"Bells of Bethlehem" - Painting by Otto Unzicker

"Bells of Bethlehem"

Painting by Otto Unzicker 

of Peru, Illinois

1988

Yeshua (Jesus), God Incarnate, was born in Bet-lehem (House of Bread) in Israel, the eternal promised land of the Jews.

This original painting by Otto Unzicker of Peru, IL was done after he had made his amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, delightful trip to Israel in the early 90's (I believe it was around that time.) He was a very gifted painter, choosing to use acrylic paints and watercolors as his preference.

All of his paintings now reside in the homes of his three daughters, Linda, Judy and Laurie, as part of their inheritance, with the passing to heaven of their mother Lorraine on July 31, 2014.

Otto & Lorraine Unzicker

(The photo on the right 

is Otto in the US Army in World War II. 

He served in Europe.)

Otto's painting, depicting the peace dove, is of the Church of the Nativity bell in Bethlehem, Israel, where Jesus (Yeshua), Otto's Lord and Savior, was born on that very spot covered by this Christian church. This location in Israel was one of his favorites. He had climbed the bell tower steps of the church and beheld this awesome view, which we now share.

Otto touching the Church of the Nativity bell in Bethlehem, Israel.

A great heritage passed on for his children and grandchildren.

This beautiful painting (measuring 33" x 34" framed) by my father-in-law Otto Unzicker, "Bells of Bethlehem" was done in his Illinois basement in winter, around 1995. Otto is the father of Linda Baker-Skaggs, Judy Anderson, Laura Jean Martin and grandfather of Josh Martin, Ben Martin, Hannah Avalos, Christen N Andrew Blade, and many of our nephews and nieces.

We know that this specific painting of Otto won 2nd prize in the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois, date unknown. The 14" ribbon hangs behind the painting. I believe it also won first place in a Mendota, Illinois fair contest. I know some of his other paintings certainly did!

His artwork, including three other originals, now so gratefully hang in our home in the Charlotte, NC area. It won 2nd prize in the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois, date unknown. The 14" ribbon hangs behind the painting.

Thank you Otto, my father-in-law, and Christian brother, above all! Blessings are certainly on ye head in heaven now, since 2006!

Blessings on ye heads!

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

"Bells of Bethlehem" hangs in our home.

- painting by Otto Unzicker

Alaskan Cruise with Gaither Vocal Band - Aug. 2015

Alaskan Cruise with Gaither Vocal Band - Aug. 2015

Bill & Gloria Gaither, Steve & Laurie Martin 

Laurie and I were blessed to join her sister, Linda and husband Dick Skaggs, on the Gaither Vocal Band Alaskan Cruise Aug. 2-9, 2015. We flew from Charlotte to Seattle, where we boarded the Holland America Amsterdam with about 1500 others. Stopping at the port cities of Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, Alaska, along with Victoria, British Columbia Canada, we enjoyed the seven-day trip.

In concert each day, along with the Gaither Vocal Band, were The Martins, The Isaacs, Angel Primm, Buddy Greene, Charlotte Ritchie, Russ Taff, Gene McDonald, Wesley Pritchard and more.

We saw the Lord's creation of glaciers, whales, eagles, sea lions, otters, and King salmon.

I shot over 900 photos and 20 videos, which can be seen on my Facebook page (martinlighthouse) and You Tube (loveforhispeople).

Blessings!

Steve & Laurie

 Singers included The Martins, The Isaacs, Ladye Love Smith, Charlotte Ritchie and Angela Primm.

 The Martins - Jonathan, Joyce and Judy

 David Phelps, of the Gaither Vocal Band

 Mountain goats along the Tracy Arm route

 Humpback whale near Juneau, Alaska

 Glacier at Tracy Arm

 King Salmon preparing to spawn in Sitka, Alaska

 Orca Point near Juneau, Alaska

American Eagle at Raptor Center in Sitka, Alaska

 Steve, Laurie, Dick and Linda enjoying fresh salmon.

Final stop in Victoria, British Columbia Canada

Lorraine Unzicker's 92nd birthday...with her great grandson Jack Blade

Great Grandma Lorraine Unzicker on her 92nd birthday

with great grandson Jack Blade

Mazel Tov!

On Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, we celebrated Lorraine Unzicker's 92nd birthday. My good wife Laurie, her daughter, hosted the kids, grandkids, great grandkids and her sister Linda Baker-Skaggs (Champaign-Urbana, Illinois) for the celebration at our house.

Lorraine lives in Peru, Illinois, in the same house for the last 54+ years. (Same house Laurie grew up in.) Her husband, Otto Unzicker, our father/father-in-law, is rejoicing in heaven, as she gets closer to that time when she will be there herself. 

Lorraine enjoyed the evening very much! Blessings on ye head Lorraine!

With our ahava love,

Steve Martin

Lorraine and Jack Blade 
(son of Christen Lorraine Martin Blade and Andrew Blade)

92 and counting...

Laurie cutting the cake. 

Our grandson Logan Martin looking on.

Lorraine with great-grandson Jack, 

with great-granddaughter Dylan Joy Martin

watching in amazement. 

Lorraine's oldest daughter Linda Baker-Skaggs

Lorraine's granddaughter (our daughter) Hannah Martin (on the right) is getting married Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. Her longtime good friend Tabitha Lafferty, from Minneapolis (by way of Florida) flew down to be in the wedding party.