2024 Cousins..Cousins..and More Cousins

2024 Cousins, Cousins and More Cousins

Growing up, meeting up with my cousins was always fun.  We would get together for holidays and when we all lived in Great Falls, we’d meet on Sundays!  Lots of fond memories. When we were raising our kids, we did the same.  We’d make trips to Great Falls or Bonners Ferry and meet up with our siblings and their kids.  Our kids made memories with their cousins!  Now we have moved onto the next generation.  This year our grandkids had opportunities to spend time with many of their second cousins!  

On Memorial Day, the Montana Marks clan gathers in Helena to honor the memory of Ron’s parents.  We usually meet at the cemetery, tell a few stories, share a prayer or two and shed a few tears.  As the family has grown, we’ve found a park with play equipment and bring a picnic lunch.  Even though we all live in Montana, it seems like it is the one time of the year we see each other!   It’s been fun as we bring our children and their children along too!   In December Ron’s brother Ken celebrated his 70th birthday and Ron and Kathie took the grandkids to meet a couple more second cousins! 

This summer Ike, Kathie and their kids and Ron and I took a trip to California.  We spent a couple of days in Pacific Grove with Ron’s sister Lorrie and husband John and enjoyed watching the relationship grow between their grandchildren and ours. We spent time at the ocean and the Monterey Aquarium with niece Whitney and her kids.    We then traveled north with a stop at niece Noelle’s house to spend a few hours with her family.

Then onward to Grass Valley to meet up with all four of my siblings, their spouses, their kids and 15 of their grandchildren.  We spent a very hot Fourth of July in and out of my brother Joe’s swimming pool, enjoying lots of popsicles and spending time visiting.   The cousins and second cousins had a great time together.   Check out the video of the week! 

OUR FAMILY UPDATE

Ron and I continue to enjoy our time together.  We try to walk every day. After Ron had surgery in May for a torn muscle in his hip, we couldn’t hike or camp much, but our garden flourished.  I made some very tasty marinara.   We continue to enjoy our role as grandparents. Ron does the lawn and makes communion bread at church. I enjoy my organizer role for the church and working with Family Promise of Missoula- supporting families experiencing homelessness. 

Ike is the Engineering Director with Diversified Plastics, and Kathie is a civil engineer for BLM.   Their three kids are a joy.  Bethany, age 9- an avid reader, plays the piano, plays soccer and softball and a great big sister! She blessed our Christmas Eve service by singing a solo with the church choir.    Freddie, age 6, fell in love with hunting with Papa this fall and started piano lessons-he can’t walk by a piano without playing something.   Joe, age 2 loves to be outdoors with Papa.  He’s got his own toolbox and is Papa’s helper when it comes to fixing things.  A new puppy, Holly has joined their family which should make 2025 an interesting year!  

Erik continues to make progress with life changes- he started a post graduate certificate program this fall and found success in higher education.  He enjoys his time with his niece and nephews and continues to work toward figuring out what that next chapter of his life will be. 

Liz and Chris are living in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  Liz teaches at Merrimack College and Chris is exploring a new career as a Process Flow Manager for a small precision manufacturing facility in Rowley, MA.  We enjoyed a great visit with them over Christmas.  

Blessings to all of you on this year new.  May 2025 be happy and healthy.   

Ron and Nancy

2023 Gratitude

 

2022 Joy Junk and Jesus

 2022- Joy, Junk, & Jesus

Another year has gone by.  This year's theme is Joy, Junk and Jesus! 

A year of much joy, a little junk and a lot of Jesus! 

Joy- the year was full of joy!

Gift from Liz for Christmas! 

• One of our biggest JOYS was that Liz graduated from LSU with her PhD in August.   

• The whole family flew to Baton Rouge to celebrate her accomplishment and we got to go to the Audabon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans.. and Freddie got to touch a stingray! 

• Liz and her husband Chris bought a house in Haverhill, MA. She is teaching at Merrimac College and Chris will start a new job as an attorney for the IRS in January. 

• Another great JOY was that grandson Joseph Kent Marks was born January 27, 2022 to Ike and Kathie.  Watching him grow and change has been a JOY to all around him - especially his big sister Bethany and big brother Freddie!  He even made his acting debut in the Christmas program at church as a wandering sheep! 

• Erik moved back to Missoula in March and has become the "favorite uncle"  We are enJOYing having him closer to us.  

• Ike and Kathie continue their busy lives as engineers and keeping up with 3 children. Kathie is becoming quite an accomplished quilter!  

• Bethany, age 7,  is a JOY as a big sister, an avid reader and enjoys sports and playing the piano. 

• Freddie, age 4, loves preschool and is learning his letters and numbers.  He's a builder and has a love of any kind of emergency vehicle and gadgets! 

