Quick (or not so Quick) Updates

Maybe it’s time to let this project go. I seem to have trouble keeping up and I’m not sure what if anything it accomplishes, bur here are some quick updates for now.

I am now working part-time as a Child Attendant Care worker for the Mental Health Association. I work with emotionally disturbed kids. Kind of a big brother thing, but a little more detailed with a lot of paper work. They bill Medicaid, so you can imagine. It’s been hard getting back into the work thing and a lot of days I want to hang it up, but so far I’ve stuck with it, thanks at least in part to a lot of encouragement from Linda.

Linda is back into the full swing of teaching again, only this time 7th graders instead of 8th. After working with a few kids similar to the ones she works with everyday, I have a new respect for what she does.

Elizabeth is hard at her last year of nursing school. Only this semester and one more. It’s tough; one class especially is hard, but she keeps at it and we’re very proud of her. Combine that with working part-time as a nurse tech and the irons she keeps in the fire around church (Sunday School, Board of Ed, etc) and she stays more than busy.

Rebekah is always busy with something. Hard to believe she’s a senior in High School. She still run’s cross country and keeps busy at church (she’s added leading music to at the Saturday night service a couple times a month to Kings Kids and Youth activities) We’re still working on college plans (anyone got an extra $100,000.00 they’d like to donate to the cause).

Our nephew Dan had a pretty good season with the Navigators and Got called up to the big league with the Giants this fall and got a fair amount of playing time. He’s playing in the Arizona Fall league in October and November and then gets married in December. We’re looking forward to the wedding.

Our Niece Erin is in her second year of teaching in China and seems to be doing well. The rest of the nieces and nephews likewise seem to be doing well as far as we know We love them all and are proud of them.

Well that’s about it for now. Take care! God Bless!

Hanging in There in Kansas

We all survived Vacation Bible School in pretty good shape. It went well we had about 85 kids that attended and about 140 people at the program on Thursday Night.

Bekah was supposed to be home all this week, but wound up working in the camp office this week. She did get home for the week end. Boy was it good to see her. She has the rest of this week and next week then she’s pretty much home for the summer.

Elizabeth finished her class up for the summer and has a couple of weeks to work as much as she can before starting in again.

Next week Linda and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We plan to celebrate by buying a new TV for the bedroom (the old one went out a couple of months ago). Are we an old married couple or what?

Summer Update

I haven't done very well keeping up on this blog, but maybe I'll do better from here on out. Our summer has been a busy one and is fast slipping away. We just started Vacation Bible School today. Linda is again directing it and I'm helping out as needed. We had about 80 kids there today. We have a band from Youth Encounter, Captive Free in to do the music and that is a big help. We have lots of youth and adults from the congregation helping out as well. It should be a good week.

Last week we baby-sat our two year old great niece, Sara Grace. It was interesting and a little bit challenging having a two year old around again. Boy has it been a while. All in all we got a long pretty well though she was not always a happy camper. Sara is very verbal and vocal for a two year old. Linda and Elizabeth went to the mall with her and he told one of Elizabeth's friends Hi, my name is Sara Grace. I'm two. I live with these people now, because they won't take me home. My mommy will be so mad.

Rebekah has been a counselor (I guess her official title is Jr. Cabin Leader) at a Lutheran Camp near Junction City. She gets home for the occasional week end and we have been up there to see her , mom and my sister's crew a couple of times. She really enjoys working with the kids and has a real servants heart. Last week she even got pressed into service as the camp cook.

Elizabeth is taking a class, Tertiary Care, this summer. She works three 12 hr shifts Monday - Wednesday as a part of the class then usually gets in at least a couple of 8 hr sifts as a nurse tech. She is very busy, complains about not having a life, but is doing well.

In addition to getting ready for VBS Linda has been taking some computer classes offered by the school district. She will be teaching 7th grade next year and helping with the implementation of a new computer project.

If things weren’t busy enough Linda, Mike and Elizabeth also helped out with the Churches firework stand again this year. It gets bigger every year. This year we sold $259,000.00 worth of fireworks and when it is all said and done should make about $42,000.00 for the church and missions.
We’ll that’s about it I guess. Take care.

Our Niece Teaches in China

We got an e-mail from our niece Erin Freedlund. She has been teaching this past year at an international school in Wuhan China. She is enjoying the warm spring weather after freezing in an apartment with no heat all winter. It’s been a challenge dealing with students who don’t always speak much English, as well as trying to learn Chinese herself. It is also a challenge to live in a place where Christians are sometimes persecuted for their faith. Keep her in your prayers. You can learn more about Erin and her adventures at her webpage.

