Baby Zeke!

Our hearts will never be the same. Our world has grown to include Ezekiel Dorian Spang, and it's been an amazing ride thus far.



Our first grandchild(!) was born at home at 2pm on Tuesday, May 20th, and all went well. He weighed in at 7#2oz, and 19" long. When he had his first pediatrician's appointment Thursday morning at 10:15, the doctor sent him and his parents packing off to the hospital, post haste. Zeke had VERY, low platelets. He spent the next day and a half in Pediatric ICU, where he received 5 units of platelets--the last (and best!) of which were his mom's. The hospital staff was amazed at the miraculous jump--and WE know who the Miracle Worker is. Thanks to those who learned about this and were praying.


He's now in a Hematology unit and only has monitors on--no more antibiotics, transfusions of platelets, or anything. We're not sure when they'll discharge him, but he'll be making visits back here twice a week for a couple of weeks, and then weekly for a couple of months. He's receiving EXCELLENT care, and his parents are doing a great job absorbing information, adapting, and handling it.


Bethany is a nautral as a mommy, even as she learns the ropes. Jeffrey is incredibly loving, gentle, and involved. Zeke responds to Dad when he won't for anyone else. He's got the makings of being a Daddy's boy, and that will suit our son-in-law just fine! What a blessing! The hospital staff here is so good--not only top-notch, but caring (and indulgent) to the family. Here the nurse and Jeffrey are listening to Zeke's various rumblings, pumpings, and beatings.

God is good!

Julie Julie Julie

Do you remember the old Bobby Sherman song "Julie, Julie, Julie, do you love me?" Well, that song could be sung to the three beautiful women in this picture--because we're all Julies! The REALLY fun thing is that we have sons the same age, AND our birthdays are May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Ever since I moved to Bountiful (and once we met each other) we have had our annual Julie Julie Julie birthday at Sizzler. (Okay, one year we went to a Mexican restaurant, but we've repented since then!) It's fun to catch up with each other and our growing families.

International Friends in Spring of 08

Here is a smattering of pictures of us with our international friends. Above is what's left of the Advanced conversational English class that Mark and I taught on Wednesdays nights this past year. I say what's left, because as the semester nears the end, attrition takes its toll on a class largely made up of PhD candidates, visiting scholars who are cranking out research, and even Master's degree students who have tests and papers looming over them.

We even celebrated our 25th anniversary with this bunch of guys. One asked, "Does this anniversary have a name?" I said yes, it's the silver anniversary. He turned to Mark and said, "Did you give her anything silver?" Without missing a beat, Mark said, "I gave her this--" and he pointed to my hair! When we related that story to another set of friends, Mark added, "If we're still around for our 50th, I wonder if her hair will turn gold?!" What a nut!


This includes a few of my students from the ELI (and a couple who aren't my students, but "belong" to Hazel, the other "mature woman" in the picture). We were having fun at the "end of session party/picnic."


I love this picture! Most of the women from my beginning conversational English class, along with spouses (if they could make it) came to our home and provided a most delectable potluck to end our semester. I had one student from Mali, one from Brazil (who is married to a German and lives in Italy!), one from Taiwan, one from China (not pictured), several from Japan, and a few students from Korea.


My dear, dear student/friend Teresa, from Taiwan has a special place in my heart. I have been blessed to be her teacher and tutor since she came to Utah about a year ago. Although her English skills are above the beginning level, she takes my class in addition to others because she loves me. Her name is spelled the same way as my sister's, and her birth date (except for the year) is also the same as my sister's. She took me out to lunch for my birthday this year.

Bethany's progress...

Above is Bethany at 8 months, and below at 8-1/2 months. Baby Zeke is growing!!!

Another NTBI graduate!

Mark and I attended our son's graduation from New Tribes Bible Institute in May. What a privilege to see 97 young (and some not-so-young) people graduate from this solid, Bible-teaching school. Bethany (and Jeffrey) graduated three years ago. We praise God that we have children who are "walking in the truth" (3rd John 4), and pray they will continue to do so for the rest of their days!

Pictured with us are Nonna (as my kids call my mom) and Kristin, Skeeter's girlfriend.

My tree in Spring

Here is my Barrett's pear tree in springtime. I caught it a a few days late--so there is some green showing instead of just a jillion white blossoms, but it's still gorgeous!