Junk- a little junk (with Jesus mixed in)

• Not much junk this year-- except Ron had a knee surgery in March and has continued to struggle with his knee and hip.  Fortunately, we have still enjoyed some hiking, floating, camping and even cross-country skiing. 

• Our apple harvest was pretty minimal this year, but (here's the Jesus)  thanks to donations of apples from friends we were still able to make a sizable donation to our church preschool. 

Jesus- a lot of Jesus!

• Ron and I have seen Jesus often on our hikes and floats.  (The photo above is a statue we see when we float the river- always reminds us that Jesus is with us! )

• We see Jesus daily in our interactions with our family.  We were blessed to be all together at Christmas this year.  
  

• We continue to see Jesus through our church family. I keep busy volunteering at church and with Family Promise, a ministry supporting families experiencing homelessness. Ron takes care of the church lawn (with help this year) and continues to make communion bread and help out where needed.  He even preaches periodically and sees Jesus up close and personal. 

Finally- if you would like to see a few more photos of 2022, Check out our 2022 Family video! 

God has been good to us this year.  We are blessed to be surrounded by family and friends.  Blessings on your new year.    Do stay in touch and stop and see us if you are in Missoula! 

Blessings,

Nancy and Ron 

You can find us at

mslamarks@gmail.com  3524 South 3rd St West, Missoula, MT

Nancy’s blog: http://missoulamusings.blogspot.com

Nancy’s Youtube channel: http://youtube.com/mslamarks  

Baptism of our Lord- Grandma Myrtle's Painting

January 9, 2022

Grandma Myrtles Painting


Today’s gospel talked about Jesus being baptized in Bethany by John the Baptist.  In the 1920’s my Grandma Myrtle painted this 4 foot x 8 foot painting of where Jesus was baptized.  Grandma was one of the most faithful people I know.  She had a strong belief and shared that with others.  I always consider her one of my most faithful mentors.  

The painting hung in a baptistery of the Evangelical United Brethren Church on 16th and Central in Great Falls for over 50 years. My grandmother told me that she painted it on a piece of masonite because she couldn’t afford a canvas that big. She told me it was so big that Grandpa Joe had to tie it to the side of his vehicle (probably on the sideboards) to get it to the church. I can just picture someone holding onto it so it wouldn’t fall out in the ground as it traveled. 

1923 Grandma Myrtle with Dick (my dad) 

Ron’s sister Lorrie told me that the baptistery was behind a set of doors that was behind the altar.   The photo below is of John and Lorrie Bridges’ (Ron’s sister) wedding in the church in 1980.  The baptistery was behind the doors under the picture of Jesus.  When the doors were opened, Grandma’s picture would show through.  How cool is that!

When the church did a remodel in 1979, they were going to send the painting to the dump but a member rescued it. It happened to be the church Ron's mom and sisters attended and when the woman saw Ron and my wedding announcement in the church bulletin, she recognized my maiden name Fagenstrom as the same name as on the painting and asked if I wanted it. It hung in Ron’s parents basement until we bought our first house.


We first hung it on the dining room wall in our house on Sherwood in 1979. I remember Grandma Myrtle coming to visit (a stop over on her way to Bonners Ferry) and Ron had to quickly add a frame to the painting before she got there. Unfortunately the frame covered up her signature in the bottom right corner, but it’s still under the frame. 

Uncle Pete and Aunt Doris were looking at the painting and Grandma Myrtle said it was where Jesus was baptized.  Uncle Pete quipped, "That rock sure looks like a good place to fish!"  Aunt Doris said, "Pete that was where Jesus was baptized". He retorted, "It still looks like a good place to fish!" 

The painting has hung in every house we have lived in since then. We always had to have a house with a wall big enough to hang it on. It’s definitely the biggest painting Grandma ever painted!

As I read the gospel from John 1:28, I see that Jesus was baptized at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan.. Today I realized the painting will have to go to my granddaughter Bethany!

2021. Stay the Course

 

Each year I use this time to stop and reflect on the previous year.  This has become a family history and an opportunity to reflect on the year.   If 2020 was a year of Transitions, 2021 was a year of Staying the Course.   A few things have changed in the lives of the adults in the Marks family- but mostly we all continue to live and work and volunteer in many of the same places as last year.   If you need a refresher - check out last year's letter. 

Some highlights in 2021 were that we got to see a little more of Liz and Chris and Erik.   Liz and Chris were home in July and August and Erik home a couple of times.  They love their time with their niece and nephew and vice versa. 

We had an opportunity to be together as a family when we all met and stayed at a condo in Big Sky in August and celebrated the wedding of our niece Mariah.  We had such a good time being together as a family as well as celebrating with most of the Marks/ Jallings/ Bridges clan.   It was a blessing! 

The biggest changes to celebrate are the grandkids, Bethany, Freddie and "SpikeJoy" as we call the baby who is due on 2-2-22.  

