Warm enough to go outside!

We were finally able to go outside and we spent some time at a new park here in the area. It is meant as an educational facility for children to learn about animals and working farms. They have all kinds of animals and we really enjoyed our time there. Of course Ken went wild with his camera. I have included some pictures here for your enjoyment!

We really checked into everything!!

Christmas Letter to Friends & Family

MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
AND MAY THE PEACE THAT ONLY CHRIST CAN BRING
BE IN YOUR HEARTS


2007
WHAT A YEAR!

JANUARY – The year started off cold and Peggy’s daddy’s health declining. With Daddy having to be hospitalized, Mother was with us when the “Great Ice Storm” hit during the 13th-19th. During the evenings, Mom, Ken, Perky and I huddled in front of the gas fireplace since it was the only heat in the house, and under piles of blankets at night trying not to freeze waiting to go to the hospital and visit Daddy and their heat during the day!

MARCH – With Daddy still not doing well and unable to walk on his own, the decision was made to place him in a care facility. Don and Rita came, and Ken and I left for three weeks with our friends Mike & Sheri Hillenga in Italy. We stayed at their home and had a great time of fun and travel, seeing a lot of new places.

APRIL – Don and Rita left but were in the area traveling and visiting friends in case they were needed. Daddy’s health declined and he went to be with the Lord on the 20th. We miss him dearly but know that he fought the good fight and now he is resting in the arms of Jesus and walking without pain.

MAY – Peggy became a senior citizen in some places (55); hey, that discount isn’t half bad! Participated in Convoys in Las Vegas, NV and Port Arthur, TX. I got to see good friends from Davis, CA, Gretchen and Michael Batis, while in Las Vegas. They have moved there and it was great to have them be a part of the Convoy held there.

JUNE – Held huge garage sale for Mom, selling items from Dad’s beloved John Deere room and much more.

JULY – Mom moved out of our home into an apartment at Maranatha Village, the AG’s retirement community. She has adjusted well and loves the fellowship and friendships she has developed. We are very proud of her. She has a one-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, dining room and she has it nicely decorated. She can look out her balcony and see turkeys and deer and she really enjoys it. I participated in a Convoy in Harrisburg, PA and Ken went on a story in Alaska, spending a week on the Yukon River in Athabascan villages.

AUGUST – Mom and Peggy traveled to Oregon for a family reunion. They were together on what would have been Mother and Daddys 65th wedding anniversary. Lots of family fun and reminiscing. Mom stayed in Oregon while Peggy came back home to attend General Council in Indianapolis, IN with Ken and then participate in a COH there following Council.

SEPTEMBER – Peggy spoke at a ladies retreat in Glorietta, NM for her niece Debbie’s church and had a wonderful time visiting and sharing. Then there was the Convoy of Hope in Concord, CA and of course Mom went with Peggy and the ladies of the church had a huge luncheon for her and she had a great time visiting with all of them and reminiscing and being loved on.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER – Mediterranean Cruise with Jim and Sherryl Ford. We traveled to Barcelona, Spain and then cruised to ports in Spain, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, and Portugal having a wonderful time. What a trip. The only negative was we all came home with a cold virus! Montgomery, AL was the site of the last Convoy for Peggy for the year with over 9400 guests receiving groceries, medical information, free hair cuts, kids carnival and much more. Over 500 of those guests asked Jesus into their hearts at this event. Ken was elected President of the International Pentecostal Press Association and he conducted his first board meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

DECEMBER — As we finish this letter, Peggy is battling pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung, remnants from the virus picked up on the cruise. Hopefully, by the time you receive this she will be well.

This year was definitely different for us with the loss of my Daddy. But we have managed. Traditions will change but God will remain the same and with His steadfast love and support we will face the challenges, make the changes, love a little stronger and come out victorious.

May you have a wonderful holiday season remembering no matter what life brings, HE never changes, HE will always be with you, HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Peggy & Ken

Check out our blogs for a lot of personal news and photos, Perky’s antics, including shots from things we mentioned in this letter (including our cruise and Italy in March). This is a great way to keep up with Ken & Peggy. You can leave comments anytime or send photos (we love it) for us to post. You can also see tons of photos on Ken’s Flickr site and a few video clips on our YouTube sites, including Peggy’s Mom’s new home.

Kenhorn.blogspot.com
Peggyhorn.blogspot.com
flickr.com/photos/hornkl
http://youtube.com/kjwq
http://youtube.com/tpeag

For those of you who know mom, her new address:

Virginia Paul
3195 N. Circle Ln. #315C
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 833-3310

Posting Once Again

I have been neglecting my posting and now feel there is way too much to tell to bring you up to date. I will share a little bit each day and hopefully you will feel like I have not neglected you but been somewhat inundated!!

As you know I came home from our vacation with a virus which turned into pneumonia. This lasted seven weeks including Christmas. We did have a wonderful time in Scottsdale, AZ with my cousins Melba and Dick Callender. The weather was not as warm as we had expected but the company was. Good fun, food and games, football and a little shopping, just what the doctor ordered!

