Spring/Summer Edition: 2024

​Dear family and friends, 

Since our last newsletter in September, 2023, there has been both a flurry of activity and many peaceful times of rest. We have enjoyed a few visitors, worked on the finishing touches here in Ruby Cottage and Macs Music, and done a bit of landscaping! There are many more projects on our to-do lists, but we are trying to take them slow and easy. In this season of our lives that plan is both wise and necessary! 

Our first visitors were two of Jeanne Ann’s (as they knew her) girlhood friends from Topeka! Debbie Tucker Haukenberry and Gail Price Scott arrived a little over three weeks after we moved in. We still had the camper then, so we gave them the run of the house and we became campers again for a few days. Debbie and Gail cooked for us, drove us around to see the sights, and we enjoyed many hours around the campfire and “porching” with coffee and memory-filled conversation. They also came bearing the perfect housewarming gifts. Debbie created a beautiful Kansas sunflower picture and Gail created a gorgeous piano quilt to hang over Den’s piano!

Soon after the “girls” left, we had an overnight visitor, high school friend and now Youth for Christ director in Topeka, Deb Tubbs. She took this picture to their 50th High School reunion since Jeannie couldn’t be there.

A few weeks later we had a visit from life-long family missionary friends, Todd and Kerri Sasnett, who recently retired from Wycliffe. We are all “antique/flea market/thrift store enthusiasts so we enjoyed hitting all those places nearby.

Christmas was wonderful and peaceful. Putting up all of Stacie’s Coca-Cola and snowflake decorations warmed our hearts with sweet memories. Again, we were glad that her collections were chosen and saved for Ruby Cottage. Lots of Coke red also fit in well with the name! 

We had a wonderful trip to KS in early spring visiting family and friends. The photo at the end of this newsletter was taken at Ward Meade Park in Topeka as the tulips were first blooming!

Dennis will be in his seventh year as a referee beginning with clinics and meetings in July. He still enjoys the activity and connection with kids. He’s glad for break in seasons this time of year as he needs to keep up with mowing our four acres! But he loves riding his tractor, too. God has given him several songs since he’s been in his studio, but inspiration often began on his tractor! He is ready and looking forward to doing small recording projects, so let him know if you want more info. Dennis is also writing instrumental music for JA’s Tresia series as background for the audio books that are in the works. We will keep you posted on that project! Here is a preview of the Tresia Theme. Dennis first wrote it for the book trailer video, but it has been updated in Macs Music Recording Studio! ​

Jeannie keeps busy writing her own new book series, as well as mentoring her online writers group, Warriors Writing. Two of her Warriors began blogs over the past year. Carol’s “Positioned for Purpose” and Krista’s “Consider the Wildflowers” are encouraging words for women from these amazing new writers. (Both can be subscribed to and delivered to your inbox.) Her third Warrior is Jeannie’s niece, Amy. Some of you may remember the three “Cousin’s Backyard Mystery Club” picture eBooks that Jeannie wrote a couple of years ago for her great-nieces and nephews and her writers email list. Amy wanted to add to the collection with another story about the now dozen cousins! The first draft is done and Aunt JA loves it! 

Please visit the website for updates to J.A.’s Reading Nook. This list contains books Jeannie is reading and if they made the list, they are recommended. She recently finished the Truth Series by F.D. Adkins. If you enjoy futuristic political thrillers, this is the series for you. It is especially timely in this election year to get a glimpse into what our country could look like around 2050. Here’s my review. ​

Speaking of an election year, for Believers we highly recommend following current events on “Victory News: Coverage in the Spirit of Faith” on the Victory Channel at noon and 5:00ET. We also enjoy “Flashpoint” which airs Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 8:00ET on the same channel. Victory Channel can be found online and on DISH, Direct TV, Roku, and Rumble.

Our latest great-niece, born in December to Adam and Kelsey Aadalen, is Jolie Jeanne, her Great-Aunt Jeanne Ann and cousin Stacie Jeanne’s namesake. This was such an honor. Aunt JA asked her friend Gail to make a special quilt for Jolie Jeanne so she will always know the connection. Jeanne Ann was named after her mom’s best friend Norma Jeanne, so Jolie Jeanne is the fourth Jeanne in the “family.” What about all that dark wavy hair! We are a proud Great-Aunt and Uncle! 

We are so grateful to have Ruby Cottage Guest House and Macs Music finished and being used to the limit we are able. We continue to look forward to the building process for Phase III of Macs MountainView, Sapphire Lodge (our home.) Please pray with us that God’s direction and plan will be provided for and the vision clear. We seek and trust Holy Spirit’s guidance every day for each step we need to take. 

That brings you up-to-date on the Macs. Please reply and let us know what God is doing in your lives! We love hearing from you! 

Love and Prayers, 
Dennis and JA

P. s. Please feel free to forward MountainView Moments to anyone you think would be interested in subscribing. Thanks!