Freed's All Back Home At Least for Now

Sorry I've been a little slow with the updates, but last week I was pretty worn out from all the traveling.

The trip that Linda, Rebekah and I took to Concordia Seward was great, Especially since Bekah drove most of the way home. Everything at the school was first class we were very impressed with how the visit. The food was good, the professors and students were all very helpful and the Choir was awesome. I really think this is the school Bekah wants to attend if we can swing the impressive tuition and fees. The admissions person all but guaranteed she would qualify for there top scholarship, but that still leaves a lot to come up with. So please send donations to SENDBEKAHTOCOLLEGE.COM (just kidding). Seriously keep her in your prayers, that God would work it out to get her to the college He wants her at.

The trip to Colorado was also good. Elizabeth, my mom and I went out for my cousin's daughters wedding. OK so we visited the Coors plant while we were there. Anyway the wedding went well, the scenery was beautiful (just enough snow to cover the ground without causing driving problems) and we only got lost a couple of times. It was good to see my Aunt and Uncle and my cousin Beth. We got caught up and reminisced about old times at Grandma's house. Elizabeth did most of the driving. She even handled the Denver traffic well.

Dan to Start the Season with AA Norwich

Chances looked good for our nephew Dan to start with AAA Fresno, but alas the Giants just have too many outfielders. So it's back to the AA Norwich Navigators. At least he will get lots of playing time and double A is nothing to sneeze about. I really think if Dan can stay healthy that this is going to be his year. He's been hitting a ton in the minor league preseason and it wouldn't surprise me if he debuts in the majors before the year is over. Here's the link to the Navigators Website. It's listed at the right as well. You can listen to the games on the internet. Good luck Dan! We're all pulling for you!

Bekah Returns from St. Louis, We get ready to go to Seward.

Rebekah returned today after 4 days in St. Louis. She was at a National Planning Retreat for youth and adult leaders. She came back tired, but bubbling with energy and stories. It all went well and she met a lot of new friends from all over the country. Tonight and tomorrow we'll get ready to Go to Concordia Seward, Nebraska for a college visit. We'll drive as far as moms tomorrow afternoon then on to Seward on Tuesday. We'll come back Wednesday night, just in time fo Mike, Elizabeth and Mike's mom to drive to Colorado.

Debbie and the 2 Sara's Surprise Us

We got a call from my sister Debbie about 5:00pm this evening. She, our niece Sara and our great niece Sara Grace were in town shopping and wanted to know if we wanted to meet for supper. We met them at a Christian bookstore and after a little shopping went to Carlos O'Kelley for supper. We caught up on the news and laughed at Sara Grace's (2yrs old) antics. Boy is she a ball of energy. Bekah and Sara made plans for Bekah to visit her at School, Tabor College in Hillsbourogh over Spring break (on our way back from Concordia Seward, Nebraska). One more thing added to the spring break schedule for next week. One prayer request we found out that Mark's brother (Mark is our niece Jenny's husband.) had a melanoma removed from his right arm. The prognosis looks good, but keep him in your prayers.

Dan Most likely to Play at AAA Fresno

According to Lois (Dan's mom, Linda's sister), ESPN and the San Francisco paper have Dan being optioned to the AAA Fresno, CA Grizzlies ( http://www.fresnogrizzlies.com/ ). He played at AA Norwich last year, so this would be a step up. It's not official yet, but a good sign. Dan is glad, because Norwich still has 10 inches of snow. I'm glad for Dan but it will mean staying up late to catch his games over the internet on the west coast. Last year all his games were done by 9:00 pm our time. Sure hope Fresno has an internet radio station. I better check that out opening day is April 7. Go Dan!

Coming Up - Busy, Busy, Busy

Life looks like it will be anything but boring the next two weeks. It's the last week before spring break. Linda is doing grades and sewing "scubs" for Elizabeth. Bekah is studying for tests writing an IRP (Individual Reading Project) and has a concert Tuesday. Elizabeth has a paper do. And me well I'm trying to keep the house presentable and working on my websites.

Spring break doesn't look like much of a break. Bekah skips out of school early on thursday to head for St. Louis for 4 days. She 's representing the district at a youth planning meeting. She gets back Sunday and Tuesday we leave to visit Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Elizabeth has training for her nurse tech position, Wednesday and Thursday. And Thursday night Mike, Elizabeth and Mike's mom leave for Colorado for a cousins wedding. Now Linda is talking about painting the living room this weekend. Like I said busy, busy, busy.

