2012 "Year in Review"

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Significant items often come in groups of 3…

    body/soul/spirit

    faith/hope/love

    earth/sky/sea

The theme for our "2012 Year in Review" 
blog is the significance of the number 3  
in our life happenings...

Our 3 families...
     Nathan, Katie and Baby B  
     Papa, Granny and Grandma
    Jim, Ann and Chiree  

Nathan and Katie are having a baby (BOY!)
to be born in March making them a family of 3!

Katie's sister, Hannah, helped her mom
paint a tree mural on the nursery wall.

Mural completed, crib assembled...
Now all is ready for the finishing touches of 
the nursery decor and Baby B sleeping within. 
(Oh, my! We are getting so excited!!!) 

Though our traveling schedule was 
full last year, when we were home, the 3 of us 
always looked forward to our evening meals 
together sharing the happenings of the day. 

(When you are in the area, please 
stop by---we love company!)

Our 3 wonderful parents look for ways to invest in others’ lives through their gifts and talents. 

Ps. 92:12,14–“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree…They shall bring forth fruit in old age.”

Papa Bollinger, faithful, faithful 
man of God, is often found in his shop 
building items for the kids, grandkids and 
neighbors---headboards, desks, shelves, 
highchairs, special orders. You name it;
he can do it and do it well!

Granny Bollinger works hards without 
complaining, despite the effects of her 
strokes in 1998 (what an example she is to us), 
AND can she ever cook! We are trying to 
master at least some of her specialties. 

Grandma Mitchell's greatest love
is to write letters of encouragement,
 which she does almost daily. Many
 are blessed by her mail each week! She 
also is a avid supporter of veterans and 
those in our military. Most wedding 
gifts from her will include an
 American flag to display.

Our 3 ministries... 

     Prairie Flower Bible Church
     Revive Our Hearts
     Prison to Purpose   

Prairie Flower Bible Church - 70 years old
www.prairieflower.org

The Word of God and the gospel is faithfully 
preached each week and is a place for us to 
serve and be a part of a loving church family.

Revive Our Hearts - 11 years old
with Nancy Leigh DeMoss
www.reviveourhearts.com

Nathan, Katie, and Chiree 
are very grateful to the Lord to be 
able work with this ministry and to be 
a part of a team of people committed 
to reaching people with God's truths.

                                 

Prison to Purpose - 7 years old
www.prisontopurpose.com   

Working with Prison to Purpose 
has taught us much about the 
importance of being 
"Word saturated" so as 
to think biblically.

Our 3 memorable family weeks... 
        Ann's 60th Birthday
        True Woman '12 Conference
        Christmas Gatherings 

       

My 60^th birthday in April was spent at 
Nathan’s and Katie's home in Michigan. 

                 (Many great memories made that week!)

  Neosho Mini-True Woman conference
was the birthday celebration with friends.

                          

The national True Woman ’12 conference
in September was held Indianapolis 
with over 8,000 women attending.     

           Prison to Purpose leaders and inmates from 

     McPherson prison joined the True Woman

           conference through a live video feed..so special!

9

Grandma Mitchell's family Christmas 
made some fun memories, including 
our day at Branson's Silver Dollar City, 
"Old Time Christmas." 
http://festivals.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=55
 We so enjoyed celebrating with my 
sister, Michelle, and her hubby, Dan,
and Dan's mom, Laura.

    "Fun-loving and enery-giver," 
our niece Rebecca, flew here 
twice during the summer and 
for the Mitchell Christmas, as well as

attended the True Woman '12 

conference with us.

        Papa and Granny Bollinger's family 
Christmas had lots of 
great food and fellowship!

The Bollinger Gang became the
"Apple Dumplin' Gang"
with all the Apple electronics,
including iPads and iPhones!

     Our 3 recommended sets of books...
   THE GOSPEL

           Fishing for Men by Richard Seymour
    Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan

           PARENTING 

           Bath Time by Erin Davis 

           Together Growing Appetites for God 
                                                                by Carrie Ward
     DEVOTIONAL
      Pearls of Great Price by Joni Eareckson Tada
       The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss


                                                                                  

       Learn practical ways 
      to share the clear 
        gospel message. 

  Take the challenge to examine
and change your lifestyle in view
of millions who are not saved.

Embrace motherhood
as a sacred calling.

     Be inspired by the
benefits of reading
through the Bible
with your children.

                                                                 

See how suffering brings sanctification
and a joy that can only come from the Lord.

Be encouraged, awakened 
and challenged by biblical 
truths that call to action.

      Our 3 new kitchen "must-haves"

                               Pampered Chef’s garlic press
                               Tone’s “Spicy Spaghetti” seasoning

                                       Bear Creek's soup mixes

      

 Our 3-fold prayer for you:

Colossians 1:9,10 - We “do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that you might:"

     “Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.

