New's Update

Learning to serve, serving to learn...

"Oh Cambodia! You make me laugh. I think I'll stop and stay for a while. "   To learn more of Deanna's happening in Cambodia, check out her blog at:

http://deannaruark.blogspot.com/

 

Greetings Friends!

It is hard to believe that the year 2009 is upon us. How quickly time flies by as we maintain a steady pace of activity throughout life. We thank each of you for contributing to our busy lives by supporting our family business over the years.

As always, the family has experienced many blessings this year. We have a new member! No, there have been no more babies born into the family, but just as exciting is the addition of a new daughter-in-law! Donny married his beloved Dana Leigh Stevens on June 14, 2008. Since they live close, we get to enjoy their company often. Donny is a paramedic with the Indianapolis Fire Department. On his off days he works here with us.
Deanna spent the year preparing for and living in Cambodia. She spent 9 months there working to prevent human trafficking. She did amazing things! We are so very blessed to call her our daughter. Taking a year out of one’s life is no small task. If you visit our web site, you can get updates and find out more about her Cambodia mission. Douglas is a sophomore in college and living at home studying local. He is a busy fellow with all he is doing. Dana is a senior in high school this year. She is playing in the first violin section of our local symphony orchestra. Her favorite project for this school year is volunteering at an Indianapolis mission, Shepherd Community. She helps in the school on Mondays. Dreah is devoting more and more time to music and art. She received an “Honorable Mention” for her oil painting for the second year in a row at our Indiana Association of Home Educators conference. She and her best friend, Josie Knapp, were selected to compete in the final round of the Hendricks Symphonic Society’s first annual concerto competition. They performed the first movement of the Concerto for Two Violins by J.S. Bach. David is full of energy and curiosities. He is Derek’s best buddy. Dearly loving his little brother, we find them together most of the time. Derek is a blessing to us all. He is cute and smart, but mostly a cheerful chap who reminds us of all the other boys is some way or other.
Mom is working hard a home like always, and taking time out once a week to play principal bassoon in the symphony with Dana, while Dad works diligently and tirelessly at the office. Life is good and we are blessed!
We have a wonderful group of employees who help keep thing moving in the right direction. They are Becca Jones, Ross Porter, Mark Nelson, Timothy Boyd, Kathleen LaCorte, Joyce Hauk, Diana’s folks, Phyllis and Lenford Evans, Donald’s mom, Shirley Ruark, Elise Knapp, Emily Knapp, Jacob Knapp, and all of our children.

Sincerely,

 

         Dreah, 14          Woody Bear     Douglas, 19      Dana, 17
                 David, 10                         Derek, 1½                       Donald & Diana

                          

                                         Donny & Dana

                          

                                         Married 2008