The Bell Family

The Bell Family

We began our Joyful Living Journey in 1981 when we were married.

Bill did not know the Lord until he was 19 when his father died of alcoholism.. His good friend Steve Armour had been telling him about salvation since they were in high school. Bill just could not believe that God would save such a wicked sinner. He began to spend a lot of time with Steve. Steve’s mom used an old wooden mill and and made whole wheat bread which Bill ate regularly. (Everyone was glad when we married so they would not have to feed Bill anymore!)

Steve introduced Bill to Mike and Debi Pearl, and Bill began spending most of his time in a coffee house ministry sharing the gospel with service men on Navy Rd in Millington, TN. When I met Bill, he was one of the most Godly men I had ever met. We were both Civil Engineers at the Corps of Engineers, and I was also the Federal Women’s Program Manager. I was successful in the world’s eyes but was happy to “give it all up” to be a wife and have a family. Bill told me that when we got married, he wanted me to grow my own wheat, grind it, and make him whole wheat bread! I wanted to please this man, but he was asking too much! ( You have to understand that I was a Civil Engineer and I had grown up on tv dinners!)

God knew the desires of my heart, and we happened to be working at the Corps Booth at the State Fair very close to a Bosch booth. We smelled the bread baking all day! It was delicious! With 2 little ones and one on the way, it was time for this mom to be at home. We did not know how we would make ends meet, much less buy this expensive equipment! We were able to take my work retirement refund and purchase the Bosch and mill, and I thought I would just sell enough machines to pay for mine.

It was so exciting and fulfilling for me to see how God worked! Bill took sandwiches to work and told everyone that his wife ground the whole wheat to make him fresh bread. Now doesn’t that sound like a virtuous woman? But it was so easy! Within days we were selling bread making equipment. We were able to help people save money on food costs, and eat nutritiously. We became part of a large food coop and before long almost everyone we knew was making their own bread. It turned into a ministry and we began learning more and more to help others be successful.

We were home school support group leaders when our children were 3 and younger. We saw the struggles of these pioneering home school families trying to live on a single income and train their children to have good character, yet be a blessing to this hurting world. We began to search out and provide excellent resources for these families to use as tools for their children as well as our own. We became distributors at local book fairs and learned more as we met more and more families.

We have had struggles and have much to share! We are still learning and look forward to what you will teach us too!

We look forward to getting back in touch with the many friends we have made through the years!

May you be blessed as you become open to God’s Perfect Ways!

Kristy

Rachel -24 and Chris moved into their first home built in Yuma , AZ where Chris is a Border Patrol Agent. It
is very nicely situated at the foot of the Desert Mountains near the Colorado River . Too bad it is 19 hours
away from William Christopher Miller, our wonderful first grandson.
Baby Will made his appearance into the world on September 8, 2006

David-22 is working on his Business degree. He works for an excavation company.

Hannah-21 Hannah has just 5 more courses to complete her Business degree in Management.

Elisa -19 completed her Cosmetology license and free lances for weddings and little girls parties. She is great wiith hair! She also volunteers at the Gladney home for unwed mothers as a Nail Tech. She also is working on some college courses.

Sarah -17 started College and is working on a Nursing degree. She wants to do mission work on the Mercy Ship. She loves emergencies! She still keeps up with her brothers and does shooting sports and rock climbing whenever she gets a chance.

Daniel-14 earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was on a swim team this summer, and volunteers at a vet clinic one day each week. He has a lawn cutting business with his brothers.

Jonathan - 13 is a Life scout and will begin working on his Eagle project this year. He loves shooting sports, rock climbing and Karate. He is shamefully very good at X-box which keeps mysteriously appearing in the Bell home (it is outlawed here). He has earned money lawn cutting, and has become quite a salesman selling Poinsettias for scouts this winter.

Nate -11 is a very enthusiastic Star Class scout who is a Webelo den chief. He loves teaching others all the scout skills which he practices daily. He is creative with fixing and building things around the Bell place. He does all the things his brothers do and plans to outdo them too. He will do 200 sit ups and turn right around and do 150 push-ups. He works at a kennel three days each week.

Beka -10 loves sewing and takes very good care of Abi and Matt. She is quite responsible and loves piano. She loves drawing and cooking.

Abi-7 loves sewing! She and Matt are big buddies, and play all day long. They spend a lot of time at the neighbor’s new T-ball field.

Matt-4 is very doted on, and gives his Mommy and Daddy lots of hugs and kisses. He is playing T-ball!