WENDELL ROVENSTINE FAMILY LOVES SKIING

What would it be like for 25 members of our family to meet on the top of a mountain in Winter Park and ski to the bottom just as the ski resort is closing? Would it be fun? Would everyone know they were all together? Would it be once in a life time occasion? Would it be something that only a Rovenstine would think of? Where would they all end up? Would it be something we would want to do again? Well all of these questions could be answered by any of those that had the unique and wonderful opportunity to enjoy such a thrill. Could it happen again? I am hoping it will. What a wonderful and memorable time we had enjoying all of our 5 children and their families over Christmas week 2008. It was OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!!

WINTER PARK IN A FEW DAYS

We are looking forward to our time with family members who will joining us at a Lodge near Winter Park Colorado for Christmas. We are considering this a time for Celebrating Family where everyone will be enjoying the fun of the slopes. We will laugh, visit, debate, talk about the events of yesterday and hang out. Family members will come from Junction City, KS, Lawrence, KS, Chicago area, Bartlesville, OK and Austin, TX. and the age span will be from 6 to 70 years old. We are happy to say that this is our one and only 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Let it be known we are a family enriched with open and kind regard for each other and it will be in that spirit that we share our 50th in the midst of those God has given to us to share our lives with. We are loved and Blessed by our Father in Heaven.

VANCOUVER PREPARES FOR "CHRIST"MAS"

I was in British Columbia December 5 and it was a wonderful time to make some comparisons to Bartlesville, OK. In Oklahoma we celebrate Christmas with most everyone putting something in,on or around their homes that represents Christs birth. Many may not realize they are honoring the Birth of the Savior - but many do without knowing it. In Vancouver, British Columbia the Christmas lights and decorations were not displayed as freely and the opportunity to share the Gospel during Christmas must be more intentional for them. I am glad I live in a community where "Christ"mas is evident more with the lights, sounds, and celebrations of Christmas. It is not a season it is a celebration of our Savior's birth. On Saturday night I was driven by a taxi through Berkley, CA and "Christ"mas in Berkley is non existent. I saw one display of lights.. Obviously they are in a terrible darkness.

FREE STATE FIREBIRDS VS JUNCTION CITY BLUEJAYS

This is a pretty historic day for me. I am listening to Kansas States 6A High Schools in their state championship play off game at Washburn University in Topeka Kansas while I am blogging. Pretty amazing for me. My prediction is Junction City will win. The reason this game is so significant for me personally is that Nate (Lawrence) and Kurt (Junction City) are rooting for their home towns. They usually would be cheering for the same athletic team but not today. I am confident this game will get a little Christmas time discussion in less than four weeks when we are all together in Colorado skiing and celebrating Christmas. I love football and today is no exception. I am listening to the game on WIBW in Topeka. How long has this station been around? It seems like forever. The results of this game will be history in a little bit.

WE LOVE BALTIMORE

Esther had this week off so Sunday we flew to Baltimore to pick up (2) 2009 Pontiac Vibes for Mr Clyde. We wanted to see what Morgantown, West Virginia was like on our way back so we drove through the city and we were not terribley impressed. West Virginia is really pretty but it seemed that this area is a pretty depressed. We are looking forward to a great Thanksgiving with several members of our family gathering at my Brother Marks. We are looking forward to the arrival of three of our grand daughters from Austin. They are coming via Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and four corners USA. They will have a story or two to share with us. Baltimore we love you but Bartlesville we won't forsake you for the time being at least not for Baltimore.

I HAVE BEEN TO URBAN'S NEW LOCATION

Sunday Night Football replaced Monday Night Football so we could all go to the place that the Urbans call home. What a place to raise a family. Monday night usually finds Bartlesville Rovenstine Brothers at one of the brothers home for a time of gossip, discussion of family issues, fantasy football predictions, refreshments, and seeing who tells the funniest story of the week. The funniest story of the week most always comes from Loren because life to him is pretty serious. Rush keeps him pretty stirred up. During the half time we had a prayer for the members of our family that are suffering with situations that only prayer will take care of. The family has been tremendously blessed over the years but right now we are trusting that God will give each of our family members a special touch to bring praise to the Kingdom of God.

