The Nurse and the Electrician

The Nurse in this story is our beautiful blushing bride

The Electrician is the dapper man at her side

A chubby little girl who loved kittens and dolls

The Nurse was a playful one who played in corn crib walls

Unfounded fears of wolves and sharks

Meant the little girl wouldn't sleep alone in the dark

Skiing on one was one of her tricks of the trade

And being the Cracker Jack is how she was made

The Nurse moved to Denver in 2005

She didn't know she'd find true love, and that sparks would begin to fly

The Electrician also travelled away from his ranch

He left behind his horses and his country line dance

If the Nurse was scared, then the Electrician was brave

He's faced down charging bulls in a rodeo game!!

He learned to be a boarder, of wake and snow

A hobby that would lead him to his Nurse that's now in tow

On a warm and sunny day they met and soon discovered

The complement to themselves in one another

The Nurse likes to talk and so someone must listen

Good thing she found herself the perfect Electrician

Each finding in the other, what they didn't know they'd need

The Nurse and the Electrician were in love like lightening speed

The gifts we wish that they'd receive on their wedding day

are joy, faith, hope and love to forever be brought their way

So let's toast the Newlyweds who've brought us here today

May your love continue to increase, hip hip-----------hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Tribute

This tribute is for a co-worker who died very unexpectedly.

G is for generous, generous, generous! Whether is was through food, conversation, help with work, or time with her grand kids, Gayle was the epitome of generosity.

A is for attending to others needs, for ministering to others through her care, concern, and actions, she was a true servant.

Y is for yearning to see her one last time, to give her a hug and tell her how much she means to us.

L is for loving her family, her patients, her friends; "big hearted" can't begin to describe Gayle LaVine.!

E is for her energetic spirit. Her bouncy little step, her peppy smile, and the person who she was will forever be missed!

A Toast to a Sister, 2006

Affection is defined as "a tender feeling toward another." We are all here today to celebrate the affection that Jina and Eddie have for each other. But all of us in the room have a certain degree of affection for Jina and Eddie also.
I first learned to have affection toward Jina when she became my sister in-law 6 years ago. I already had 2 younger sisters, and Jina was a nice addition. A year after our wedding Jina came to live with her brother and myself, during her summer break from Nursing school. It was during this time that my affection for her started to grow. She became the greatest friend! I discovered that we had a lot in common, and that summer was spent talking, drinking coffee, and scrapbooking. Of course she and I are also part of the same profession, and a part of the same great family. The summer that Jina lived with us, she and I became more than sisters by law, we became sisters by heart.
As her sister, I was sad and happy for her to move to CA. Happy for the adventure, opportunity and change; and sad that my sister and confidant had to leave. My sadness lessened when I met Edward. Jina didn’t know it at the time, but no boyfriend of her’s had ever met her older brother’s expectations, that is until Eddie came to MN.
While here, Jina and Eddie and Jeff and I went to a Timberwolves/Lakers game. One thing I learned about Eddie is that he is a devoted Lakers fan. We still liked Eddie after he and Jina wore their Lakers jerseys and cheered loudly for the Lakers in Timberwolve territory. Jeff and I were so happy when we heard that the man who compliments Jina so well, would become a part of our family.
My hope is that Jina and Eddie, will grow in affection for each other and for each other’s families. I wish you many safe travels to MN, and many many years of companionship and marriage together!
So, please raise your glasses and help me wish my sister and her new husband many years of happiness in this world! Cheers!!!

A Toast to a Sister, 2005

Michelle was just a baby when I first got a glimpse
Of her black puffy hair and her super tight grip

Through the years she's developed supersonic strength
Not only in muscles, but in character at length

Fear has never been an emotion that she's known
Big roller coasters and off the high dive she has flown

Soon a great guy from Lake Benton was calling
Long talks and double dates, in love my little sis was falling

Day turned into weeks, which then turned into years
Tony and Michelle endured amid family cheers!

So the girls in our family are getting far out-weighed
David Merle tipped the scales when he came out to play

We're so glad Tony's become a part of our family
A perfect match for our Michelle, even Dad will agree

Through calm and stormy weather Michelle and Tony have always shown
The best characteristics that I have ever known

Faith, hope and love, seems to be the motto that they share
Many years of wedded bliss for them is my prayer

So raise your glass of bubbly and we will all celebrate
This love that God has brought together, oh yes it is great! Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Poem 2005

2005 went by quickly and sad
We mourn the loss of Jeff's Grandad

Friends and family help us frequent the cabin
We enjoy every minute that we have them

A baby nephew was born in June
Perfect he is! We're watching him bloom

Two more brothers in-law, Jeff will boast
Weddings galore! And people we love most

A sister each, we now have in the West
Plane trips and phone calls will pass the test

Golfing, hunting and learning to wake board
These are the hobbies that Jeff likes to hoard

While Jenny enjoys work and crafty pursuits
Time with family is always a hoot!

Enjoy the time that you have here on Earth
But remember the promise of Jesus' birth!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff and Jenny

Merry Christmas, 2004

Our year has been busy, our year has been good.

We've traveled back and forth to our cabin just like we should

Our dog is still crazy, cute, and bizarre

She gets anxious and pants when we're in the car

This year our family lost a grand patriarch

We're chrishing our memories, and keeping them close to our hearts.

We're also gaining a member here and there,

My little sis has a diamond ring to wear!

Here's hoping the season finds you living out peace,

We wish you and yours God's love to keep.

Jeff and Jenny

December 2004

(This was a Christmas letter that I didn't send out in 2004. I think it was just part of my expression of grief that year.)

Christmas, 2004
This year has been a mix of recent sadness and hopeful joy. In early September my grandpa was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. He passed away 2 months after this diagnosis. It has been a whirlwind of emotions and events. Having never lost a grandparent these feelings were new for me and I’ve come to appreciate my family and faith, and the faith of my family even more than before. A verse in Philippians 4 states: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This promise has deceased my fears and anxieties in the past 3 months. And although it is difficult to think of the mortality of us all, it is so uplifting to think of the grace and perfect love that Jesus offers us. That, above all gives me joy.
I hope this season will give you time to reflect and meditate on how you find peace in an imperfect world. I pray you find it in the perfect Gift from the God of the universe-Jesus Christ, his Son.