Fourth of July Sunset

Introducing: Adison Jean

Introducing:

Adison Jean Sheppard

August 6.2007 at 12:47 pm
8 pounds 1 ounce And 21 inches long

Every good and perfect gift is from above… James 1:17

We would like introduce you to Drew's little sister - Adison Jean.

Mom and baby are doing great!

Lisa labored for 3 1/2 hours and pushed for 30 min - she did Awesome!

Adison came in at 8 lb 1oz (3674 grams for our European friends) and 21 inches (53.3cm) long.

Adison's middle name came from her grandmothers - the late Dorthy "Jean" Sheppard - Marc's grandmother, the late Wilma "Jean" Moeckl - Lisa's grandmother and Betty "Jean" (Jeannie DeHart) Moeckl - Drew and Adison's grandmother.

Some Bulgarian names were in the running for middle names or even an additional fourth name, such as: Sofia, Nadeshda and my favorite - Marcova. In the end we decided to avoid some future teasing and stayed with the family names - we think the name fits.

We know we are so blessed and we are very greatful!

Thank you so much for your prayers - each and everyone has been answered.

Drew's 3rd Birthday Party

Pictures from two (2) of Drew’s Birthday Parties – one in Decatur and one in Des Moines.

Can we say “Spoiled!”

I guess since everyone here missed his partly last year in Bulgaria, so it must be okay to have two parties this year? We just can’t let him think this will be an every year occurrence.

Andrew turned 3 on July 2nd.

Bye-Bye Bull-gera (VIDEO)

Drew - saying his "good-byes" aboard a plane from Bulgaria, to Rome and then home to America.

A Grandson’s Remembrance

“… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:2-4

Perseverance – that is a great word to describe my grandmother. A woman of few words – yet preached the message of “love” throughout the actions of her life.

Grandma past away Tuesday June 3rd, 2007 at the age of 91. She lived a good long life and she will be deeply missed.

Growing up the only girl of seven younger bothers – becoming their mother at the age of 13 when her own mother passed away with complications from childbirth – grandma lead a challenging life from the beginning. Through the great depression and many life challenges – grandma persevered.

Grandma would have never complained and would have considered herself blessed as she later married my grandpa and had two beautiful children: one girl and one boy – she would have described them as the perfect family. A God honoring family, who grew to serve the Lord and exemplify that same love that she demonstrated.

And those summer vacations at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Fishing with grandpa and coming home to fry the fog legs with grandma. Well… maybe grandpa did the frying, but the baking – those pumpkin pies – that was all grandma.

Unfortunately grandma had to bookend her life on a bit of a down note, as she had to persevere though the last 14 years alone, as grandpa had gone on to be with the Lord. Grandma had to move to a nursing home and her short-term memory started to fail – but she persevered – many would have quit.

I returned home from Bulgaria to see my grandma a few days before she passed. She had recently fallen and was in the hospital. When I first visited, mom asked grandma who I was? After a few dazed blinks – her eyes lit up and a smile came to her face as she said “It’s Marc!”

We chatted just a bit and I went to kiss her on the head and I said “Goodbye grandma, I love you.” She looked right at me and said “I love you too!” Those were the last words I heard my grandmother say – how blessed am I!

July Update

Wow – what a crazy, adventurous, exhausting and joyous past few weeks we had in July. To summarize our first 5 weeks home: we said goodbye to our friends in Bulgaria, visited Rome, got hit by a motorcycle, debriefed in Michigan, reunited with family, traveled 15 hrs each way in an RV to Amarillo, TX, buried my grandmother, celebrated Drew’s 3rd birthday, moved to Des Moines and are now setting up a new temporary home. And I thought we were coming home to “relax”?

Although we have been very busy, as you can see, we are all doing very well and we have really enjoyed reuniting with friends and family. God has continued to prove Himself faithful as he has protected us through our travels and has kept us healthy through all of these transitions.

On a sad and happy note, my grandmother of 91 years of age, past away a day after we arrived back from Amarillo. It was not unexpected as grandma had lived a long, challenging and good life and her body and mind knew it was time to go “home.” I am saddened she is gone, but rejoicing that she will experience the joys of eternal life with her Lord and family.

Drew has done remarkably well as he has had to make a number of transitions in a short amount of time – leaving his “life-long” friends in Bulgaria, making new friends in Decatur, IL and now moving onto Des Moines. He is doing great – but we appreciate your continued prayers for him.

Lisa’s belly is nice and plump, but she is as beautiful as ever. We could go any day now. We just had a doctor’s appointment in Des Moines and all is well. We also toured the brand new maternity wing of Mercy Hospital – the baby will definitely arrive in style!

We have arrived in Des Moines, where after visiting the grandparents for a few days, we moved into the church’s mission house. The house is a very nice 3br ranch that sits on 3 acres of land (which I don’t have to mow, praise God). Many members of the church have worked very hard to get the house ready for us – we are very grateful for their sacrifice for us and the greater work of God’s mission.

It has been great catching up with fiends and family – we have even had a few take some road trips to come see us. We are very blessed to have the friends and family we do.