Leaving Michigan and on to Ohio

Over the time we spent in Grand Rapids, Mark caught a terrible cold and had a rough couple of night's sleeping. Nevertheless, we did get some rest. After all the visiting we were both tired and it was nice just to sit still for a while. We then were on our way to Lima, Ohio where we stayed with Rachel's friend Ryan and Karen Huizenga. The girls stomped the guys in three close games of Uchre. It was humbling to lose so many times, but it was fun. This then will bring us back to our return stay in Springfield with Grace and Dan and Mark's Mom and Step Dad. We also have the added blessing of Rachel's parents as we are restfully enjoying our time with family once again.......Tommorrow we hit hit the road again for our current place of residence in Knoxville, Tennnessee......Johnson Bible College.

Visiting THe Frisbey homestead and Step Mama Behr

From Jenison we backtracked a little bit back to Whitecloud where we visited Dad and Mom Frisbey. It was a wonderful visit where Dad graciously taught Mark how to properly pack a car and Rachel was able to spend time with her mom and sister Debbie.

From there we headed back to Grand Rapids where we stayed with Mark's step mom Margie. It was a really good visit where we were able to have some Bible Study, awesome conversation and wonderful fellowship together.

A Day with Friends

Later after we said our see you laters to Grandma Behr we headed to GR specifically Jenison. We met up with a great group of Mark's friends that have been a strong support and great accountability for his walk as a Christian. We stayed at Mark and Suzanne Jager's house. We are very thankful for your hospitality and the wonderful fellowship that we were able to share with all of you. Good friends are not just found around the corner. Conversation does not need to float on the surface. When it goes deeper than our own comfort it is often worth hanging onto in our hearts forever................... Good Game

Checking Out Fremont and White Cloud

I am having to play a little catch up on the last few days due to many activities and limited Wireless access.

From Petosley we headed down to Fremont to visit Grandma Behr, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle Dick. We had an enjoyable time catching up them up on all that we have been doing down in Knoxville, and all that we had done on our trip so far. Grandma Behr is still kicking and very sharp for a woman at the ripe ole' age of 92. Aunt Sarah looked as vibrant as ever. Uncle Dick was pretty mobile too after he has had a couple of hip replacements. After a nice visit with Grandma and crew we headed down to Grand Rapids where Mark grew up as a kid.

Saying goodbye to the Great North

On our last couple of days in Petoskey we were able to gather for lunch with our former youth group who are all growing up quickly. Many of them already in their junior year of college. We had an awesome lunch at one of our favorite restaraunts The Grand Traverse Pie Company. We were also able to hit a few more stops to friends houses and had good fellowship with a lot of people in a short time. We were able to connect with our friends Jamie and Christie Woodall. Jamie who is an associate pastor at Genesis Church in Petoskey. He is also in the process of starting another Church plant in Boyne City. They have been a huge encouragement to us in the time that we have known them. We also got to visit with our friends that Rachel used to nanny for during the summer.

A Few Days In Petoskey

We would love to give a great big thank you to our friends up here for an incredible time of fellowship and an awesome cook out. We all were able to have some time to catch up and have some great food. It was really wonderful to be with everybody and to even have a few fun rounds of Mafia. Good times were had by all. We were able to get together.

Also a big thank you to our family who have made us feel so much at home so far the last couple of days. This morning we headed to our cousin Javen and Rebecca Chamberlin's for an amazing breakfast. We shared a few laughs and Mark wrestled Uncle Greg a little be as they both realized how out of shape they are. After that we were able to see our friends John and Jane Newbury with their daughters Arielle and Eliza. John and Jane have been great friends and mentors. They have been a great encouragement to both of us as we journey with the Lord.

We then we able to surprise the ladies of First Christian Church where we used to serve as the Youth Director. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up and encourage those who were there. We even were able to pray with our friend Diane who also went to church there. The updates will continue as we stay up here.

It is such a joy to be near the Bay once again. It is also very strange as we are truly on a little vacation up here. We are what the locals call "Fudgies," no this is not a racist statement. We have a fun little name for all the people who come up here for three months pout of the year along with all the tourists. One of the we call fudgies because they come up for all the wonderful fudge made by Kilwins. The other name we have is "Cone Suckers" which are all the people who come up and enjoy all the ice cream. So there is a little tidbit from Petoskey Michigan..... Stay tuned there will be more to come.

The journey through Ohio

We got into Springfield early evening where we stayed with Rachel's Sister and Brother-in-Law Dan and Grace Johanson. We were able to visit with our niece and nephews, Luke, Hanna Grace, and Joshua. One of the big blessings we have staying in Ohio is that we have my mother there who lives two doors down from Rachel's sister.

Then Saturday we were back on the road by 11 AM and headed for the great North. It was really weird because it was about 80 degrees when we left Springfield and by the time we hit the Michigan border the temp literally dropped about ten degrees with a mass amount of cloud cover. Thankfully we only had a few sprinkles. The Lord has really blessed us with great driving conditions so far.

We are now fellowshipping with our good friends here in beautiful Petoskey where the air is cool and the bugs are plenty, but our friends and family have made the journey worth every moment. Thank you Lord for the fellowship that You have blessed us with in this place. Good friendships are not just found around the corner. When they are built on the fellowship of the Lord they more often than not last a lifetime. Til the next update......Cheers

Mark and Rachel

There and Back Again: A Behr's Tail

We left the Knox in Ole' Suzie Q

We said goodbye to friends from Belaru(s)

On I-75 we had a smooth ride

Driving a little faster than sixty five

Hooked up with more Friends at Max & Erma's Place

We cleaned our plates not leaving a trace

And on to the next leg

We arrived in Springfield on the edge of dusk

that's all for now

Stay tuned for more............

Alright Folks,
Here we go. We are gearing up right now for the journey to head back to Michigan. Keep a look out as we log our journey. Pray that the car runs well. That the Lord keeps us safe and that we have an awesome time on the road. We are geared up.

One Year Down

It has been quite a semester but we managed to make it. God has blessed us in many ways. We have learned many things as well.

Mark just finished his first year of college. We are just waiting to see the final results of his grades. We are very hopeful for the outcome. He had his struggles in classes and assignments, but he worked very hard.

Rachel continues at the counseling center. She is currently praying about a few options that will be later disclosed. She will be helping out this summer with an event called Senior Saints in the Smokeys. Many senior Citezens come to the campus for a week long retreat. There will be speakers and other events that they will be able to attend. So the campus won't be quiet for long.

We have continued to be a part of the prayer ministry at the church we have been attending. We are both very excited to see what the Lord is going to show in the months ahead. We are currently preparing for our first trip home to Michigan since we moved here. We miss home very much and look forward to seeing our friends and family. Again we thank all of you who have supported us and prayed for us. You all have been a huge blessing in our life. To the next update, we will post more hotos from our travels home.