Katie Elise Harnack says, "Hello, family!"

Good morning, Katie! Little Katie, the daughter of Lisa and Tim Simonds, was born on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, shortly after 5:00 a.m. Weighing 4.11 pounds, she--and her mom (Tim is a mess!) are doing well, thanks ever so much for the loving care of Carol, Katie's grandmother, a wonderful nurse. Katie and Lisa will be staying at Erlanger Medical Center for the rest of the week. When you get a chance, offer God a prayer of thanksgiving and then give Katie a phone call! We're all so happy for you--Lisa, Tim, and Katie! As you can see from this photo that Tim took right after the delivery, we have a beautiful new girl in our family!

Peeing and Pooping Again

For three now we been not going to the bathroom (Yeah! Right!), and now today we can go again, thanks to Best Septic Tank--Tony and John--who have replaced our old field tile with a brand new system of pipes. Now all we have to do is throw out the corn cobs, go to WalMart and get some toilet paper!

Having returned from our family reunion, this year at Dauphin Island, I'm delighted that our family has been able to keep itself together. It's a real effort to gather everyone together because we are so separated geographically and at times spiritually. In spite of--or at times, I think, because of--our differences, the blood of us Harnacks runs thick and deep. As paterfamilias, I'm so privileged to have such a wonderful bunch of kids, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. O yes, we argue a good bit (mostly about politics), but in the end there's always the huggings, the looking forward to seeing one another again, and the prayers that sustain us in our variety and differences. Some of us are politically conservative (yea, a libertarian!), others are liberal (listening, of all things, to NPR!), and others largely a-political. But in blood, and I like to think, in the blood of Christ, we are a real family. One, Carol, comes with enormous forgiveness in heart, and her presence is the light of Christ among us. Others come with professional preoccupations, overloads of work that don't disappear even on vacation times. Still others come as precious children, innocent of our family's history, but eager and willing to be lilke the children about whom Jesus says "are of the kingdom of God." For all who came to this year's week-long reunion, I give heartfelt thanks to God for their presence, their determination to keep the tradition going, and their holding of hands in prayer and in grace before our meals. It's all quite wonderful!

Back from Ranquitte, Haiti

On the day before Thanksgiving Andy got back from his trip to Haiti, where he went to the village of Ranquitte with Dr. Ray Jackson, a local ER physician. The trip was an eye-opener. Although Andy knew that Haiti was the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, he had little real understanding as to how desperately poor the Haitian people are. When the pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," they genuinely know what they ask God for--the next meal. Andy went with a group of seven affliliated with Christian Flights International. Jennifer kept a journal that you may wish to look over at our new CFI blog. For Andy, meeting Per (Father) Andre was the highlight of the trip; Andy and Father Andre, the local Roman Catholic priest in Ranguitte at the Church of St. Francis, have become good friends. Not only does Fr. Andre lead his Haitian people in a wonderfully joyous daily Eucharist, he also works as a day laborer repairing the damage that erosion does to the worn-out roads. Andy also became friends with Honore Roger, a carpenter (who made the doors in front of which he stands) and lay Seventh-Day-Adventist lay preacher. Roger has asked Andy to find him a French-language History of Christianity (If you have a copy, tell Andy right away!). In the next few days Andy will post more pictures showing you the poverty, beauty, and faith of the Haitian people.

The Greene Family Reunion, Thanksgiving, 2006

This weekend over forty of the far-flung extended Greene family came to Barnesville for their annual family reunion. Carol Patrick did an absolutely terrific job planning the whole affair. The men played golf on Friday while many of the women shopped. Then on Saturday we all got together at First Baptist Church for scrumptous food, fun games, and lot of hugs. Tom Lowry took this picture and his wife April sent it to us; as with lots of photographers who stand back to click the shutter, Tom's not in it. Thanks for taking this great photograph, Tom!

Yesterday Chelsea ran her best personal 5k at Masterson Park in Lexington: 23 minutes, 16 seconds. During the race she was in considerable pain, pain in both of her lower ribsides. So proud of her! Later in the afternoon I took her to a party at First Baptist Church where with some of her friends they played cards and went to Starbucks afterwards. Before going to bed, June, Chelsea, and I prayed for Harold and for the people of Dafur. Then we turned our clocks back an hour and went to bed.

