Summer Snapshot

 

The following is a story of pictures to give you a snapshot into our lives during this time. Marlene chronicled this journey that I have copied for you here.

“Toward the end of July, I realized we would be busy and traveling a lot and I thought, “I’ll just wait till the end of August to chronicle what we do”. I could not have imagined all that it would include. This post is a little long, but if you’re interested, read on. There are highs and lows in it. I’m just truly grateful that God walks with me wherever I am.”

 

July 26 - 27

We started in Wichita, KS with a visit with one of our retired missionaries, Nina Kunkle who was recovering from a leg injury. Such a special lady. She’s working really hard in recovery. The following pics with comments will take you through most of the rest of our time

We visited with one of our longtime supporters, Delores who loves to sing

 while Ned plays. Precious lady and faithful prayer warrior.

July 28 - We were able to connect with some

 more longtime supporters, Lynda Huffer and

 her husband Clark. Sure was great chatting with

 them over breakfast.

As we drove on through Kansas, we realized we

 would be driving through the town our friends

 Angie and Dr. Arlo Reimer had moved to, so we

 dropped in to where we knew Angie worked

 and surprised her then went to their home to

 see Arlo and Daniel

 

On to South Dakota…yes this was our first rodeo!

The Black Hills are so beautiful and interesting!

An abandoned mine (Fillmore Mine) that had been

 owned and run by our friend, Jo Dickert’s family

 before WWII.

Exploring with Jo – a champion of our ministry since Ned worked with her at the hospital in Jackson, Michigan before we went out to serve in Ecuador. One of the great highlights of our time there was to hold an impromptu worship service at Jo’s B & B in Deadwood, SD. On Sunday morning 10 persons join with us as we shared a reflection on the story of Jesus calming the storm. We all related to the storms in this life and how God is with us through those difficult times.

Beautiful landscape overlooking the Black Hills of SD.

We came home then headed East and stopped to visit

 WGM retired missionaries and friends, Jim and

 Alice  Vanderhoof Waverly, New York. So great

 catching up from the times we shared in Kenya and

 beyond!

Many of you know that my “little” brother, Gary Post had a stroke in

May and is still in recovery mode. I desperately wanted to see him

 and his wife Cindy in person. Having lost our brother, Donnie, to a

 stroke, two weeks after Gary’s stroke, reminds us that time together

 is priceless.

You can’t go to the triple cities area without getting at least one Speidi

 sandwich.

On August 10th we celebrated 36 years of life

 together 

We we’re actually both, sick on our anniversary so we made our own yummy dinner!

 

Then we were off to Arkansas for ministry.

We then had the privilege of attending the celebration

 of life service of one of our sweet missionaries’

 daddy in Little Rock, AR. The grandchildren were so

 precious as they shared scripture.

We also climbed this tower…it’s wayyy taller than it looks 

After a few days home, we flew with Ned’s 96 1/2-

year-old mom Marguerite and his aunt Donna to

 Massachusetts. (I only slipped my mask down to tell

 them to smile)

Our nephew Christopher McGrady married the

 beautiful Miss Kate in a gorgeous garden wedding.

Ned and I and his brother Jack and his wife Naomi went exploring in New

 Bedford, Massachusetts . We learned more about whaling and Moby Dick

 then I thought possible.

We walked a lot that day so we needed to get

 reenergized! Glad you can’t see what we had!

A quick visit to Mansfield, Ohio found us playing dress up …I was Anna, of

 course!

Our Beautiful kindergartner, Rowen

Sweet Elliot loves to be pushed high!!

We then received word that my mom’s sister Aunt Carol had passed away from complications of Covid so we made a quick trip to FL for her celebration of life service on Sept. 1. She was an integral part of my life and she and Uncle Bill have supported us since day one. On our way back home from FL we received word that my Uncle Richard (mom’s brother) passed away this week in NY. In addition, we have two family members hospitalized with Covid. As we were connecting flights in Charlotte to come home, Ned had a voice mail notifying us that his 22-year-old great-niece had suddenly passed away. We came home, repacked and headed to Ohio to be with family. Her service will be next Sunday, Sept. 12 in Southern Ohio and Ned is officiating. She was such a sweet girl. Our hearts are broken. 

We gathered just the other night before coming back home with some of the

 family! Ned’s mom is pictured here with our daughter Jessica. Seeing

 family, our daughter Jessica, her husband Zac and of course their sweet

 babies, did our hearts so much good.

Making faces with Ama!

 

We conclude this chronicle with thanks and appreciation for each of you and your prayers for us as we continue in this work and ministry. We know that in these times we need each other and we remember to pray one for another. 

May Jesus be close to you as we abide in His unfailing love, 

Ned and Marlene McGrady