632479565605874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu6-vny-EBR1AoTUVp5BbJDKzoLwyBin6ueOK6X_YYUjZHvw4pmd0PzEgITZu44MVclKl34bpiKCTFpzL-7aZ7XSSNIqnuQVZA8Y_duEt6_CbSnF8Nk_w7IIEHVd_2OYiSiD0YXCEhNg/s200/The+Wedding+Cake.JPG" border="0" /></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And from the wedding program, a couple of verses Bethany and Ben picked out to share:</span> <div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; </em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">With my mouth I will make known</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Your faithfulness to all generations.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">For I have said, 'Mercy shall be built up forever;</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.' "</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">~Psalm 89:1-2<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281631703879441618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6Fe0BnYSTa1numqowYt02wSpH8-CQAIPTfEYhnq-alTPz9dWQunklV4E8uVqW8Iw3G1hdVSv5A5ahQbbEvoOdqsJV0lUNYKedoDf5Zy0CtZRRNf5sfdnhg-9OX3On_jyLZga7IxjOk4/s200/B&B+full,+standing.JPG" border="0" /></span></em></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We are so happy for Ben and Bethany and the future He has in store for them. It's all good because of Jesus!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfARP7wDTWAvoxIQI3pXGWYKp-9-AuuEB3D-8jFoO6gHNyyvtL8xU4X0_rlNK7NMWFmnz-QxMjux0rBY6AX19vwUAH6rAKcXxkIlpww5NNK1N1AnckYhg_RvnRn2zko3rUOLJnCoC4t_8/s1600-h/The+send+off.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281632645772919394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 122px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfARP7wDTWAvoxIQI3pXGWYKp-9-AuuEB3D-8jFoO6gHNyyvtL8xU4X0_rlNK7NMWFmnz-QxMjux0rBY6AX19vwUAH6rAKcXxkIlpww5NNK1N1AnckYhg_RvnRn2zko3rUOLJnCoC4t_8/s200/The+send+off.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1fZz-oPSOWXYz46uW5ZA6N7axUvJgalKohyLwcEBuZBgrJkit1gawPRFsnCFH_e7JEQqVAhkvu8muPMHElqkuyovsbZyRUjP2KYCqAVKtu8KwKB8x2i46Yn3CpIJbEL7DA6V2hAo5q4/s1600-h/Send+off2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281632162565182930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1fZz-oPSOWXYz46uW5ZA6N7axUvJgalKohyLwcEBuZBgrJkit1gawPRFsnCFH_e7JEQqVAhkvu8muPMHElqkuyovsbZyRUjP2KYCqAVKtu8KwKB8x2i46Yn3CpIJbEL7DA6V2hAo5q4/s200/Send+off2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281672937553406962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7tFpge9RwWJu2FMejFdYgnz3BbPDrgNRREL2i6e3r8eq_Kj439foMMlGRYmP_PfKGgafuFgrRn7Fxxm7kzKWudSZ52-eRyRDboloa2tOA31Kuh8JxwO-czKkbL0vJaswZjwB6koOgmI/s200/cake,+close-up.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAavNBFLcF7GB11n-47uup-w2m59X3t2VcinlQv-hihJzjSUhPCba1yz2Lrot2fPBnLvnlCvRdHqisZpLLWs4tv8-CEo0NpJX2f7Qu1jINLfl_5ZQr-KKgAwjfpzYL2_oV8Q66E9HYZE/s1600-h/bridesmaids+blow+Ben+a+kiss.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281671235524781570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAavNBFLcF7GB11n-47uup-w2m59X3t2VcinlQv-hihJzjSUhPCba1yz2Lrot2fPBnLvnlCvRdHqisZpLLWs4tv8-CEo0NpJX2f7Qu1jINLfl_5ZQr-KKgAwjfpzYL2_oV8Q66E9HYZE/s200/bridesmaids+blow+Ben+a+kiss.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh7l8P0Ms9yz4sq3N223EJZHYIcjYD81xm9gKTyhoK4-0e6rDgH5LJ9Y0_Ws6b4cKKe9sv-keBoH61Ayji5dvlI3DAn6JKy1S-r9qP0dNHTzu8L4nJjqg2vtAhLoQPcBI_FhIojXUuLg/s1600-h/Reception+helpers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281671536075935666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 60px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh7l8P0Ms9yz4sq3N223EJZHYIcjYD81xm9gKTyhoK4-0e6rDgH5LJ9Y0_Ws6b4cKKe9sv-keBoH61Ayji5dvlI3DAn6JKy1S-r9qP0dNHTzu8L4nJjqg2vtAhLoQPcBI_FhIojXUuLg/s200/Reception+helpers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r-CPq149RZZJacAVYOny3dNtfiTSNS334YFFpIYmZSLqb6RvX37n27yK1HGVkDqR_l4LK8bKYUfyZrS6Sj1XSWR0cpVpvajaXXWvKd2A8TvJrAe9kSlBGqfjsKHu7eTnFwC60XPHei4/s1600-h/Bethany+on+Drive2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281627420368726946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r-CPq149RZZJacAVYOny3dNtfiTSNS334YFFpIYmZSLqb6RvX37n27yK1HGVkDqR_l4LK8bKYUfyZrS6Sj1XSWR0cpVpvajaXXWvKd2A8TvJrAe9kSlBGqfjsKHu7eTnFwC60XPHei4/s200/Bethany+on+Drive2.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281672940077106930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQUW7WroapqOl4XL2gz_RcRQ5HkyKg3vif9K2MfI-4mPhIM0WL-JaADWVyG-t7XD1lIibKubxXOqJZAeM2AUvEueZTdsRktSW5hyh4VJO7uK0RkkvZZvIuG9zxPpVrVnhKGmjJTfk23E/s200/getting+ready+to+blow+bubbles.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281671862257340658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVzcBrPnAooRvIlpHjINd2jFpisYPIFTFJXHPCsh5ZFdU7NFQvAaDHdZ_llzwDk4rggDoAKDESR89QEDRGFmLOxOrNsmiJl7NyrnRSwcJqCi4le4zcVtdtY6wDGMIMKH2X0D0uJVakIA/s200/friends2.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_YNT-816H6VcwRCUF2qT-WXE9gLcnbf8Iv9iPrAvHiJqzxX6BuJDuOfzVy4LcHEyRK4E55GPZF7YiQY3q9JJMPc9RCholysuPwDqiJ4Os9mf8UiUBrpEgK6JLiwQ1VuqB_Ug2aG4Ot0/s1600-h/Bethany+in+stable,+cropped.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281672301778251298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_YNT-816H6VcwRCUF2qT-WXE9gLcnbf8Iv9iPrAvHiJqzxX6BuJDuOfzVy4LcHEyRK4E55GPZF7YiQY3q9JJMPc9RCholysuPwDqiJ4Os9mf8UiUBrpEgK6JLiwQ1VuqB_Ug2aG4Ot0/s200/Bethany+in+stable,+cropped.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QwY9BoQfbqAC0Y7XB3VWf-0pEV66hkCJN1Jdbob_4RwcGtBr0yaGMfnXwOAR51b6UVdELtPqXk63NDX8sRocSQLB6cW2n4t3aIzKzCOKj3Na4qP4pOczfG7Z1J0MJqP_u-F2_7vS-Vg/s1600-h/Bridesmaids+on+stairs.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625204011318226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QwY9BoQfbqAC0Y7XB3VWf-0pEV66hkCJN1Jdbob_4RwcGtBr0yaGMfnXwOAR51b6UVdELtPqXk63NDX8sRocSQLB6cW2n4t3aIzKzCOKj3Na4qP4pOczfG7Z1J0MJqP_u-F2_7vS-Vg/s200/Bridesmaids+on+stairs.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281672156320626082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmboRX2voW5vlxmO_LNVn2zp9boR1bKWBK8rlYa8ReubXL56yxy7yB7mC5qnNwGWnEfo-QX_XpDNGNlsh86veCXrBweleCcZxOloSRdDRwDNREfVt2Ji8dJNX2PAMhrnGivBeGQ2GJAM/s200/friends1.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJiBp0FfAEfYuAtw3PVYwh9B-vWFKbyZpSOq3PcYlmyrmdeo5deBlkzc8S1m5HcGCaolsdIxkf5aVnbhDewIXKGhDP8jkSXaVuC7KqXXNERFsexi8FZI8GYfFXd6XmEGh8NgGgUMZt_8/s1600-h/Bethany+%26+Megan+hugging.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625614700416482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJiBp0FfAEfYuAtw3PVYwh9B-vWFKbyZpSOq3PcYlmyrmdeo5deBlkzc8S1m5HcGCaolsdIxkf5aVnbhDewIXKGhDP8jkSXaVuC7KqXXNERFsexi8FZI8GYfFXd6XmEGh8NgGgUMZt_8/s200/Bethany+%26+Megan+hugging.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqFXNkVWiXCdKGw-pwve-CNaBeLChYoOIFpawj0KAsc0Dbs71ey2CxTS6nfZKdt15Vov9mz1eyDL71HcgMExG9WAqGlwVv-89p_39pOkzcNC_RBTH-Cc_JE6tRAeYHtDPbuWmiXc9X7Y/s1600-h/John+kissing+Bethany.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625762823871586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqFXNkVWiXCdKGw-pwve-CNaBeLChYoOIFpawj0KAsc0Dbs71ey2CxTS6nfZKdt15Vov9mz1eyDL71HcgMExG9WAqGlwVv-89p_39pOkzcNC_RBTH-Cc_JE6tRAeYHtDPbuWmiXc9X7Y/s200/John+kissing+Bethany.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281672955709949714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW957XfDEevYwG2t3H050n1_0L81yjhx1T9whGgGB9flpQNrJzvOAJXv7DmYKQuuEVPOGkBf-Yvug0lyVKY_SvoD0FuI2-dTZ6kSt1jpXPog4o-hhMMuFvOOxA2NtDC0bg8CKnU3Sd68/s200/first+dance.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhp8q4pY4iWT9og3bftKzQgre-eHP4CYY120EZp6mO-PinBy0hgsNZXoEqQmm5z10KC1A0aV86WvvgPeUkvXGGPWEptznq_rzCHNqmQiYER9xfFLlC7TxqGl-oexWrqUQea657uswsfk/s1600-h/Leaving+the+wedding.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281627618606396274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhp8q4pY4iWT9og3bftKzQgre-eHP4CYY120EZp6mO-PinBy0hgsNZXoEqQmm5z10KC1A0aV86WvvgPeUkvXGGPWEptznq_rzCHNqmQiYER9xfFLlC7TxqGl-oexWrqUQea657uswsfk/s200/Leaving+the+wedding.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5MdqHHB-6I_vLfn8zH7HljpTtobFsQvJqG2C3BPKjROosmsWT6bNlJgRi3bqftKz3PMdaHH9RA6AxhhUAPIpSHC4LkwUYC1GgiJyxmlWveHotWQv3kXEWCA8Z1y5UzYWg5c2JInGHJY/s1600-h/bridesmaids+blow+Ben+a+kiss.JPG"></a>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-27769323890392322042008-12-19T09:56:00.000-08:002008-12-19T10:58:25.828-08:00Updates on our Family, Episode Two--Bethany Goes for the Gold!