F . A . M . I . L . I . E . S .

    We are a father and mother committed to illustrating God’s Love in our everyday lives.

    We want His love to guide all aspects of our lives amid piles of paper work, stacks of dirty dishes, quiet times with our children, and lists of calls to be returned.

    Our first commitment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and might.

    Our marriage is a covenant with one another. As we focus on the needs of each other we are rewarded with a special love that exceeds all our expectations.

    Our children are dear and special gifts from God, sent to give us opportunities to love unselfishly. We desire our home to be peaceful, fun, and filled with learning.

    Daily the Lord brings other people into our home. Some we touch by mail, others by phone, and still more stop in to shop and visit. Our desire is for each to leave encouraged.

    May our business contacts encourage you to love those whom God has placed in your life.

Paul, serves as elder at Rockville Mennonite Church where we attend. His months have regularly included a number of church meetings. He sits on the board for Steeple To People which meets individual material needs and gives direction to the Honey Brook Youth Center. Together we have facilitated three sessions of GriefShare, seeing first hand the change in lives as participants begin to sense anew the comfort of the Comforter. Playing softball this summer with Jason was a dream come true for him. Jason pitched for the team. Paul played outfield. We all sat on the sidelines cheering, then rubbing backs and scrubbing uniforms at home.

I, Twila, was the Howe Family Campout Co-ordinator this year. My siblings, with their families, camped at my mom’s farm and shared activities for a long weekend in July. My heart was encouraged January - April as women gathered in my home for Mothers and Others meetings. I am learning what it means to be available as my children come and go around me. My days are filled to the brim with family doings.

Jason, 22 volunteered at the Honey Brook Youth Center most Saturday’s 3- 10. Every week he speaks the unwavering gospel in shoe leather to the 8 - 16 year old youth that come through the doors seeking a safe place to be. Early in January he led a team of four to India. They introduced quizzing in a northern school using John 1-3. This summer he spent 2 wonderful weeks in Alaska with boyhood buddies. He works as a plumber when not busy at FAMILIES.

Marla, 21 plans a Craft Night at the Honey Brook Youth Center one Friday night a month, using activities to speak into the children’s hearts that God is Love. Spending time in India with Jason was a life changing experience. Her paying jobs include custom house cleaning and a part time job at Little Barn Noodles.

Elizabeth, 17 has embraced the ambitious goal to finish her high school requirements one year early. With the acquisition of her driver’s license in early May she assumed the position of ‘Family Errand Runner.’ She avails herself to every Youth activity possible. As she audits the GriefShare sessions she is learning much in the way of caring ministry. She often says, I need a job.

Martha Joy, 15 seeks out the little ones among us and arranges her life to include them whenever possible. She is quickly ready to tag along with her older sisters to functions and shopping when the opportunities arise. Her quiet times are often filled with self made music. She is our Dishwashing Lady, with a smile.

Daniel, 13 is now one I look up to, literally. Not only has he grown inches but he is beginning to think through the issues of life that young men need to face. Football with his friends is high on his ‘May I do list?’ along with table games with his sisters. He is becoming known as Mr. Fix-it. I am a grateful recipient.

Catherine, 10 is Little Miss Ventriloquist. She had opportunity to observe a few ventriloquists this summer. She likes to practice different story scripts and songs with her acquired puppets. She was Camp Nurse at the Howe Family Campout. Dishwasher duties and folding laundry are among her gifts of love to our family.

     It has been said that catalogs exist solely to promote a spirit of discontent. This has made us prayerful and careful as we choose the words and pictures. We want you to be successful at parenting with or without these products. We want to present these products as tools of the trade, not necessities. With the Lord’s constant guidance we strive to bring you the Quality, Educational, Durable, and Functional family things that will assist us in our mutual goal to be

May God Richly Bless Your Family!