When our kids bring our grandkids for a visit...

 we get excited and wait patiently!

Traveling north and west can be rough?!

 A favorite spot...the Ariel Lift Bridge in Duluth.

 The agates we found on the the shores of Lake Superior.

The Joy of Summer Flowers

We are enjoying our super petunias this summer.  I am having a hard time getting my pictures on the blog so this is the only picture that I have.  Our flowers are gorgeous because we water every day and "miracle grow" them every week.along with God's blessing.

My love of 45 years!

On June 18, 1968 we said "I DO" and sealed it with the song "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us".  After 45 years the Lord is still leading and loving us through many pastures.  We celebrated our anniversary during VBS by taking a drive to one of our favorite places for an early dinner - The Duluth Grill".  We never tire of a view of the Big Lake  and a drive through the northwoods.

I'm Forgiven, I'm Blessed, I'm Thankful, I'm Rejoicing, I'm Serving

It has been a VERY :LONG time since I blogged.  Little did I know  at the dawning of the year 2013 what God had in store for the Turbetts.  To make the LONG story SHORT, a trip to the eye doctor started the whole process.  I was scheduled to have a macular hole repaired when the pre-surgery checkup revealed a larger problem - a very severe aortic stenosis.  That meant I needed my aortic valve replaced.  The Lord was in control of the whole process.  Dear friends got us in touch with Mayo Clinic in Rochester and we were off and running.  I can't describe the peace and comfort my Lord and Savior has given me.  Thank you so much for all my dear family and friends that haave prayed for me.  I am in Cardiac Rehab now and doing very well.  I have the best "nurse" in  my world - my best friend and husband of almost 45 years. (in a week and a half).

I need to remind myself that I actually was in the hospital.  It all seems so unreal now.  So, I look back at the pictures.  What a blessing it was to have all three kids come from Michigan!   Sean came even though he was sick.  By the time he got to Rochester he had been on his medicine for a while.  I was kept warm and cozy with the beautiful "Coffee" quilt my dear friend, Jill, made for me.  It arrived the week that I went to the hospital. 

I find myelf thankful and rejoicing everyday.  The (late) spring has reminded me again of God's grace to me as well as His beautiful creation.  I have been able to get out and clear away all the winter debris from my perennials.  My lupine did not come back so I replanted them for the third time.  They always are so beautiful and remind us of the North Shore and Canada.
I am so thankful for the strength that the Lord has given back to me.  I have been able to take up my responsibilities at church.  It didn't take long to get back to the piano.  Now I am asking for the strength I need for  VBS that starts June 17.  It is always a highlight at our church.  God is SO good.  He was faithful yesterday and He will be faithful for all the tomorrows.

From Thanksgiving to the New Year

For the second year, we have spent Thanksgiving up North.  We had our Thanksgiving dinner in Duluth and then made our way up to Two Harbors.

The weather was mild and the day was beautiful.  In the morning we woke up to about five inches of heavy, wet snow.  We did  not have boots or winter coats, but we put on layers and headed out to do some serious "gift shop crusin."

Our Christmas Program was December 16,
"The Light of the World is Jesus."  It was based on the lives of my Uncle Stuart and Aunt Margaret Gunzel who were missionaries in Mongolia/North China.

My cousin, Marilyn, was able to come for the program and stayed overnight. We talked LONG into the night and again over the breakfast table in the morning.

December 19 we hosted "Christmas at the Parsonage."  We had over 40 squeezed into our house and had a wonderful time of singing, eating and fellowship.

On the 27th Ted and Kari and the grandkids came for a few days.  We played, laughed, made lefse, ate and generally had a GREAT time.  They were able to stay for Sunday, so we had Kari sing,  and that was a blessing. 

We closed out the year celebrating with the teens at Dale and Angie Hoff's.  Elton and Mabel Hoff are the "Youth Leaders" at 70+ young!  The teens love them and respect their godly wisdom..  We even made it til Midnight!!

As we look at the year ahead, 2013, we have some physical challenges to face and many spiritual battles and victories to keep us focused on God's Word. "He was faithful yesterday" and He will be faithful for all the tomorrows.

The Rest of the Story

It has taken a long time to finish our Canadian Adventure. Computer problems and Christmas have interfered.  Actually it all seems like a dream, but I have the pictures to prove it.  We enjoyed two nights at Warren and Sandy's beautiful Bed and Breakfast on the Bay of Fundy.  They certainly are the "Host and Hostess with the Mostest". 

To prove that I really did get my luggage after six days - a RUSH tag back to Bangor and the SAN FRANCISCO tag

We really were at Jones Lake Baptist Church for Special Meetings.  We had such wonderful fellowship with Paul and Gail.  Of course there were not enough hours in the day to get completely caught up on all the family happenings, but we sure gave it the "old college try."  The Tim Horton's coffee helped alot.  In fact, I brought the rest of the can that we didn't drink home in my suitcase.  Coffee smelling shoes is not to bad!!  Paul did have to loan me another suitcase for all the clothes I had to buy.  Now Fosmarks have to come back to Wisconsin to get their suitcase.  Good idea?!!!

We were so blessed to be able to go back to celebrate 50 Years of ministry to the city of Saint John, New Brunswick.  We thank the Lord for that opportunity.