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHoi1C48PUt_svi2i2wUKIx_G4GRYUmKCD_B8pksLeN46jsBu5VBJsx7eIqxQE-Ry-DzI7I8C19Cs3-e1WE_lCwGhK1Aou9F2T6wC4e2f6cHh_wewk0dk8cLLr6ziaLDlRR_NdO86jHk/s1600-h/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+945.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281576766933944594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHoi1C48PUt_svi2i2wUKIx_G4GRYUmKCD_B8pksLeN46jsBu5VBJsx7eIqxQE-Ry-DzI7I8C19Cs3-e1WE_lCwGhK1Aou9F2T6wC4e2f6cHh_wewk0dk8cLLr6ziaLDlRR_NdO86jHk/s200/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+945.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>This past June, our oldest daughter Bethany received a much-earned award for four years of diligent, hard work--The Congressional Award, receiving the highest honor of Gold Medal. The Congressional Award program, started by Congress and partnering with the private sector, acknowledges students who have excelled through their activities and efforts in the areas of service, initiative, and achievement.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>Bethany engaged in over 200 hours each of Voluntary Public Service, Persona<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3INt3uP3uqFF-5jESw2SspZlpI37xvVipjbb9y7ofl-r-wu55bMqYOUvVqJnnvUKOWuJIfvh0slLuKTieykt5sD2KKT_fnyEXVQSO5i5an2wOGKKsUxwME4pD_5Ba8wWh5znrga6CHrw/s1600-h/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+929.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281568716627445986" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3INt3uP3uqFF-5jESw2SspZlpI37xvVipjbb9y7ofl-r-wu55bMqYOUvVqJnnvUKOWuJIfvh0slLuKTieykt5sD2KKT_fnyEXVQSO5i5an2wOGKKsUxwME4pD_5Ba8wWh5znrga6CHrw/s200/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+929.jpg" border="0" /></a>l Development, Physical Fitness, and Exploration. From taking a two-week trip to a working cattle ranch in northern New Mexico building fences, moving cattle, cleaning stalls and the like, to putting together care packages for soldiers overseas and volunteering at a local school library, to improving her creative writing skills by authoring four children's books, Bethany has learned much about persistence, the joys of a job well done, and has blessed many people she has served. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUWWWtOG-bJeOEdtpnE3933WuLRB2cAxwg_9y8Ryv8G3bD_Zdg_ptc_FYCybbmCOLkybiZ2P58wYEiyND8Dx3KbSde9tDNZqjslSrk-yfZX3OCOPS63-ehFFV48A1cyV3yqcAXJIZWb4/s1600-h/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+944.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281573937228656578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUWWWtOG-bJeOEdtpnE3933WuLRB2cAxwg_9y8Ryv8G3bD_Zdg_ptc_FYCybbmCOLkybiZ2P58wYEiyND8Dx3KbSde9tDNZqjslSrk-yfZX3OCOPS63-ehFFV48A1cyV3yqcAXJIZWb4/s200/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+944.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>While we are so proud of Bethany for earning the gold Congressional Award, we give even greater thanks for the way she acknowledged the Lord in everything she was doing. Her <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievM8sKf3cYl4QeZcs7ZvuquWJHbZdMB-IINt1NcYe3yh1J6Ql37x8IUS2JObrwRH-PJqOm43u33Yu0vYX3KYQviISd0W2Os_h2O3T72gdgGNqYv_6E5d-seSNd8DOWEdpkvXqCMTsMTw/s1600-h/B's+Congressional+Award--B,+mom+%26+dad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281574285577292354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievM8sKf3cYl4QeZcs7ZvuquWJHbZdMB-IINt1NcYe3yh1J6Ql37x8IUS2JObrwRH-PJqOm43u33Yu0vYX3KYQviISd0W2Os_h2O3T72gdgGNqYv_6E5d-seSNd8DOWEdpkvXqCMTsMTw/s200/B's+Congressional+Award--B,+mom+%26+dad.jpg" border="0" /></a>desire was to bring God glory in the various activities she was engaged in, and she sought to build friendships with the people whose lives intertwined with hers during those four years. God has blessed her greatly by helping her form a deep bond with her Congressional Award advisor and the family she stayed with in New Mexico. She has also been keeping in touch with the soldiers to whom she has written and sent care packages.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-42293969145191792282008-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:002008-10-15T14:01:38.909-07:00Updates on Our Family, Episode One--Megan Graduates & Heads Off to Liberty University!<div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257464328901008354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" height="251" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtEDEnmY6FmTcK2V2Rzd3Bibb0_pveZM6P0SZDQ3RxjTS5X0wD21o9Pe3AXORNwpcVmDxQT4lzmKk2DbwZt0UhA5t1QHeqwcML4GkR9bL8JjXcPOvnWPiSnlXLJdxrEpYu2ha0FeuWnQ/s320/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+241.jpg" width="217" border="0" /></div><div>Megan was determined to graduate a year early, since we started homeschooling her a year early, so this past June, she did just that. She was actually part of two graduation services, one locally with our homeschool group (her dad was sorry to be out of town for this). She shared at the ceremony both in a moving speech and a song giving tribute to God<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkYw8dHUU9Na3r2HqC2dB9W5b23IEQaz8fx65yEVhD-81IeATEl4I9UcCugaWjSUFUuDpX4OhIxZ5rxdU2ePYJR9c92ufHzdlE0U4VG7YcpWdpaOXWZ52n42TncfbE8TS5E2uH8fX9QI/s1600-h/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+211.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257473171533898274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkYw8dHUU9Na3r2HqC2dB9W5b23IEQaz8fx65yEVhD-81IeATEl4I9UcCugaWjSUFUuDpX4OhIxZ5rxdU2ePYJR9c92ufHzdlE0U4VG7YcpWdpaOXWZ52n42TncfbE8TS5E2uH8fX9QI/s200/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+211.jpg" border="0" /></a>'s faithfulness in her life.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Taking part in another, larger graduation at the HEAV homeschool convention gave her dad (and our whole family) an opportunity to be there and celebrate with Megan the successful completion of her homeschooling years. We give all the glory to God!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcweBgHIlGnkBkUmxIWSTJOhK8IbeVcBcQeAn2LyzHUPY0laP-7Si-NhyphenhyphenAIWw_gYEtGmnGMLIZc1XQjkGRJlfI5wNTq9kFLuVZJVccEDaGfGpvnPj4kAlF4pM2YrNdJtOwKMh5m7oo9zo/s1600-h/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257472614565078722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcweBgHIlGnkBkUmxIWSTJOhK8IbeVcBcQeAn2LyzHUPY0laP-7Si-NhyphenhyphenAIWw_gYEtGmnGMLIZc1XQjkGRJlfI5wNTq9kFLuVZJVccEDaGfGpvnPj4kAlF4pM2YrNdJtOwKMh5m7oo9zo/s320/Spring-Early+Summer,+2008+315.jpg" border="0" /></a>The event was extra special because Tracy got to sing the National Anthem and special music for the graduation service for almost two hundred students. Because it was the 25th Anniversary of HEAV this year, Tracy also got to direct her homeschool choir of over 20 students in two choral pieces as part of the ceremonies. It is amazing to look back and truly see God's faithful hand guiding the homeschool movement these past 25 years in Virginia! God is good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M4-CmYd0AgGT2gL0ZBpiqfpuoAqwbRinQXKuZ0roTRQTIRekh7DUYjN21bnsK0KHoDSVVWGtPtxb2JRkd3NwxIXY1JcstoltAD8zl6gYMvsEEprqIbtWn1D1g3Q4ZEl5fUjVj6PHU28/s1600-h/Megan+%26+Brendan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257487760856628130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M4-CmYd0AgGT2gL0ZBpiqfpuoAqwbRinQXKuZ0roTRQTIRekh7DUYjN21bnsK0KHoDSVVWGtPtxb2JRkd3NwxIXY1JcstoltAD8zl6gYMvsEEprqIbtWn1D1g3Q4ZEl5fUjVj6PHU28/s200/Megan+%26+Brendan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Megan had applied to two schools, Grove City College and Liberty University. She was considering a double major of Biblical Studies and Psychology at GCC, and a major of Nursing at Liberty. After much deliberation, she decided to try the Nursing program at Liberty. She's been adjusting to 13,000 on-campus students, but has been making friends and is enjoying her classes so far. God is good.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000000;"></span></div></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-30759715122911004672008-04-04T07:08:00.000-07:002008-04-04T08:39:18.042-07:00Once Upon a Time...