Here is our annual family update for 2019. We’ve started to think of these pages as more of a personal journal than anything else. We’ve started going to these pages just to “recall” the year that things happened.
A sign of old age? Yes.
Pastors Paul and Thomas came to the USA for the first time in February. Ghana doesn’t have as much snow as Virginia. They met many new friends and everyone was blessed to know them. Russ and Heidi played a lot of golf in 2019. Here we are at Westminster National CC.We sold a few pieces of farm equipment this year, including the JD 400, backpack blowers, and a 6-foot Woods mower… just taking up space!Heidi and Beto at the U.S. CapitolHere’s the family on the National Mall. In July, we went on a quick tour of D.C. Earl turned 90 on July 4th. We celebrated at Pam & Larry’s house. Here is Earl, Tiv, Bob, Darryl, and Judy. If the Shaffers reach their goal for 2020, this could prove to be one of the last family parties at their home. They’ve hosted many over the decades.We had a great opportunity to visit our Uncle Harold and Aunt Karen at their home in Vermont.We took a great sunset cruise on Lake Champlain.… and we highly recommend the Shelburne Museum. Plan to spend an entire day or two. We came home from Vermont to learn that we needed a new well.Russ suffered his second retirement this year. Westpark closed its doors in order to build more houses for more people for Loudoun County. Pastor Stephen visited Virginia in October and blessed so many with his profound faithfulness. Sadly, he had to leave a couple days early when he learned that Mercy’s mother had passed unexpectedly.Heidi traveled all over the country and to a couple places in Europe, plying her trade as a dressage judge. We’re keeping a map on the wall with pins marking all the places she goes.We went to Philadelphia in June, had a great room near Independence Hall. We actually marched perpendicular to an “activist” parade. In other words, we crossed the street.Here are a few friends from GBC after set-up. Soon after, we started attending Leesburg Community Church.We finally completed two bathroom renovations and had a great experience with Jonathan and Mitch at Shenandoah Carpentry. In September, Russ had rotator cuff surgery. Recovery is expected by April or May 2020. Heidi and Russ went to see his Aunt Jean and Uncles Dick and Paul in late December.