We so enjoyed all the cards and letters from friends and family and I have decided to post our Christmas letter here. So sorry I didn't think to do it sooner.

Hope you had a Christ-filled Christmas and are enjoying the beginnings of a wonderful New Year. Again I am sorry this is so late.

'40s Fun for the Holidays

This is my niece Debbie and her husband, Robert, from Albuquerque, New Mexico. They dress different over there! They are in costume for "I'll Be Home for Christmas" the program for their church this year. It looks like they are having lots of fun. Thanks Debbie for sharing the evening with us. Do you remember the '40s?! I don't think so!!

We got the news that someone will be home for Christmas! Debbie's son Timothy will be home from overseas for Christmas. We were so hoping for this and just got the news. So happy for ya'll. And also Nathanial is back to work on light duty after major appendix surgery. (Andrew stay healthy and don't dress funny!) Praise the Lord for great and mighty things. The Burns Bunch will be having a very merry Christmas this year!

Still Sick!

It's been four and a half weeks now and I am still sick. I am also frustrated and stir crazy since I can't go out in the cold air due to the pneumonia and lung problem. It's been hard to get anything done for Christmas. Christmas letters ready to run but the printer won't run the labels, I can't go to Kinko's! Mom's cards are ready to do but I can't run her labels! I can't send Christmas packages because I need to do last minute shopping! There's a lot you can't do when you can't leave home!! I've even tried online shopping and I will almost get to the end and I will hit a glitch!

Okay, I know that Jesus is the reason for the season and I am thankful to Him for all He has done for us this year. I know I shouldn't sweat the small stuff (but with a low grade fever!) but it's my nature and I guess I am learning a lesson somewhere in all this. I am just hoping to learn more than that we can't put lights on the tree next year 'cause Perky takes them off!! I've watched her! I'm home! Everyday!

Okay enough of my complaining. I am appreciating what I do have and what I am able to do and all I can do when I am well and for the good health I do have normally. I am also thankful that my mom has gotten along so well while I have been laid up. I am glad that Ken has been so supportive and appreciate how he looks out for me and takes care of me.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season and remember, no matter what you are doing, take time to remember the reason for the season is JESUS!

Guest Post: Peggy Is Still Under the Weather

Peggy has not done much posting lately due to her illness. I can hear her coughing as I type this. It's been a long haul. She still has pneumonia and we learned recently that she has a partially collapsed lung. Please keep her in prayer.

Ken

P.S. Ice storm coming in that may be as severe as last year's. Hoping not.

My Cuz

Two days ago my cousin Melba took a bad fall and broke her vertebrae. She got to come home today but was in the hospital for two nights. They did a procedure where they injected a cement into the vertebrae and it melded the bone together, immediately taking away the pain. The procedure worked and she now just has to heal from the other bruises from the fall and no lifting or twisting. Praise the Lord for modern medicine! If this procedure had not worked she would be wearing a clumsy back brace for up to 10 weeks on pain pills and probably much bed rest. Hey Melba milk this for all you can get! Dick she is going to need ice cream and hot chocolate and foot rubs. Go girl!!

Check This Out

Since I have been feeling lousy since our return with this viral infection I haven't posted! Please check out Ken's blog at:

kenhorn.blogspot.com

for pictures, etc. on our trip.

We're in Barcelona

We headed out from home at about 3:30 in the afternoon on Thursday and arrived in Barcelona about 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening. After several problems we got to our hotel about 10 p.m. Needless to say we slept in this morning and then headed out for some sightseeing this afternoon. After a delicious lunch of paella and salad we headed back from the pier and Columbus Monument to the hotel and are now in our room ready for a good nights rest and then being ready for a great day tomorrow and heading to the ship and our cruise

Guest Entry By Ken: We're in Barcelona

For some reason I can't get my computer to hook up to Internet but Peggy's did. We had 2 of the worst flights we've ever had to get here, plus a fiasco getting our baggage and getting to the hotel. More details later.
We've already gotten together with Jim and Sherryl Ford, our close friends who we are cruising with starting Sunday.
Hope this all comes through. Everything on the blog is changed to Spanish here.

Adios, Ken

Church at Battlefield Last Night/Ken's Niece

Heard and saw a great sermon last night at Battlefield Assembly of God last night by Marc Cerce. Black light can add a lot to the dynamics of your sermon and Marc did a great job. The new building is going to be wonderful and they are planning to use the new facilities next week with The Stamps Quartet singing in the evening service. The church is also participating in the "Make a Difference Day Convoy of Hope" next Saturday. All in all it should be a full and exciting weekend.

We heard from Beverly Ken's niece last evening after church and they had arrived. We hope to get to spend some time with them but with our vacation coming up we are not sure when or how much.

