Grandma and Grandpa Kelley...Catchin' up on things that matter

Damien Xavier
It has been a long time hasn't it. I have been busy not working. We returned from Oaxaca at the beginning of March just in time for the birth of our 7th grandchild, Damien Xavier Kelley. The first of our family to carry on the Kelley name!













Sorry but Grandma has to show off! The one with the vest and tie was taken the day after I watched a movie on Winston Churchill, I was amazed at the resemblance.

And even though his eyes may be bluer than his sisters, his hair is not red like hers as this picture suggests!















Auntie Faith and Damien

It was a thrill for the family that everyone was here in Mount Vernon to welcome the little guy. In the last couple months all the grandkids have had lots of time to get to know their cousins.

Busy not working

As we consider our next season in Oaxaca, we are also enjoying Washington. We have been delighting in the family, and establishing ourselves in the lives of our grandchildren.

As undoubtedly you have been touched by this recession, so has the medical industry in this nation. That means that even nurses have had their hours cut back. People are losing their health insurance and non essential care is not an option for many.

So even though I am still employed at Mira Vista, I haven't worked for a month, and am scheduled to work two days in June.

But as my daughter said, "Mom, I am so glad you aren't working. Every time I have asked you for help you have been right there!"

It has been a wonderful thing to be able to be Mom and Grandma. God is providing and we are blessed.


As you may remember Jay, Faith and their three children, who are full time missionaries in Nayarit, Mexico, have been on a 9 month furlough. They left yesterday to return to their work with the Coras, an indigenous group up in the mountains not too distant from where they have lived these nearly 14 years.

Before they left, Jay and Faith attended a language acquisition intensive in Colorado to help them gain tools to learn the Cora language. They left their three children with us and Marilyn and Josh.

So yes, three kids in a 31 foot 5th wheel was a bit tight, but we had a wonderful time...we live in a beautiful, ruggedly wooded park, which includes trails, playground and a pool!

He could climb and slide all day if you let him

Elisabeth indicating that Kai needed his diaper changed


One one of the many nurse logs in our woods


The Gathering Family Hike to Bowman's Bay and Rosario Point

One of the really wonderful parts of being back in Washington is being with our church family. What a great bunch of people. There are so many young families with a commitment to community. It is wonderful to know all the kids and parents in your church, to eat and play together. It is so much like what our kids grew up with in Poulsbo so many years ago.

Church family hike to Rosario point, that is Micah and Kaitlyn in the left forefront of the picture.

Pastor Josh with D.J. Grace and Sarah probably looking at bugs



Sand and water and sunscreen, Sarah Joy Kelley




Eddie carried Kai the whole way. I was so impressed with his patience. It was a long day and still, when Kai got cranky, Eddie was calm and gentle. His patience sure outlasted mine, fortunately I had Eddie and when I wore out, Eddie was still going strong. It felt like the roles were reversed, don't remember that he was that understanding when our kids were little. Grandpa's are amazing creatures!

Isaiah, Elisabeth and Kai TenBrink

My girls, Marilyn and Amanda Kelley. These gals are both very capable in women's ministry, as well as mothers. And they keep our sons happy. Oh, and they like to plan family get togethers. Who could ask for more?

Please Pray for Jay, Faith and the kids' travels back to Mexico. They are hauling a trailer, and have many miles to go.

Grandpas Kelley and TenBrink just before departure with Elisabeth and Isaiah


At our final family BBQ before the Ten Brinks returned to Mexico, it was work, but we got a photo of us with the grandkids!

But wait, there is more,

but it can wait a few days. I will be letting you know what God has us doing this summer and how you can pray for our ministry. But one more shot from Grandma's Brag Book...little red head Kaitlyn watering Grandma's flowers....




Carpe diem!