<div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">God Writes Her Story--</span><br /><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY4KTr893QVCCxVdjshEphm-EWmeYYhwgq9zHey9sASq0HYIl-zAFtfKe30fkRzmVwXE2VAX_TL45aVv7pG2TSUJQAhyphenhyphencbFnyMP4xSUZs9nUIe3lEnhWAAdfa3B4WCGNNFiru7aC_4xE/s1600-h/beautiful+bethany.jpg"><span style="color:#003300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185398827174577970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY4KTr893QVCCxVdjshEphm-EWmeYYhwgq9zHey9sASq0HYIl-zAFtfKe30fkRzmVwXE2VAX_TL45aVv7pG2TSUJQAhyphenhyphencbFnyMP4xSUZs9nUIe3lEnhWAAdfa3B4WCGNNFiru7aC_4xE/s320/beautiful+bethany.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#003300;"> Our oldest daughter Bethany, from early on, has loved to tell stories. At three, she could prattle on about some animal getting lost in the forest, and finding friends along the way to help him home. We loved to sit and listen to her imagination play out as she shared her lively, engaging tales. And all the while she was making up her stories, God was writing her story. She has grown up into a beautiful, godly woman, whose heart for Jesus is revealed in her devotion to His Word, her faithfulness in listening to Him speak into her life, and in her gentle, gracious love for others. Her life thus far has been a beautiful story of God's grace.</span></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#003300;">And now, God is writing a new chapter in her story. We rejoice to share the story of how God has brought Bethany's fiancee, Ben Arnold-Bik into her life. Yes, Bethany is engaged, and God is good!<br /></div></span><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#003300;">How They Met</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;">Ben and Bethany met just over a year ago at the March, 2007 Bluemont Contra Dance in Purcellville. I believe it was some friends of Bethany's who introduced Ben to her. Well, Ben took an immediate interest in her, but it was just an initial meeting. (He was the last guy of several to wait for the girl God had for him; the rest of his friends were already married or engaged).<br /><br />Jesse begged Bethany to bring him to the April contradance and so Ben saw Bethany again (neither of them had been regularly attending, but God brought both of them two months in a row; His hand was clearly orchestrating things). They still didn't have a lot of time to talk that night and get to know each other, but Ben knew that he wanted to date Bethany and asked her if he could take her out sometime, to which she easily replied, “Yes!”<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Getting to Know You</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;">Things didn’t work out for them to get together until a couple weeks later when we had Ben over for the twins' birthday lunc<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YeYdJXFZ1dSqfI3rUc1j9EocsS5IqTb1AbqiCvlVFsO60Sm3cTNNQqjlv6ZagJ3oj6pl-Jnp_4OZfEup8PRybf3ibzs3_q0TKwvjtMk3uPddhIXAxFyXTvukh-lH05Ji7QVnQ4faGSs/s1600-h/Ben+Meets+Our+Family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185410951867254594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" height="221" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YeYdJXFZ1dSqfI3rUc1j9EocsS5IqTb1AbqiCvlVFsO60Sm3cTNNQqjlv6ZagJ3oj6pl-Jnp_4OZfEup8PRybf3ibzs3_q0TKwvjtMk3uPddhIXAxFyXTvukh-lH05Ji7QVnQ4faGSs/s320/Ben+Meets+Our+Family.jpg" width="273" border="0" /></a>h so we could all meet him. I’m sure we overwhelmed him with our chattering, animated family of nine! Chris and I both took an immediate liking to him, so later that same week, we let Ben take Bethany out to dinner so they could just talk and get to know one another. And then Saturday of that week, Ben took Bethany to a formal contradance at our old church. This would be the last time they would get to see each other for awhile for the next day, he had to fly out to FL because he is in the Marines. (Ben had attended Bible college for a year, then got his four-year aeronautical engineering degree from Embry-Riddle and was now signed up for a 10-yr. commitment in the Marines; he just turned 27 on Valentine's Day). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJh-j3Lbu2l-oyFAiqF8pRYHtD-7SwAtkG_R-jOV-f1u4jJP7uGPTYl-kt0b8jQHfayOGtgWFoK7pKXFqPI3YJcWXHgd6Uqq-BpzSkass7AhHFRaFHsST5YiKluIfhtUyB9-BfM8BRVM/s1600-h/Bethany+%26+Ben--sepia.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185412068558751586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" height="254" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJh-j3Lbu2l-oyFAiqF8pRYHtD-7SwAtkG_R-jOV-f1u4jJP7uGPTYl-kt0b8jQHfayOGtgWFoK7pKXFqPI3YJcWXHgd6Uqq-BpzSkass7AhHFRaFHsST5YiKluIfhtUyB9-BfM8BRVM/s320/Bethany+%26+Ben--sepia.JPG" width="261" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So Ben took off the next day and Bethany and Ben just emailed and IM-ed each other for the next 3 months, after which time Ben knew he wanted to fly Bethany down for a week to spend some time with her in person getting to know her more. She went down in Aug. for a week before starting her first semester at PHC, and stayed with a married couple, good friends of Ben's.<br /><br />In November, Bethany flew down for a week again, staying with Greg and Amanda, and then shortly after that, Ben asked us (we'd been in touch with him throughout the fall) if he could ask us in person at Christmastime for our blessing on his proposing to Bethany. So he was home for about 10 days and at the end o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYnOkuyPmtoi5trLWWRLurbOdWrJKVkCk4ZoheP6KVMbJWcQlNJpnoQHgfaECfsfK1TXkDEHGhv8zzatu_fP0tCD7SBuhYklbNFlV0PmQh38rLJnZgT5g4NpwXpGyt2enqz-rOPY7tz4/s1600-h/Ben+%26+Bethany+at+the+Marine+Ball+in+FL,+11-07.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185411518802937682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" height="257" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYnOkuyPmtoi5trLWWRLurbOdWrJKVkCk4ZoheP6KVMbJWcQlNJpnoQHgfaECfsfK1TXkDEHGhv8zzatu_fP0tCD7SBuhYklbNFlV0PmQh38rLJnZgT5g4NpwXpGyt2enqz-rOPY7tz4/s320/Ben+%26+Bethany+at+the+Marine+Ball+in+FL,+11-07.JPG" width="266" border="0" /></a>f that time, asked each of us independently if he had our blessing (he didn't just want to email us and ask for that!)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Will You Marry Me?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;">So during her spring break last week, Bethany flew down and Ben proposed. Bethany very quickly said, “Yes!!!”<br /><br />Ben is a wonderful, godly man, who loves <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR2z7cF_3J87kg85I9ShkMAEslEwTMmsZpE02JZDfrybnUQDHZ86H3R1q-nNSfXMidaWULdJ24C-Yt1CKaH-5-s5Kg_fAI8phXHLaG6xVqyAvCXepu5Qs13DNkYQHtGYf65ooC8hWafQ/s1600-h/Ben+%26+His+Jet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185413228199921522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" height="268" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR2z7cF_3J87kg85I9ShkMAEslEwTMmsZpE02JZDfrybnUQDHZ86H3R1q-nNSfXMidaWULdJ24C-Yt1CKaH-5-s5Kg_fAI8phXHLaG6xVqyAvCXepu5Qs13DNkYQHtGYf65ooC8hWafQ/s320/Ben+%26+His+Jet.jpg" width="295" border="0" /></a>Bethany very much, is humble, hard working (he's training with the Marines to fly jets), desires to please the Lord, and has a long list of things in common with Bethany (a big one being that they are both very interested in missions, Ben esp. in becoming a missions pilot). God is so good, and it has been very easy for us to grow to love Ben as we've gotten to know him more and more. We really do look forward to him becoming a part of our family, and Bethany a part of Ben's godly family (he has one sister a few years younger than him, plus his mom and dad).<br /><br />We are especially grateful that, although they will be living in other states for some years while Ben fulfills his commitment with the Marines (we will be in much prayer for Ben's deployment to Iraq, mostly likely sometime in 2009), his family lives nearby in Lovettsville. We are so thankful that their visits home to see family home will not have to be a choice between his family and ours, but they'll be able to see us both!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185414344891418498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXPe9bx4egPV6pj7FB0FwZEsVkiOaHUNe4IB8y15HCHnx26hXwD_dvNgMuLmYeWOR0Y-FuKmkjTsRK8oxVYrSjQmqK__6NFlIX0kU5T-PK4GTnhJhbxZgUWqqwTpgLtYpqIhKvKTtRGw/s320/photo21.