From: Kraig Warnemuende <ad6075@wayne.edu>

Date: Mon Jun 9, 2003 10:53:35 PM America/Detroit

To: Kraig Warnemuende <ad6075@wayne.edu>

Subject: 06/09/03 Update from Kraig, Loren and Keren

Dear friends and family,

Summer is almost officially here! The weather has been beautiful, though a little chilly at times. Can't complain though, considering how beastly last summer was. The peonies are blooming and I just brought in our first rose this evening. I do love the beginning of June!

Well, only a few more days till Kris and Katrina's wedding! It's hard to believe it's already here--how exciting! This past Saturday Kraig's parents arrived safely from Mali, and they'll be here in the States for about three weeks. It's always good to have them and catch up on events.

Yesterday we had a very special occasion: Keren's baby dedication at church. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Baptist baby dedication, it's a time when we present our child before the church and make a public commitment before God and the church family to raise our child in the ways of the Bible, and to teach her about Christ. At our church there is also a commitment made by the church family to help the parents through encouragement, prayer, etc. We have seen so much of this from our church already, that we don't have any concerns on that account! It was so special to be able to have the dedication with both sets of grandparents, not to mention great-grandma and grandpa Warnemuende.

Keren's dedication has been a miracle to us. We are amazed and thankful to God that he has given us eight amazing months with her--and she's still healthy and growing :) . It was all the more meaningful in light of two losses connected to our family last week. A young friend of my sister Carrie was killed in a freak car accident a week ago--a girl we met when we went out for Carrie's graduation. I only met her that once, but her death hit hard.... And then just Saturday my great-aunt Marge's grandson Aaron was also killed in a car accident--also only nineteen. Both deaths have made me realize all the more how vital is every moment we have with Keren..... Makes one think.....

On a much more cheerful note, we celebrated the first birthday of a cousin and friends' son last week, and welcomed another cousin into the world. What a round of life!

And for those of you who are parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, or just know some kids that you want to shower with something cute, I want to make sure to let you know about the website and new personal business that a dear friend's daughter just started!!!! The business is Purple Pumpkin Gifts, and the website is www.purplepumpkingifts.com . Sue, the one who started the business, does a lot of hand-painted items for children--picture frames, furniture, etc. A whole bunch of them are featured on her website, including the lovely picture frame she did for Keren! Check it out!!!

Well, I think that about wraps up our news on this end. We'll let you know how the wedding goes and finally get some new pictures up on the website..... :)

Love you all!

Loren (and Kraig and Keren, too!)