Deacon Grandpa John! D-Day!

Grandpa loves to teach kids the faith. Grandpa volunteers at Church, a lot. Grandpa loves helping others. They like him too. 

Pretty soon Grandpa John is asked to enter Deacon formation, the long track to prepare for becoming a Deacon. Sounds like a nice idea. 

Somehow three years go by, maybe four even, and then the summer comes to be 'ordained' a Deacon. Then the actual day comes. Not sure how that came so fast?? We knew Dad was going to be ordained. Yet somehow this doesn't  prepare one to actually see their Dad being ordained a permanent Deacon.  Like a wedding day, it quickly came upon us, and we watched and took it in. (Well if one has a hyper one year old, who is overtired, and they have to go way up high to keep her from distracting everyone, and she can walk and try to run, well they watch a little. But even from way up high, they are really proud of their Dad!)
 Dad you didn't seek this out, you were reeled in like a fish! Now you get to go out and try to be a fisher of men. Tell them He loves them. You know it's true!

So now Deacon Grandpa is helping sometimes on the alter. He sometimes gives a sermon, and he takes on new roles. (Umm was that your Dad up there?-Yep) He is really good when people are struggling with sickness in their loved one,  comforting them in their grief, helping them to trust. We also found he can also give you a travel blessing when we were leaving town...yeah still taking this all in!  We are so proud of Grandpa for loving God, loving others, and seeking to grow to be more! We love you!

On that note, I also want to commend my dear Mom for 5 months of Interferon treatment down to rid herself of Hepatitis C. She has endured these months of misery, and even here is trying to be 'good' for Dad and everyone. She has been very courageous and uncomplaining throughout this super long ordeal. Now just about 5 weeks more to get through and hopefully she's kicked this virus for good. After about 28 years of fighting it, the opportunity to lick it, and the will to endure it, are quite a gift to behold. One day when Annelise is older, she'll be thankful for it!

See Mom, no one cares if you sit for a little while in a wheelchair. They are too impressed that you made it through six hours tonight on stage, in a warm auditorium! 

Deacon Grandpa and his good friend and their family.(It's about 1 am East Coast time, kids made it through but they're tired!)