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank you for praying with us</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;">We would so appreciate your prayers for Ben's training period, Bethany's continuing and completion of her college degree (she has officially declared herself as a Government major, and desires to specialize in Strategic Intelligence--in other words, spy research!) We still don't know when the wedding will be; sometime between the end of the summer and this Christmas (we're kind of hoping Bethany will be able to complete another semester on campus at PHC this fall and get married at Christmas time, but it's their wedding, so we'll see!)<br /><br />Thank you for praying for them as the Lord brings them to mind. We give much thanks to the Lord for His great love and goodness in bringing them together!<br /></span></div></div></div></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-29186140934606198492008-04-03T11:01:00.000-07:002008-04-03T21:12:24.755-07:00Life on the Court<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5h1qDv_ExTAw0OjDQ-lpFdX9TI2uvymsa3sEl8O876UUpU2EmzzKLdC1PsKOgEe_n3UcOdo21ivCS6P4h2kadxzq-l_nEdMbCWzbxxRyi7GBxsp_u5rH5AAftjNJzRYEwpBixr_TDfqk/s1600-h/Jesse+%26+Susanna.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185234201078122258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5h1qDv_ExTAw0OjDQ-lpFdX9TI2uvymsa3sEl8O876UUpU2EmzzKLdC1PsKOgEe_n3UcOdo21ivCS6P4h2kadxzq-l_nEdMbCWzbxxRyi7GBxsp_u5rH5AAftjNJzRYEwpBixr_TDfqk/s320/Jesse+%26+Susanna.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Yep, </span>we've just spent more hours than we can count these past two and a half months doing </strong></span></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Court Duty...</span>(basketball, that is!)</strong></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;">While I will be the first to admit that I am so thankful the basketball season is short (relatively speaking), I am also declaring the goodness of God in allowing our kids to participate in this sport with Christian teams. I have really enjoyed watching my kids play and could be heard often shouting out loud over their little victories! The opportunities for godly training and character building have abounded, and we have seen God do some really great things in our kids' hearts--</span><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Jesse</strong>--is not only a great ball player, but he has a great attitude </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuRVY_ZP4lc-QGY8xWapoA2kQLDW9bXRuaqCvLlnDzSLUpMppsGvgxkJMI-0HmTRQAwC1eEfyHJP3Ja7rqwbioSnbB-EXuUpew6n49iahSORe4VFz4uf_xEJCIptDKpUNGJLATI67Qec/s1600-h/Jesse's+Team.JPG"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185231164536243922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuRVY_ZP4lc-QGY8xWapoA2kQLDW9bXRuaqCvLlnDzSLUpMppsGvgxkJMI-0HmTRQAwC1eEfyHJP3Ja7rqwbioSnbB-EXuUpew6n49iahSORe4VFz4uf_xEJCIptDKpUNGJLATI67Qec/s320/Jesse's+Team.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000066;">on the court; one of team playing, backing up other players, or reaching out a hand to be there for one who gets hurt; plus whenever his coach had to instruct or correct him, he received it well. I enjoyed the sheepish grin he gave Mrs. Christman during one game when she commented on his knocking down a smaller player on the opposing team by accident. There was no malice at all on Jesse's part toward this young man who got plowed into simply because Jesse couldn't stop in time to avoid bowling him over! I thank the Lord for his humility with his coaches, and his openness to their guidance. He's a better player for it!</span></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMBn9PQFfXXzyoU3bpLvAh-NA7-YRDS9Hhxs7C5WgI_GFZv97vnkcV2mswIsSwZCf634Y2-lcBfQOb-oRtIIL3B7B4VQbllGuwcVypzX87pD3o164xg1623zLNEbr0SW2DuTGj8V_ktE/s1600-h/Susanna+with+Mrs.+Christman.JPG"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185228836663969426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" height="240" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMBn9PQFfXXzyoU3bpLvAh-NA7-YRDS9Hhxs7C5WgI_GFZv97vnkcV2mswIsSwZCf634Y2-lcBfQOb-oRtIIL3B7B4VQbllGuwcVypzX87pD3o164xg1623zLNEbr0SW2DuTGj8V_ktE/s320/Susanna+with+Mrs.+Christman.JPG" width="210" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000066;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong>Susanna</strong>--I saw a tremendous amount of growth in her character this season; she grew not only in her ability, but also in her confidence on the court. God helped her to put her whole self into the game and she was rewarded with not only greater skill, but also an ease on the court she previously has not had. She is blossoming into her own person, and her efforts to play better on the court are only complimented by her growth in reaching out to new girls to befriend them. Making new friendships has not been easy for Susanna, so I am especially proud of her for getting out of her comfort zone to become acquainted with some other girls!</span><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Charity</strong>--I so enjoyed watching Charity on t</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEuomyIALHIxGawUaaW2-bfNaLXEFsdNwXppp3QGpIfw8B6t1pXqLChX0iSXX00neBF-XPbn2JCKdrhfzr-6ZiFJ2O_bAReRWw8SwA7UFDQfL8BpvS3G1SuXVWVijIO9nDjk3XXEoUdg/s1600-h/Charity's+Solo+Shot.jpg"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185230245413242562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" height="266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEuomyIALHIxGawUaaW2-bfNaLXEFsdNwXppp3QGpIfw8B6t1pXqLChX0iSXX00neBF-XPbn2JCKdrhfzr-6ZiFJ2O_bAReRWw8SwA7UFDQfL8BpvS3G1SuXVWVijIO9nDjk3XXEoUdg/s320/Charity's+Solo+Shot.jpg" width="181" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000066;">he court. She worked well with the other girls and made friendships quickly with them (she is actually still writing to girls from her Upward Basketball team from two and three years ago!). She was also 100% there whenever she practiced or played a game. I never heard her complain about being tired or in pain of any kind. This is one of our greatest blessings with Charity; she is cheerful often, even in situations when it would be understandable to not be so. She was attentive to her coaches, and while she gave every effort to the game, she was not negatively competitve toward teammates or opposing teams. A special reward was that she and her teammates had the distinct privilege of going through the season undefeated. I am praying God will give her an opportunity to play with a Christian team next year since she loves to play but will be too old for Upward Basketball.</span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>John</strong>--I saved my little man for last. The Lord loves to glorify Himself in our eyes, and sometimes us</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ_90ayoHuaKBkmPO4AM8fAIecQXAlnWWMYTW6jMRR3GZUjG2FMlSTqEesvU8cD3qeqiE18kyVxtEtoMSLpdhRh3huKkGwD9yWTvQpOZxDE67e_wyoeqn_MX6nfI-HJL9a7wS98mv9aE/s1600-h/John+Solo+Shot.jpg"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185231709997090530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px" height="290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ_90ayoHuaKBkmPO4AM8fAIecQXAlnWWMYTW6jMRR3GZUjG2FMlSTqEesvU8cD3qeqiE18kyVxtEtoMSLpdhRh3huKkGwD9yWTvQpOZxDE67e_wyoeqn_MX6nfI-HJL9a7wS98mv9aE/s320/John+Solo+Shot.jpg" width="210" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000066;">es the most interesting ways to do it. One of the ways He has amazed me this year is through John's participation in Upward Basketball. John started out the season wanting to play, but quickly experienced doubts about playing ball with boys he didn't know. I prayed for and with him, and it wa</span><span style="color:#000066;">s encouraged to see how God answered prayers for him. He not only overcame his shyness and hesitancy, he quickly made friends with the other boys on his team. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>John & friends--the littlest Lynx</strong></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#000066;">Now, I must point out that John was the 2nd shortest boy on his team; there were actually 6th graders over a foot taller than him! It would have been easy for John to feel intimidated or insecure, but t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaf-F2wIe7SZ4bi0ED8MLHUPUjGo7fmsIhkeQ7LRAQhl43QIqhPb5sfsEdCYpV-PsjBpAUhKtgwfub8BbKH_0MJE2zpADb46pMU4o-cesfzU_dJwuYCuo7QGbQqlmxfvOdZigrRYmSM0/s1600-h/DSC02151.JPG"><span style="color:#000066;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185232715019437810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" height="210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaf-F2wIe7SZ4bi0ED8MLHUPUjGo7fmsIhkeQ7LRAQhl43QIqhPb5sfsEdCYpV-PsjBpAUhKtgwfub8BbKH_0MJE2zpADb46pMU4o-cesfzU_dJwuYCuo7QGbQqlmxfvOdZigrRYmSM0/s320/DSC02151.JPG" width="279" border="0" /></span></a>he guys all hung together with a great </span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;">team spirit, fostered in part by an incredible coach. