Friday, February 27, 2009

Grandma Andersen

Mary Lou Andersen
December 18, 1920 - February 13, 2009

1936
Mary Morway
High School Graduation

Grandma, Mom & Uncle Dave

April 15, 1972
Grandma married Andy Andersen
Fairbanks, AlaskaMom was pregnant with me ;o)
1973
Grandma & Elisa
(Aren't those glasses great?)

1993
(Don't mom & dad look good in this picture?)
1999
Becky's Wedding
2000
Jadyn's shower, Cindy's 1st girl

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Eastern University

Eastern University
was a foundational part of building my faith,
for developing my passion for teaching in the inner city,
and being part of lifelong missional work.

The Motto: The Whole Gospel for the Whole World
Their Values: Faith, Justice and Reason

It is a place that is passionate about bringing social justice and ending poverty and
I am a better person for having gotten an education there.

It was such a treat for me to visit there a week ago.
So much has changed, and yet the vision remains the same.
Clearly, God is in control of my life and has lead me to some amazing places.

The train stopThe gatehouse entrance


Walton Hall



Alaire turns 6





All in the Family

Alaire, Alix, Andre Ross and MiAnna

My brother, Steven & his wife, Bethanne
My brother, Christopher & his wife, Melissa
and their families
Mom & Uncle Dave
The kids & spouses from the 2 families
(minus Elisa & Dave and Cindy & Keith)
The kids from the 2 families
(minus Elisa & Cindy)
Grandma Farmer

Friday, February 20, 2009

From the Streets of Philadelphia

A city of brownstones
The Corn Exchange Bank
Where I learned to love Middle Eastern food
St Francis Xavier Church
Market Street Station tile work mosaic
The birthplace of a nation
South St mosaic mural
Liberty Place Center

Reality Check

All over Philadelphia, there are streets, alleyways and sidewalks with the original cobblestone street still showing. So, tomorrow on your way to work, when you are avoiding hitting a pothole or hitting one.....just remember, it could be worse!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Genesis Friends for Life

The Eun's are members of Liberti Churh in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia.
http://fairmount.liberti.org/
It's fabulous church and this week's service on Ruth was one of the best I've heard on the subject.
At the 1st service the Eun's attended, Tom & Sarah Gritter came up to them afterwards and said, "Are you from Genesis?", not realizing that each of them had just recently moved and found the same church. There's nothing like the Genesis family...
The 6 years I spent at Genesis changed my life and I will always be grateful for it.
It's so good to see how God is moving in the lives of my friends and it's been fun hearing how they are doing here. I know that I will be running into my Genesis family for the rest of my life and I'll be the better for it!

Scenes from the City of Brotherly Love

The Art Museum is in the background

City Hall

People come from all over the world for these cheese steaks.
Look close, there's always a line.
China town

Italian Market

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Philly Finally

So, it's been 15 years since I've been to Philadelphia. My how time flies!
I first met my friends Dan & Ronia Eun in Detroit at Genesis, the church community we were both a part of for so long. Dan did his residency in Detroit for 6 yrs. and now he works for the University of Pennsylvania Hospital doing robotic urology surgery. They live in South Philly. They both went to school at Penn State where they met and then lived here a few years before they moved to Detroit.
It's been so fun to be with them again!


Gabriella was born in November
Home Sweet Home
The back courtyard

The Neighborhood

Lunch at a Taqueria