       Being fruitful in every good work.

       Increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Blessings and love to you, 
our friends and family!

Jim, Ann and Chiree
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are a few more pictures that didn't fit into our theme of "the number 3" for our "2012 Year in Review" but are fun memories of five other short trips we took over the past year... 

              The Dominican Republic and Haiti

Nathan, Katie and Chiree worked in the
Dominican Republic for 17 days in February
for Revive Our Hearts helping with a conference
and filming stories of changed lives. It took 17
pieces of luggage and equipment to get
them there prepared for work. Whew!

                          

Chiree traveled to the Dominican 
Republic and Haiti in May to help train 
nationals in prison ministry. Her heart was
touched by the many needs of the Haitians.

                                            Colorado

Jim and I traveled to Denver in August
for Kym and Jordan's beautiful wedding.

Kym is the daughter of Jim's nephew,
Gary and his wife, Kathy. Jordan is the son of
Rick and Shelley, both students of mine
in the 70's at Arvada Christian School.
Small world! 

McPherson Penitentiary in Arkansas

Jim, Chiree and I traveled to Newport, 
Arkansas, in November for the annual PAL 
retreat at prison. What a time of refreshing 
to see inmates and visiting ex-felons lives' 
changed because of the Word 
of God and the gospel.

Colorado

I flew to Denver in January to help
 my niece Rachel and her husband, Brad,
in the care of newborn baby Coen for two weeks.
What a blessing it was being with this family!   

2011 YEAR in REVIEW

Thanking God...

"In whom we have redemption

through His blood,

even the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:14

FAMILY TIMES

Such a happy couple married 68 years!

Mother with her dear widow friends, Deanna and Harriet

I just love these sweet mamas!

Five Bollinger siblings

(minus Launny who was traveling)

Kay, Jimmy, Connie, Patty, and Kenny

Dad Bollinger and his three sons,

Kenny, Launny and Jimmy

Mitchell Reunion - (minus Rebecca and Rachel)

Katie, Nathan, Jimmy, Ann, Mom, Michelle, Dan, Chiree

A BUNCH of BOLLINGER COUSINS!

Gary, Kory, Daniel, Nathan,

Kym, Kara, Elisabeth, Kellen, Terryn, Chiree, Natalie

Chiree's "Birthday Buddy"- Cousin Charlie

Born on Christmas Eve 2010

to his mama Elisabeth and daddy Stephen

Patty and Nat with their 4 grandchildren...

James, Charlie, Avery and Christine

So special to have little ones in the Bollinger Clan!

WEDDINGS

(friends) Isaiah and Heather Ueland

January 8th

(nephew) Kellen and Terryn Bollinger

March 5th

Brad and (niece) Rachel Burek

July 16th

We celebrated our 33rd Anniversary

on July 15th in Colorado.

~In front of the church where we were married~

So special to have our kids with us that day! :-)

THE F-5 JOPLIN TORNADO

This was the deadliest single tornado

in US history since record-keeping years.

There were 161 people who died.

Praying for their dear families!

Don and Glenda Greenwood, friends from church,

survived this tornado in the basement of their home.

They have been living in our garden level apartment

for 7 months seeking direction for a new place to live.

What a blessing they are to us!!

They are retired missionaries to Brazil

and just celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Nephew Kory survived in the bathtub

of his apartment where

17 were killed in that complex.

Above left is Kory's destroyed new vehicle.

We are so grateful to the Lord for his life

and the Greenwood's lives being spared!

Chiree spent much time filming stories

throughout the summer to show the grace of God

and the loving support the people of Joplin gave

to all the tornado victims.

A rainbow formed by St. John's Hospital on one of her filming days of doctors and nurses that were at the hospital during the tornado...a beautiful reminder of God's promises amidst the sorrows.

CONFERENCES

BECOMING A WOMAN OF THE WORD

Chaplain Kenneth Dewitt (from Women's McPherson Penitentiary)

speaking at the Becoming a Woman of the Word

conference in Rogers, Arkansas

300+ women attended from several states

INMATE FALL RETREAT

In September the Bible-based PAL program for inmates

at McPherson Prison had a missionary emphasis retreat.

These inmates have a great burden for missions!

Chiree had the opportunity to film the powerful testimonies of Leticia, Lucy and Mondrea.

Seven ex-inmates of the PAL program in prison were able to attend the PAL retreat. These very special ladies shared how God was working in their lives since leaving prison.

Such encouraging testimonies from Stacey, Diane, Tawanna, Diana, Tangela, Rachelle, Bridgette!

REVIVE 'll CONFERENCE

Ex-felon, Stacey Smith, shared with Nancy Leigh DeMoss of Revive Our Hearts at the Revive '11 conference in Indianapolis (for women's ministry leaders).

