Barz Family News - Easter 2008
“. . . how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
From “How Many Kings” by downhere
Dear Family and Friends across the country,
The words of the song above are part of a Christmas CD. We’ve heard them frequently on a local radio station and they have meaning for us every day, but especially during Holy Week and the celebration of Easter.
2006 was the year of weddings. Two years ago on February 19, family and friends gathered on a snowy weekend (but nothing like this February) to celebrate as Lisa became the bride of Jon Moyer. Lisa had her grandmother’s help in making her dress and Ann made her hat. All of Lisa’s planning and hard work made for a beautiful wedding and a fun reception. After their honeymoon Lisa and Jon returned to St. Louis where Lisa was a nurse at Children’s Hospital while Jon studied at Concordia Seminary and worked at Trader Joe’s. Jon’s vicarage assignment has placed them in Beaver Falls, PA. They will return for the final seminary year this fall.
July 2006 brought family and
friends back to celebrate Rachel’s wedding to Joel Gruber. Joel’s father led us
in worship as we witnessed their vows, joining two longtime friends and families
in this marriage. God provided great weather for the outdoor reception held at a
St. Joe park. Following their brief honeymoon Rachel and Joel moved to
Indianapolis where Joel started his new job with Indiana corrections. Rachel
finished her college credits and worked at St. Johns Lutheran Little Wings
Childcare. Working on music therapy certification is now her top priority. This,
along with teaching voice and piano lessons and helping with the Lutheran High
musical keeps her busy.
Following Rachel & Joel’s wedding we were able to enjoy a Barz family reunion as family stayed for several days. Jon Moyer became the game and entertainment expert for adults and children alike. After visiting 4 beaches in 3 days some nephews wondered just how many beaches do we have? We celebrated July birthdays together and cherished family time before everyone headed off in various directions to their homes.
In October we headed to San Antonio, Texas for the final Barz family wedding for 2006. This time our niece and goddaughter Liesl was the bride to Jose Beaton. They now live in Florida where Jose is in flight training for the Marines. On January 1, 2008, Addison Noelle joined their family.
Johanna turned 16 while at basketball team camp which came immediately after Rachel’s wedding. She took driver ed classes in the summer of 2006 and enjoys the independence that having a drivers license gives her. Jo chose to concentrate on basketball in her junior year but added track in the spring. Her varsity team struggled as Jo began the season backing up the post players before ending the season on the bench. But a 5-12 start turned to excitement as the team won the last 3 games of the season, the district, and did something no other Lakeshore women’s basketball team had done in also winning the regional championship. At that point the season ended with a thud as we faced the eventual state champ. The 2007-08 season brought great changes as Michigan was forced to play Girls BB in the winter. Although the team as a whole struggled Jo was able to lead in many aspects as a player and team leader. She was also thrilled to recently learn that she had been named to the West Division All Conference team. Jo also started her working career at Dairy Queen where she can get all the ice cream she wants. It is hard to believe that the high school years end for us on June 1. After being accepted at 4 schools she has narrowed it down to MSU and Concordia Ann Arbor. Concordia is her top choice as she will be able to continue playing basketball at a small school along with studying for her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Ann continued with her busy schedule of piano lessons, accompanying Lakeshore choirs and playing organ along with her normal home duties. Sewing bridesmaids dresses for both weddings and making cheesecakes and cupcakes added to the fun of our celebrations. Welcoming a new choir director to the high school in the fall of 2006 was a big change. It was a transition year with learning new expectations and watching the kids meet new challenges. Sadly at the end of the school year, the director decided to work without a full time accompanist which left her without a job. Piano student numbers were down this year as well which leads Ann to wonder if the Lord has other means of employment for the future. She has filled in the time with more volunteer opportunities at church and with the LWML.
Dan also continues in his role with Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ. 2006 travel took him to Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas along with the normal monthly weekends and other trips. OAFC Spring Break Travel Team did include starting his birthday in Key West – yes, a tough job, but someone has to do it. In 2007 he headed to Arizona for his 5th annual SBTT but was unable to make the trip in 2008. Summer Training 2007 took him to Houston with stops in Baton Rouge in both directions, which was followed by the Youth Gathering in Orlando. Since the 2008 Summer Training is in Champaign, there is much less travel planned. June 207 brought the opportunity for a week with Barz brothers and Dad for Brocation, a time of service, sharing, golf and biking in Chicago and Dubuque. The change in Michigan girls sports seasons gave lots of officiating opportunities in both volleyball and basketball. In addition to following and doing stats for Jo’s basketball team, he also enjoys breaks on his bike. This includes organizing the Annual Blossom2Ride a “Family Friendly Bike Ride” on the second Saturday of May.
Sarah and Jeff’s biggest change in the last 2 years was remodeling their house. A new kitchen and updated family room gives them more room to entertain and Joel and Rachel are frequent visitors. Sarah teaches English at Lutheran High while directing plays and musicals. We have thoroughly enjoyed “Cinderella” and “Godspell‘‘ the last two years. Jeff does well in his work as a scheduler. They were quick to call in celebrating the Colts 2007 victory in the Super Bowl and cheered the LHSI boys in the state BB finals.
Times of joy were tempered with the losses of Ann’s cousins Mike and Colleen, Rachel’s 8th grade classmate Heidi, OAFC leaders, neighbors and others. Through these events we see again how God truly numbers our days. The faith we have in Jesus as our Savior from sin and victor over death and the grave gives us the comfort and hope we need for daily living.
Travels in 2006 took us to Nebraska during spring break to hear Rachel’s senior recital, Kansas to visit Dan’s parents and St. Louis to see Jon and Lisa’s home and the seminary. In May we returned to Seward for graduation at Concordia for Rachel and Joel’s graduation from Wayne State College. The next day we joined in celebrating godchild Emily’s confirmation in Dubuque. This past August took us to Kansas to join most of Dan’s family in celebrating the 50th anniversary of his Dad’s ordination. A trip to Beaver Falls in October gave us the chance to see where Jon and Lisa are spending vicarage. 2006 ended and 2007 began in St. Louis where all 3 of us joined Lisa and Jon along with 100 others at the OAFC New Years Gathering. Jo & Dad found the 2008 NYG in Concordia, MO much colder. For 2009 we are inviting all to an OAFC New Years Gathering here in Stevensville.
It is hard to believe that we will complete 13 years in Stevensville this coming summer. It remains a pleasant place to live and to welcome guests.
