pieces back together

Do you ever have a couple of weeks that are just so unbelievable that it's as if it never happened...but you look down and there are pieces of yourself all over the place as a result? I am very excited that April is tomorrow because March of 2006 is a month I will never forget for lots of reasons, but I want to forget all in the same breath. There was a weekend earlier this month that I had scheduled for Rayna to be with her Grandma Bevie and Jon was going to be in Duluth with the youth and I was just going to get the pieces of my life together and get schoolwork out of the way so that it is not a huge weight felt all the time. When Rayna came down with Rotavirus and I ended up in the hospital with her, that weekend became a different focus. Well....this weekend is a weekend, prayerfully, that I can pick up the pieces of our lives and finish schoolwork, sleep, and just rest in the knowledge that God does give us mercies new every morning. Cristina and I are heading to the clergy cottages to do all of those things and more and she is even going to teach me how to paint on a canvas! Jon will be resting somewhat here at home and Rayna is going to Tom and Kapi's...and ride the tractor. She is so excited to go that she couldn't settle down for a nap because she knew when she wakes up, that she get to go with the Palke's. Oh, a side note...Rayna's newest thing is that she wants to wear her favorite black shiny dress shoes with everything and she has to put them on herself! Doesn't matter what she's wearing, she has to wear her black shoes and she even has to sleep with them. Rayna has been so sweet during this last week too and asking me if I need hugs and if I was ok when the tears just didn't seem to stop at times. I know I've learned a lot of things this last week dealing with the grief, but the greatest lesson is that God's promise of new mercies every morning takes another reality when you don't know how much you're going to need for that day.

A Post With A Picture

Hey all it is Jon again well actually on the same day... thought it would be nice to give you a picture of Rayna Kinsey our favorite little girl with one of her friends at church... Rayna is growing so fast I can't even belive she will be 3 in June... She is so much fun...she is learning to dress herself and is currently at this very moment walking in shoes that she put on herself I won't tell her just yet that they are on the wrong feet, she isn't complaining so why ruin a good thing. well have a great day
Jon

A Tragic Loss

Hey guys, this is Jon jumping in on Kelli's blog wanting to share a little of what happened this past week and pay tribute to an amazing young man, son, brother, grandson and student...Jon Bonnema in the picture you will be able to see him the young man all the way to the left and Adam his friend that also passed away is all the way to the right and shane the driver who survived is in the center...please pray for him for he will have a long road to travel and I pray God's grace will truly be sufficient.
Well I am glad that Monday and Tuesday are over, we had Jon's funeral on Monday and Adams on Tuesday and those were two too many...thanks for your prayers for Kelli and I and I now ask that you transfer those prayers to Mike and Gwen the parents of Jon and Adams parents [names I do not know]...

our sweet little girl

Here are a few updates on Rayna and her world...She is getting bigger and growing taller every day. Her hair is getting really long and we need to cut it soon. I will have pictures up on the blog once I find my chord to my digital camera. Tonight she spent her night with her "Bevie" which is her Wednesday night grandma while we are at the youth service and she will be spending the weekend with her over our winter retreat next weekend. "Bevie" has already planned some of their activities and is really excited to spend more time with her. Every Wednesday Rayna asks to paint and play playdoh or whatever else Bev brings for them to play with. Rayna has been talking a lot about having a surprise birthday party with hats and candles! This year's birthday will be fun. She is still singing at the top of her lungs any and every song she knows...it is so cute. The daycare that Rayna has been going to for the last two years is closing in three weeks. She is going to be spending a few days with some other moms until she can get into another daycare. Please be in prayer about the next daycare we find for her while I finish my internship this fall. We are so blessed with such a beautiful little girl.