The inmates at McPherson are pictured on the back screens because they prayed around the clock for this conference three days prior and during.

SINGLE MOMS' CLASS

I enjoy teaching on Wednesday nights

the Calvary of Neosho

Single Moms class, called GALSS

(Graciously Adorned Ladies Serving the Savior).

What a blessing these moms are to me!

The GALSS class' precious kids!

PRODUCTIONS

Worth Saving

Nathan and Katie joined her four sisters

(Hannah, Christy, Emily and Heidi)

to assist One Block Studio

in the production of "Worth Saving,"

a short film sharing the gospel.

Worth Saving has been entered into the

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

taking place in February 2012.

Youngest sister, Hannah (15) is the producer.

Girls Gone Wise

in a World Gone Wild

Moody Publishers asked Mary Kassian,

author of Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild,

to include a DVD companion to her book.

Bollinger Productions enjoyed

getting to do this project and is excited for

its release on January 1st...Praying for women

of all ages (13-83) to get this resource!

Final day of production -

a quick memory-maker photo with Mary Kassian

Katie and Chiree have great respect

for Mary and her biblical teaching!

True Woman 101

This DVD production that will accompany

Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Mary Kassian's

Bible study, True Woman 101,

will be available in March 2012.

Nancy and Mary, as well as 6 other

true women of God, share "Table Talk"

of how we as women can put Christ

and the gospel on display with our lives.

The production staff of True Woman 101

made lots of wonderful memories!

Teaching Opportunities

at Prison

The inmates at the Hawkins Unit

are grateful for the new APAL program

giving them daily biblical training

that is changing their lives!

Jim taught inmate, Carolyn, how to operate all the sound and recording equipment in order for the daily Bible teaching in prison to be ready for post-production. Carolyn is doing an awesome job!

The women in the PAL program are always eager

to learn about biblical womanhood.

I enjoy teaching object lessons that help

the inmates understand doctrine and that also

give them "tools" for reaching their families

and other inmates with the gospel.

FARM FUN

"Nathan and his Sidekicks" - Katie and Chiree :-)

Katie and Chiree love romping the farm

with cousin Rebecca!

Nathan and Katie...still our favorite newlyweds! :-)

Polly joins anyone who loves exploring the farm.

February 2011 dumped 16 inches of snow

giving us a week's vacation, but kept Jimmy

busy each day digging out.

Taste of Home's Grand Prize Winner

"Yummy! Upside-Down Apple Pie"

Chiree's birthday "cake" on Christmas Eve

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons shortening

2 tablespoons cold butter

5 to 7 tablespoons orange juice


FILLING:

6 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apple (about 1/8 inch thick)


GLAZE:

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 to 3 teaspoons orange juice

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening and butter until crumbly. Gradually add orange juice, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough into two balls. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Line a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate with heavy-duty foil, leaving 1-1/2 in. beyond edge; coat the foil with cooking spray. Combine 4 tablespoons butter, brown sugar and pecans; spoon into prepared pie plate.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, apples and remaining butter; toss gently.

On waxed paper, roll out one ball of pastry to fit pie plate. Place pastry over nut mixture, pressing firmly against mixture and sides of plate; trim to 1 in. beyond plate edge. Fill with apple mixture.

Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie; place over filling. Trim to 1/4 in. beyond plate edge. Fold bottom pastry over top pastry; seal and flute edges. Cut four 1-in. slits in top pastry.

Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Bake 30 minutes longer or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary.

Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Invert onto a serving platter; carefully remove foil. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over pie. Yield: 8 servings.

VIDEOS

JOPLIN TORNADO

Psalm 46 - Pastor Dave Ernst - Joplin Tornado -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6raZGsI5y9s - 1 minute

Hope After the Storm in Joplin -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8dfmYJ8f1E - 2 minutes

St. John's Hospital - Mercy Heath Officials' Testimonies -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84RWOhOAkuo - 12 minutes

KATIE'S FOUR SISTERS' SHORT FILM FOR SHARING THE GOSPEL

Worth Saving (Teaser/Trailer) -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0gj4vj1Waw&feature=channel_video_title

INMATES REACHING THEIR FAMILIES FOR CHRIST

It's My Mama - Carolyn Reaching her Mama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOmV1RK8YJU - 4 minutes

A Daughter's Prison/A Father's Salvation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=405-KkaSADQ&feature=related - 3 minutes

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDIES

Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild - Introduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grnbNR3PMQ4 - 2 minutes

Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild - Product Overview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C12D_f8Agqw - 6 minutes

True Woman 101 Course (Divine Design) - Product Overview

http://www.truewoman.com/?id=1883 - 5 minutes