And Then There Were Three

I got the kids up at 6:30 and while they dressed and got ready to leave for their trip to Puerto Rico, I made chocolate chip pancakes. But we were out of syrup. Well, I thought we were. We actually had a very small amount of maple syrup and we did have a brand new bottle of Karo syrup in the baking cabinet. So, that worked! The kids love chocolate chip pancakes and I knew they would enjoy those this morning. I was right.

Once they were dressed, fed, and ready to go, Bruce and I had a time of prayer with them and then we were off!

We stood around waiting to board the bus and everyone chatted, hugged, told plane crash stories, bomb threat stories, etc.

They'll be hiking through a rain forest so Bruce gave our kids a piece of advice..."Walk in the middle of the group so if anything jumps out to bite, they get someone on the outside of the group. And remember....you don't have to outrun anything. Just the person you're with." Yeah, that's good advice from their dad, huh? lol

Time for a group pic!


Next was checking to make sure everyone had their IDs.


Then it was hug time! This is Taylor and her mom, Kim.


Time to board the bus!!


Jeremy saying goodbye to his Grandma H


Jeremy, Parker, and Justin....what is up with Justin's smile?? LOL


Hannah got on the bus when told and then got stuck when she wanted to give us a hug, so Bruce and I hopped on the bus too. There was no way our little girl was leaving without that hug!!!

Of course, we weren't the only parents hopping the bus for hugs! (Rebecca and Jamie)


Mrs. Marla was driving the bus to the airport. Between driving that big bus and her daughter flying out today also, looks like she's already losing her mind!!

We're gonna miss those younguns! We're praying they'll have a great time with their church family and our missionary. But most of all, that the Lord will show them what the mission field is all about and give them a vision and love for lost souls.

THIS JUST IN: Hannah called on Justin's cell to say hello. They were getting ready to eat at a Sizzler there in Puerto Rico! Sure was good to hear that little voice.

Greer Baptist Camp Meeting 2008

Last night our choir helped kick off the first night of the 61st annual Greer Baptist Camp Meeting. Pam was my bus buddy.


Mander and Chris sat in front of us. They were celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary. I've heard tell that after you've been married a while, you begin to look like each other. Boy is that every true with them!

The bus ride was fun and we made it to the meeting just in time to grab our seats. Brother Joe Arthur is the moderator of this meeting and it is always a joy to be in any service he is at.

Our Pastor led the opening prayer.

Harrison was going to video tape our choir singing, but I had the camera on the wrong mode and he didn't know how to correct that. So, maybe next year!

Offering time!

Brother Tom Sexton from Florida preached the service. It was a GREAT message. God Loves You, But Does He Like You? Wow! The sermon was as great as the title. I'll share the notes on that one day this week.

God's people under the tabernacle.

After the service, those who wanted to, gathered for refreshments and fellowship. I made Chris and Mander share an anniversary kiss. Well, I say I made them, but it didn't take much coaxing. Isn't that sweet?

And then, of course, Justin was ever ready for a silly picture.


Don't ask...

The preaching and the fellowship came to an end and it was time to board the bus. Thank you, Brother Greg for, once again, taking us there and back safely!

Graduation Night

We had a service last night in honor of our graduates. Of course, we don't let "special" services like that interfere with meetin'. Normally I would be in the choir, but for some reason thought the graduates would be honored before the choir sang. So I stayed in the congregation to take pictures for a couple of moms who did not have their camera. I quickly learned that I was mistaken. The choir did sing first. This is Brother Johnny singing I'm Not Ashamed. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Liz saw me taking the picture. I meant to ask her, but forgot. So, Liz, did you see that?


When the choir came down the youth choir sang and THEN it was time to honor the graduates.
First were the kindergarten graduates. Each of them are awarded a KJV Bible, signed by Pastor. This is Brooke.


Pretty Gracie


And handsome Kayson!


There were four high school graduates honored, receiving a beautiful Scofield Bible from Pastor, but my batteries went dead. I was so upset! Mark, John, and Ethan are in our SIGMA program and we love them so much. We're praying they seek the Lord's will for their lives. The fourth graduate was Christopher. Christopher is a special young man in our church. When he was born, they said he would never live past the age of nine. And now he's a high school graduate. He does have a learning disability. Every once in a while when Pastor is preaching, we'll hear him shout, "Pweach!" When it was his turn to say something, he smiled that big smile of his, leaned into the mic and yelled, "Pweach!" I don't know about everybody else, but that tore me up! It tore Pastor up too.

Then it was time for the college graduates. There were two of them. Jonathan, our Associate Pastor's son, just graduated from Crown College in Tennessee. We are VERY proud of Jonathan. I decided to try my camera again and it was when I took this shot of Jonathan that my camera finally killed over.

The second college graduate was Jennifer. She and Jonathan are getting married this fall. She has worked very hard, putting four years of nursing school into two so they could get married. I believe they are going to do things for God in a great way together.

Graduation is not the end of a path ,
but a stepping stone to the next level. Make each step count for
God.