THE BRYANTS VISIT

Beverly and family were able to meet us for dinner on Tuesday night at the Cracker Barrel. We really enjoyed getting to see them and take some time to visit. Just sorry the time is so short because of our trip. They are staying at Michael's mothers home and visiting sisters, aunts, and more family than we realized they had in the area. They were enjoying their time and looking forward to the rest of the week.

Lots Going On

Getting ready...




...for Ken's niece and her husband and son to arrive from California for a visit. Beverly and Michael and Ricky are headed this way to visit Mike's mother and us. Last we heard they were in Arizona and should arrive on Sunday (10/21.) Not sure how much time we will get to spend together but great they will get to be in the area and visit.

...for our cruise. We are excited and anxious to be away on vacation. The excursions are planned and the leisure time is looked forward. Lobster anyone?! We will be visiting many ports and have searched out the things to do, the sites to see, the treats to eat, the treasures to buys(!) and of course all the photos for Ken to shoot.

...for Perkitty and Mother to be without us for the time away.

...packing 101.

New Hair Do

Well I wasn't sure what Ken would do when he came home, but when he went out and came back in, things didn't change, I was still a redhead! Yep, I decided I needed a change, and I really got one.

Mark Thallander in Town

Childhood friend, Mark Thallander, was in town today for an organ concert at King's Way Methodist Church. We picked Mom up and enjoyed the hour-plus concert where Mark and others showed us their God-given talents. Mark lost his left arm two years ago on a rainy night in a single-car accident and is still praising and honoring God with his talents. The concert was fantastic and Mom enjoyed hearing him play and talking with him after the concert.

His table with his CD's also had the Pentecostal Evangel open to the story about his accident. What a way to get the Pentecostal Evangel in the Methodist church!

Mom's Home and Off Again...

Mom is home and really enjoyed her trip. She's had her hair done and I got a call this morning that she's off to Branson to see Shoji Tabuchi. It's a great show and I know she'll love it! Go Mom! Oh yes, and Tuesday she's headed to Branson once again for a 40-mile train ride.

Talked to Mom today...

I called Mom today since I hadn't heard from her and she was on the top deck of a boat on the river on a two-hour cruise. She was thoroughly enjoying the trip and having a wonderful time. They had been to a sports museum and she mentioned a souvenir she had bought! She had also purchased a flower for Daddy's grave at one of the locations and it really sounds like she is having fun. I will try to keep you up on all that is happening but I think I will have to call her if I want to hear the updates!!

Mom's on Vacation

Well, Mom headed out yesterday on a trip with the OASIS group from her church. There were 18 of them packed in two vans and they were laughing as the vans left the parking lot of the church. They are headed out to Kentucky and Indiana for sightseeing and just plain old fun. Visits include Churchill Downs, Fort Knox, Belle of Louisville Riverboat, Amish areas, the Indianapolis 500 Museum and much more I'm sure.I've had one day with no phone call from her and, don't tell her, but I missed it!

I've included a picture of Mom and Dad from last year's trip. They really enjoyed it. Notice that hat he's wearing, his favorite restaurant in Concord (North's). When Mom and I visited in September it had changed to his really favorite restaurant, Home Town Buffet!!!

Happy Anniversary Don & Rita

Since this blog is for family and friends I thought I would take advantage and wish my brother and sister a happy anniversary tomorrow. This comes from all of us here in Missouri wishing you a very happy anniversary day and a wonderful cruise. For those of you who don't know, they are headed out for a fun cruise and Don says after Rita putting up with him for all those years (40),, she deserves it! I think it's love!!

Well, once again, happy anniversary, love...

Mom, Peggy and Ken, & Perkitty

The Husband!

I just wanted all of you to see the type of pictures Ken posts on his blogspot while I am out of town. He also calls himself a "Convoy of Hope widower." I would feel sorry for him but when he uses ploys like this I just figure you should know to feel sorry for me!! Let's just give him a round of applause for effort and the bravery for putting out a picture of himself looking like this!

Love ya' honey, be home soon, maybe...

Concord, California, Convoy of Hope

The people came out and we had a fun and exciting day. Nearly 4,000 guests attended the Convoy of Hope and with 500+ volunteers we were able to treat each one as a "guest of honor" from the moment they entered the site until they were helped to their vehicle with their groceries. God really blessed us with great weather and people were blessed in many ways as they were shown His love. One hundred and forty children gave their hearts to Jesus and over 100 adults accepted Him. Seeds were planted and the work is only just begun. God did a mighty work and I believe everyone was excited and happy at how the day went. Free haircuts were given, medical and dental exams, community services and job information was given out, tri-tip sandwiches and a fantastic kids area with bounce houses and climbing thingies!! It was fun, fun, fun!

Joyce St. John, is that you in there???
Joyce Pryor my long time friend handed out over 5700 lunches! Okay, she did have help. There I am with the truck. And Ken's sister Ellene and her girls, Beverly and Pamela, came to see what I do. It was great to see them and great to see many people I know from Calvary Temple.