tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59680728085305087612024-03-13T23:03:12.908-07:00Building Bridges for ChristKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-88466145841760782122013-04-29T19:52:00.003-07:002013-04-29T20:01:35.046-07:00From the Film Studio<br />
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMcn29Uj-WYr74zVPh9jsf18_KbM0rXVXQRmn9gxavulABdv3If-ocPJWtDKWXfF8XjwQkS5xGMp-CmU-IHU5zCGd6BY9oaAzDzpQJbnHRTEO5dvGzvVdDIUHtfFy4GbWdvmB7J8eNPY/s400/spring-summer+2013+293.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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It is hard to believe that the filming for the Scripture Talk DVD is now completed!!<br />
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It’s
a weird mix of emotions…..total relief and excitement, mixed with the
inevitable “let down” that comes from having poured your life into one
avenue for 6 long months. <br />
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Yet there is joy in seeing how very
much the Lord accomplished during these past 2 weeks, as we lived nearly
every waking moment in our church building (a.k.a. film studio).<br />
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Below
are several pictures to show a few highlights of our time with
filmmaker Alex Lerma and his crew, along with 50 children and several
teachers.<br />
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The natural question now is “what next??” We’re actually asking the same question over here :), but here is what we know so far.<br />
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The
next few months will find us in frequent contact with our filmmaker as
he systematically works through the hours of footage that he recorded,
and sends it over to us for our suggestions and advice in the editing
process. There will most likely be 3 drafts of edits completed before
the product is finished. The estimated date that the DVD will be ready
for printing and distribution is July or August. <br />
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Our family has much work to be done on our end as we
research the options available to us for distributing the DVD. We would
appreciate your prayers as we move into this next step with a whole lot
more questions than answers! :)<br />
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To God be the glory! He has done
great things!<br />
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We
had all ages of children involved in quoting Scripture for the
filming.....the youngest was 2 years, and the oldest was 17 years! </div>
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Getting ready for filming...... </div>
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.....During filming...... </div>
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......And after filming.....relief and elation! :) </div>
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Those present at the "film studio" could watch everything that happened on a large screen as footage was being recorded. Sometimes, the kiddos on the screen were so cute that taking a picture was inevitable..... :)</div>
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Each Scripture passage had a teaching segment that went with it, explaining how the children could apply it to their lives. Here, the twin team teaches together on 1 Corinthians 13! :) </div>
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More teachers and more fun :)<br />
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<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf-LiRy9xKkISoPmUS1NzzXrXW8gcXgcCrA9KoC7STq66abPfiaS5vJpI4KqPsXw_MZy9lYVZ2rjBNkpcbA-T1hsWwQQjTsF9uxeosEjpxLVzRcpz-xlvR-wP08ZvmrFrKqqY_BEXpps/s400/spring-summer+2013+364.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Yup. We're ready! <br />
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Great helpers and friends! <br />
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One of the highlights for me during the filming process was hearing interviews from parents as they shared their insights on Scripture memory, and discussed their children's responses to memorizing God's Word. <br />
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We had an incredible filmmaker and crew....Alex Lerma (middle), along with his assistants Amelia and Micah (second from left, and far right). Working with strong Christians who believed in our project was a huge blessing! </div>
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Children of all ages memorizing God's Word - hiding living power in their hearts and minds. What can be more exciting than that?? </div>
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-74401130866714262842013-03-09T06:44:00.002-08:002013-03-09T06:45:58.216-08:00A New Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Introducing.........</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Bridges family's latest project!!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord has given us the idea of producing a DVD to help children memorize Scripture with hand motions, and after a year or more of dreaming and planning and praying, we are moving forward! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We've already filmed a small portion of the DVD (a pilot project over the first weekend in February - see pictures below), and the rest of the filming will happen in April. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Interested to learn more? Hop on over <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1042646068/scripture-talk-a-dvd-making-bible-memory-fun-for-c">HERE</a> to see a 4-minute promotional video, and view more details about the project. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Excited? Great! Help us spread the word!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And most importantly, we covet your prayers as we move forward into this all-encompassing, sometimes-overwhelming, but always exciting! world of film making We are trusting the Lord for His wisdom, and we know that He has given us the mind of Christ. </span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><i><b>"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." ~ Jer 29:11</b></i></span></div>
