Old Stomping Grounds

We left Little Rock this morning about 8:00 and started our drive north. Instead of hitting the interstate and going the quick way, we took a side trip to Ozark, Arkansas. In the 40's ML's Grandpa and Grandma Klein and her parents along with the pastor of Kenosha Bible Church (A H Levin) helped start a Bible School on Manitou Mountain called Ozark Bible Institute. We drove up the mountain to discover most of the buildings that were on the property in those days were gone, but when we walked into the Administration Building our eyes went immediately to pictures on the board of none other than G&G Klein (with 3 of their grandchildren).

This Administration Building was originally named Marquardt Administration Building after ML's Dad (pic below). Sometime after that the school closed and was used by another organization for some time. A granddaughter of the original President of OBI, Barb Levin Nizza had a thought it might be a good place for YWAM Training Center. In 2005 it came to pass and today that is still in use. Since then her husband has passed away but the work continues with the help of others. http://www.ywamozarks.org/index.php

After our time in the Ozark area we drove to St Paul where Marilyn lived the first 11 years of her life. The drive there is awesome with the dogwoods in bloom and such beautiful spring scenery.

This is the house we lived in. The porch was open in those days and a great place for 6 little kids to ride tricycles and run around. For sure we did not have satellite TV like they do now!!

This is the building of the St. Paul Bible Church where Dad Marquardt pastored 1946-1956. M was eleven when the family moved to Steamboat Rock, Iowa. It was the first day in SR Vic and Marilyn met.

Original building of the church, but since has moved to a new location.

SIBLING FUN

This little character is quite the daredevil,

but, never fear, Mother is always nearby.

E wanted to play on the slide by herself but,

big brother couldn't see why he can't go down headfirst.

So, there's a little butting of the heads to see who wins. And, then she decides it's more fun to go down head first too.

Can you do this?

Beautiful Day for An Outing in LR

Yesterday was a great day for a lunch in the park and play time for 2 little ones. Mack talked to all the people in the place - adults and kids. Two little boys were asking him how old he was and he said he was 6.

We took a drive around some neighborhoods we had not see before and found this beautiful Catholic School - they had some wonderful buildings on that campus.

The neighborhoods are all in bloom.

Then we made a stop at a favorite yogurt place......

Tulips! Tulips! Tulips!

The Photographer isn't feeling well so we thought we might miss the grand show of Tulips at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Even though he wasn't up to par, we took the one hour car trip to see what we could see........

Some of them were just reaching their peak and others were past. But, it still is a beautiful place. More will be posted on the Vic Pics soon.

Show off!!!

TUCSON

There are some flowers blooming and as usual the desert has it's own beauty.

Every time I come here I like it more and more.

This is the new place mom lives. It is so pleasant and she commented several times how much she enjoyed the courtyard.

This is our 4th day with Mom and all but one of them has been good. She is fighting a cold and cough but is noticeably better today. She is upbeat and in good spirits. Her sense of humor is still there but her memory is slipping.

Recent Days

We've had a few internet issues so blog entry is difficult. We went downtown Scottsdale one of the first days we were here. If you look closely you might see someone you know (hint: blue jeans white shirt)

Vic was looking for real flowers but instead found some metal art downtown Scottsdale.

Taliesin West in Scottsdale