Nick Plefka,
 Dan & Karen's first Firstborn
Our fourth grandchild

Although the tiniest at birth, he caught up fast.

Nick doesn't just play the guitar. His interests include other instruments and other fields. Like his father at his age, Nick has an avid interest in animals of all kinds and nature in general. You can see an example of this at the Massasauga Rattlesnake Page

Nick is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. Besides maintaining very good grades his interests have expanded to the martial arts. For information regarding this activity see MMA. Nick participated in a Kage One event in February 2008 and won in the first round with a TKO. Regarding the event, Nick says, "I look at it as simply another stepping stone in a sport that requires total control of ones mind and body. A personal test if you may."

Since graduation, Nick has been substitute teaching at local grade schools, taking courses towards his teaching certificate and a Master's degree and continuing to wark at The Great Escape.

She loves school and it shows. Dance has been an activity. Kelsey has left Dancing, and softball behind and now plays a good game of soccer. She entered Andrew High School in the fall of 2005 enrolled in all honors classes. There her interests turned to cross country running. She graduated with honors in 2009.

Kelsey is currently studying at Elmhurst College where she continues in Cross country running and in a gospel choir  as she maintains great grades as well..

Ana Plefka
Dan & Karen's youngest
Our ninth grandchild

Trying to keep up with her big sister can be frustrating
but Ana ( pronounced "on- ah") holds her own. 

I asked Ana for a report on her June 2009 mission trip with the TNT group from St Julie Billiart parish.

"Hi Grandpa!

I had a great time on the mission trip! It was just amazing! I had so much fun!

The first two days in Mon Valley were work days for my small group. Father Artur was my small group leader and I was happy about that because he is so funny. We went to the Salvation Army and helped with setting up a free distribution and food sale for the community. I also got to read books to Captain Amanda and Captain Mike's (Salvation Army workers) kids, Joey and Rachel. That was a lot of fun. On the second two days my group got to help with Kids Club. The first day of Kids Club started at noon, so we went through orientation with Alyssa, one of the Youthworks staff, until then. Then at noon the kids came. There were about 60 kids and 30 of us. It was very crazy, but the kids were fun to play with. That day was actually kind of relaxing for me because a little two year old girl named Mecca fell asleep on me while I was reading a book to her. She slept for pretty much the whole time, so that was nice. On the second day of Kids Club, we went to Highland Manor before it started at 12. Highland Manor is a group of apartments where most of the kids from Kids Club live. We got to play with everyone there and eat lunch with them outside. I met a little boy named Terry who was almost three. He was soooo cute! He loved to play basketball and wouldn't let go of the one he had in his hands the whole time. He could barely hold it up, but he would not let go of it. Once Kids Club started, we all went to the park which was even crazier than the day before. It was extremely hot outside and the kids were very antsy, but finally we got water balloons. One of our evening activities was going to a Baptist church. That was so much fun. It was the complete opposite of how our church services are run, but I had so much fun there. Another one of our activities was a prayer walk. Two of the teenagers living in the community gave us a small tour of specific places in the town where we prayed for the community and the people affected by the violence within it. It was sad, but it really opened all of our eyes as to what was going on, especially since it was coming from kids living in the community. Overall the mission trip was a wonderful experience and I am definitely going to do it again next year.

Hope to see you soon!

Love Ana"

I had to prompt Ana a little bit by asking ...
But how did it make you feel?  About Life?  About God?    Or is that getting too deep?
Her reply ...

"No that's not too deep. It definitely gave me a new-found appreciation for everything I have. I think that all of the people I met brought out the best in me, especially the kids. I got to see God work in wonderful ways while I was there and I am never going to forget it. I think I am definitely closer to God than I was before the trip."

In High School her sports are Cross Country and Soccer and she keeps up with the best. She also maintains excellent grades.