News from the Nest

( The highlights of our year)

Dear Friends and Family,

We had a wonderful time at the National Missionary Convention in Indianapolis. The display banner next to Charlie was designed by our daughter Suzy and her husband Tim. The stand was designed by Charlie and is made out of an IV pole, a closet door rail and 4 nuts and bolts. Is it any wonder that they love this guy in Haiti?

This mama is counting the days till we will be able to fly off to Canada ( December 18 –29th) and see daughter Becky and son-in-law Jerry. Our first grand child is expected January 24th (but I told Becky it would be alright with me if she wants to have the baby while I’m there!) We praise the Lord for contributions from friends and a discount coupon from the airlines that enabled us to fly round trip for 700 dollars.

Suzy and Tim are situated in Mt. Vernon , New York . Tim is working for World Vision as their warehouse manager and Suzy is a children’s librarian . It looks like they will be in New York for the next couple of years as they have signed a two year lease on a new apartment. Tim is very proficient at being our guide through the subway and trains in New York City and I’m sure Suzy knows all the most fun places to visit. They brought me the black star that is on our front porch or what we laughing call “The Black Star Bistro.”



Single son Andy is looking at some big changes in his life this coming year. He is seriously looking into taking classes and working on a degree in business. With his charm and personal charisma we could easily see him working with a non-profit organization that he feels passionately about as a fund raiser. Please keep him in your prayers as he works through the many details and challenges facing him.



My Mom turns 80 in January so I will be traveling to Virginia Beach to join my two sisters in a birthday celebration. Mom is totally remarkable. She volunteers at her church every Tuesday, is on the missions committee at her church and attends a weekly women’s Bible study . She is a gracious Southern Lady and a wonderful hostess and cook. (Not to mention a great mom too!)


Charlie and I finally went domestic this year and actually did something with the grapes on our arbor. For years we had talked about making grape jelly from the concord grapes growing there. We made three batches of grape jelly and afterwards Charlie said he thought making wine would have been simpler! We think our jelly rivals Welch’s but no plans have been made to go global yet!



Starting in January we will be leading a small home group. We will be leading a group that meets in Staunton on a monthly basis. This is the first experience with small groups that our church has tried and all the groups are already filled with a pretty long waiting list. We are excited to see this ministry take off at our local church.


We are looking forward to this spring to see our new grand baby (Our baby will be a surprise package as Becky’s only ultrasound revealed a healthy modest baby.) We are hoping to all converge on our Canadians at one time and have a baby shower for Becky. Auntie Suzy and Uncles Tim and Andy are excited about seeing the addition to the family too.


Want to know more about life at the Nest?. Come visit me at http://lazydaisylog.grrrlmeetsword.com . I’m a blogger and for the most part post everyday. I post pictures and stories and homespun wisdom.


Lost our prayer letter? Want to know more about what’s going on with ETS? Check out our website at http://charlieandkathy.blogspot.com.


We adore each and every one of you,

Charlie and Kathy