Bethany... 6 years old, in first grade and thriving.  She's reading and is also learning to play the piano!  Her Papa Ron volunteers in her classroom two days a week, where he gets a big hug from her!  She has joined Ron & I hiking (including the M). Winter has found her cross-country skiing and excited about downhill skiing with her dad Ike

 She's thrilled about being a big sister again!  No doubt she will be a helpful little blessing for her mom and dad. 

Freddie.. 3 years, in preschool.  He attends day care two days a week, preschool 2 days a week and Friday mornings loves entertaining his two friends, Leo and Logan (also 3 years old) at Nana and Papa's Three Amigo Mornings.  His love for any kind of vehicle (but especially loves those with sirens),  and can tell you how to make pizza with Papa. 

The 3 Amigos! Freddie, Leo & Logan

Grandchild #3 is due on 2-2-22.  Mama Kathie is ready for this baby to come anytime!  Freddie and Bethany are excited to have a new sibling.  

As for Ron and I-- we continue to have many adventures- hiking, biking, boating, camping and skiing.  I'm happy to say I've maintained my weight release for the year and walked 4 million steps!  It's been wonderful to see new places and have new experiences with each other and with our kids and grandkids.  We've seen some beautiful places and had many "lunch with a view" dates.   Enjoy our video of our adventures. 

As we move into 2022, we want to wish you blessings on. your year.  May you be happy and healthy and enjoy adventures along the way.  

Blessings, 

Nancy for Ron and Nancy

Stay in touch! You can find us at

mslamarks@gmail.com  3524 South 3rd St West, Missoula, MT

 Nancys blog: http://missoulamusings.blogspot.com

 Nancy’s Youtube channel: http://youtube.com/mslamarks

See you on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mslamarks

2020 A Year of Transitions

As we come to the close of 2020, it's certainly been a year for all of us like no other.   It has been a year that had some sadness and stress but also some opportunities to do things we haven’t done before!   I feel blessed to have had Ron and Ike, Kathie, Bethany and Freddie as a part of our “pod”  We’ve had opportunities for lots of “togetherness” time. 

Ron had 3 coronary stents in February which gave him a new lease on life!  We’ve enjoyed hiking, boating, camping, gardening, and caring for the grandkids.  He resigned from his position as an autism consultant in September- 10 years was good.  With the pandemic and health issues, it just was no longer a good fit.  He volunteers at church doing yard work and a major landscaping project this year. 

Nancy released 45 pounds in 2020 for a total of 60 pounds since starting Weight Loss God’s Way journey in July of 2019. I’ve enjoyed quilting, gardening and volunteering at the church to help keep people connected during these trying times. I also am passionate about the Family Promise ministry both in our church and in the city, helping to raise 8 million dollars last year for a new Family Housing Center!   

My weight release has given me increased energy and ability to hike mountains and see places we’ve never seen in the Missoula area.  Some of my favorites were the bitterroots on the North Hills,  Holland Lake Falls and so many more. It's unbelievable how many places Ron and I walked, hiked and explored with grandkids and kids. We even dusted off our 40 year old tandem and added a tag-along bike for granddaughter Bethany! Enjoy a video with highlights of these places!

Erik had another surgery in March. In June he decided to leave the Border Patrol for health reasons and is looking for new opportunities.  We have enjoyed seeing him a little more since then! He’s become quite the cook and  bread maker too!  His sourdough is amazing! 

Ike continues to work with Diversified Plastics and volunteering at the church and raising his two wonderful children.  

Kathie- continues to work for the Forest Service as a civil engineer.  She will be moving to work for the Bureau of Land Management in January. She and I bought a long art quilting machine and she’s becoming quite proficient at it!  

Bethany started Kindergarten- remote school with Nana 3 days a week. Learning to read!  Learning to quilt with Nana and Mama and build a bench and a couple of birdhouses with Papa

Freddie is a ball of fire- very much a 2 year old!  Always on the go.  He attends daycare 2 days a week  and Nana and Papa three days  Talking up a storm and is potty trained! 

Liz  has a new position as a Lecturer of Criminology at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, about 30 miles from Boston. She continues to work on her dissertation, hoping to finish it and graduate with her doctorate in May. 

Chris was fortunate enough to be able to keep his position as an Attorney in the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s Litigation Division.. He works remotely from Andover with periodic trips back to Baton Rouge as needed. 

Overall, life has been good this year, in spite of COVID.  We’ve been offered many more opportunities that we probably never would have explored.  May the new year bring even more opportunities to all of you. In closing, here is a video that summarizes our year!

Blessings

Nancy for Ron and Nancy

Stay in touch! You can find us at

mslamarks@gmail.com  3524 South 3rd St West, Missoula, MT

 Nancys blog: http://missoulamusings.blogspot.com

 Nancy’s Youtube channel: http://youtube.com/mslamarks

See you on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mslamarks