Family Stability

This photo is one of our favorites.  This is a drift on the Colorado last June during one of our family adventures.  It is my hope and prayer that the Lord always keeps these two close and reliant on one another in so manny of life's journey.  Got to treat family like paddling a kayak.  Kayaks, when operated solo are fun but can be unstable.  When 2 kayaks are together (see Ambers hand), they stay together and are far more stable.  A little lesson to think about...

Celebration of her life - Jeanette R. Martin

Jeanette R. Martin, my grandmother, and mother to my father passed from this world on November 12, 2010.

Grandma was born in Georgia in 1918 almost the same day and month of her passing in 2010.  She was one child of a large family including two brothers (Gerald and Earnest) and four sisters (Lorraine, Cora Lee, Julia, and Annie Mae).  She was the last living sibling.

Among several places her life may have taken her, I have knowledge of several that included my father in Las Vegas in 1946, Minneosota in 1952, and later her permenant residence in Vestavia Hills, Alambama (near Birmingham).  This is where I always considered their home.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert Martin, her son Jeffery Davis Martin, and daughter Kaye Hodge in addition to their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Daugther Kay and son Jeffery

Attending grandchildren:  Donna, Deeane, Sean, and Athesia

We are blessed in the love and care the Hodge family has extended to our grandparents in these later years and thankful for them.

As we all greive at this time in her passing, let us have peace that she knew and loved the Lord.  By knowledge of her faith in Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to know that she is with the Lord and her soul is at rest.  May we all stand comforted in Gods word in which Paul reminds us "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain...having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better (Phillipians 1:21-23). 

May God bless all of you and give you peace.

Sierra Summer Vacation 2010

The mountains have always had a special place in my heart.  Especially this region that we visited in the Sierra Nevadas in the upper foothills of Plumas and Sierra Counties.  These places shaped my life as a young man, let my heart soar as I trekked into the woods day after day with my brother, sisters, mom and dad.  I'm now living the same experiences with the only change being the dad.

We did so much, experienced so much, and had a blast!

Fishing, horseback, climbing atop big mountains, and the kids really stretched themselves in ways I thought not possible for such young children. 

Check the flickr site adjacent in recent photos for more pictures!!!

Few notables:

• Sleeping in a Walmart parking lot (really!).
• Grabbing coffee in Nevada City before the run up the 49.
• Fishing in Downieville at the same ol trustworthy spot and landing almost 10 fish or more within the first 30 minutes!  Seany really hooked them up.
• Watching Amber pan for gold and getting a nugget (really!)
• Sleeping along the river.
• Listening to bears wrestle outside the tent, sleeping horribly, but loving every minute of it.
• Climbing atop the Sierra Buttes with the kiddos.
• Flyfishing with the kids just before dinner at Packer Lake.
• Taking my kids to the same ice cream joint I visited at their same age.
• Quality time with the wifey!
• Meeting strangers everyday and hanging out in campground settings.
• Swimming at the pond.
• Driving to Tahoe and Mammoth the last few days.
• Fishing, fishing, and more fishing!
• Riding horseback with the family.
• Road time and seeing the world!

Thanks be to God for these amazing times and to enjoy His glory in the mountain landscape!

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery and Diane Martin 50th Wedding Anniversary

Image credit:  my sister Cheryl (good job!)

We are very grateful to God for the blessing of their marriage and commitment to us all.  Even through all the storms of life, careers, life changes, and circumstances, their commitment to marriage has set an example for so many. 

Congratulations and many blessings to you both.  We love you guys and appreciate the time we get to spend together!

May God continue to bless you both and this family.