Memorial Day Weekend

First of all, a BIG THANK YOU to all of our Veterans who have served and are
serving on land, in air, and at sea to fight and protect the freedoms we enjoy
today! We appreciate every single one of you.

I hope y'all had a great Memorial Day weekend. We sure did.


Several of us got together for a trip to Dollywood. Dollywood was good, but the fellowship was the best for me. And the ride up and back was hilarious.

We checked into our hotel, went to lunch at Duff's, and then headed to Dollywood.



How come they don't make these strollers for adults? Bruce and I were wondering.



First stop....carousel! As you can see, Celine loved it.



Pam and Amanda


Bruce and Jordan


Woo Hoo! This was Celine's first time on this big ride. She was a little nervous, but we rode together and she laughed and squealed the whole time.


Bruce and me and Pam rode this disc ride. It wasn't scary, but it was, hmmm.......belly churning. While the disc took you back and forth on the coaster rails, it would spin you around. Some of our group were several rides away and knew where we were from our screams.


The lines weren't too bad. We waited the longest here at the water ride. I took this picture from a small hole in the wall where we were standing in line.





We just can't seem to go anywhere without Bruce getting into trouble. Whatever will I do with him?


Pam and me


Kelly bought some flip flops...several pairs.

Brother Brad killed over when he heard of all the shopping Kelly had done in the park.

Harrison was dirty, so he stopped for a shower.

Harrison rode the Thunderhead Roller coaster with Brother Brad and then he rode it with me later in the day. I was really proud of him, even though it scared him slap to death. I have a picture I'll have to scan for ya. It'll crack....you....up!

We had fun in the park. But all good things come to an end. Before we knew it, it was time to go. When we got back to the hotel we decided to go eat.

Abigale wanted a nap! Look at those sleepy eyes.

Pam waiting by her door until Brother Joel came with an actual working key.


We ate at the Texas Roadhouse. Cameron was lovin' those rolls and butter.

But after a several hour road trip, fun at Dollywood, and getting his little belly filled, the little guy just couldn't make it any longer.

After supper, we went back to the hotel to help Brother Chris celebrate his 30th birthday. He loves golf, so Mander had Mrs. Amy make him this birthday cake. Isn't it great?

He really liked it.

The cake was delish! We had ice cream sandwiches to go with it.

Elizabeth ate her cake and then disappeared. Later we found out she went straight to the room and passed out from exhaustion. It was a long day for the babies. ;)

The little girls were playing ring around the rosie and other games, having a marvelous time.

And some of the kids were swimming.

We had a really good time and enjoyed the fellowship so much.

Sunday morning our Veteran's Memorial Wall was unveiled. It was touching to see the soldiers who have served and are serving now. And yes, I cried when the ushers unveiled it.

Top row, third from left to the end is Bruce's daddy (Navy), Bruce (Air Force), Bruce's brother Mitch (Navy) and Bruce's Uncle Carvel (Navy).

Top row second from left and third from left is my daddy (Air Force) and my brother, John (Navy.) I didn't see my brother Larry's picture up there. He had served in the Army. I'm guessing mom wasn't able to get a picture of him to Brother Cohen, who put the Memorial Wall together.

My sweetie with a few other "front porch boys."

Sunday night we ate El Titanic with the Ross and Rohrer family. I just couldn't resist asking if I could have my picture taken in the restaurant's sombrero.

After dinner, I took "the lady's" home while Bruce and Brother Rohrer took the boys to Wal Mart to pick up some things needed for the Memorial Day picnic we were having Monday with our Sunday school class.

We met at Brother Brian and Mrs. Amy's house Monday afternoon and had a wonderful time. This is Tammy, our Sunday school teacher, cuttin' maters for the burgers.

Mom and dad aren't in our Young Married class, but they're the resident grandparents and parents of everyone in our class, so they came too. Along with their patriotic rocking chairs. They were content to sit and watch us play kick ball.

Content to watch.....until the go-cart was brought out, that is. Mom couldn't wait for Hannah to ride her around the field.

Daddy was next. He was not as enthusiastic as mother, but he got in and made Hannah happy.

Joseph sat in the little tykes car falling asleep. He fought with his brother Isaac for the driver's seat and won. Then decided it was time to just sit and relax.


Maw Maw and Ethan went inside for a cold drink of soda and Enfamil.

Joseph woke up for Bruce to push him up and down the field. Bruce was ready for a nap after that!

Isaac liked the fact that drinks were so easily accessible.

Motorcycles were also on the list of activities, thanks to Brother Todd. Hannah loved it and is now waiting for us to get HER one!

Nicole


Harrison waited patiently for someone to ride him on the go-cart or motorcycle. That's Jamie and Bailey behind him.

Joseph and Alanna managed to persuade Brother Todd into pushing the car around the field for them. See that field?

Little Abigale had a blast riding with her mommy in the go-cart while Cheyenne jumped hills and dodged kick balls, footballs, and softballs. Yep....perfectly safe day!

Mrs. Amy's feet got a little dirty......

...but Celine's feet got REALLY DIRTY! She could grow corn between those toes.

That was our Memorial Day weekend. What did you do?