Welcome into the Family, Truman!

Lisa sent these pictures to us yesterday. Truman is the newest addition to Lisa and Tim's family. And Coleman, Lisa's best friend for many years, has someone to play with and take care of--and, well, teach this little fella a few tricks. Andy forgot to ask what sort of dog Truman is. We don't even know if Truman is potty-trained. But from the sound of the name, we're sure he must be a Democrat. Good for you, Truman.

Chelsea runs at the Kentucky Horse Park

On Saturday, September 30, Chelsea--with her Model Lab's High School Cross-Country Team--ran 3.1 km at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was a gruelling race; the fields were soaked after a night's rain, the hills were long, and some were steep. Chelsea eats, thinks, and trains as a real athlete. We're so proud of her! .

Carol and Hugh Sit on the New Deck!

Just before we left Georgia to return to Kentucky, Carol and Hugh came over for supper. It was then that they got to see the deck for the first time. After eating supper, we all came to sit outside and enjoy the two new red Adirondeck chairs that Becky bought for us. Here Carol is sitting in one; Andy has gone down the stairs to take the picture.Yes, I know you can't see them well, but that's the point. The new deck is huge! This photo of Carol, Hugh, and June sitting on the top-level decl was taken from the mid-level deck. And taken just so you can get some idea as to how nice it is. So nice that there's a lower-level deck that you can see in this photo. On his next trip down to the lake, Andy plans to take a panorama picture of all three levels by getting up on the roof, aiming his camera down, and catching the whole business in all its glory.

June and Andy sing 'Happy Birthday" to Bobbie Foster

We just had to do it! On September 21, we drove down to Georgia so we could say "Happy Birthday" to Bobbie Foster, June's dear friend who celebrated her 80th birthday. What a good time! Bobbie's daughter made sure it was a great big splash with lots of friends, lots of food, and plenty of photographs of Bobbie. Wow, she was good-looking when she was eighteen, and even more lovely and beautiful now. We wish you many more B days, Bobbie!

Harold: In and Out of Emory Hospital; Doing Fine!

Experiencing some abdominal pain, two weeks ago Harold drove himself up to and checked himself into Atlanta's Emory University Hospital. After about five days, he was feeling much better (talk to him yourself if you want to the details), drove himself home, and is now back to his daily rounds of walks, breakfast at Hardy's, and visiting garage sales. What you see is his underwear! Because the check-in to Emory was on quick notice, Harold didn't bring a trunk full of clothing. After a day or so, he washed his own underwear, hung it up to dry in the window, and then proudly displayed it--so nice and clean--for all to see in his room. Resourceful!

September 3: Carole and Hugh's Wedding Anniversary

Today is Carole and Hugh's wedding anniversary. On the phone they told us that they celebrated their long and cherished marriage all weekend, especially today at church which was full of singing and high praises to the heavenly Father who brought them together years ago. We all wish them many more years of happy love!

Lots has happened after we got back to Kentucky

A few days after we left Georgia and arrived in Kentucky, June went out to look over some garage sales, and--wham!--she had a bad accident that totaled her Lexus and sent her to the hospital. Providentially, she was not serious hurt, but nonetheless she broke several of her back ribs on her back side, along with lots of knee and leg abrasions. Immediately after being rushed to the hospital, Dr. Jackson (a member of our parish) examined her and sent her off for a CAT scan. The scan showed no damage to any organs, but clearly showed multiple rib fractures. Lots of morphine relieved June's pain, and Andy brought her home early Sunday afternoon. Since then she been resting, often uncomfortably while her body mends. The physicians tell us that it will take at least six weeks before she feels her body more or less healed.

June wants to thank all of you who have prayed for her, sent her cards, and called to wish her well. God has been gracious to June!

While June has been recuperating, Andy has been mowing the yards, doing the laundry, cooking a bit, weeding the gardens, and teaching online; you can see a bit of his online work at www.people.eku.edu/Harnack .

