EASTER 1999 Dear "Life is about turning things you wish into things you've done," says a current Kellog's commercial. I can check off one of their suggestions this year: learning to ski! I've been to Mary Jane (Winter Park Resort) with my friend Travis four times this season, enjoying it more and more! Life is about birth, and I've been close to three this year. My niece Marcy Adams was born in June, and in October her parents Dale and Sarah bought a spacious country home in Penrose, where I enjoy visiting. Joshua Leonard came in November, and I got to hold him when he was just four hours old! Just last month Mickey and Mindi (Joshua's parents) moved to my neighborhood, so I can walk over and visit! Joy Armendariz is only a week old, and a fun-to-hold 6+ pounds. I've enjoyed getting to know Joy's parents Danny and Sheri, Sheri's cooking, baby sitting their one-year-old Faith, and even hunting Christmas trees with them in Red Feather! Life is about travel-- I made a couple business trips to California, and benefited from other's travel to this area. Jean Hultgren of Fresno (a friend since we were six months old) stopped by while here for a family reunion in Estes Park. Petri and Minna Vaisanen of Helsinki, with their kids Jesse, Rebekka, and Ester, came to Red Feather for a week in August. This provided a real break and blessing for me, away from work, in the beauty of Red Feather, making and renewing our friendships-- Minna is a middle school classmate from Ethiopia. My whole immediate family got together in Red Feather in August, with the Sturms traveling the farthest, from Washington State. My niece Amy Sturm flew back for a week in February, with her grandmother Grace. Life is about work, and I've continued to enjoy my job at SIS Microelectronics in Longmont. We bought many new software programs this year, keeping the learning curve steep. I also really enjoy the teamwork-- I feel we get to work in and contribute our strengths, while having easy access to willing helpers in our weak areas! Life is about love-- Easter celebrates the greatest love story I know of. This history is about life, love, and life's worst enemy. A song by Eddie Carswell of Newsong released the celebration in my spirit this season: Not a word was heard at the tomb that day Just shuffling soldier's feet as they guarded the grave One day, two days, three days had passed Could it be that Jesus breathed His last? Could it be that His Father had forsaken Him? Turned His back on His Son despising our sin All hell seemed to whisper "Just forget Him, He's dead." Then the Father looked down to His Son and said Arise My Love, arise My Love The grave no longer has a hold on You No more death's sting, no more suffering Arise, arise My Love The earth trembled and the tomb began to shake And like lightening from heaven the stone was rolled away And as dead men the guards stood there in fright As the power of love displayed its might Then suddenly a melody filled the air Riding wings of wind it was everywhere The words all creation had been longing to hear The sweet sound of victory so loud and clear Arise My Love, arise My Love The grave no longer has a hold on You No more death's sting, no more suffering Arise, arise My Love Sin, where are your shackles? Death, where is your sting? Hell has been defeated, the grave could not hold the King! Jim Keefer ? 658 Eagle Drive ? Loveland, CO ? 80537-6291 ? (970) 203-0604 ? Jim_Keefer@hotmail.com