Steve and Becky Shipp

5092 Mobile Dr.

Flint, MI 48507

Steve and Becky - November 24

Steve - May 21

Becky - September 26

Spring/Summer 2007

As usual, I look back at our last update, and then try to remember what has happened since then. We are having a beautiful spring and early summer; a lot of very warm weather and just enough rain.

Since the last letter, we did get together with Deb and Bob at Thanksgiving, in Kentucky. Kyle and Kristen were able to be there for some of the days, also. We were also able to do our annual get together in the Chicago area at Christmastime.

In the last update I mentioned a 'Celebration offering' that our church was taking. We had a goal of $100,000. The offering actually ended up being over $130,000!! What a great provision by God. We were able to do all of the planned projects, and more.

A couple of Sundays ago, our lead pastor announced his resignation. He will be with us through the end of July, and then he is taking a position with our National Office in Chicago. So we start the search for our next pastor, and look forward to whoever God has for us.

I went over the hill in May. I am now 50! Becky gave me a card a couple of months before my birthday, with options of birthday gifts. They ranged from driving a race car to jumping out of an airplane. The guys at work were sure she was trying to collect insurance money, but they were all things I would truly enjoy. In the end (after some investigating of other options), I took the over 50 choices. Last weekend we went to Michigan International Speedway and WATCHED a race. We spent the whole day there, which included 2 sessions of Nextel car practices sessions, and a Craftsman Series truck race. We also had pit passes, so we were able to get close to all the Nextel Cup drivers. After the race ended, there was a Montgomery Gentry concert down in turn 1.

In August we are taking the second half of the birthday trip, which is a few days in Traverse City, which includes tandem parasailing.

Becky and I are at our same jobs. Michigan's economy is not the best, and with Becky's boss specializing in the legal end of commercial business sales; the amount of work has slowed considerably. On the positive side, he also does the legal work for businesses that are closing, so he is picking up some accounts from that. The company I work for is continuing to implement its new business plan. So I have gone from 9 places that I was responsible for, to now having 15 places. We are both thankful for our jobs and God's provision for us.

AND, besides turning 50... Becky and I are going to be grandparents, but I am sure you will have the details elsewhere in this letter. YIPEE!

Steve and Becky

Fall/Winter 2006

Hello to everyone,

Another summer passed all too quickly, but it's been a beautiful fall so far. The biggest happening in our lives since the last letter was Stacey's wedding. I won't go into all the details, because I am sure Stacey will do that in her letter, but it was a great day. Stacey had everything planned down to the final detail, and everything went off without a hitch. (Well I guess actually there was a hitch, a 'hitching' anyway. It was good to see many old friends, and we got a little bit of time to catch up with Sharon and Paul. We were so pleased that they were able to make the trip.

We spent a week in Boston at Kyle and Kristen's place and then helped them move back to Flint for another 6 months of Kyle's schooling. We were able to do some sightseeing while we were there. Boston is such an interesting place of history.

Becky and I are getting used to just the two of us in the house. I guess it is unofficially called 'empty nest'. Not quite sure how it can be an 'empty nest' since we have a basement full of everyone's things, but we have enjoyed getting to know each other all over again.

Next Sunday at church is Celebration Sunday. We are collecting an offering for many projects that need to be accomplished. They range from replacing the gym roof, to sending two of our missionaries back to their fields of ministry. Typically we have taken special offerings throughout the year for necessary projects, but this is the first year they have grouped everything together and gone for just one offering. The goal is to collect $100,000. I am looking forward to see how God will work through this offering.

We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with Kyle and Kristen and Deb and Bob at their house in Kentucky. Then we are planning our regular Chicago trip at Christmas time, which we always enjoy.

Looking forward to reading all the updates. Thanks again to Autumn for her leadership in this effort. I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Steve and Becky

Spring/Summer 2006

Thinking back over the last few months since the last newsletter, and realizing it has been pretty uneventful. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Jobs have not changed in the last six months, which is really a good thing. With all the changes my company went thru, and continues to go thru, just having a job is good. So many co-workers have 'left to pursue other career opportunities', but God has been good in allowing me to truly enjoy my job. I can't say that I have done that the last few years, but this current position is just perfect. I am on the road constantly, traveling between nine different locations, but home every night. I do not have any of the employee or customer situations to deal with, and that is a true blessing.

