What would a visit from Chris be without Anubis?

Here you see Chris just after he arrived on Friday, July 31 with a houseful of furniture, appliances, supplies, and so forth.
Seated beside him in the cab on the road from Chicago was his pet snake, Anubis. Actually she (the snake) wasn't sitting. She was wrapped in a cozy blanket and housed in a plastic Tupperware-style container, lid closed tight. Chris wanted to keep a mother-hen eye on her to be assured she would end the trip in a healthy condition. In the rear of the truck was her cage as she and Chris were enroute to their new home in Washington D.C., a duplex with 2 bedrooms (code for overnight company accomodations) and one bath and a basement.


We were amazed at what an accumulation of "stuff" he had. We warned him: "Wait until you are 75 years old and see how your "wealth" has grown.
Come Monday morning Chris will be on the job at Carnegie Institution. We wish him well as he starts life in his chosen field: Physics and research.



His visit was much too short, but the three of us found time for dinner at Leo's Restaurant. The food was Italian and toothsome; the conversation was edifying and heartwarming. Breakfast this morning was at-home, pancakes, eggs and bacon with conversation the equal of last night's. We hope to have a visit from Chris (and Anubis) again soon.

If you want to contact Chris, here is his new data:
seagle@uchicago.edu (He said this will probably last a matter of weeks.)

Mobile Phone - 773-304-8043

Address: 3402 Webster St.
Brentwood MD 20722

Write to us! I'm always looking for blog material.
Love you all! Grandma for Grandpa and me

Nobody, but nobody, ever got these running genes from me

Uncle Den and his friend Chris look like they are raring to go. These photos were taken at a half-marathon in Luxembourg (that's 13 miles for the uninitiated.) Den ran and Carol photographed. I think she may have had the more difficult job. It is very hard to get a picture of someone running, but I consider her work excellent because we can see what the environment was like, what kind of people were there and, most important, Uncle Denny.
Den tells me the race was called "the night run" and is held annually in Luxembourg. It gets its name because it begins
in early evening and goes until after midnight. Your uncle ran 21K in 2 hours 8 minutes. 2,995 runners, out of 7,000 who competed, finished ahead of him. He was happy to be in the upper half of the class.
Some of you may recall that the Denny Seagles had a Lincolnshire neighbor, Chris Carr, who became an airline pilot. He flew all the way to Luxembourg to compete. Also, Uncle Jeff and Jonny, on a tour of European WWII Battlefields, stopped by to cheer Den on.
Running must be in Den's blood. His next planned event is a full marathon at the end of August called "The Hunsruck Marathon." It goes through some hilly German countryside near the German/French border. I'm hoping for more pictures then.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Simone's creation says it all!

If you can't read it, the sign on the balloon, which was designed and produced by Simone (Chris's girlfriend, pictured with him below) states "Ph-inishe-D" and it well describes Chris. He now has a PhD in Geophysics from the University of Chicago and henceforth shall be known as Doctor Christopher T. Seagle - but I think we can still refer to him as Chris.


Grandpa and I were elated to join him and his parents in Chicago on June 13 to watch him receive his diploma, amidst all the pomp and circumstance the University could summon.
We hope to see him again at the end of July when he passes through northeast Ohio on his way to his new apartment and job in Washington D.C. at the Carnegie Institution for Science. Before that, he'll have a brief vacation in Germany to visit his parents, Uncle Den and Aunt Carol.
You can see by the smile on his face, he is a very happy person, as are his parents.














Just had to throw in this extra photo. We toured his office (sign in picture denotes it) and lab and met his advisor. There's plenty of proof he's not all work and no play. No doubt he has given academia his longest and strongest the last 5 years, but he has made new friends and learned to navigate the city, too. He even mentioned he likes the environment so much, someday he hopes to return as an employee of the university.
The school and the city were the perfect setting for such a glorious occasion.