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;">Even still, it would have been natural for John to feel insecure, yet, seeing him out there buzz around on the court with that ball, zipping in between players (a distinct advantage of being a short player!) as he made his way to the basket was just an amazing thing in my eyes (not just because I was his mom!) I could only marvel at how God made our human bodies to work so well!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000066;">I came away from this season thanking God for His great love for our children, and for how He cares for the "big things" in their lives and the "little things" in ours!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-1687911872169876282008-02-13T11:55:00.002-08:002008-02-13T13:26:25.743-08:00Local Art Show Produces Several Winners!<span style="color:#663333;"><span style="font-size:130%;">~Klicka Kids Win Several Artwork Awards!~ </span></span><br /><div><div><span style="color:#663333;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPCctDqFNNe3uCmgK7yItZPy5q0ybmAvurM71HgGtyIfeum7joMnhpIOdh-_pzoCFeKqZJftvmW6_17IxlWTClLYmd6feavV84AhvL7pUTtFnsPKzrPhpzK0hUjjWQSSmdAh1SGZmrX8/s1600-h/Susanna's+Best+of+Show+Artwork.JPG"><span style="color:#663333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166565254545606306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPCctDqFNNe3uCmgK7yItZPy5q0ybmAvurM71HgGtyIfeum7joMnhpIOdh-_pzoCFeKqZJftvmW6_17IxlWTClLYmd6feavV84AhvL7pUTtFnsPKzrPhpzK0hUjjWQSSmdAh1SGZmrX8/s320/Susanna's+Best+of+Show+Artwork.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></span><span style="color:#663333;">On January 25, the ArtBeat Gallery in Manassas held an open house to acknowledge the winning entries of young student artists from our area who take art from Patty Rice (</span><a href="http://www.pattyricestudio.com/"><span style="color:#663333;">http://www.pattyricestudio.com/</span></a><span style="color:#663333;">). Several Klicka children entered artwork to be judged, and all won awards (out of over 125 entries).<br /><br />Susanna (13) --entered two pieces, a beautiful southwestern landscape and a striking portrait of a Mexican girl, and won "Best of Show" for her age category (7-13 yr. olds). She also got to display two additional pieces of her artwork in </span><span style="color:#663333;">the storefront window. Finally, she received $100, which she is saving to purchase a nice digital camera and/or photography supplies. Susanna had recently been down on herself about her artwork, so th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8N9JW9WRMPRrLoDHDm-ZBobFnHIVM-z5HpZMQryxqwr1NQmJjmS4roGxLZ0XV0Riom_219-pgQFvZl51VqQUMQxrim1haDJJF-sGGCZFaPo_vkLArrFF8lBdUPg2Y2ODmBhyrHZ1vYw/s1600-h/Susanna's+Additional+Artwork.JPG"><span style="color:#663333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166565452114101938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8N9JW9WRMPRrLoDHDm-ZBobFnHIVM-z5HpZMQryxqwr1NQmJjmS4roGxLZ0XV0Riom_219-pgQFvZl51VqQUMQxrim1haDJJF-sGGCZFaPo_vkLArrFF8lBdUPg2Y2ODmBhyrHZ1vYw/s320/Susanna's+Additional+Artwork.JPG" border="0" /></span></a>is award was a significant means of encouragement to her. </span><span style="color:#663333;"><br /><br />Charity (12) --entered a stunning scratchboard of the base of a tree in the snow and won first place! She also won "Best of Show" for this same piece in our Fauquier Country fair last summer.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6KDnbXv7-Sjj-ErZdo3U_LRjgmQDw2DnP9Ph4lrLnZrRzVth-tODenb3onrxpEZzrtujyiuvRgelBOwapE85XUC_S8jxAxKeYPL3XmIETa8C-_vzteA9Q3PCnL5fGmziCl4uIGLApV8/s1600-h/Charity's+First+Place+Artwork.JPG"><span style="color:#663333;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166565662567499458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 237px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" height="202" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6KDnbXv7-Sjj-ErZdo3U_LRjgmQDw2DnP9Ph4lrLnZrRzVth-tODenb3onrxpEZzrtujyiuvRgelBOwapE85XUC_S8jxAxKeYPL3XmIETa8C-_vzteA9Q3PCnL5fGmziCl4uIGLApV8/s320/Charity's+First+Place+Artwork.JPG" width="228" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="color:#663333;">Amy (12) -- who has taken only two art lessons (she has just started) entered a pastel of a penquin parent and baby, and surprised us all by winning first place! This was such an encouragement to her in the Lord. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB9u925UY-Qsrt-6kSupVeisXx6xPm5K7FyKnRI30hgCopAgtVGsNHqrlTZVB5ZTggC3e3y0trty8vdja3jrk44WGxqn6f16abiO_cdU1BGXOSy1kUTOUlo6QvKRXqvhAYOxH8FUE5zc/s1600-h/Amy's+First+Place+Artwork.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166566332582397650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB9u925UY-Qsrt-6kSupVeisXx6xPm5K7FyKnRI30hgCopAgtVGsNHqrlTZVB5ZTggC3e3y0trty8vdja3jrk44WGxqn6f16abiO_cdU1BGXOSy1kUTOUlo6QvKRXqvhAYOxH8FUE5zc/s320/Amy's+First+Place+Artwork.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />John (10) -- who was persuaded by his mom and sisters to enter an amazing pastel of buffalo on a hillside at dusk, and won first place. He's decided he wants to take art again afterall. :o) <br /><br />Jesse (15) -- while not winning first place for his artwork, entered two pieces, a vibrant pastel of manatees underwater, winning third place, and a very detailed scratchboard of a cheetah, winning fourth place for that. The competition in this age category was very tough, so he did well considering that.<br /><br />I (Tracy) got third place for her mountain pastel landscape, and fourth place for a watercolor lakeside mountain scene. I am happy to have just finished two pieces to enter!<br /><br />God amazed us by having us win the awards! I am thankful for the encouragement the kids received, and I am so proud of all the attention and effort each of the kids put into their artwork. Working on art during the slow, cold months of winter is good therapy for all of us, and we hope to keep improving our skills during the year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiHzWzX7MwSzNm8SgxbzU2PjQrSazRRMUh_uncZRqj-ar-8z9V6Cg12WpKSu0S1iK4A-ibUKrP9HNG139qdaBhOe0MMpZj_y7pAWQyw9ffY_-aqgpBdxcHekhI8bRI0IuknqTtXphTsQ/s1600-h/John's+First+Place+Art.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166566942467753698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiHzWzX7MwSzNm8SgxbzU2PjQrSazRRMUh_uncZRqj-ar-8z9V6Cg12WpKSu0S1iK4A-ibUKrP9HNG139qdaBhOe0MMpZj_y7pAWQyw9ffY_-aqgpBdxcHekhI8bRI0IuknqTtXphTsQ/s320/John's+First+Place+Art.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWPoPe5vFG-LYuXO6Noc2cTRsDSCUqCgqR9JSgOZdorgWG3B5r3atVIc1qDPWCq-20lW_cRijZsKJQ7TbYDjRegt8GNk-pH7coFQAuEOVffXlmHVcV5rxmMeNfnMZlw2N7EzjtaNf19U/s1600-h/Jesse's+Winning+Artwork.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166572397076219634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="261" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWPoPe5vFG-LYuXO6Noc2cTRsDSCUqCgqR9JSgOZdorgWG3B5r3atVIc1qDPWCq-20lW_cRijZsKJQ7TbYDjRegt8GNk-pH7coFQAuEOVffXlmHVcV5rxmMeNfnMZlw2N7EzjtaNf19U/s320/Jesse's+Winning+Artwork.JPG" width="154" border="0" /></a></span></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668028687354845407.post-38027291043462990362008-01-06T20:21:00.000-08:002008-01-20T20:53:01.534-08:00Happy New Year, 2008!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNs9D99TL23bWGjVDdNrqdHhuTsaiu5DtlX0KvGSt5mKipdfhJmuF_AJJBAVpKZZMozEC2FD_ifb-jGJQ9KMuhMJxhgLVqCy5SYFvJbc2SN03aCXxkru1DV5HP5s4W-Bo9khXKWPecJk/s1600-h/Blogger+Profile+10-07.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157784368352975474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNs9D99TL23bWGjVDdNrqdHhuTsaiu5DtlX0KvGSt5mKipdfhJmuF_AJJBAVpKZZMozEC2FD_ifb-jGJQ9KMuhMJxhgLVqCy5SYFvJbc2SN03aCXxkru1DV5HP5s4W-Bo9khXKWPecJk/s320/Blogger+Profile+10-07.