Journolia: A journal of life in Mongolia.

Lydia Graduates Taylor University Summa Cum Laude

2025-05-29T09:52:00.002+08:00

We are delighted to have Lydia back in Ohio working for the summer. She plans to start her career in Indiana or Michigan in August. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and hopes to find work in that field sharing a place to live with her college roommate.

Maggie Graduates Wheaton College Summa Cum Laude

2024-05-09T02:30:00.006+08:00

Maggie with her 3 year roommate Linnea, and good friend Emily, who all graduated together.

These were three of their 8 senior housemates who gathered Saturday with their families...

Before the ceremony on the big Sunday, May 5th

(That's her painted portrait displayed on the wall of the library behind her)

During the speeches and reading of 400+ names...

And here's Maggie's name being read:

With the masses outside after on a beautiful brisk day...

And pictured with Grandpa and Grandma who made the trip from Ohio!

What a great weekend of celebration of all that Maggie accomplished in her 4 years at Wheaton! Her hard work at school and holding several jobs has earned her a bachelor's degree from the 'Harvard of Christian Schools' in Elementary Education with endorsements for ESL and Middle School.

She worked jobs all four years, from facilities as a freshman and sophomore to Resident Director as a junior AND at the library (pictured with her sisters) continuing at the library as a senior managing student staff. She finished her student teaching this fall at a public elementary in Wheaton, where she was able to walk to work, and now has been offered a permanent teaching position at Chicago Public Schools.

Maggie hopes to live and work near the city, but not too far from her friends and fond memories in Wheaton, continuing her life in Illinois for a year or two. We are excited to see how the Lord is going to lead her to invest her love for Jesus, students and teaching!

Maggie in Wheaton Scholastic Honor Society and Library!

2024-04-30T04:47:00.001+08:00

After morning honors chapel service...

After evening banquet hosted by college president

After being called up front to receive the recognition

Happy we could make the trip from Akron to be there for both!

Honored along with distinguished professors

Praise the Lord and great job Maggie!

She's even enshrined in the library in this portrait painted by her friend, close to her work station visible behind.

Happy Easter

2024-04-07T21:32:00.002+08:00

We took two teams from Grace Sports in Akron to play two teams from Lorain Correctional west of Cleveland. This team won the final four tourney with some not-yet-believer ringers and got the trophy! God still got all the glory. The prisoners really played well, and loving the fun and full of faith.

No phones or photos aloud in the prison, but you get the picture.

Try not having a clock, phone or internet for a half a day if you want to slow down the pace of life a little. Or just turn back for some hang time with "Air Jesus" ;D

Blizzards Killing Mongolian Livestock

2024-03-28T22:47:00.000+08:00

You can read more here what our Alliance is trying to help herder families:

https://camaservices.org/pray-for-mongolia/

Johanna Visits MK Adopting Church

2024-03-13T04:14:00.001+08:00

Riverwood Alliance Church north of Detroit adopted Johanna as their Missionary Kid in the last few years. It was great to finally get to return the visit, speak and join in their worship service. The picture on the screen behind shows delivery of a care package fall of freshman year.

Her roommate Lindsay spent spring break with us in Ohio, so came along on this church visit, and gave Johanna a ride back to Calvin University for the final stretch of freshman year!

Ohio Mongolia Tour

2024-03-04T23:04:00.002+08:00

Great to be invited to speak at New Life Alliance in Waterville this Sunday

Clara and Josiah helped out with the kids and also answering questions

at the Mongolia table after the service.

Back in the Saddle in Nebraska

2024-02-22T23:10:00.002+08:00

Snow in Cleveland waiting for plane to Omaha via Chicago

Waking up on a pretty morning above the Platte River

Trying princess hats on at youth group

Visited Tom and Cindy's home after a Bible study in a tractor barn.

Walking the trail at a C&MA Camp on the river.

Talking to the preschool about Mongolia and singing 'Jesus Loves Me'

River sunrise

Bald Eagles on the out on a sand bar

Scripture in stone at the YMCA

Tim trying on Mongolia

Family called to missions on cowboy night at AWANA

Happy Lunar New Year!

2024-02-15T02:25:00.005+08:00

From Darhan, Mongolia in 2024, the "Year of the Dragon"

A grateful greeting from our longtime friends Dawaa and Buynaa!

Josiah and Clara on Honor Roll at CVCA!

2024-02-01T00:21:00.004+08:00

We are grateful God is guiding and providing our kids with excellent Christian education in the USA.

Looks like our college girls' good study habit and grades is being followed by Clara and Josiah. They were both named to their Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Honor Roll for first semester!

Clara's schedule includes an advanced placement course in 10th grade. Josiah reached the High Honor Roll for middle school as a 6th grader, his first year at this new school.

We're so grateful they can attend excellent school and achieve a high level of learning this year. Praise the Lord, where he guides, He provides.

Clara Playing High School Basketball in 10th Grade

2024-01-20T04:58:00.001+08:00

I walked into her game in this gym, and everyone was congratulating and high-fiving her!

I found out later she had just made her first 3-pointer!

Great Merry Christmas 2023!

