Jeanie and David’s daughter, Leah, married Gustavo Popoca (Tavo or Gus) in 2005 They met in church in Albemarle, NC. Tavo is a nice Mexican fellow who worked in insulation. Finally, David convinced him to move to this area (Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines) to work in David’s electrical business. While they were still in Albemarle, Nathan was born. He is a nice looking, fun boy. Going to a private church school has really helped him. Leah has done everything she can to help the budget. She has taught Spanish, which she knows really well, and has taught piano. Now, 2012, she is going to the local college to be radiology technologist. Her classes begin in August - a very busy girl.

Before Kristen started college, she took each child out to eat. She baked a beautiful cake for baby Hope. Kristen majored in music at Bob Jones. One of her teachers, when she asked for help, criticized “Home School” students. When she showed him her SAT, he began calling her, “Dr. Kristen!” A Mexican, Joel Hernandez, on a scholarship to go back to Mexico for four years to teach music in his church. Meanwhile, during his last year at Bob Jones, he and Kristen got to be close friends. Because of his obligation to return to Mexico, he and Kristen weren’t allowed to even talk to each other + a sad matter for both of them. Still in

College, she was working at Cracker Barrel and wishing had enough money to go home for the week-end but she was working in the kitchen. One of the waitresses had to leave early and asked Kristen to take her table. A man at one of her tables left her a tip of $50!! When the waitresses saw that tip, they exclaimed to the gentleman, “Come back soon!” After graduation and many phone calls, Kristen and most of the family went to Mexico for their wedding (2006). Many friends from Bob Jones also went; they helped pay for a beautiful wedding and a honeymoon in Cancun! Granddaddy Myers had to have bladder surgery at that time, so we couldn’t go. Kristen came to the US to visit but Joel needed US citizenship in order to come. Finely, Joel and Kristen decided to come to the US to live for three years for Joel to get his citizenship.

Well, when they came, baby Sofia was about 5 months old. They lived with Jeanie and David while they looked for a place to live and Joel could find a job.

Each morning at the table was in the highchair which I could see from our cottage window. She was such a precious with a smile, sweet disposition, I had to go see her. Seeing her every day made me feel so close to her. I became, by choice, - G.G.

Joel found a job as interpreter between the Mexicans who come to work for the farmers and the farmers. It seems like an idea job for him. He was also worked to find Mexicans who needed to be in school but it was a government job which was stopped because of the economy.

Meanwhile, Kristen began giving piano lessons.

They found an interesting old house in Vass, NC.

Kristen, Joel, Elliot & Sofia

Both Kristen and Leah have found many church friends.

Then, in 2010, Kristen and Joel had a baby boy, Elliot. As
Sofia, Ellio thas those happy, bright brown eyes. He never said much at all, but, finally, in 2012,as we were fixing the table for a meal, he said, “Where is my chair??”!

On Feb. 28,2012, he was 2 years old. He didn’t hesitate to hold up two fingers to let you know. Little Sofia at his first and second birthday would give him a hug and kiss on the cheek. They are a very affectionate family. Joel is such a caring, involved dad. An answer to prayer for Kristen.

After mbeing around Sofia and Elliot a fair amount, Leah and Tavo began to want another baby. In Dec. 2010 Annalyse was born - another baby with those bright, brown eyes. Leah is so busy helping with their budget after volunteering for a while, the Pregnancy Center has hired her. She is also taking a class at Sand hills Community College a couple of nights a week. She says when she leaves for class, Nathan says, “Mama, I hope you win!” All he is used to is the boys going to a school to play basketball!

I love them so all much. I have been around Kristen and family more so my news is more full of them.

Tavo, Leah, Nathan & Annalyse

Now in 2012, I need to tell a lot more about the other children.

Stefan majored in math at BJU, is a CPA with a good job in Colorado at this time. He married another BJU graduate, Heidi from Iowa. She is a teacher.

Alyssa is working to save for college. She has had two years of Bible College in the
Winston-Salem area. She is very social minded and friendly.

Cara was so determined to save for college. BJU didn’t have accreditation to teach in North Carolina so she transferred to Liberty College in Lynchburg, VA for the last of her Sophomore year. David and Jeanie want them to pay their own way if possible.

Cara is having some health trouble; she has fainted twice and is wearing a heart monitor for a month.

Yet, Cara is full of fun and adventure. Some nerve! Last summer, she actually went sky diving with some friends! Of course, this time she jumped with a teacher. Some girl!

Nineteen year old Nolan is at BJU taking “Criminal Justice” classes . One class he enjoys is “Community Policing”. He seems to be doing well.

Braden is in his high school senior year and not sure of what he wants to do. He is a very friendly fellow.

Fifteen year old Chase (was so short when he passed our kitchen window in 2003) is now the tallest and an excellent basketball player. He is plenty smart.

Thirteen year old Hope looks about fifteen and does well in her studies. She takes piano and clarinet lessons. About a week ago, she began cello lessons. Just one week later, she played me “Mary had a Little Lamb”! She is aiming to be as musical as Kristen. In fact, Kristen teaches her piano as well as Chase. He is also an excellent pianist. Hope, as Kristen and Leah did, takes “Home Ec.” lessons. All the girls are good cooks.

Braden, Alyssa, Chase, Nolan

Hope

Karen took a Beauty Course but let her license expire - probably was discouraged because she didn’t know enough people. She is friendly, likes people and they like her. She took a job at McDonald’s and was soon made manager. I think that was before Beauty School. Back to McDonald’s where she was overly friendly with a Mexican worker. She ended up pregnant and had Molly about 2010. That’s all such a shame. Nancy does say she is such a good baby.

After working in a factory for a while in order to have health benefits, Karen is now going to college studying some kind of art and working at McDonald’s. She discovered that Social Services will help her.

The younger boys, Travis, about seventeen, and Kevin, fifteen, are in school doing OK as far as I know.

I Michigan, Tommy (Nancy’s husband) draws unemployment in the winter when work stops in his construction job.

As for Nancy, she is a Reparatory Therapist. Also, she has actually invented tools needed by Therapist. Her first invention is called an Oxygen Flow Diverter. She is very optimistic about it selling.

David and Ruth Ann, high school sweethearts, did marry other people but their marriages didn’t last. In 1998 David and Ruth Ann married. Ruth Ann is a nurse but has a lot of interests that fit in with David. They have a small farm near Bailey, NC. They don’t have any children.

David seems to enjoy working in construction and stays very busy without advertising.

Jeff worked in restaurants while in High School. You will still find him cooking on the grill once in a while. He went to Atlantic Christian College (Now Barton College) in Wilson for tow or three years. Then he decided to go into the Air Force. He came home before he was to go to England. It snowed the night before so we drove him to Andrews Air Force Base in MD. In the Air Force, he studied computers and knows them from A to Z!

At one of his first jobs in the states, he net Sheila. They were married soon after. Sheila had been married before and had three girls.

As of now, 2012, Bill and I live in a nice cottage in Jeanie and David’s back yard. Bill has put up a ten foot fence to keep deer out of the garden.