CONGRATULATIONS, Chris. We love you, pray for you and are eager to follow your career from afar.
Chris will be occupying our spare bedroom only on the 29th. Other times it's empty and waiting for YOU to come visit us. Just let us know the date. We'd love to have you with us.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Another Runner

Uncle Eric entered the Burlington City Marathon in Vermont. After 15 miles he thought he was pulling a calf muscle, so he slowed to a walk for another mile and decided to stop there. To quote his wife, Aunt Kerie, "....he finished this Marathon last year. That's pretty good considering he broke his hip 4 years ago and has had multiple knee surgeries...not to mention his age...ahem. There's NO WAY I'd ever run 26 miles. I don't know how these guys do it?!?!?!?!"

I don't know how they do it either, but I'm proud of Uncle Eric and all the other runners in our family. I know they practice and train and do all those things that make them healthier, so they still get the benefits of their efforts. Best of all, Uncle Eric is looking for another marathon in which to run. You just can't keep a good man down!

God Bless you all! Love you all! Grandma for Grandpa and me

New Grandson-in-law!

By now you all know that Heather is getting married to a young man named Cole Harper, so I emailed them, asking for a little elaboration on the subject. I hit the jackpot! Cole wrote back! Need I say he is very articulate and personable. Now I'm dying to hear him preach. Read on and learn about the romance of Heather Seagle and Cole Harper.

We are getting married October 24th (a Saturday) of this year. We were actually looking at invitations just today. There is a chapel on the campus here at SBTS that is breathtaking that we'll be getting married in. I'm not usually one to go "gaga" over aesthetics. I'm simply excited to marry your granddaughter :) But the chapel in which we are getting married is simply breathtaking. On campus, it’s known as Broadus Chapel and is true to its southern heritage. Built in 19th century Georgian architecture it really is loaded with southern charm (we figured we might as well milk it for all its worth, that is the whole "south of the Mason Dixon Line" feel!")

Concerning our plans for the future, our first goal after getting married will be to get Heather graduated with her Bachelor's degree. She has about 2-3 semesters left (or roughly a year and a half). Other than that, we are both anxious and excited to serve the Lord in the church setting. I've already been applying for jobs as a youth pastor, and an associate pastor, but those inquiries have thus far not yielded a call back or anything of that nature. As I type this I have yet another cover letter on my task bar that I need to proof read :) (But then again I've only been applying within the state.) Heather and I are kind of expecting not to land the first real ministerial job until after she graduates, so we can look nationwide for a church that really needs a couple to get their hands dirty so to speak, and dig in to discipling believers, sharing the gospel and all that fun stuff. (Heather has an incredible ability to provide counseling to people who are struggling in their walk with God - and has a truly supernatural gifting to memorize large passages of scripture and provide untold amounts of healing to people whose lives are just broken, and in desperate need of the power of the Gospel.

I myself enjoy preaching probably more than anything in the world. I do so whenever an opportunity opens up. I almost can't get enough of it. Heather is extremely encouraging to me in this area as well. I'm also a bit of a nerd and enjoy meteorology almost as much. I grew up in North Central Indiana, where we had frequent severe thunderstorms and to this day they make me act like a little kid! When I was finally old enough to have my license before I moved to Louisville, (still in Kokomo IN) I actually tried to do some tornado chasing, though I never really did get that close to one. Trees were always a bit of a problem! I grew up obsessed with thunderstorms and the like.

My decision to attend seminary and Bible College was somewhat gradual. I perceived a call on my life to preach the gospel and pastor when I was around 17. I always enjoyed preaching and teaching to help out my youth pastor but I wrestled with it for a while. I had other dreams in mind at that time. I had my heart set on being a type News correspondent that did reporting from the Middle East and weird stuff like that. But I had this overwhelming desire to devote my life, and even my vocation to winning people to Christ and discipling believers to maturity. This propensity within me was pointed out to me by pastors and other Christians I was serving with at the time as well. I finally realized that I would have to make a choice and reconcile myself to the fact that the desire God gave me to teach, preach, do hospital visitation, etc. was indicative of a call to pastor. (Although to this day, I still am a news junkie and, sorry to say, still plan on devoting 2 weeks out of the year in 2011 to doing some SERIOUS storm chasing with my twin brother....old habits die hard I suppose...especially the dorky ones.)

