"God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me." When we used to lead. Awana we would sing this chorus each night just before our awards time. The words are so simple but so meaningful and so true. And, they do convey our thoughts and our prayer as we conclude a somewhat challenging 2015.
We thank the Lord for many opportunities to serve Him during the year. We were able to lead several hymn sings as well as the Sr. Saints Retreat at Pinebrook. Barry has continued to serve as financial secretary and Dianne has been able to play once a month at our church. We both continue to serve in supporting roles in Awana. Barry's hymn blog continues to reach about 600 people around the world each week.
We were excited to be able to lead our church in the purchase of a beautiful Kawai digital grand piano. As part of the process we were also able to purchase a studio size model of the same piano for our home and that was really a "God thing". They have over 1,000 amazing sounds and Dianne has been able to develop and play many outstanding arrangements.
We didn't really get to take a vacation this year although we did get to Pinebrook twice without any duties there. We did make a trip to Wisconsin in May for the burial of Aunt Ellen Derck. She was a precious person who was a great influence on our lives. Actually she was the one who led Barry to the Lord when he was a child. Her husband, Uncle John, was 97 on December 21 and is doing quite well. His mind is sharp and the Lord continues to use him in his senior years. We are so thankful that the Lord allowed both of them to be a part of our lives.
Physical challenges have kept us busy most of the year. We both had numerous physical therapy sessions early in the year. Dianne was in the hospital for three days in May due to an apparent viral infection. Then, early in October, on our first night of a planned vacation at the shore, Dianne developed a severe case of shingles. The severe nerve pain from this continues even months later. Please pray for needed relief for her.
On the first Sunday of the year Barry did something to his back while getting out of the car. After months of tests and four different diagnoses, it was finally decided that he would need lumbar back surgery. His surgery, on October 20, involved three different levels, two rods and six screws, and implanting of marrow from his hip to grow new bones. His recovery will be lengthy with many limitations. Therapy woon't start until February, at the earliest. He must have electrical stimulation for two hours daily for up to nine months to help the bones grow and he will need his back brace for many months. Your prayers will be appreciated.
We are especially thankful for our family and for several folks from our church who have responded with meals. Our family has been especially helpful in taking care of our yard and things around our house. We have been blessed by those who care and have responded to our needs. It is hard for the first time in our lives to be so dependent on others, but God is providing what we need.
We thank the Lord that our three boys and their wives are doing well. Our grandchildren continue to grow. Zachary has transferred to Penn State Capital Campus and is doing quite well there. He is active in leadership roles in our church's Revive Ministry. Josh will graduate from Lebanon Valley in June with a degree in chemistry and is applying to graduate schools. He made presentations at two national conventions this year. Taylor is an RA at Lebanon Valley and plans to study next semester in Spain. She was chosen to greet the new freshmen and give the benediction at Lebanon Valley's convocation. Noah will graduate from Warwick in June and is applying to a number of colleges. His marching band came in second in the state competition this year. Chloe (grade 10), Lexie (grade 6) and Brodie (grade 4) are all doing very well in the Conestoga Valley School District. Chloe was selected to participate in a state science competition in Altoona this year and Lexie was chosen to be in her district's Geography Bee. Brodie earned his Sparky Award in Awana. Lexie and Brodie both had lead roles in the recent church children's Christmas musical while Chloe served as stage manager. God has been so good to our family.
It is so hard to believe that 2016 is almost here but we are looking forward to whatever the Lord has prepared for us in the days ahead. We hope that you have had a good year and we pray the Lord's blessing upon you in the coming year. God is so good, all the time.
We hope that you have a wonderful holiday season and that the One who came to earth for us on that first Christmas night will be your comfort, strength and hope in the days ahead.Take care and keep looking up!
We thank the Lord for many opportunities to serve Him during the year. We were able to lead several hymn sings as well as the Sr. Saints Retreat at Pinebrook. Barry has continued to serve as financial secretary and Dianne has been able to play once a month at our church. We both continue to serve in supporting roles in Awana. Barry's hymn blog continues to reach about 600 people around the world each week.
We were excited to be able to lead our church in the purchase of a beautiful Kawai digital grand piano. As part of the process we were also able to purchase a studio size model of the same piano for our home and that was really a "God thing". They have over 1,000 amazing sounds and Dianne has been able to develop and play many outstanding arrangements.
We didn't really get to take a vacation this year although we did get to Pinebrook twice without any duties there. We did make a trip to Wisconsin in May for the burial of Aunt Ellen Derck. She was a precious person who was a great influence on our lives. Actually she was the one who led Barry to the Lord when he was a child. Her husband, Uncle John, was 97 on December 21 and is doing quite well. His mind is sharp and the Lord continues to use him in his senior years. We are so thankful that the Lord allowed both of them to be a part of our lives.
Physical challenges have kept us busy most of the year. We both had numerous physical therapy sessions early in the year. Dianne was in the hospital for three days in May due to an apparent viral infection. Then, early in October, on our first night of a planned vacation at the shore, Dianne developed a severe case of shingles. The severe nerve pain from this continues even months later. Please pray for needed relief for her.
On the first Sunday of the year Barry did something to his back while getting out of the car. After months of tests and four different diagnoses, it was finally decided that he would need lumbar back surgery. His surgery, on October 20, involved three different levels, two rods and six screws, and implanting of marrow from his hip to grow new bones. His recovery will be lengthy with many limitations. Therapy woon't start until February, at the earliest. He must have electrical stimulation for two hours daily for up to nine months to help the bones grow and he will need his back brace for many months. Your prayers will be appreciated.
We are especially thankful for our family and for several folks from our church who have responded with meals. Our family has been especially helpful in taking care of our yard and things around our house. We have been blessed by those who care and have responded to our needs. It is hard for the first time in our lives to be so dependent on others, but God is providing what we need.
We thank the Lord that our three boys and their wives are doing well. Our grandchildren continue to grow. Zachary has transferred to Penn State Capital Campus and is doing quite well there. He is active in leadership roles in our church's Revive Ministry. Josh will graduate from Lebanon Valley in June with a degree in chemistry and is applying to graduate schools. He made presentations at two national conventions this year. Taylor is an RA at Lebanon Valley and plans to study next semester in Spain. She was chosen to greet the new freshmen and give the benediction at Lebanon Valley's convocation. Noah will graduate from Warwick in June and is applying to a number of colleges. His marching band came in second in the state competition this year. Chloe (grade 10), Lexie (grade 6) and Brodie (grade 4) are all doing very well in the Conestoga Valley School District. Chloe was selected to participate in a state science competition in Altoona this year and Lexie was chosen to be in her district's Geography Bee. Brodie earned his Sparky Award in Awana. Lexie and Brodie both had lead roles in the recent church children's Christmas musical while Chloe served as stage manager. God has been so good to our family.
It is so hard to believe that 2016 is almost here but we are looking forward to whatever the Lord has prepared for us in the days ahead. We hope that you have had a good year and we pray the Lord's blessing upon you in the coming year. God is so good, all the time.
We hope that you have a wonderful holiday season and that the One who came to earth for us on that first Christmas night will be your comfort, strength and hope in the days ahead.Take care and keep looking up!
The Kauffmans
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