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">We are thankful for every remem</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">brance of you and for your many prayers on our behalf. Jesus is our reason for living. Without Him, life is nothing. We rejoice in knowing the great love our Father God has for</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;"> us in that He sent His only begotten Son to come to this earth to </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">live and suffer for us. Jesus lived a perfect life. </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">He is very God and very man. Yet the Scriptures tell us “for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross and the shame”. We who believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior are that “joy” that He voluntarily gave His life for. He voluntarily carried the incredible weight of our sins on His shoulders. Hallelujah, what a Savior! We hope that all of you receiving this letter personally know Jesus Christ as your Savior. He is the greatest Gift we could ever receive!</span></span><br /></div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000066;"><strong>Here is a summary of the year 2007--</strong></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Chris</strong> </span>is still battling multiple sclerosis with all his might. He daily “buffets his body and makes it his slave” so that he can work another day for the glory of God. He is fully aware that it is God and God alone who sustains him each and every day. His neurologist said that four years ago that Chris should be bedridden. Chris often says “when you look behind me you did not see two sets of footprints. You only see one set of footprints and they are God’s. He has carried me for several years”.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000066;"></span></div><p></p><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000066;">Nonetheless, Chris has been used by God to do many things this year. He continues to work full-time for the Home School Legal Defense Association as Senior Counsel. Heis still traveling as well to home school conventions each year, with Tracy’s, Jesse’s, or Megan’s help. Radio interviews are also part of his work, and he is thankful for his voice and mind to serve the homeschool community.</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">Chris is again teaching a government class to homeschoolers each week and loves it. It is a joy and blessing to see how these kids have been impacted by the class to become more interested in how our country’s freedoms were founded, and to desire to work to maintain that freedom.<br /><br /><strong>A Special Honor Given—</strong>In June, Chris was chosen to receive the Captain John Smith Perseverance Award from Vision Forum during their week-long celebration of the quadricentennial anniversary of Jamestown. The whole family and Tracy’s parents were there to see him receive the award to a long standing ovation, a big thank from the homeschool community for Chris’ service to homeschoolers for over 22 years. Chris testified to God being his strength and help, and gave God all the glory.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tracy</span> is <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyts3KdLPHPfuUPijLfr8BlhQZ_r8OdGlEqvXpvdkxlJXawKLG9do0Vkec946zyizAtefFjieeIyoxKkpfx2XitZ-k-UNm4CDKj1HY-owA-TnWcj3RBtgT57vCARE8mVpqV-GH3o-Ch58/s1600-h/Tracy+%26+Kids+at+Church+Retreat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152610410230045154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyts3KdLPHPfuUPijLfr8BlhQZ_r8OdGlEqvXpvdkxlJXawKLG9do0Vkec946zyizAtefFjieeIyoxKkpfx2XitZ-k-UNm4CDKj1HY-owA-TnWcj3RBtgT57vCARE8mVpqV-GH3o-Ch58/s320/Tracy+%26+Kids+at+Church+Retreat.jpg" border="0" /></a>still homeschooling the kids. She spends much time with the children teaching them, and seeks to grow in the Lord so she can lead her children in the Lord. She also uses well her wonderful talent of her voice and love of music. She is directing a homeschool choir again of about 30 kids, and she serves at our church on the music team and helps organize a children’s choir for special services. She still loves singing as the Lord allows, and hopes to sing for President Bush before he retires from the presidency. :o) This photo is of Tracy and the kids at our church retreat in June.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">In addition to taking a couple summer workshops and week-long art school, she looks for time to work on art, doing oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, art j<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE-fuj7udyOZBghEPTY1Xv7ytsIDyGOIXnERt0DN4BSfIHdoElBK4ThtArV_67F-AbcwxZRv6PW_Q18rJTj2CZj7WQBecZWhvq7GG7IqNf_JB8UK2kNQ1hq4wOKTIk6b3zLDakjVPEzM/s1600-h/mountain+scene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152606080903010674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE-fuj7udyOZBghEPTY1Xv7ytsIDyGOIXnERt0DN4BSfIHdoElBK4ThtArV_67F-AbcwxZRv6PW_Q18rJTj2CZj7WQBecZWhvq7GG7IqNf_JB8UK2kNQ1hq4wOKTIk6b3zLDakjVPEzM/s320/mountain+scene.jpg" border="0" /></a>ournaling, and custom photographs, and has won several awards locally for both her artwork and phototography.</span><span style="color:#000066;"> She also produces very beautiful note cards which she sells. This drawing is a pastel landscape Tracy made for notecards this past summer. </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;">Though life seems overwhelming often, she longs to keep her eyes on Jesus, looking to Him for strength, and encouraging others in the Lord. Her favorite verse is, <em>“O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who trusts in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints, for to those who fear Him there is no want.”</em> ~Psalm 34:8-9 </span></span></p></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;"><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Our trips</span></strong></div><div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Make-a-Wish Vacation (almost!)--</strong>This past March our whole family spent a special week in Florida that combined vacation and homeschool conference speaking. Of course, everyone went to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios! Here's Chris and the kids at Epcot Center. Both parks were very accommodating of Chris’ physical handicaps and we got around pretty well. We really did have a great time. Our kids have only been to these parks when they were too little to remember (11 years ago!), so it was a huge gift from the Lord, especially since di<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2c0Jb2ruG7rA_W5Nk_sbMV2d9U50Q3vRLseWjMGnl2vy-kMUSauvy0H_CjLiuSF-AChIwj1EYi-aAvDT9WOrI_iFOO_CZPs1anO1e4CBFWmT2SWbwRsONWxCNO8DYktOeSArGUPmW4A/s1600-h/Chris+%26+Kids+at+Epcot+Center.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152606944191437186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" height="183" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2c0Jb2ruG7rA_W5Nk_sbMV2d9U50Q3vRLseWjMGnl2vy-kMUSauvy0H_CjLiuSF-AChIwj1EYi-aAvDT9WOrI_iFOO_CZPs1anO1e4CBFWmT2SWbwRsONWxCNO8DYktOeSArGUPmW4A/s320/Chris+%26+Kids+at+Epcot+Center.JPG" width="221" border="0" /></a>fferent friends helped us with free tickets to Universal Studios, a week free in a condo near Disney, and use of a minivan for the week. God is so kind!</span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000066;"><div><br />Besides visiting old friends and making new friends at the Vero Beach homeschool conference, everyone got to see Tracy’s 92-yr.-old grandfather. The kids hadn’t all seen him for many years—having a great grandfather still is such a gift from the Lord! And sunburns from the beach didn’t diminish the blessings from this wonderful week together!</div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Erin go Brea (Ireland is beautiful)-<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrt9omIomjSTdXhEZouL3Fzg3xgGJBP0DP54euUnI5j7D0Y6AnfINm7SHSvdmbnPcsTkxfSj12qw65OIuidOwXlraKumLpsLjinlRhMW430ToX0K5_3q2PtRA2sIjWL89K5CD50NMm_I/s1600-h/Ireland,+for+blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152615199118580226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" height="240" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrt9omIomjSTdXhEZouL3Fzg3xgGJBP0DP54euUnI5j7D0Y6AnfINm7SHSvdmbnPcsTkxfSj12qw65OIuidOwXlraKumLpsLjinlRhMW430ToX0K5_3q2PtRA2sIjWL89K5CD50NMm_I/s320/Ireland,+for+blog.jpg" width="273" border="0" /></a>-</strong>In addition to the family’s trip to Florida, Tracy got to spend a week in Ireland in March with her good friend Julie Randall, driving around the beautiful countryside, and taking lots of photos for future art references. It was a very restful time for her and much needed break Chris so generously let her have. This is one of Tracy's photos of the Dingle Peninsula, the westernmost tip of Ireland.