Some family who attend Jon's Open House

These are my family members who came to my son's Graduation Open House.

Jossy ~ she is chillin' with dad...

...after an evening stroll in the neighborhood.

The beans are growing...70 days until Jon is home from Boot Camp

Okay, this is silly but i took this picture of the sow beans growing in the back yard to give a measurement of time. Jon will be back home from the Marine Corps Boot Camp when these beans are fully grown and they begin to change color. He has 70 DAYS left!

We received another letter dated June 17TH. Jon is still acheiving well. His concern right now is his health. Several have pneumonia. He hopes that he does not get it. He can not afford any time delays or set backs!

Please pray for him.

He has not received our letters yet. Nor have any other parent's letter of recruits. We read a parent forum on line and keep up with what other parents are saying of the HOTEL company (which Jon is a part of).

I did get to speak with Jon on Wednesday on the phone. He was issued a privilege of one 2-minute call. I loved hearing from him! He wished me a belated Father's Day greeting. He seems to be doing okay.

Life is quiet...as usual

Somethings just catch your attention in the country.

A small farm tractor passes by the house. This is a common pattern today. The local farmer is gathering the rolls of field grass. Used for feed, the farmer must have collected nearly 20 large rolls.

As the sun fades into the horizon this lone worker gathers his harvest. The months of preperation now comes to an end as this farmer gathers his goods from the harvest.

It reminds me of the work we have as believers. We are commanded to share the truth about God's love which is often cultivating the soil, planting a seed, caring for the harvest, and then gather together the fruit of your labors. This simple outline defines the work of the Great Commission.

Well, enough said. Let us get to the harvest. Jesus said the the harvest is plentiful but the laborer are few.

Jon's letters home...He is at Boot Camp for The Marines

I can't share much from Jon's letters. I WANTED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS THOUGH.

Jon sent three letters today. One was a Father's Day greeting. It was cool. (I did get a phone call yesterday with a Father's Day greeting from Jon.)

His letters are positive although it is not easy. He shared that he is learning a lot. He did express appreciation for how "easy" he has had it at home. Fathers like to hear this.

I love the spiritual impact that is being made. Jon attends church weekly and participates in group Bible Studies. He said that the guys encourage each other. I am praying that this experience really prepares him spiritually as well as mentally. The disciple is going to help him for the rest of his life.

His letters are written during the one hour break he receives daily. He is asking for letters to be sent to him. He will even enjoy getting post cards but realize that these will be read by Drill Instructors so don't disclose something that would get Jon into trouble or get teased about. Like don't put XOXOXOXO on the card...I think that the DI's will tease him as a mommas boy. Oh, no care packages either.

He has acheived his goals and is a leader at this time. He hopes to hang onto this rank. Pray that he is able too over the long haul. He said that his leadership will be challenged but if he succeeds he will get recognized at graduation.

The drills are practiced every day. He enjoys them. He says that he has to remember to stay focused because they do try to distract him. You will have to ask him about the SUPERMAN drill. It is quite interesting.

Well, gotta go. Keep those letters going. He is running out of things to say. He wants you to ask questions so that he has something to write. He will do his best to tall you what he is doing - within the rules he is allowed to share. Remember, this is the military and somethings should not be shared.

The day closes with a phone call...

...from Jon. Yep, Jon called from the Marine Boot Camp training in San Diego. What a real treat to hear from Jon tonight. I has a 2 minute conversation before Jon had to go. He is doing great. He gets plenty to eat and enough sleep. He appreciates the letters and cards. He expressed a positive outlook on the training he has received. He says he will attempt to call again in two weeks if their team win the next challenge events. This win gives him a few perks like calls home!

He passes on a greeting to all! Keep praying for him.

Rick (Dad)

Another day closer to seeing Jon home

The sunset get us one day closer to seeing Jon home from boot camp.

Jossy at Softball Game...

After a tough game...Jossy shows off here stained knees from a run home slide...although they lost, they scored their highest runs.

Father's Day cookout

Ahhhh! A cookout early afternoon on Father's Day...and birthday!

Father's Day Thoughts

Today is Father's Day. It has impressed upon me as I sit in church today, I am blessed to celebrate the second generation of the Christian heritage upon the Carder family. Of course Cindi's side of the family is into their fourth generation. What a blessing to have inherited her family's blessing.

It was around the time of my birth that my father and mother came to Christ through the ministry of The Wesleyan Church in Monroe, Michigan. I am forever grateful for the ministry of this local church. This is an incredible story for another blog.

Now it is my generation who is raising a family for Christ. As i sit in church today i am joined by my daughter, Jossy on my left and Jeremiah on my right. I am proud of my children. (Jon is at boot camp right now.) The spiritual heritage that Cindi and I have attempted to pass on, while it is young, is for the third and fourth generation. I hope that what is experienced and the values taught will positively effect my children's children. (If the Lord shall prevail.)