Thought for Today

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. {13} Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. {14} And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. {15} Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col 3:12-15 NIV)

Our Nephew Plays for the Giants

Dan made the 40 man roster for the San Francisco Giants this past fall and is spending some time with the big leaguers this spring. He's starting his 4th year in professional baseball and it's been exciting to watch his progress. See his picture with Barry Bonds below. I had trouble getting a picture of his face to load so check out his giants page here .

Our nephew Daniel Ortmeier gets hitting tips from Barry Bonds. 

Elizabeth & Rebekah
Still working on getting pictures on this sight we managed this one, but are still working on the family picture for the profile. You might also wish to check out the pictures at Rebekah's Photos link at right. Check back we'll try and updat things every day or so at least for awhile.

Hey Friends & Family

Hey everybody. Thought it might be fun to have a website to keep up todate on the clan. Send me an email with your news and will get it on the website. Here's the scoop on our immediate family from our Christmas letter with updates:

Greetings from the Freed's! No telling how long it's been since some of you have heard from us, (or when you will hear from us again) so let's see if we can bring you up to date. We're still in Wichita, going on 18 years now. Hard to believe it's been that long. They haven't always been easy years, but all in all they have been good years filled with God's blessings. Here's a run down of the clan in alphabetical order.

Elizabeth ( the1nonlylizzard@yahoo.com ) turned 21 this year. She is a junior at Wichita State and just finished up her first semester of nursing school. She now knows how to wash her hands, make beds, take blood pressures, give shots and perform several other procedures we won't get into. Next semester she starts her clinicals. She'll be on second shift because in her words she, "doesn't want to be responsible for someone's life at 6:00 in the morning." She has worked part time for a printing company the last 3 years, but hopes to get on soon at the hospital as a nurse tech. She also teaches Sunday School, serves on the Evangelism and Education boards at church, and volunteers for the Red Cross and Toys for Tots.

UPDATE: Clinicals are going well. She hasn't killed anyone yet. She has two evenings a week on a med/surgical floor and two days a week on a mental health floor with classes in between. She recently found out that she was accepted as a nurse tech. She will be working out of a pool and will be assigned as needed at one of three hospitals in town. She starts training the end of March. She's looking forward to making more money.

Linda ( freedlm@cox.net ) has been teaching emotional/behavior disorder kids at Well's Middle School the past 31/2 years. She has a class of between 5 and 11 eighth graders and they are usually a handful. In May she finished up a three year program at Southwestern College and earned her masters in special education. She fills her time(as if there was much to spare) with working out at the Y, teaching Sunday School, and just generally keeping the rest of us going.

Update: Linda has added tutoring homebound students 2-3 afternoons a week to her already busy schedule. She's on her third one the first two didn't work out so well, lots of family problems, but the current assignment is going better.

Mike ( rmfs@cox.net ) retired from the DCE ministry in 2002 after 16 years as Director of Christian Education at Grace Lutheran Church. He's tried several other things since then including selling insurance and substitute teaching, but his bipolar condition has given him a lot of trouble and things have not worked out as well as we had hoped. With encouragement from the doctor we have filed for disability and wait the outcome. Mike made several trips to Lawrence and Chapman this past year to help his mom and niece move.
Update: I still have good days and bad days, but more good ones lately. At least I feel up to putting together this website. They denied the disability claim, but the doctor encouraged us to appeal. So thats what we did. Still waiting to hear the results.

Rebekah ( onmykneestoday@yahoo.com ) turned 16 this year (another licensed driver to pay insurance on). She is a junior at South High School making A's in pud classes like AP History and Chemistry and Pre Calc/Trig. She sings in both the Concert Choir and Madrigals at School, made District Honor Choir, sang at a special performance of a community choir, sang on a CD, and sings in the car, her room and at church. In addition she helps out with Kings Kids (a mid week program at church), runs cross country, is active in youth group at church, serves on the district youth committee (which took her to St. Louis for training and the National Youth Gathering in Orlando) and volunteers for several groups at school and in the community. Oh, I forgot to mention she spent her summer as a Jr. Counselor at a Lutheran Camp.

Update: Rebekah has applied to the NASA SHARPS program for the summer. It's a paid internship program in science and engineering for juniors. Very competitive. She finds out in the middle of April if she gets in. If that doesn't come through, she'll probably do the camp counselor thing again.

That's about it for now send us your news. (rmfs@cox.net ) Or post to the comments page.