<br /></div><br /><div><strong>The Denver Rally Miracle--</strong>On one of Chris’ many speaking trips, he was especially challenged when he fell on the airplane arriving in Denver. He was in so much pain he nearly passed out, but with Jesse’s great help and a lot of prayer, he was able to continue on with the trip and speak to 2000 homeschoolers at a rally where a blizzard was predicted to have hit and completely shut down. Instead, the snowstorm skirted around Denver and missed it entirely! Tracy was amazed to hear the report on national radio and called Chris early the morning of the rally to announce the miracle God had performed, partly in answer to thousands of homeschoolers praying.<br /><br /><strong>"Big Trouble in Little China"food--</strong>In the spring, Chris, Megan, and Susanna spent almost a week in Wisconsin with Chris’ parents. Chris spoke at the WI homeschool convention with Ken Ham and also preached in his parents’ church. He had a scary episode of a severe allergic reaction to MSG in some Chinese food he had eaten one evening. Megan, was a very capable helper to Chris, but he really needed a trip to the emergency room and a high dose of Benedryl to help him recover. He had been completely paralyzed from the MSG—with Megan and Chris’ parents praying with him, and Tracy and the kids praying long-distance, God in His mercy heard their prayers!<br /><br /><strong>NC, A Blast from the Past--</strong>On another speaking trip in May for Chris and Tracy to North Carolina, Chris was blessed to reconnect with an old friend, Craig Bulkeley. Chris and Tracy brought four of the girls on this trip and enjoyed hanging out with longtime friends, the Van Eerdens, The time spent with them and their 10 kids was wonderful, and the girls developed good friendships with their children, with a special friendship forming between Megan and their oldest son. Chris and Tracy were given a special Marriott gift card by the NC homeschool leaders since it was their anniversary that weekend.<br /><br /><strong>An Artist's Retreat--</strong>Besides the spring trip to Ireland, in July Tracy got to spend a week in Montana at Barry Stebbing’s Katrina School of Art, staying with friends Russ and Loraine Wahl, improving her artistic abilities with good friends Beth Raley and Carmen Rockett. Tracy doesn’t have a lot of time to do artwork during the school year, so she is very thankful for the workshops and art school during the summer to continue learning about art.<br /><br /><strong>North of the Border--</strong>In September, Chris and Jesse drove all the way to Canada to speak at their National Homeschool Leadership conference. This was only possible because a good friend, Jehred Rockett was their driver. This young man has been such a great gift of a friend to Megan</span> <span style="color:#000066;">and our whole family, along with his whole family. We are thankful for the past year God has given us with them before they move back to Texas in March. We’ll miss them!<br /><br /><strong>A National Reunion--</strong>Every year in September our family attends the National Homeschool Leadership Conference. This year it was held in Albuquerque, and we brought everyone except John and Amy, who stayed with good friends near home. Our kids deepened their friendships with kids from around the country, while Chris helped homeschool leaders. Tracy helped lead worship each morning and sang Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up” for the closing banquet.<br /><br /><strong>Special Visits</strong> this year included both Chris’ and Tracy’s parents, many friends from around the country, plus special friends and missionaries from South Africa with Frontline Fellowship, Peter and Lenora Hammond and their children. We had a wonderful time touring around DC with them and reconnecting with them.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Now for the Kids…</span><br /><br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUamFUqaUU_9OEXUbcYGbIfqwYzAWRtiD01ckEUJgRfcnrOD8SWFZvVwCkiXRGMaWK-tGzGqS8xjYmRWeazK-y6UcoHOXCxzGKrzPp3fuujK3OU3NIb7ErtQnGQnOwv2i89BU1aqbzHy0/s1600-h/Bethany+%26+Ben--sepia.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152603761620670786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px" height="251" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUamFUqaUU_9OEXUbcYGbIfqwYzAWRtiD01ckEUJgRfcnrOD8SWFZvVwCkiXRGMaWK-tGzGqS8xjYmRWeazK-y6UcoHOXCxzGKrzPp3fuujK3OU3NIb7ErtQnGQnOwv2i89BU1aqbzHy0/s320/Bethany+%26+Ben--sepia.JPG" width="223" border="0" /></a>Bethany--</strong>This has been a big year for Bethany. She turned 20 in November (complaining that she was no longer a “teen”), and is an excellent student as a sophomore at Patrick Henry College in Virginia. She is interested in becoming a spy! Seriously, she is considering pursuing a Government degree with an emphasis on Strategic Intelligence (becoming an analyst rather than a field operative). Her gift for research and writing, and her love for her country and the whole spy thing make this degree perfect for her. In the spring, a great, godly man, Benjamin Arnold-Bik met Bethany at a local contradance and they’ve been courting ever since. Ben was also homeschooled, and is currently in training with the Marines this next year. It is likely that they will get engaged soon, and are planning to be married in 2008. We rejoice in how God has brought these two wonderful godly people together, and know they desire to serve Him with their lives as one!<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_wytKBVKN3DJYdxPdWe-uTn7ERuetLSg3wMbdrLX9Dx3ad8TAXvs-GDdIclq0Olf6qFTz7YNihrtGTwO_uTcXHxvDhaSS_ngjtz1e7tcPqwnI3Xt9PTLA5LsYE4goHgTQiye8ayjd0g/s1600-h/1-08,+for+blog,+resized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155335966411315794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px" height="221" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_wytKBVKN3DJYdxPdWe-uTn7ERuetLSg3wMbdrLX9Dx3ad8TAXvs-GDdIclq0Olf6qFTz7YNihrtGTwO_uTcXHxvDhaSS_ngjtz1e7tcPqwnI3Xt9PTLA5LsYE4goHgTQiye8ayjd0g/s320/1-08,+for+blog,+resized.JPG" width="143" border="0" /></a>Megan—</strong>recently turned 17, is working hard on her last year of homeschooling and plans to graduate in the spring so she can start college in the fall. She wants to attend Grove City College as a Psychology or Religion/Philosophy major, but is still open to the Lord’s leading. She is working part-time as a barista at Starbucks, and loves reaching out with the love of Jesus to her co-workers, even getting one of the married gals there a tree, decorating it, and putting it in her apartment with presents under it. She is so generous! While she doesn’t have a lot of extra-curricular activities, Megan has a big heart, loves to encourage her companions, is a great friend to her siblings, and is a wonderful help to Chris on his speaking trips. She has also learned, through some trial and error, how to be a better driver…we can’t thank the Lord enough for this! :o) We are so thankful for this gifted young woman who is learning to lean on the Lord more for His strength!</span><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQggTQA5X-iJoEOkNZYHtpZH3IlunMAZDg1rA3SSORpL36jWszIvvTAlZtWJqCMAycyjylVcjoUYmCASwtiN-ne3KxoMhlRXWNF12vUNTiEimNwFjPR-jWYe8T6ptlCBqKTSkzNltv2sk/s1600-h/Cool+Jesse.JPG"></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX6cuZLEz8vdfCoA0nLM98UzG834dllpNc5-JISQ_kVvBPbejf2EM2fknZgZ8bNJRCjqKYLjSY_KuxiWoTodRSGt43xtoWPrZuYNIULZpgoSD0_SMpdJhUj8HW0GbNkKyWtxHLre-Or8/s1600-h/Cool+Jesse.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157783088452721250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px" height="290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX6cuZLEz8vdfCoA0nLM98UzG834dllpNc5-JISQ_kVvBPbejf2EM2fknZgZ8bNJRCjqKYLjSY_KuxiWoTodRSGt43xtoWPrZuYNIULZpgoSD0_SMpdJhUj8HW0GbNkKyWtxHLre-Or8/s320/Cool+Jesse.JPG" width="200" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Jesse--</strong>is 15 years old and is nearly as tall as his six-foot dad. He is the strongest one in our house now (and knows it!) He enjoys playing basketball and talking to girls (he’s quite good-looking) :o). He is working hard in his 10th grade studies, and has shown a lot of maturity in his relationships with friends and growing love for his brother and sisters. He has especially become dad’s right-hand man. He often travels with his dad or goes on errands with him. Jesse has been through some of Chris’ most difficult MS times with him, and we see how God has developed a true spirit of service and patience in this great young man!