Meeting Heather was like a breath of fresh air.
She had a way about her from the beginning that was so curious and so pleasant that she could lighten the atmosphere of any room and not even know it. She was also a very honest person - though when I first met her I was pursuing another relationship and was content to be "just friends." I had been pursuing the same woman for years, and was in the beginning completely blind to what God in his ironic, grace had set right in front of me. Eventually the woman I was dating at the time decided to end our relationship and once again, I was single. HEATHER.... bless her heart. She was very patient with me. I can't even begin to express how much I would trip over my words and make an utter fool of myself. I'm one of those fellows that get really nervous and will accidentially spit when I talk....a LOT. So I spent the first 3 months fumbling over my words and saying stupid things that didn't make sense: all that jazz. Thank goodness Heather could see past my awkward shyness.


Anyway, I hope that gives you a little bit to work with in terms of getting to know me until we meet.
I too, am very curious to find out about you guys! Where did you grow up? How did you and your husband meet?
What was Heather's father like as a kid? (I couldn't resist.) I've heard you travel frequently. And favorite places? Wild stories to match? I'm all ears if you have any.

I think you can see your new cousin has some very inspiring, dare I say stimulating, characteristics. I suspect there will be no boredom in this marriage.

Mark that date: October 24, 2009 in Louisville, KY. I think I am as eager for the time to come as Cole is.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Recognize the guy in the middle of this photo?

Neither did I, but I do recognize the guy on the left hand side and he was in a 15K .....but wait, let's have Uncle David tell us what he was doing: "10 days ago I ran with a couple of guys on a 15K in Big Basin California. The trail was difficult and even had some rock climbing along the way. At the end I beat Savas by 7 seconds. It was 2:00.42 to 2:00:35. I was all excited until I saw the results and saw who came in right before me." To make a long story short, the man in front of Uncle D. was a Jeff Seigel.
I wish we had a better picture of the race, but this was the best we could do. Now I'm hoping Uncle Eric and Uncle Den took photos at their race and will send me the results, so I can blog them. (DID YOU TWO GET THE HINT?)

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Aunt Kerie, Jeff and Skyler

came to visit on my birthday weekend. The boys fished (Sky caught a huge large-mouth bass) in our back yard and swam in Mosquito Lake and kept Grandpa and me entertained just by being here. Of course we had birthday cupcakes and the Happy Birthday song.
On Sunday we visited "Wagon Wheels Park" and rode the hay wagon to feed the animals. You can see Jeff and Sky riding and watching and, no, Sky didn't bring his own popcorn. That little bowl is full of the food provided for us to feed the animals. That's what I am doing to the camel in the third picture.












And a great time was had by all,
Love you all, Grandma for both of us

Don't tell Uncle Jeff I blogged this,

but I'm so thrilled by his words, that I thought I'd take this opportunity, while he's in Europe with Jon, where he can't do anything to stop me, to show you the heartwarming Mother's Day gift I received when Grandpa and I visited him and Aunt Deb. As we entered the church that Sunday morning for worship, someone handed me a devotional booklet composed by different members of the church. These thoughts were written by Uncle Jeff.

Allow God to Control

Scripture: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4

It has taken me many years to really understand how blessed I am. I have a wonderful wife, three great sons, a profession I enjoy, great friends and family, and a church that welcomes me back each week to teach me more. Most Importantly, I have learned to accept God's hand, His grace and mercy in my life. I've always been one to drive myself hard, a real believer of being committed to a purpose and/or a cause. Whether family, personal or professional, I have always strived to give it my all. I have always been a believer that you become what you make of yourself; I have tried to teach my children that as well. I don't think it is necessarily a bad trait but somewhere along the way, if unchecked, it can lead to life centered on self. I think I was on that path, and without an awakening in me that exposed my separation from God, I was destined to an unfulfilled life, one that at best was frustrated having only a "convenient and casual" relationship with the Lord.