It is really a joy to celebrate Father's Day as a believer. I have a father who is eternal who cares for me.

Thunderstorm in Orlando

a storm at home...shot by Miah

Miah's first trip to Mi Pueblo!

Miah takes on the el grande Mexican experience for the first time. He reports, "Yum! I LOVE IT THAT JON IS AT BOOT CAMP."

FIRST CLASS FLIGHT

Okay, I have to admit it, I flew first class to Orlando for General Conference and I really enjoyed it. It was a real treat.

I was suppose to fly out on Friday but due to weather-related conditions my flight was postponed. I bought my original ticket as economy class. I was content to be the norm; most people fly economy class. I didn't see myself as worthy of 'those' treats.

Well, everything is different now. I have experienced the ultimate. Let me tell you about it.

I was first to board the plane. The flight attendant called me by name. They served my every need and more. I got a free drink - coffee. I ate a full course breakfast. It was a hot omlette, potato slices, orange juice, tea and ate it with real silverware. Wow! It was topped with a hot wash cloth. I wished that the flight was longer, I wanted to see what was for lunch.

Now what do I do? I will not afford to do this the next time. If it wasn't for the airline's free upgrade to first class, I would have been pressed into a small area next to a large, smelly man. I had so much room in first class.

What happened? I was made to feel special and needed. The people who sat behind me did not get as much attention as I did. It was easy to enjoy the attention i got. It way have even been easy to stay ahead of the other 100 people in the economy class. I think it would have been easy to have my seat held. I was confortable.

What is the take away from this experience? I can not stay first class. My flight home will be economy class. Perhaps my lesson in this is to recognize that while I may never fly first class I can say I have been there. For me, THE ISSUE IS ONE OF STEWARDSHIP!

Do I need all that attention? Not really. I am able to be content in the economy class.

after the storm of grant county.

Storm packs and Cindi - Rick seek refuge

Okay, i have been os thunder storms before; just last August one took out several trees and our pole barn. We were home at the time.

Nothing surpasses what we experienced on Friday. I was scheduled to be out of town but after 6 hours stuck on and off a plan in Fort Wayne, I decided to call it a day. I called Cindi and asked her for a ride back home. The weather was playing with my flight and eventually my drive home.

As we drove home i watched the radar from me cell phone and made every attempt to make it home. However, just 10 miles from home we were caught up in the impressive and overwhelming power of nature.

As we approched our exit the sky produced scary impressions. Our son, Jeremiah just called to warn us to seek immediate shelter. A tornado was spotted in Marion and headed right for us. We watched its fury.

We could see the dark clouds as they formed overhead. We saw the swirling rain and clouds just before us. We felt the draft in-flow. It was all too real!

As we drove head-long into the weather front, we prayed then dove - er, i mean drove, for cover. The storm was right over us. We took refuge under a bridge. Okay, not the safest place but it was practical. There is where we waited out the storm.

We watched as the wind and rain flooded the roadway. The wind blew the rain under the underpass. WOW! It was very dramatic.

We have a deep respect for what God's incredible fury can do.

I actually have little memory of my distress at the airport. I have a renewed sense of patience.

By the way, this was my 21st wedding anniversary.

rick carder

after our major storm in grant count.

a rainbow.

Jon-journal supplimental

This entry is for jon - when he returns.

TODAY WAS A HOT DAY. The weather was up to 90 plus. We talked about you today; especially when the grass had to be cut!

Here is the final sunset - beautiful.

On The Home Front - A weekly summary for when Jon gets home from the Marines!

Today I begin a new entry to my family journal. This entry is for Jon. As may know already that Jon has left for the Marines - boot camp. He has enlisted as a reservist and will spend the next thirteen weeks in training. He will wake up before dawn, eat double rash-ins, exercise, run, climb and jump (much like what he did all during his childhood) and be commanded to breath, talk, "drop and give up 50" as well as learn how to repeat every other commanding instruction. Well Jon, you will certainly appreciate family chores once again...they are a whole lot easier!

This week we said farewell. Sunday we had lunch with the family and recited our favorite childhood memory. You showed us your childhood impressions like Smart Guy and Steve Urcle. You showed us how you will march and stand at attention. Later we took you out for dinner in Indianapolis. I think your were nervous but you covered it up well. We tried to hide our fear and concerns as well. How did we do? We spent the drive home that night with tears in our eyes. Not because we were sad but the pride we have for you just seeped out in our tears.

Occasionally we would tear up during the week but whenever we had a chance to tell people what you were doing, we showed our pride. We did the dishes and took out the trash and picked up socks; Josslyn took your turn. We watched LOST without you but I will save it on the DVR for when you return. Jeremiah has already taken over the van and wants to start driving it; he will get his license with weekend. The house is actually really quiet - hmmm, I wonder why?

Well, I gotta go. I will keep you informed of what you are missing. We are counting the days that we get your first letter. Oh, by the way, several people have commented on mom's facebook with remarks about you. Others are missing you too!