I HAVE A CHAUFFEUR

Yesterday to my amazement I let Jamie drive me and Esther to her home town. I guess it really is a sign of relaxing and releasing my life to the control of others. The thing that was somewhat confusing to me was I set in the back seat and actually took a nap while she was at the wheel. That was a first in my life. I have been roughed up a time or two in my life while others were driving for me. Therefore, I have not been comfortable letting anybody drive for me while traveling because I was afraid I would be involved in an accident. I am beginning to resign myself to drive less and give the wheel to others that are becoming more able and willing to do the driving. Why were we going to Lawrence you may ask. A legitimate question. Kylie was in a drama production at here Junior High School so we wanted to see the drama of her life in a real and entertaining way. She was one of the screamers in the play and believe me... She with the other screamers let it be known they were there. We loved it. Esther and I left after the services on Sunday and I had to do the driving home. Oh for a driver. The way I have it figured maybe there will be other grand kids in Bartlesville that will need to drive and I again can have a personal chauffeur. I think I am liking the getting old stuff. Anyone else need a job chauffeuring?

IWU AND OWU FEMALE GRADUATES

We are pretty overwhelmed with 2 of our granddaughters that are graduating from college and heading for another chapter in their lives. Aubrie will graduate in December 08 from IWU with a triple major. Then she will be entering the professional force (possibly in the Indianapolis area) where she will begin work awaiting the arrival of Mr. Newbie ( a fantasy football mystery person) to join her. He will (if all works as scheduled) be doing his student teaching in the area and finishing his IWU teaching degree after graduation in May of 09. Chelsea will be graduating from OWU in May of 09 with a Theology degree. Sunday night we went to the OWU chapel to hear Chelsea speak. She shared a message about the significance of communion and how it relates to our commitment to Christ. In our opinion Chelsea will be heading for seminary and challenging those that teach her with her wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures and community of believers. We are definitely convinced these two young ladies are off the charts when it comes to comparisons with other young women in the world. Hey give us a break! Remember? These are only 2 of our 12 granddaughters and all 12 of them are off the charts with some special talent that only they possess.

I LIKE KANSAS CITY AND NTS

Going to Kansas City at this time in life brings a multitude of memories to mind. Kansas City was the town that our original family of 7 would take a few days off to enjoy a ball game with the Kansas City Royals. Oh if only the Royals could play baseball. What special memories. Monday and Tuesday of this week it was my privilege to be with students, faculty, staff, and administration of the Nazarene Theological Seminary to share in a special day with members of the Wesleyan Church. The Wesleyan Church recently elected a new General Superintendent to serve the Western area of the Wesleyan Church by the name of Jo Anne Lyon. I knew her best as Jo Anne Close as a child in the Wesleyan (then the Pilgrim Holiness) Church in Hutchinson Kansas. We all were at NTS to explore ways in which we could involve Wesleyan ministerial students in the continuing educational opportunities of the Seminary after graduation from college. It has been my privilege to work with President Ron Benefiel and his NTS team since November of 2004. This years Wesleyan Day event was certainly worth the trip and time invested by those who were privileged to be in attendance.

We are Blessed

Today I carried a heavy burden for members of my family that hurt. We have some pretty amazing things going on right now as far as family is concerned. I have to be one of the most blessed persons I know. I started the day having coffee and donuts with my 93 year old mother. I left my mother's house and met Esther at Starbucks and Harold and Mary from High Point North Carolina met us there. This afternoon we did some serious fall yard work. Knowing the yard is sort of ready for the winter gives us a sense of accomplishment and well being. Our lives seem to be pretty simple and we are praising the Lord for His care and love for us. Our whole family in the midst of struggles is being embraced and cared for by our Heavenly Father. Our family as a whole is really Blessed even in the face of difficulty. We all trust and believe the Lord is who he says He is. We are trusting Him for all our needs and struggles.

Chicago here I am

It is 4:40am Sunday morning October the 12, 2008. I am wide awake and will soon be on my way to watch a bunch of Rovenstines and folks from Bartlesville run in the Chicago marathon. Will I be wide awake 17 hours from now or drop dead tired. I cannot say for sure. What I do know for sure I am ready to get to mile four and watch the troop go running by. What a great day this will be.

We are going to Chicago ready or not

When our family was still at home we wondered what would really define us when it comes to enjoying significant time together. Would it be camping out and swatting mosquito's? Possibly we all could go someplace and do hard work like building a shed, painting, running cement or something like that? There is really no sure fire formula for knowing what brings a family together to enjoy each others unique strengths and significances early in the development of a family. We enjoy two activities that bring fulfillment and challenge to the family dynamic. October 12 in Chicago Allen, Amber, Aubrie, Billy, Nate, Dalene, and Steve will all run the Chicago Marathon. We also have another significant activity that most all love to participate in and it is skiing. We will gather as a family during Christmas of this year at Winter Park. Esther and I enjoy just showing up and watching in awe and wondering where did all that talent and energy come from. Needles to say the next few weeks beginning this week and ending at Christmas will feature some pretty important milestones in our family as we all pull together enjoying the accomplishments of our family in reaching their significant goals. Stay connected to my blog and I will endeavor to keep you in the loop.