We can become so caught up in who we are or what we have accomplished that it becomes a selfish separation from God. Sometimes it is too easy to become full of yourself, to think that you are in total control. I guess we like to know we are in control, or at least feel as though we are. When I meditate, pray and quiet myself, I become very humbled when I recognize what David did in the Psalm. For God to be mindful of me, given His power and deity, can only be understood as His mercy and grace in my life. Being humbled with that understanding, I try to live my life in a way to give back, to not always look for "what's in it for me", after all, who am I when I consider all that God has done.
My prayer is:
Our Father in Heaven, teach us the importance of trusting you. Allow us to live our lives with our eyes open to see those in need around us. We consider the creation of the earth and stars and know how awesome you really are. What a miracle that you offer us a chance to commune and personally know you. Give us the power and courage to accept your control in our lives and to use it to serve others rather than to heap benefits upon ourselves. Give us the strength to acknowledge you in all we do or accomplish and to accept your grace in our lives. Amen

Thanks for letting me share my happiness with you. Uncle Jeff's devotions have a lesson and a prayer we can all make use of. It's just such a thrill to hear it from someone I love and admire so much.

Love you all, CAKFO, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Eric Santell surprised us with the news of a new used, red car. He stated, "My car is a 2006 Saturn Vue with 38,000 miles and climbing fast...From home to school it is about 30 miles, so on average, I drive at least 60 miles per day."

Eric, we'll expect a spin around the Adirondacks next time we're in your area.

Wouldn't it be fun, if all the Seagle clan showed up in Stony Creek for a ride with Eric?

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

What's Justin smiling about?

Who wouldn't smile upon receiving the Cub Scout "The Arrow of Light Award." That's as high as a boy can go before actually becoming a Boy Scout, which Justin plans to do this year. He'll join Ben in a very active troop - they camp out, even in the snow - in Cincinnati.
If you asked Justin, he'd probably say his favorite badges he earned on the way to receiving this prestigious award were Forester, Outdoorsman, Engineer and Geologist. It took a lot of focused work for Justin to receive "The Arrow of Light" and Grandpa and I are very proud of him.
A very kind friend took all those badges and patches and placed them on an award board. Justin is holding it in the photo and I'm sure it will soon adorn the walls of the Amend home. It also contains an arrow which appears to be, well, straight, sturdy and to the point - like Justin. We're confident he'll be as successful in Boy Scouting as he was in the Cubs.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Skyler tore through New England like....

.....Paul Revere, when he and some of his school chums (and Mom as one of the chaperones) visited Boston a few days back. In a busy 72 hours - leaving and returning to Stony Creek included - they covered Boston seeing the JFK Library and touring Boston University and even took a quick excursion to Concord to visit the home of Louisa Mae Alcott and family, the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson and an old historic cemetery. (For those who don't know, Skyler is a walking Encyclopedia of Geography as well as an avid writer and artist.)

His trip was a perk for him and his fellow members who are honored to be active in the "Adirondak Writer's Guild." You can read all about them at www.HLCS.org. AAAND, as a bonus, you can see the book he wrote and illustrated at http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/nature/cornelius-4046801. It's a very charming story by a very charming author!

I'm waiting for information from Justy Amend and Eric Santell. Then I'll have another fun story for you. If you have anything newsworthy, just let me know and I'll put it in cyberspace.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me

Can you guess where Saya is going?

The pretty pink bag might give you a hint. She is on her way to the high school to perform in the ballet as a sugar plum fairy.