2024-01-03T00:28:00.004+08:00

Making cookies with cousins at Grandma's house

Date night egg nog and light-seeing activity

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas Day family gathering

Home Holiday Happenings

2023-12-12T00:44:00.005+08:00

Date Night Challenge Hike

Halls decked around the house where we are guests!

All we need is some snow in time for a Currier and Ives Christmas!

Grateful Thanksgiving

2023-12-04T09:22:00.000+08:00

The girls came home to Ohio from college

Maggie and Dad on a walk after the Thanksgiving meal

Virginia Kendal Lake in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Galehouse Christmas Tree Farm

Wagon ride no extra charge ;D

Over the river and through the woods we went to grandmother's house

Renee and Jeremy on a hiking date, photo entry for a drawing

Wheaton College Parents' Weekend

2023-11-07T06:14:00.006+08:00

Here we are arriving at a Wheaton public elementary where Miss B (Maggie) is student teaching!

Inside her 5th grade classroom just after school let out.

In her dorm room (same roommate 3 out of 4 years!) with 7 other friends in a house on campus.

Out for dinner at Thipi Thai restaurant in neighboring Glen Ellyn, IL.

Football game (part of the official parents' weekend festivities) against Washington University

(Wheaton won by 1 point with no time on the clock!)

Dinner with Maggie and her friends Emily and Hanna at their home kitchen, prepared and served with her mom, with her dad's finger (included in the photo ;Q)

Happy All Hallows Eve ;D

2023-11-01T05:02:00.002+08:00

This is our street a few days before Halloween

And here is the trick or treat booth at Grandma's house with Aunt Kristin

Clara and Josiah joined the Cleveland cousins and Uncle Seth in costume

to canvas the neighborhood for pillow cases full of candy!

Fall Family Scenes

2023-10-31T22:54:00.002+08:00

Not quite a harvest moon, but pretty colors reflect below a white moon in a beautiful blue sky.

Cleaning out the pumpkin is a necessary step to carving...

And roasting the pumpkin seeds!

Beautiful 60 degree day for a hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

with "Aunt and Uncle K"

Around some beautiful geological formations at "Ledges"

This pretty hike is only about 5 or 6 minutes from Josiah and Clara's school

Johanna with her Calvin college roommate at a country-themed concert.

Fall Break in Michigan

2023-10-18T00:22:00.001+08:00

We found a place to stay at the Richard Bush Renewal Center in Bannister, MI

Which is about 90 minutes from Calvin, where Johanna is 1/4 through her freshman year.

We enjoyed walking around the campus together on cool day.

And seeing her dorm room, and her cool cowboy hat ;D

We loved our visit to her vibrant church, with great hymn worship and preaching.

Waiting for pizza at Foo-G's in Elsie, MI not far from where we stayed.

Can you spot the cultural icon behind us here at the Old Goat restaurant in Grand Rapids?

Clara Turns 16!

2023-10-18T00:03:00.005+08:00

We celebrated with dinner out to Cracker Barrel! Clara ordered hot chocolate.

Mercifully, they didn't sing to her, but gave coke cake and ice cream dessert!

Mom and Aunt Kristin join in the fun.

Opening presents with the family...

and custom ordered cake made for a memorable time...

CVCA Homecoming

2023-09-25T23:02:00.000+08:00

Classmates since kindergarten,

Clara and her friend Lilly, enjoyed Homecoming as 10th graders Saturday.

As the shadows lengthened we marked the moment in front of the grape vine and farm house.

Clara with her CVCA mom and dad ;D

Big World News

2023-09-04T02:07:00.005+08:00

vs. the daily grind through centuries:

Pope Francis Visit, Christian Church Growth

A circumspect article on the recent successive September visits of world-renown Christian leaders to Mongolia.

Lydia Leaving for Indiana

2023-08-26T10:38:00.003+08:00

But first, celebrating Pop's 70th birthday!

At Bob Evans for brunch after church Sunday.

And dinner and cake around the table at the homestead.

Out to lunch with dad the day before she went back to Taylor University.

And saying goodbye to the fam the night before...

It's about 4 hours to Upland, Indiana. She drove herself, and loves it!

First Day of School in Ohio

2023-08-26T10:34:00.001+08:00

Josiah and Clara before their first day at CVCA.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

The view from where we're staying about 25 minutes away.

Johanna Graduation Reception and College Departure

2023-08-26T10:16:00.005+08:00

We were again gathered for a BFA graduate at Riverside's pavilion.

It's an ideal place for a picnic. Lots of folks joined after church.

As well as family from then area.

Like...

Uncle Rick, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kristin

Grateful for Johanna's hard work and development in high school.

She's now off to Calvin University in Michigan.

About 5 hours away from Grandma's house.

Renee drove her up there and stayed a few days.

Maggie Returns to Wheaton

2023-08-26T10:07:00.000+08:00

Leaving Ohio and saying goodbye to Mom

Moving into her big house of 8 roommates on the edge of campus.

First floor resident Maggie

is doing her student teaching on the other side of campus at a public elementary school.

Settling into her room, she was excited for her roommate from freshman and sophomore year to be showing up soon to room with her again.