Special to us is Junction City Kansas

Friday night after classes at American Christian School Esther and I headed to Junction City. Our desire to make the trip up and back in the same evening comes from a deep love for 2 of our special grand daughters. They both play significant roles in the Junction City High School. What HS wouldn't want to have them in their system. I could tell you about how great they danced and marched in the band during the half time performance at the football game - - - but you already know that. What you may not know is Junction City is a pretty neat place to grow up and get an education so you can make a difference in the world. Young ladies like Breanna and Brittany are the hope of tomorrow and we need more just like them to take responsibility in the world we live in. This is the last year we could go see Breanna at JCHS. Next year she will be in college playing tennis and studying in a new environment. Guess I am overwhelmed with getting to be with 2 of the 16. Oh lest I forget! Friday night was a perfect night for football and JCHS's team is still undefeated.

An Evening in Athens

American Christian School held their annual fund raising event at the Hillcrest Country Club Saturday night October 4. It is called An Evening in Athens. The evening is very enjoyable and energetic. Everyone gets a good overview of what ACS is. When Dalene shared with me her desire put her children in the classical education model I was not overly impressed and thought "whatever". Dalene was one of the speakers and she shared her passion, love and explanation of what a classical education is. There are times in life when you think "How is it I never knew this stuff". She shared how a classical education follows the bent of a developing young mind through the stages of 1. Grammar 2. Logic and 3 Rhetoric.. Thanks Dalene for walking me through what I should have known but really had never figured it out. You really conveyed the concept in a professional and understandable way which in itself is an accomplishment. Share the vision often with passion... It is working.

My mother motivates me

I have been going to Daylight donuts to pick up donuts and coffee on Saturday mornings for my mother. We have been able to talk about a few things regarding her wishes for the rest of her life in a very honest and open way. You need to remember she is 93 years old with 7 children still knowing exactly what she wants. The thing that makes it complicated for the family as a whole is that mother is 93 year old and she changes her mind weekly based on what she has been experiencing though out the week. Therefore, we are faced with the challenge of being parents to our mother who is beginning to be confused about what she really wants vs what is in her best interest. Wouldn't life be easier if we were not faced with confusing issues and could just leave for a day or two and everything will be okay. I am confident we all are interested in what is best for our mother.. The issue is what really best for mother. I am motivated by the example she leaves me to follow in a life of happiness, commitment, Christian example and a life of personal dignity and independence.

PHOENIX AIPRORT

Tonight I am setting in the airport in Phoenix waiting to board a flight to Salt Lake City. We had a very good time today at our marathoners house in Bartlesville. They had cooked a nice roast beef dinner while we were all at church. We are always glad to be with our family for dinner. I will be in Salt Lake City on Monday and then I return to Phoenix before heading back to Bartlesville.

New York To Bartlesville

Thanks Mr Suburban for letting me see New York at a wonderful time of the year. Wednesday I flew to Buffalo and picked up a car. I originally planned to go to this area to work with one of the ministries I am assisting. The President's father left for heaven so I just drove home. While in the area I drove through the campus of Houghton College. I am amazed that this College does so well in such a remote area of New York. Today is Friday. ELR continues to be amazing and I thank God for letting her be in the class room again. The car Mr Suburban had be pick up had XM radio. Guess what? I was able to listen to everything that took place at the RNC. Therefore, yesterday I drove all the way from Jamestown NY to get home so I would be ready to do somethings that need to be taken care of around home. WOW! Sarah brought new life to an old party. This is going to be interesting.

Labor Day 2008

We enjoyed having our Junction City kids in town over Labor Day. We realize that some of the rather quick and simple decisions we made years ago have significant and lasting results and these decisons affect many over a life time. Our life has been full of wonderful and inspiring activites. We are holding May 24 for JCHS graduation where one of our special 16 will graduate. May 2009 will be a busy one for our family. May 2 we will join our Lawrence family as our theology "lady scholar" will graduate from OWU. May 9 you will find us in Chicagoland with our IWU (3 Major) graduate who will be marrying BD. The famiy of ACR my 93 year old mother will be enjoying togetherness someplace over Memorial Day. We may have a glitch with this date with all that is taking place in our world. Oh, ELR will still be teaching 1st grade during the whole month of May... We already know there will be extra expenses for all our family members.