It was a very exciting day for Saya and us. Saya knew all her positions and steps. She has been taking ballet classes for the last year and next year she hopes to get into a tap class. Grandpa and I drove down just to see her, but we couldn't have guessed that the four eldest Amend kids would also perform in church the next morning. Anna and Saya recited scripture and sang with the Kid's Choir. Ben played guitar, with Justy on the Bongos and Aunt Deb on piano.




This is Saya on stage with two friends.












Everyone in the audience was jubilant - well, almost everybody.

A WET BUT WONDERFUL WEEKEND by Ben Amend

First we went to the church.

We waited for all the people to get there, then we left.

When we got there, we set up the tents. We didn't have a tarp, so we got wet overnight. It was supposed to snow, but it rained instead.

In the morning, we had oatmeal for breakfast, and we unpacked a few things from the trailer. We got out some sleds, and we pulled them to different areas to complete the challenges we were supposed to do. First, we did an uphill sled race. Next, we went to the first-aid station, were we had to act like a scout in our patrol had a broken femur bone, and make a stretcher for him. Since our Scoutmaster didn't give us the proper equipment, we had to use two wooden rods and a rain poncho. Next, we did a fire building activity, were we worked for about an hour by using wet wood, lighters, and matches. Then, we had to boil water on our fire, which we weren't able to do.

When it was time for lunch, our Scoutmaster told us we would have to go once the activities were over.

After lunch, we did Robots Vs. Pirates (which was actually dodgeball). After that, we didn't have time to do any of the other activities, so we packed up, and went home.

in MY day......

......young girls would have swooned over this pair of handsome buddies. You all know cousin Jonny, now meet his friend from their high school days: Drew.

Drew (actually Bos'n Drew of the U.S. Coast Guard) was at Purdue in December, the day after Jon's graduation, for a very special reason. Jon was being commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and Drew wanted to be there to give him the first official salute of Jon's military career. Tradition demands that someone connected with the U.S. Military be the first to salute the newly commissioned person. There is another custom that follows the salute. To fulfill this second tradition, Jon shook the hand of Drew and, in so doing, placed a silver dollar in the palm of his friend's hand.
The photograph below catches Drew about to raise his hand in that first, awe inspiring salute. I was absolutely, positively a-tingle with feelings of patriotism and grandmotherly love. It's not every day Grandpa and I get inspired like we did that day.

Just as impressive was the actual commissioning ceremony. Our hearts again swelled with pride as we heard Jon repeat these words:

"I, Jonathan David Seagle, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God."

Yikes! It sounds like Jon could get himself into a very dangerous war defending and supporting our U.S. Constitution; it reminded us of the many men and women who have done just that, so we silently gave thanks for the people who have served America. What was that in the oath about "without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion?" The Air Force takes this oath very seriously!



After all this took place, we (Aunt Deb, Uncle Jeff, Grandpa and I) went on stage to pin Jon. In MY day, that would have meant Grandpa and I were pre-engaged. In this situation, it meant Jon's Mom and Dad had to pin the stripes on his shoulders and Grandpa and I pinned bars on his hat. I was too busy to see how Aunt Deb and Uncle Jeff were doing, because I got the two bars pinned and Grandpa said, "That's wrong. Turn them the other way." I did and we waited for Mom and Dad to finish the stripes (took only seconds) and we handed the hat to Jon, so he could attach it to his uniform properly. He took it from us and said, "The bars are turned wrong, but that's alright for now." Oh, well, we did the job and it turned out good. Look below.

Jon looks totally pinned, barred and striped and, like the rest of us in the photo, he looks very happy and relaxed - the way a person always feels after completing a job well done. This honor required about five years of schooling loaded with numerous extracurricular activities.

Jon is now back at Purdue looking for a job. His Pilot's School won't begin until June, so he'll have to support himself until then, when he will travel to Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas and start his activity in the U.S. Air force.

Sorry to be so late in getting this page of my blog posted. We've had a happy, but hectic holiday and I just couldn't move any faster.

Love you all, Grandma for Grandpa and me