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4WRTuARjBYC-b4QhUC7BrdKSS2PCg1rZ1ND2_QUAp0RdrOe4PeBQakeKt3d1tq0eq87uaMlFBGUdd2_U_5xRsNA0dDQhT5jajNsRH2rze_ULMVZSQpiC7Aq6Ob1S1UOcCkZTMl1opNw/s1600-h/Susanna+sepia+tone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152607502537185682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px" height="287" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4WRTuARjBYC-b4QhUC7BrdKSS2PCg1rZ1ND2_QUAp0RdrOe4PeBQakeKt3d1tq0eq87uaMlFBGUdd2_U_5xRsNA0dDQhT5jajNsRH2rze_ULMVZSQpiC7Aq6Ob1S1UOcCkZTMl1opNw/s320/Susanna+sepia+tone.jpg" width="179" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Susanna--</strong>is in 8th grade and will soon be turning 14. She is growing up fast and is a beautiful young lady. She has a sweet spirit and has become a faithful helper at home. With her interest in working in the kitchen, she’s recently been nicknamed “Chef Susanna”. She loves to compete in sports and is currently on a basketball team. Her artwork has improved a lot this year, and she has become a good portrait artist. In her studies, Susanna is really enjoying biology, and has become a very good, self-disciplined student. We are so proud of her! Her gentleness is a quality we cherish in her.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000066;"><br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_Mb9jEWDpShPAvnD0atsDEuvRXdAu6W5Gw-FJxyO3Q2ysHesNiUyrPEPn16vsw3mxM1yjRY_HOJ0ThGFZlcC6qkdBRQJzZSd-qIsyfGymYxvtn_uLhNTMTO5C-9yzOUpmNml72ckDa8/s1600-h/June+2007+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152608683653192114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" height="264" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_Mb9jEWDpShPAvnD0atsDEuvRXdAu6W5Gw-FJxyO3Q2ysHesNiUyrPEPn16vsw3mxM1yjRY_HOJ0ThGFZlcC6qkdBRQJzZSd-qIsyfGymYxvtn_uLhNTMTO5C-9yzOUpmNml72ckDa8/s320/June+2007+032.jpg" width="176" border="0" /></a>Charity--</strong>has grown in so many ways this past year. She has gotten a lot taller, and has shown growth in being a more faithful, self-motivated student. Her artwork has become very good all around, and she even won best in show for her scratchboard work. Charity continues to give a lot of love to her parents and siblings! She is cheerful in serving her dad, even late at night, and is a good encourager. She is looking forward to playing <em>Upward Basketball</em> again this year (after a two-year break), and proved to be the best fisherman in our home, pulling in a 5 pound large mouth bass out of the lake in our backyard. Her hugs and kisses are the best in the world to her mom and dad--What a treasure she is!</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><br /><strong>Amy--</strong>continues to be our “miracle”. She was predicted</span><span style="color:#000066;"> by the doc<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFkOkuP-pgxcDb0AEllxFcH_jc55nvesC3tprOPnt2kAVy0IkUxSLdTed3s_vxw2lejh6-xFVj6HrIbL8-Cald1Kq9k_bnU8tcrciuYFoOUAt047IfWQWHbhtr_d2vNWTvU5ZyjYYT2Q/s1600-h/amy+sitting+pretty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152609495402011074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px" height="295" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFkOkuP-pgxcDb0AEllxFcH_jc55nvesC3tprOPnt2kAVy0IkUxSLdTed3s_vxw2lejh6-xFVj6HrIbL8-Cald1Kq9k_bnU8tcrciuYFoOUAt047IfWQWHbhtr_d2vNWTvU5ZyjYYT2Q/s320/amy+sitting+pretty.jpg" width="308" border="0" /></a>tors to die 12 years ago but God had different plans. She has been a great blessing to our family that we are very thankful for. She loves animals and faithfully cares for most of the pets, including the hamster, salamanders, tropical fish, cat, lizards, and even John’s guinea pig. She also loves little children and regularly befriends them at church. She has grown in her love for reading, and has been the most reliable student in our homeschool. She has a gift for noticing the needs of others often, and blesses siblings, mom, and dad by her small acts of kindness. We marvel at God’s kindness in working in Amy’s life, and are so thankful for her!</span></div><div><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>John--</strong>is 10 years old already. Though still quite young, he shows a lot of maturity for his age. He loves spor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGLI9fBr-wIvssADeACVgDJlQ8Tx8dJpsEWSipGvp8hkwsd-VkEgiQHYyNZVxpzqCOnu_Qq3V3LoboIwvmLSvY9NMIQTMaiLklJY_D7v_dImb1ufqyJpOP3Y4a72F1izqIvvkrUpuIco/s1600-h/Megan+%26+John.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152609933488675282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" height="235" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGLI9fBr-wIvssADeACVgDJlQ8Tx8dJpsEWSipGvp8hkwsd-VkEgiQHYyNZVxpzqCOnu_Qq3V3LoboIwvmLSvY9NMIQTMaiLklJY_D7v_dImb1ufqyJpOP3Y4a72F1izqIvvkrUpuIco/s320/Megan+%26+John.JPG" width="320" border="0" /></a>ts and physical activity. There is not a tree he won’t climb, a boy he won’t wrestle, or a sport he won’t play. He’s playing <em>Upward Basketball</em> this year and though he is a little short for his age, is quick and confident on the court. John is also a tremendous servant to his dad. He carries a heavy burden for such a young fellow, but he also looks to the Lord for strength. John asks great questions during devotions and seems to really want to grow in his faith in Jesus. This “little man’s” tender heart for others is especially endearing to his mom and dad, and all his siblings are thankful to have this comedian around our home. :o)</span><br /></div><div><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A New Church Home—</span>Finally, a very big change has taken place in our lives. After being in our church, Gainesville Presbyterian, for over 17 years (the only church our children have ever known), God called us to become part of another local body. Since June of 2007, we have been members of Grace Community Church in Ashburn, VA, part of the Sovereign Grace Ministries denomination </span><a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/"><span style="color:#000066;">www.sovereigngraceministries.org</span></a><span style="color:#000066;">). We have been greatly challenged to grow in the areas of looking at our sin, yet seeing the awesome grace and love of God, and to love more deeply the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ! While it was not an easy adjustment for any of us, we have continued to be good friends with families in our old church, but have also made deep and meaningful friendships with so many at Grace Community as well. Through this whole time of transition, we have seen how precious the body of Christ is, wherever it is, and what a privilege it is to live in community with His people, regardless of location. God is so good!</span></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#000066;">We give our thanks to God who in His mercy graciously sustained us through another year. We have felt His presence and have seen His hand work on our behalf. God is good. Yes, He is good all the time---in both sunshine and clouds. It is our prayer that you may know Him more fully this year--His grace, His power, His love--and that,</span></div><div><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><em><blockquote><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><em></em></span></em></span></span></em></span></em></span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><span style="color:#000066;"><em>you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</em> ~Ephesians 3:17-19</span></em></span></span></em></span></em></span></span></blockquote></em></span></em></span></span></div></em></span></em></span></span><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000066;">May God bless and keep all of you in 2008!</span></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Love and prayers, </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Chris and Tracy & children</span></span></div></div></div></div>The Klicka Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10053964117591693836noreply@blogger.com7