Our Baby's Engaged

The proposal !!!
I guess she said "Yes". Look at that contentment...aaaaahhhhhh !!!

Glorious Late Summer Sunsets !!!!!

There has to be clouds for great sunsets.
The fall brings us some of the most spectacular sunsets our bathroom window can behold.

First Sunny Day Back - What a Ride !!!

We're still getting over jetlag and one of the best ways to appreciate being back is to go for a ride. This one was to the Alsace region of France, which is only 30 minutes from our house in Kandern.This is Hartmanswillerkopf, also know in french as Vieil Armand. "All Quiet on the Western Front" was written about this spot where the French and Germans stood face to face in the trenches for years, battling it out. Sometimes the trenches are less than 20 feet apart. Meeting their enemies over Christmas holidays, they'd eat and sing together. Then it's over and back to fighting them.Hundreds died here. Jeff and Jason loved to explore the bunkers, caves and old hideouts when they lived here with us.

Can you read French or German? Zoom in to read the story.

Isn't she one mean looking chick?

Don't get too close, you'll see the bugs in our teeth.

The Big Summer Event - Jeff & Sarah

Here they are, the pictures you've been asking for. And these are only a few, I think we kept about 500, plus videos of the reception. Feel free to download and print, or whatever.

What a day !!! What a summer !!!

The happiest couple in the world and their kids.

Pray that they keep their eyes heavenward. Is that manna ???

What is that man doing up there? He's not licensed !!!
Heather, Dad, Mom, Jeff, Sarah, Deb's Folks, Jason

Is this "Men in Black" or "Bond and the Boys"?
While mom is off with the Bride getting ready, we snapped this one.

Precious time of prayer before the big event.

Jason Graduates from Williamson

Here he is.....walking the line after three long, hard years of work.
Jason standing with the head of the machinists program.
Even grandmom and grandpop made it.
Here's Jason with the school's chaplain and long time family friend Rev. Mark Specht.
And finally, mom made it all the way from Germany. What a wonderful day !!!

Congratulations Jason, we love you and are so proud of you.

Another BFA Grad, but from the Coast Guard Academy

Micah Gentile, a BFA alumni, was privileged to receive his diploma from the top. We've seen 4 Gentile kids graduate from BFA over the years as well as many others whose parents have been faithfully serving the Lord here in Europe. Micah's parents worked for Campus Crusade for years. His sister Bethany graduated with our son Jeff, and his brother Josh graduated with Jason.

BFA Graduation 2007

It was my privilege to hand out 73 diplomas this year and watch each graduate walk across the stage smiling for moms and dads from all over Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

This particular graduate is Luke Shuman, son of our Director Tim. Tim is on my right and Mark Wiebe, the board chairman, is on my left. The three of us are in an accountability group that meets every Thursday morning. Great guys !!!

Having completed 12 years of service at BFA this year, Luke and another student Timo, mark a milestone for Debby and me, in that we were there as they both entered 1st grade 12 years ago.

For more shots of grad day check Tim's Blog at : www.timandsandee.blogspot.com

Sophomores in Strasbourg

Climbing to the top of Strasbourg's Notre Dame cathedral. What a neat view from the bell tower.

56 sophomores and their class sponsors spent the day walking around the canals of Strasbourg.

Junior Senior Banquet

As always, this year's JSB was a great time for our BFA seniors. The juniors hold fudraisers every year to pay for a banquet where they honor the seniors.

Jeff & Sarah's Visit

Here's the anxious couple up at the Hoch Blauen. If you've ever visited, you know the place.

Here they are after a long day of sightseeing. Poxy the pug is pooped as well.
Isn't this a sweet one staring at the Swiss Alps in Adelboden. They think they're on their honeymoon already.
Mom's getting into the picture now giving advice about something. Probably about how far you can throw Jeff if he gets out of line.
They playful couple with life spinning around them. They'll land sooner or later. We had a great time together, getting to know Sarah and making sure she knows Jeff from our perspective. Pray for them as they prepare for the big day on August 4th.

This Week - Winter Returned !!!!

We actually had a snow day this week. I was actually called while in the shower ...... Mr. Bateman, please can we have a snow day? I suppose one per year won't hurt.

Last Week - Springtime

Absolutely Gorgeous !!!! We thought winter was gone.

Pictures compliments of my buddy Tim. He has more on his blogspot. www.timandsandee.blogspot.com

Bill & Deb's 30th Hochzeitstag

We spent the evening with good friends at Papa Joes Restaurant in Basel. Yes, I took my wife to Switzerland for our 30th anniversary. Everyone else would think to be very special. For Deb, knowing that Switzerland is only a 15 minute drive for us, the specialness was not the where, but the BBQ ribs we ordered. Not too common on the menu over here, but boy were they delicious.

Hey, didn't the first woman, Eve, come from a rib?

We would've done it up a bit fancier except that there's a wedding in the near future.

Jeff and Sarah - Engaged !!!

Don't they look sweet? In Love? Goo-goo eyed? All warm n' fuzzy?

Save the Date - August 4, 2007

We are thrilled for both of them. One problem, we have not yet met Sarah. That's one of the sacrifices of living over here in ministry. Life goes on sometimes without you. They will both be here in a few weeks on their spring break. We look forward very much to meeting Sarah, the gal who stole my son's heart. Or, maybe the only one brave enough to take him on.

High School Retreat - Nürnburg

Grades 9 - 12, all of us in one Castle !!!!! What a weekend, what a blast !!!!

Phil Carnuccio opened the Word and challenged the students and staff on several fronts; Softening their Hearts, Loving Christ, Forgiving Parents, Developing Pure Relationships.

The "Bridge Band" from Calvary Fellowsip Church in Downingtown, our home church, led us all in worship. What a great time.

Thanks so much, all of you who came, wives Lyndsay and Jill included, for making our retreat such a special time. It was more than just special for Deb and me as we got to spend some quality time with "old" friends who never grow old. (Phil paid me to say that.) We love you guys and miss you already.

Fasching Time

Below are some pictures of Fasching here in Germany. It is similar to Carnival or Mardi Gras elsewhere and represents a very dark spiritual time for many. Just prior to the season of Lent, where we sacrifice something of ourselves, this is the time to let it all hang out, coupled with the thoughts of chasing away the dark spirits of winter.

The Party, then the Parade

This is quite scary !!!!!

Skiing Anyone????

Stoos, originally uploaded by BFA Bill.

We are void of snow so far this winter except for a few flurries this weekend. This shot is from our HS retreat a few years ago. This year our retreat will be in Nurnberg, Germany. Phil Carnuccio from Providence in West Chester will be the speaker along with the Bridge Band leading worship.