Our beautiful girl just turned 18.

Wow! how can it be that my sweet girl turned 18?
It's an exciting time,but also a little bit frightening,as it means leaving all the doctors that have gotten to know her and cared for her.We are entering uncharted waters and expect we will have a few bumps along the way.

So we appreciate prayers for her.With that said she had the most amazing birthday.Practically had three celebrations.The first our friend John came over and brought dinner and things to make rootbeer floats.We played crouquet and he got her a Minnie Mouse watch.It was a wonderful time.

Then on her actual birthday we went to the beach with our dear friends the Lanskey's.It was an absolutely beautiful day and we had so much fun having a picnic and playing in the water.

Then we went downtown to the most amazing bakery and got treats.

After that we all went to the movies together.What a fun day.Ariel even received a beautiful Hawaiian flower arrangement.

Then since we started attending our new church Ariel has grown to love the people so much she wanted to invite the entire church to celebrate her birthday.We didn't have the entire church show up but several did.We had close to 85 people for her birthday.Icing smiles an organization that does cakes for kids with medical issues had contacted a bakery that was willing to do Ariel's dream cake.It was so amazing.Heidi and her assistant from Blackbird Bakery made Ariel's dream cake and even came and delivered it.

First everyone checked in on their gateway to Hawaii.They were given a name tag with their Hawaiian name a flowered lei and all the kids got a goodie bag.We had such a wonderful time from the pinata to the egg races,three legged races,balloon toss,water balloon fights and my friend Dianna provided face painting all day.You name it,it was a blast,not to mention we had a ton of food and Ariel was blessed by many generous friends.I wondered if Ariel had really realized what having that many people here would be like,since she's so shy,but she did great and just loved it.

We even made new friends.Linda has been signing Ariel's Caringbridge page for years.It was so nice to finally meet her and her husbands Terry in person.It was a wonderful day and Ariel was so blessed.She kept telling Gilbert and I thank you for the wonderful party.Thank you to everyone who came and helped to make her day so special.

The blessing of fellowship!

                       Ariel & Pastor Rodgers

Hello friends,Well we have officially been at our church for 7 months and we have all been so incredibly blessed by it.
Not only for the wonderful sermons and seeing people get Saved and Baptized including our own daughter,but just the genuine love we see for one another is amazing.I've only experienced that once before.

                  Ariel waiting to get Baptized.

Our church just loves to spend time together and do things together.They really emphasize building each other up, encouraging each other and when your brother falls helping to pick them up,dust them off and get them walking on the right path again.Unfortunately that is so seldom seen.It's more like if your brother has a problem keep on walking and don't get involved.

               Our church all went to Zoolights together.

I really wanted to be somewhere where my kids could get involved with things and feel part of the body,especially since their disabilities make it difficult for them to do certain things.Thankfully we have a large amount of special needs kids at our church.It's such a blessing to see these little ones viewed as the precious children they are.

                        Skate night!

Ariel all dressed and ready for the ladies luncheon.

More skate night pics.

Baby shower for Mrs.Rodgers.

Resurrection Day Sunday!

Trip around the world fellowship.

Baptismal Day!

When Ariel's was in the hospital for 8 days in January I didn't just hear we'll pray for her, the church and many others filled her room with cards.The pastor and his family brought her flowers and all the doctors and nurses said her room was the cheeriest one in the place.Every day she got stacks of cards,she felt so well loved.

James 2:15-17

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

I really see that our church lives this verse.They will do anything to help fill that need.Our family has been blessed beyond belief and most of all we feel loved!