My New Son

Henry Stoneberger: about 12 years years old now. Henry asked if he could call me Daddy about 4 years ago. Lives in an orphanage in Africa. I love doing my best to support him. Henry loves to "be" my son and call me Daddy. It warms my heart. Father God, thank you for your abundant blessings!

My Great Niece Alli Moves to Alaska

Written by my niece Brenda Harris Dill before her second eldest child, Allison (org.Alec) Dill, moved away to Anchorage in January, 2021. Dear Alaska, Please take care of her. I tell them from the time they are small to go far. Risk it all to see the earth. Get to the ocean and the mountains as fast as you can because it will change you. Take chances. Embrace uncertainty. Be unapologetically wild. They listen so hard . And I’m never completely ready to let go. I want you to know what she’s been through and how hard it is to let go. Alaska....I know you have space for her to run. 1000’s of hours outside. Icy streams to wash her feet, glaciers to ease her mind, and mountains for her to climb. Let her walk things off she carries heavy, and allow her to breathe deep. I know you’ll be harsh when you need to be, and you’ll teach her things I never could. Show her how it feels to call you home. And please, be good to her. Hold her tight, kiss her often, and keep her safe. A girl and her cat are off for many adventures. 100 days until I go meet the new Allison in her new home. Alaska.

Me and My Dad ...My dad’s family has an awesome history. His ancestors came from England to Virginia in the 1500’s, from Holland to NYC in the 1600’s, and from Germany to the Shenandoah Valley where the family established the Stoneberger Lutheran Church in the 1700’s. Also, one of Dad’s great-grandmothers was an Ioway Tribe Native American. Tragically, this latter attribute was kept secret for a few generations. Dad married my mom, his high-school sweetheart, just 2 years after graduation. I’m proud of all the above, but on to MY life with Dad. ...Dad and I tried very hard to be besties because we loved each other. My earliest memories were of watching classic Westerns together viewing a black & white TV set. On that same sofa, I remember being tickled when I tried to tickle Dad first. I became convinced that he had no soft spot in that game. ...When I was a kid, I liked going fishing with Dad. I always asked him if we could use a boat. Repeatedly and patiently, Dad reminded me that noise could scare the fish away. Maybe that's why he seemed to prefer fishing from the shore...at least when I tagged along. I never feared dragon flies because, while fishing with Dad, he taught me to appreciate those dragon flies. “They eat mosquitoes” he said patiently. ...When I was a tween, Dad sponsored a race car driver who worked for Dad at “Lee’s 66 Service” with Phillips 66 gasoline pumps and service station. I really enjoyed going to the races with Dad. He would always sponsor a tailgate party at the races. When I myself worked at “the station” I learned about counting back change, about customer service and about cars. Thank you, Dad. ...As I was becoming a man, Dad often took me to the gun club he was a member of. He wanted me to learn how to protect myself in the way law-abiding citizens were expected to do. Dad was a great teacher, but I feared I would not remember how to take care of a gun without Dad around, so I did not continue this tradition. We didn't really have many of the same interests except love of family.. But it's all good. Dad continued to love and encourage me always. ...Happy Father’s Day to all who remember loving times with their dad’s or other father figures, and to all Fathers who love their kids. --Mark Stoneberger--

My sons are gone. David passed away at age 30. Andy, almost 19, doesn't seem to want contact. But CHRIST JESUS keeps me together.

Can she hear you, Lord?

Make her hear you, Lord. We are all praying for her. We all want her salvation, and she herself seems to want a close relationship with you. Make her hear the truth, Lord. Tell her what she's done to all her boys. Show her what she continues to do to her youngest son and his family. Make her listen, Lord. We don't want coals heaped upon the head of my son's mommy. Remind him that when he's big enough, he will be able to stand up for himself and make her (and her people) believe the truth.

Ups and Downs

David now has a pacemaker with a defib device. Thank you, Jesus!
Seth is now a teen but is still denied any contact. Hear our prayer, Jesus.

Heart Transplant

David needs a new heart, says his doctor. He's now on the heart transplant waiting list of a local hospital. Prayers, please. We love him.

Correction: on 3/19/12 we thought David was on a heart transplant waiting list. Kansas disability does not pay for heart transplants, so he's on nobody's list. Well, if he's on your prayer list, then we still have a chance!