THE BAPTISM OF ISABELLA SOFIA

Jake, Vereni, Sofia, Alina (Vereni's sister), Ahmez (Vereni's brother)

January 27, 2008
Isabella Sofia Calderon-Bokma is baptized in Mexico.
Sofia was not too happy during the service, crying almost the entire time.
Family and friends celebrated the event with an afternoon barbecue.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations
Mrs. Johanna Bokma-Hyink!
Married January 19, 2008

WINTER WONDERLAND

January 9, 2008This is what we woke up to this morning...
more snow than we have seen in a long time!

THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE

The grass is definitely greener on the other side of the border!

Jake sent this picture of Sofia and her cousin Aramis, taken on the new piece of property that Grandpa Ruben bought last year. Jake and Vereni are planning an afternoon BBQ there today.

(It is cold and the wind is howling in Buhl!)

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Here are mine:
1. Simplify. (I've been on this kick for several years now, eliminating gadgets and clutter from my house and my life, and being very strict about time management, doing only things that are important....like creating this blog?????
2. Go on at least two picnics this year
3. Read at least two books @ month
4. Visit the Twin Falls County Museum
5. In preparation for a trip to Israel last year, Harry and I walked and hiked on the local trails. I want to get started with that again when the weather warms up a bit.
6. Memorize Scripture. I did that several years ago and it surprised me to see that it was easier than I had expected, and that the words I learned came alive with meaning ---meaning that was not apparent from just reading the words.
7. Redeem coupons and gift certificates ASAP.


I'd love to hear your resolutions!

BLESSINGS - PART THREE

FRIENDS

Our lives are rich in friendships. Besides all the connections that we have made through our church, each week we meet at a local Mexican restaurant, El Cazador, and have dinner with whoever can make it. It is a tradition that started about four years ago, quite by accident, with just two couples, and growing now at times to a gathering of forty or more!

Over the years, we've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, marriages, and the arrival of new babies. We've mourned the loss of friends. When business concerns or family pressures weigh us down, the Thursday dinner and the contact with these special friends lift our spirits in ways that bless us with a beauty that is hard to describe.
In Santa Barbara for Sharon Visser's Wedding - May 2007

Such neat things have grown out of the shared meal. Even though, this started out as a social thing, the group has responded to needs that have come up. As a group we've supported some great local causes, one of them being the Valley House Project, which helps to provide housing to local homeless people. We also provided the funds to drill the well for an orphanage being built in Africa by some people in our church.

Valley House Fund-Raising Dinner

Costa Rica Canopy Tour Trip won at a fund-raiser for wounded police officer. April 2007

We've invested together in a small piece of commercial real estate, hoping that it will be a way to produce income for us when we are old and worn out.

And we've vacationed together, going on fancy vacations-like cruises, and simple vacations-like wine tasting at a local winery.

Here are some photos of memorable trips with friends.

Saint Lucia - Cruise 2004

Saint Thomas - Cruise 2004

Twin Falls Airport - Cruise 2005

Edwin and Pete in Cozumel - Cruise 2005

Cocktail Hour onboard the Summit - Cruise 2005

Mediterranean Cruise - 2006

Sun Valley Sleigh Ride Dinner - January 2006

BLESSINGS - PART TWO

FAMILY
Our Kids
Joseph Daniel

Our oldest son, Joey, lives in Hagerman, Idaho
managing Bokma Dairy #2.

Adriana and Bradley Wayne

Adriana is our oldest daughter. She is married to Bradley Mohr.
Adriana is a registered nurse, but is kept busy as a full-time mom to two daughters and a brand new son!
Brad is a mechanical engineer and works at Seastrom Manufacturing in Twin Falls, Idaho.
They live in Twin Falls.

Ellen Marieke and Robert Lee

Elly works as a high school teacher in Castleford, Idaho.
She is married to Robbie Loman, who owns Loman's Hooftrimming.
They live in Twin Falls, Idaho and are raising two daughters.

Peter Robert and Jennifer Cynthia (Downing)

Pete and Jenn recently moved to Otis Orchard, Washington.
Pete works as a mechanical engineer
for Advanced Input Devices
in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Jenn, who has a Master's Degree in Psychology, is currently a stay-at-home mom, tending their two children.


Jacob Anthony and Irma Vereni (Calderon-Andrade)

Jake, our youngest son, is married to Vereni.
For the time being Jake and Vereni live apart....Jake lives here in Buhl, Idaho, and Vereni resides with her family in Casacuaran, GTO Mexico, while waiting for the VISA which will allow her to enter the United States.
Jake is working at Bokma Dairy #1 in Buhl.
Vereni has a Master's Degree in Architecture, but is putting off her career in that field until she is settled in this country.
Jake and Vereni have a six-month old daughter.

OUR GRANDKIDS
Lizzie Loman - Age 7

Gracie Loman - Age 5

Kaya Mohr - Age 5

Ava Mohr - Age 3

Karis Bokma - Age 1.5

Sofia Bokma - Age 6 months

Liam Bokma - 1.5 months

Benjamin Mohr - Age 10 days

BLESSINGS - PART ONE

FAITH
favorite verse: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
These verses follow the "don't worry..." advice of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. It is my tendency to be a worry-wart, and I find my life goes better when I try to heed this advice.

favorite Bible story: The Story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50)
When I start reading the Bible, I wonder if I really believe the words that are written there. But when I get to the Joseph story, I know there is a God! In Joseph's story I see that God has a plan. Even when Joseph went through difficult situations, stuff that he certainly didn't seem to deserve, I see that God is taking Joseph exactly where he needs to be. God does the same for each one of us. I love the story.

favorite book of the Bible: James
-a short little book with lots of practical pointers on how to live


Our Church Home
Twin Falls Reformed Church
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301

FUTURE BABYSITTERS?

Gracie and Benjamin

Lizzie and Benjamin

Uncle Robbie and Benjamin

KAYA IS FIVE!

December 31, 2007

Kaya blowing out five candles on her princess birthday cake....with a little help from her cousins, Lizzie & Gracie, and her sister, Ava.

Kaya's gifts include a new Barbie bike, Leapster, clothes, shoes, Etch-a-Sketch, and a stuffed unicorn.

(The cake was purchased at a fund-raising auction. Pretty fancy, don't you think?)

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS 2007

December 25, 2007
We celebrate Christmas at our house.
We are happy to have Adriana and two-day-old Benjamin be a part of the fun. It's great to have so many in the family present, but we miss Vereni and Sofia, who are in Mexico. And we miss Pete, Jenn, Karis and Liam who are in Washington.

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT

On December 23, 2007 Benjamin Noel Mohr arrived. Born three weeks early, he still weighed in at a hefty 8 pounds three ounces. Dad Brad proudly holds his new baby boy.