Used the winter time to tear out a wall in the house and build a small 'mudroom'. I saw the idea in a magazine and it gave me a project to do. (All right, for those that know, it took longer than just the winter, but I consider it a winter project) (OK, so it still isn't done on the other side, but another winter is coming)

Just today, they installed our new pool. It actually just replaced a nine year old one that rusted out before it should have, but the company we originally purchased it from, was very fair and gave us a great deal on this one. Now I have a summer project of making it fit the existing deck, etc,

Stacey is living back home til she gets married, Kyle and Kristen are living in Boston for the summer, but they will all fill you in with their letters.

That's about it from Flint.

Steve and Becky

Fall/Winter 2005

Hello to all,

I started this newsletter process the same way I always do, thinking there is not much to write about. Then Becky and I started going over the summer, and realize now why we are so tired.

We were able to take the Boston/New York trip that we planned and had a great time. We drove first to Kyle's apartment in Framingham, Mass and stayed with him in his apartment for a couple of nights. He had rented just a studio apartment for his time there, so with the addition of Stacey, Becky and I, it was an interesting time. But all we did was sleep and eat a few meals there, so it worked out very well. We did a lot of sightseeing in Boston. There is so much history there!

We then went to New York City for five days. We stayed in a hotel in New Jersey and took a bus into the city everyday, and then back again at night. We walked and walked and walked everyday, and got pretty good figuring out the subway system. Everyone we asked directions from was very helpful, but we still ended up going the wrong way a few times. We had a schedule all planned out and stayed with it, so we were able to see just about everything we wanted to see. Never thought there could be that many people everywhere you go. Now whenever we see something on TV about New York City, we can usually say that we have been there.

We are planning to head to Iowa for Thanksgiving. It will be nice to spend the holiday with Mom, Cyndi / Doug and family. Then we are also planning on spending Christmas in Chicago as we usually do.

We were looking forward to spending a few days with Deb and Bob in Kentucky this past October, but had to cancel those plans. I hurt my back in mid September and spent two weeks flat on the floor, before progressing to being able to sit for a few minutes at a time. I still have numbness in my leg, which makes for some weakness and causes my knee to give out at various times. Just have to remember to hold on going down the stairs.

We now have a daughter-in-law, but she seems more like a daughter. Kyle and Kristen got married September 10th, and I am sure they will update you in their newsletter. It was a gorgeous day for an outside reception and the ceremony was very special and meaningful.

Stacey is busy planning her wedding for next October and I am sure she will update you on her plans, in her section of this letter. We are excited for her and for gaining yet another member into our family.

In the midst of all the traveling and the wedding, we were able to do some updating of the house. Some is still in progress. I tend to get the demolition part of the jobs done quickly, and the building part takes somewhat longer

(ok ... a lot longer). We broke up the garage floor and some of the driveway and hauled it all away to a concrete grinding place, and replaced it with new concrete. I am sure that was the start of the back problems, but it did not show up then. We added some landscaping and a small fountain in the front of the house and it looks pretty good.

Our church finished remodeling the old auditorium into a 'state of the art' children’s ministry center. It is a beautiful place and paid for as we went along. Some women of the church went through each room and spent many, many hours painting scenes on the walls; everything from Noah's ark, to rainbows, clouds, nature, and underwater images. It has really enhanced our ability to reach the community. Now we are re-doing the rooms vacated by the children, into adult classroom space and enjoying the chance to expand there also.

Thanks everyone for participating.

Steve and Becky

Spring/Summer 2005

I just re-read the last update I wrote to see what I had written, I ended with saying that there was 'supposed to be a big reorganization (at my work) next spring or summer'. Well ... they certainly held true to their word. Just a few short months ago, there was about 35 managers like me, in various cities in the Michigan area. Now there are 8!! That is just an example of what they did at all levels from the vice-presidents down to the drivers. It all started a couple of years ago, we know now, that came with new technology that the company was implementing in stages across the country. As the new technology came in the people went out. Somehow they kept things pretty quiet, until it was our 'turn in the bucket'. God was good, and I survived although not unscathed. Originally it came down that I was changing from salary to hourly and taking a 33% cut in pay. After about a month in that situation, I was restored to a salary position and 20% of the pay was restored. I am sure it was due to our prayers and the many prayers that were offered on my behalf by family that knew the situation and some people at church. My new position is an Operations Manager of a Service Center, reporting to a General Manager that used to be a peer. Not exactly sure what my responsibilities will be, as this all officially takes place May 18th, but I am supposed to be in charge of facilities and vehicles at 3 locations, with the drivers that are left reporting to my boss, so I do not have people to supervise. It may turn out to be a blessing.

