I am Clara. I am so glad you stopped by to visit. This picture is one of my favorites. Jesus is my best friend. How I do love Him. I am married to a wonderful Christian man who is a great husband, dad and grandfather. We raised 3 children and have 8 grandchildren. In my career days, I was a school teacher. I taught in public schools, and Christian schools. When we got married I gave up teaching school to be a "stay at home Mom" to be with our children. I began teaching piano lessons, did day care, and ran a Musical Kindergarten from our home. I at one time had 70 piano students between the Kindergarten and private lessons. I was a busy person. I also ran a Shaklee Business from our home that our children helped with when they were old enough. I once was a boys baseball coach, boy and girl scout leader, room mother, co-ordinator of Arts program in school, worked in a clinic after children grew up. I also worked in an insurance office. I always was involved in different areas of church work. Taught Sunday School. A church organist and sang in choir. Participated in many various church boards. I enjoy writing, crocheting, organ playing, piano playing, knitting, and doing various crafts. I love to read and listen to gospel music. Cooking and baking is enjoyable. (washing dishes not a favorite) I use to raise big gardens and did lots of canning, freezing, and making pickles, relishes, and jam. We are now retired. We do volunteer work at our church. We enjoy family and friends. We enjoy camping and taking trips in our 31 foot motor home. I have a health problem that has been quite a challenge. Leaning and relying on Jesus makes it possible to get through. Endless hours of suffering and pain brought about many of these writings. I praise God for giving me strength, courage, peace and hope. I pray you are close to God and feel His loving arms wrapped around you giving you His peace and grace. In God's Love, Clara

Our Grandchildren. We have 8 grandchildren who are very special to us. Five boys and three girls. Our grandchildren go camping with us. They also go on trips with us. We are a big part of each others lives. We attend their concerts, sports events, church programs and visit each other. They are curious, understanding, and say such "cute" things. One day I had two grandboys with me and we were driving down the highway shortly after my 55th birthday. Speed limit sign said 55. My grandchild who was just learning numbers said: "look grandma, you are speed limit!!" I eat yogurt on my cereal. You know how 3 year olds want everything you have. He looked at it and said, "yuk!!" So I knew I didn't have to share that with him. NOW----- his sister called me one day and said: "Grandma, I MISS you so MUCH I am NOW eating yogurt on my cereal to feel closer to you." (they live out of state) I miss them too. Another 3 year old grandson was sitting at our kitchen table and was coloring. He was always serious about it, doing his very best. I was at the stove making beet pickles. As the water/vinegar solution was boiling the odor of it drifted his way and he says: "Oh Grandma, what is that most HORRENDOUS smell!!??"

My Husband Duane Duane and I met in church. He was an usher and I was church organist. We had known each other for years, just as friends. Our families were friends. We did not go to the same school. We were farm families from different towns. One Sunday after church he came up to the organ and asked if I would like to go to the movie with him the next Sat. night. I almost said no, but I said yes. (I sure am glad) I was a school teacher at that time and he farmed with his Dad. So that is how we started our dating. When he was drafted into the army we wrote letters. Two years latter when he got discharged from the army we got married. A year latter our lst son was born. One and half yrs. after that our 2nd son was born. Four years latter we adopted our little girl when she was three and a half months old. Duane was always a dedicated loving husband and daddy. Family and church was important to all of us. Duane also enjoyed sports. He played baseball, softball, basketball and bowled. He held offices in church and was a boy scout leader. He worked for Westland Oil Company for 25 years. After that he bought the Auto and Farm new Parts Store in a town 22 miles from our home. He commuted daily for work. In the fall of 2000 he sold the store and retired. We were in the process of building a new addition on our church so he volunteered his labor there helping to build the new church Sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. Duane likes to read. He likes to visit with people. We enjoy camping and traveling.

Our Wonderful Children Praise God for the children He blessed our marriage with. Our first born son was born a year after our marriage. He was our serious little one who listened so well and was cautious. He has a neat sense of humor. Was our story teller and shared jokes. He enjoys sports and is an avid bowler. Has had a 300 game at least 2 times. That is a perfect game. He is punctual and does his job well, loyal and dependable. He is married, and a great Daddy. Our second born was always happy and fun loving. As he got older he was more serious. He always was our little curious one who liked to see how things worked and what made it go. He was the "fixer upper." He enjoys sports. He does his job well and is a great Daddy. He enjoys out door activities. Has a beautiful home, yard, and cabin at the lake. He also is a volunteer fireman. He is stable, loyal & dependable. We adopted our daughter when she was 3 months old. She always liked attention and got it with her smiles and friendly ways. She has a tender heart. She is Mommy to 3 active children and is kept busy with her job and children. She was one who could look at a picture rather then read instructions and could assemble a project. So we just gave those projects to her. She enjoys singing. Search the Web