We're Working on the Deck

Kurt and Scott Himmel left Louisiana at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and arrived at the lakehouse about three in the afternoon. By Sunday evening, June and Kurt decided on the basic plans. At 7:00 a.m.the next day (no kidding!), the Himmels were at work, putting in ten- and eleven-hour days each day of the week. On Monday morning they set the battens, got out the transit, and figured out how to make the upper deck square. The first truck-load of lumber arrived, holes for posts and concrete were made, and by evening the first row of posts were in place with cement. Throughout the week, in swealtering hot and humid weather, the crew, with Andy joining, grunted, nailed, and air-hammered 2x12s, 2x10s, 6x6s, and deckboards into place. Scott worked furiously to keep up with Kurt's demand for cut lumber. On Wednesday evening June, Andy, Scott and Kurt went shopping for new shoes for Scott and a 18-volt DeWalt drill for Andy. Things were popping. The team drank gallons of water and sweated like draft horses. To make sure that we got enough energy, June prepared the bestest meals for lunch and supper: roast beef, blueberry cobbler, and BLTs her specialties. To see what got done by Friday evening, see House Renovations. Let us know what you think!

Zonnie and Gordon Visit June and Andy

It has been twelve years since Andy has seen Zonnie, his niece, and almost two years since Gordon came east from Arizona to visit him and his brother Art. How wonderful then to welcome Zonnie and Gordon to our home! Zonnie and Andy took a day trip to Adulusia, the historic home of Georgia's most famous writer, Flannery O'Connor. All of us went blueberry picking with Becky, and later most of us went to see The Martin Luther King Center, The Coca-Cola Museum, grab some hot dogs and a chicken burger at The Varsity, the world's largest drive-in resteraunt, and take a tour of the CNN Center. Gordon got in a good bit of metal-detecting (some at Bethlehem Baptist Church, some in the front yard, and some on a Jackson Lake beach), found a bunch of money and other invaluables. His fishing wasn't so good, but we did get to do some boating. One morning Gordon surprised us by sweeping the deck and the driveway! And Zonnie spent lots of time cooking with Andy. Both are wonderful guest!

Zonnie, Andy hopes you continue to like O'Connor. If so, he's got quite a few books in Kentucky that he'd love to send you. Stay in touch, Sweet Pea!

We hope Zonnie and Gordon come back to visit us again and soon!

New deck possibilities

Kurt, a few days June and you talked about building more deck on the west side of the house. Go to June's House Renovations to take a look at closer-up photographs. June and you may enter any number of comments, if you'd like, at House Renovations.

Adam doing fine after breaking arm while wake boarding

On our way home to the Ugandan Childrens Choir, Becky called to tell us that Adam, while wake boarding on Jackson Lake, broke his arm in two places. Later in the evening we found out that Adam underwent surgery that included the insertion of a plate and screws. This morning Becky says that Adam is doing well, not experiencing any pain. We're all grateful to God that things are turning out well. And to Adam, we all say, "Thank the Lord you're okay!"

Ugandan Childrens Choir

Last night we heard the wonderful Ugandan SUUBI Children's Choir at Rock Spring Church. It was the highlight of our weekend. Such animated, enthusiastic, beautifully choreographed, and worshipful singing and praise! These children--many of the orphans as a result of the AIDS epidemic in Uganda--are with us for a extended concert tour and represent the Royal Junior School and Orphanage which provides housing and education for well over 500 children. If you'd like to participate in some down-to-earth work of the Good News, consider supporting Royal Junior School and Orphanage.

Chelsea's Birthday--July 14

On Friday, Chelsea celebated her fourteenth birthday! Everyone in our big family wishes her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! In August, Chelsea begins her fall school days at Model High School, the same school that Kirk, Krister, Lisa, Amy & Kevin attended and from which they were graduated. Chelsea, we wish you a great new year! Love from everyone--Dad and June, Kirk and Lora, Lisa and Tim, Amy and Kevin, and from all your cousins, nephews, and nieces. Happy Birthday, girl!

A Weekend of Music

On Friday June and Andy spent the evening in Covington where we dined at the Real Louisiana Cuisine and later walked over to spend an hour listening to the Heather Hayes Band. This morning, after churching at First Baptist in Barnsville, we'll come home to some "r&r," and then drive over in the evening to hear the Uganda Children's Choir at Carole and Hugh's church. The choir is currently touring the United States. The choir consists of nine boys and nine girls ages 6-12 who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or conflict. The choir was started in 1994 by Canadian missionaries in Uganda and has been touring the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to raise money for housing for other orphans in Uganda.