Our home has gotten much 'larger' in the last 3 weeks or so. No, we did not do a room addition, it is just that Stacey moved out to her own apartment, and Kyle has left again for Mass, to continue his co-op job for Kettering University. Stacey had been looking for a place of her own, and a friend of hers was also, so they found an apartment that they just love and have been there for a few weeks. It was a raining/snowing Saturday when she needed to move in, but it worked out well. Now we need to find a home for Stacey's dog, who is still living with us. She is unable to take him to the apartment, so if anyone is looking for a dog ... contact her.

Becky's job continues as normal. She is experiencing some side affects from her cancer treatments of a few years ago. She’s been having treatment for Lymphodema in her arm recently, which consists of some therapy and a special arm and hand sleeve. It is supposed to help the circulation and reduce the swelling. The treatments seem to be working well, and except for a 15# lifting restriction, she is doing well.

We are looking forward to the warmer weather and the chances it gives us to enjoy the outdoors, family, and some vacation time. We are planning on a trip out to Boston in mid-August to see where Kyle is working and living, and then spending a few days in NYC. We also are planning on spending a week at Silver Lake here on the west side of Michigan. Kyle's fiancé’s extended family goes every year, so we are going to share some of this time with them, and the rest just enjoying the water, sand and sun.

That's about it for us.

Steve, Becky, (Stacey/Kyle ....)

Fall/Winter 2004

Thanks Autumn for extending the deadline. I am probably the last to get my update in (If I indeed made the cutoff). There is really not much news from Flint, but did want to at least participate, since I enjoy reading everyone else's update.

We did not do too much this summer. Took a couple of short trips and spent a little time on the boat, but the summer was so slow in coming and then it was over. We did, of course, enjoy having Kyle home from Kuwait for a couple of weeks. It was also great to have family here at that time to spend time together. Autumn said Kyle sent an update so he will no doubt fill you in on his life. We thank God everyday for placing him in Kuwait instead of Iraq, and protecting him while he is there. Just in case Kyle's update was sent before his last mission, I'll just say his unit did take the British Black Watch troops up to the outskirts of Baghdad, so he was able to see Iraq, experience some roadside bombs, and lots of sand. He was also able to experience a little of the people and especially the kids of Iraq and their favorable response to the troops.

Stacey is still working at the lawyer’s office. Her cousin started working there a couple of days a week, said that has made things somewhat more fun. Becky's job is pretty much the same. They did move to a new office, and it is very close to home so that is nice. They also have a new attorney working in the office, so that has taken some pressure off her boss. My job is pretty much the same, just waiting for consistant cold, so the bosses will realize winter does come and then can quit worrying. Supposed to be a big re-organization next spring and early summer, but no use worrying about that right now.

That is really about it us. Thanks to all who wrote in and thanks especially to you,

Autumn for your work in getting the letters together.

Steve, Becky, and Stacey

Spring/Summer 2004

Does not really seem like much has happened since the last update. The biggest change has been Kyle called up to active duty and deployed to Kuwait. I am thinking he will send an update, so I'll let him fill you in, but he is supposed to stay stationed in Kuwait and we are thankful for that. He is usually bored, but works the night shift and sleeps during the long hot days. The son of some friends of ours was deployed to Iraq about the same time as Kyle. He was active army, first stationed in Germany and then over to Baghdad. Unfortunately, he was killed by a roadside bomb just a couple of weeks ago. Kind of brought the reality of the war very close to home. The funeral was sad of course, but also a great testimony to the community and was covered by all the media. He had been married only four months before deploying.

Stacey is still working for the same attorney, and taking an on-line class on running a day-care. She would eventually like to do something like that. She has a boyfriend, Dan, and spends a lot of time with him. He is a very nice young man. He is studying computer programming and is about 2/3 of the way complete with his college education.

Not much has changed for Bec and I. Same jobs as we have had for a while. Mine is trying to come to terms with a disappointing winter and that means disappointing results for the stockholders. When stockholders ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. I had the fun task just today of laying off one of my guys, as the company is shifting more and more towards part-time help instead of full-time. The company is also moving towards having more locations under a single manager, so we'll see what is in store for my position in the weeks or months to come.

Planning to leave this week to go out to Iowa for a week. It will be good to see Mom, Cyndi, Doug, and the kids. We did not get together in Chicago after Christmas like we usually do, so it has been a while since we have spent time together.

I did finally finish the room on the back of the house, just a couple of weeks ago. In the last letter I said I hoped to have it done by New Years. Did not make that time line, but we were not going to use it in the winter anyway. We are enjoying it a lot now, even though the weather has been cool, that room heats up pretty well due to all the glass, so we can spend some quiet afternoons out there. What an exciting life when I look forward to quiet afternoons on the porch!

Thanks Autumn, we all appreciate your hard work.

Steve, Becky, and Stacey