Two big events are taking place in our family in a few months. Joanna graduates from high school on May 16. On June 23, Doug and I will celebrate our 25 wedding anniversary. An open house is scheduled to celebrate each event. Joanna's open house is Saturday, May 23, 2009 3:00 - 7:00 pm at our house. Our anniversary open house is Saturday, June 13, 2009 2:00 - 5:00 pm at Faith Bible Church in Lansing.

I hope to have our family pictures for each year up soon.







This was taken when Joanna 5 years old - 1996

Our history:
We met in May of 1981 at Youth Haven Ranch
Began dating Aug. 1981
Jan. 1982 - Doug left Youth Haven Ranch to attend the Children's Ministries Institute for CEF
Engaged January of 1983
Doug started an internship for CEF in Detroit - July 1983
Married June 23, 1984 - Living in Detroit
July 2, 1986 - Philip Douglas was born
Sept. 4, 1988 Anna Marie and Bethany Jayne were born
June 20, 1991 - Joanna Ruth was born
1992 - Doug became the director of Metro Child Evangelism Fellowship
Nov. 1994 - moved from southwest Detroit to the east side
April 2000 - moved to Tustin to care for Mom and Dad Hammar
May 1, 2000 - Doug became the first full time director for CEF of Central Michigan
Sept. 11, 2001 - Dad Hammar entered Lakeview Manor in Cadillac, MI
July, 2002 - Doug became the Director of Administration for CEF of Michigan
Aug. 20, 2003 - Mom Hammar passed away
Nov. 28, 2003 - Dad Hammar passed away
Jan. 2004 - Doug was asked to pray about moving to Lansing
Feb. 2004 - put our home that we inherited from Mom and Dad Hammar up for sale
May, 2004 - Philip graduated from High School
Dec. 23, 2004 closed on our house in Tustin
January 3, 2005 Put an offer on a house in Lansing.
January 22, 2005 - Moved to Lansing during a snow storm
Feb. 2005 - Maryann began working part-time with Capital Area CEF as the Teacher Training Coordinator
Feb. 2005 - Bethany, Joanna, and Maryann started with Homeschool Music Association
Sept. 2005 - Maryann became the director of the Cadet Band for HSMA.
June 2006 - Bethany graduated from High School
May 2009 - Philip received his Associates Degree in Computer-Aided drafting and design.
May 2009 - Joanna graduated from High School.
June 23 - our 25th Wedding anniversary

God has blessed us in so many ways. He has led us every step of the way and has always provided everything we need. He truly is an amazing God!!!

Update January 09

Let me get you caught up on what has been happening since December. This picture is my band playing at a nursing home before Christmas. This is the Cadet Band with the HOmeschool Music Association in Lansing. There are 22 students, ranging in age 9 - 15. Most of the students have only been playing a year, some less. WE did five songs and they did an awesome job. We meet every Monday night for 2 hours and 15 minutes. The students are encouraged and rewarded for practicing 270 minutes or more a week at home. Many of them take private lessons.

This is my dad with his youngest great-grandson, little David, who was born just before Thanksgiving. It was nice to see many of my brothers and sisters at Christmas time.





My music students, along with 2 students of Geno Harris, my pastor's son, performed at a winter recital in January. Bethany (violin) and Joanna (were two of the students who performed). All did a good job. Two of my students were sick that day, so did not attend.





At the CEF of Michigan State Staff meeting in January, Doug was recognized as CEF of Michigan Worker of the year. He spends many hours doing police background checks for all CEF workers - paid staff, and volunteers, dealing with health insurance and building insurance for the workers and chapters, taking care of the finances for the State Office, and many other jobs that are given to him.



Please continue to pray for us. WE are all very busy, going in many different directions. Philip is working part-time and attending LCC working on his bachelors degree through Lawrence Tech. He will recieve his associates from LCC in May.

Bethany is working part-time at a day care center and taking one of her final two classes in photography at LCC. She is in the handbell choir at church, works with the teen girls on Wednesday nights, and teaches the toddler SS class with Philip.

Joanna is in her last semester of high school and is taking an Oral Communications class at LCC to get started on her classes for Culinary Arts. She just got a job working at MSU again, as she did last Jan - April. She will be working Tuesdays and Fridays - lunch shift, as a student cook! Joanna is involved in the HOmeschool Music Association Symphonic Band and is looking forward to Solo and Ensemble Festival in Feb.

I continue to work part-time with Capital Area CEF as Director of Teacher Training. The pay is part time but the hours definitely are not. I am working to raise support for Capital Area CEF to help with my salary. This is hard to do because I don't want to be in competition with Project D (Our support that goes through the State Office that pays Doug's salary, health insurance, etc.). Please pray that I will be able to raise about $600 a month.

Doug continues his responsibilities at CEF as Director of Administration. He keeps busy with projects that have to be done. Right now, one of his projects is collecting information from the directors about their offices and content for insurance purposes. Doug also is a Deacon at our church and the treasurer - so every one of those things keep him busy. He teaches the adult SS class from time to time as well.

Thanks for your prayers for us.