Gratitude

Our Sarah Bearah was on her way to a wedding last Saturday. She was 3 minutes away when she collided with a Jeep coming at her at 60+ mph. The impact vaulted her vehicle into the air, rotating over to its top and then back down to her driver's side. She was trapped but unbuckled, climbed to the back hatchback and kicked it open. In a black dress and heels. No major injuries to either party. She then proceeded to her wedding and danced. Most likely suffered a concussion from the accident. But man are we grateful she's not seriously hurt or dead. I was amazed at the damage to the vehicle and yet it was a tank that protected her. Grateful to God.

Senior Year!!

Our baby is a senior this year!! I started this blog when I was 15 weeks pregnant with Tim!! Everyone told me it was going to go fast. They were right although the days were long the years went fast. 
We are so proud of you Tim!! For the man God is making you to be!! Finish strong buddy!!

43 Years!!

Carla Nelson met Shelly Hieb on August 27th 1980. First day of 9th grade at Hughes Junior High in Bismarck, ND. 
We were 14!! Babies! And Besties! We just celebrated our 43rd Friendaversary and are making plans for our 45th!!  B/F  F/F  F/F/E

MN STATE FAIR 2023!

Patrick and I celebrated our 33rd consecutive year at the MN State Fair!! Whoooo Hoooo!  Lots of fair food, farm animals, people watching and Josh and Sarah tried the Slingshot! Good times!!

YOU DID IT!!!

It took my beloved 41/2 years but he did it!! On August 12th, 2023 my Patrick graduated with his Masters Degree in Biblical Counseling from Faith Bible Seminary in West Lafayette, IN!! 
I'm so proud of you babe I could burst!! 

 

SAS TURNS 23!!

 

This is Us

 

Happy 29th Anniversary to Us!!

Celebrating 29 years in Preston and Lanesboro, MN!! Tried a tandem bike for the first time, enjoyed a flight at a local brewery and stayed at the Jailhouse Inn!! An authentic jail converted to a B & B.  SO MUCH FUN!! 

From Patrick

I'm right on the edge of shirt sizes. 

After just putting on a favorite L t-shirt, I asked my wife Carla "Is this shirt too tight?

She asked back "For grilling?"

I said for "Public appearances"

She replied "Black is slimming"

Baptized!!

Our youngest son, Tim made the decision to be baptized by his Daddy in the St. Croix River like his eldest siblings! All glory to God for moving on Tim's heart to make this public statement of faith and to follow Him all the days of his life!! 
 

Our screen porch!

 

Truth

By Patrick Had a little work break chat with my wife Carla. She sat patiently and showed great love as I processed verbally about a frustration I keep running into in my ministry projects. I lamented. She listened. Then she spoke... "Your eyes match your shirt today, so you've got that going for you."

Serving

Tim went down to Mexico with a Faith Community Church Refuge team to build a home for a precious family!! The house went up in 3 days and the team had the experience of a lifetime!! 

Happy Birthday Patrick!!

 

Mmmmkay

 Patrick "Oh babe look at you!! You are aging so well!!"

Me "Is that what we are saying to each other now?"

Happy Birthday!!

Happy 17th Birthday to you dear Timma!!
My baby boy is on Edge of Seventeen!! Sing it Stevie!!

Merry Christmas 2022!!!

 

PJ!!

 

This is my Presley Jean!! She was born 3 days before my Sarah Bearah deployed to Kuwait.  I started babysitting her when she was 3 weeks old and showered my love on her.
She is my best PJ!! I am her best Carara!!

Happy 19th Nathan!!

 

Lola

 

Lola was once an outside cat. She was kicked out of our neighbor's home and one night at a family bonfire she jumped into my lap. She chose me. She was kind of pathetic. Scrawny and dirty with matted fur and several ticks. I fed her 2 cans of tuna in our dining room. Patrick asked, "Do you know what you've just done?" Why yes. I do.
Lola got pregnant and had two little kittens. Lucy and Biscuit. We kept Lucy.  From October 2015 to November 7th 2022 Lola was my girl.  She comforted me through the years of health struggles and also Ben's death.  She and I snuggled everyday.  She had her moments of marking the house and sporadically using the litterbox.  It brought much stress to this catmom.  So the decision was made. We would find a farm for our 10 year old girl.  And we did! Lola now lives on a hobby farm in Luck, WI.  I cried all the way home after dropping her off.  My brain knows it was the right thing to do but my heart aches for the prettiest and sweetest cat I have ever known.  Thank you Lord for Lola and also for her daughter Lucy who sometimes comes and snuggles with me.

 

HOME

On October 31st 1996 we moved in! Halloween evening Patrick hauled in box after box. I unpacked box after box while pregnant with Josh.  Children walked up to our house and yelled, "Trick or Treat!!"  Um. Sorry kids.  Kinda busy here.  

Thank you Lord for this house!!  
We are grateful for our homestead of 26 years!!

"Senior" Pictures for my Patrick