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-84609191804186735132012-09-29T13:21:00.000-07:002012-09-29T13:26:01.681-07:00Newsflash - We're Back!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe5lYamPPTrvmm1dxnin9cv69yoaU8vsNOXJeA1n2i_p7QkE4iLFev-UVG73c632HMSubxwri2r7m3txKIg_mMWNdpLMrEB73siaNhUw-V4IG4S1gBWGvwPZaSJWH2fT7awvd4HOD_zU/s1600/20120720_071411_16342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Hello, and welcome to the Bridges family blog, where we write at the staggering rate of a whopping 2 posts per year.<br />
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<i>*smile*</i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorrDByecX92i4UflW-E4H21LcF6SLcUhyphenhyphentLEjx4papT8KQDikUmRDwrdgVHZQZ3J2hE91Q5e4q38AsR7rmyzj0pmMXIShTgXeIU2NZr2G2oQFpUNBpDNplnVWkvXdyoRk9IVd59LNsZo/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorrDByecX92i4UflW-E4H21LcF6SLcUhyphenhyphentLEjx4papT8KQDikUmRDwrdgVHZQZ3J2hE91Q5e4q38AsR7rmyzj0pmMXIShTgXeIU2NZr2G2oQFpUNBpDNplnVWkvXdyoRk9IVd59LNsZo/s320/IMG_3858.jpg" width="320" /></a> </i><br />
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For those who have give up on ever hearing an update from our family again - - SURPRISE! :) Below is a little "report" on the highlight of our year......helping to host a girl's conference for 1100 girls and moms. We serve an awesome God, Who alone deserves all glory and honor. May our lives reflect His light more and more each day, as we strive to love Him with all our hearts. This is our prayer for each of you, our friends, as well! <br />
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In December of 2011, I emailed the Mally family, who head up a ministry called Tomorrow's Forefathers, (www.tomorrowsforefathers.com). This family and their staff have ministered to thousands of girls all over the world through their girls' conferences and Bright Lights follow-up Bible study curriculum. Though the Mally's have held conferences all over the United States, they had never been to Texas, and I wanted to bring them here!<br />
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Their response to me informed me that another girl (her name was Haley) was one step ahead of me - she had already contacted them, wanting to host a conference in the Dallas area. And so began many months of planning together, hundreds of emails and phone calls, developing relationships, learning new skills, being stretched in our walk of faith, and growing in our relationship with the Lord.<br />
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Though Haley and her family took much of the load for organizing the conference, our family was delighted to come alongside them as much as possible. Together, Haley and I called 40 + churches to find a facility that would agree to host the conference. Finally, we found the perfect church in Carrollton, and a date was set for late July. This conference was really going to happen!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe5lYamPPTrvmm1dxnin9cv69yoaU8vsNOXJeA1n2i_p7QkE4iLFev-UVG73c632HMSubxwri2r7m3txKIg_mMWNdpLMrEB73siaNhUw-V4IG4S1gBWGvwPZaSJWH2fT7awvd4HOD_zU/s1600/20120720_071411_16342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe5lYamPPTrvmm1dxnin9cv69yoaU8vsNOXJeA1n2i_p7QkE4iLFev-UVG73c632HMSubxwri2r7m3txKIg_mMWNdpLMrEB73siaNhUw-V4IG4S1gBWGvwPZaSJWH2fT7awvd4HOD_zU/s400/20120720_071411_16342.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
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1200 registrations later, we were in awe as the Lord kept bringing these moms and daughters. The church was maxed out, but we never had to turn a single person away. Excitement mounted as the first session began, and Sarah Mally, the main speaker, shared vision with each girl to "choose to be strong for the Lord in your youth!'<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU1dkxyI9Wi2yX3cCp27MdUxrmWZggYBQdmE3qtbJJ0koCAje6_Ltr9GDLBiX8iHHOk5xJYOqcdXJmK6pUEjsyAgNq0-6RfllrmzwnTEj6IEJ81AOl9je2iOu1_AMsLIS8nD9Km_4x-g/s1600/20120724_181444_16341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU1dkxyI9Wi2yX3cCp27MdUxrmWZggYBQdmE3qtbJJ0koCAje6_Ltr9GDLBiX8iHHOk5xJYOqcdXJmK6pUEjsyAgNq0-6RfllrmzwnTEj6IEJ81AOl9je2iOu1_AMsLIS8nD9Km_4x-g/s400/20120724_181444_16341.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
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There was much beautiful singing and music throughout the week....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfkBDcynG-49Yh3in90IsPcrU4o0lBAfrOHHb4Q4Mr5Qo2KxXmKNn2Gvpq4NS2-rAQalrY7djTjbcMXb_2BlfOCAAfIVOV3QnCn0X_bY2fyefAeHL6VLCX9J6-DJr_btoMSGFhskJ4ow/s1600/20120727_055251_16527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfkBDcynG-49Yh3in90IsPcrU4o0lBAfrOHHb4Q4Mr5Qo2KxXmKNn2Gvpq4NS2-rAQalrY7djTjbcMXb_2BlfOCAAfIVOV3QnCn0X_bY2fyefAeHL6VLCX9J6-DJr_btoMSGFhskJ4ow/s400/20120727_055251_16527.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
As well as hilarious skits! :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEqtTuJXGgxpnIMSkMQcLvspwXqi1s6GtfJ6w35n6r7JLh2YJjnv5BVs8cM8tVa1pHFdx1D0AfkCNF5dSejOJfw5Z3VfY_M01zTVK8OeaWV9IPtWqymgDZ4y802Rp3z7VKJB-SNwLzFM/s1600/summer+2012+256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEqtTuJXGgxpnIMSkMQcLvspwXqi1s6GtfJ6w35n6r7JLh2YJjnv5BVs8cM8tVa1pHFdx1D0AfkCNF5dSejOJfw5Z3VfY_M01zTVK8OeaWV9IPtWqymgDZ4y802Rp3z7VKJB-SNwLzFM/s400/summer+2012+256.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Christa and I were each excited to be a leader of a breakout group throughout the conference. Christa led 10 and 11 year-old's, and I led 13 and 14 year-old's. Both of us were stretched as we learned to depend ONLY on the Lord's strength and wisdom. Each of us had about 20 girls on our team, and we definitely needed the Lord's leading each step of the way!<br />
Here is me with my team....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCk6B-8AJVTcixtGYKDzywrQwPZzCwEBCQoQZXgDnLuplrzE_D5kv4kC-EHY9Ov7yWNr0iM0__5A_cbYpg59msZbjSUtkzvKv1uf8-KtXI5D1MjRDSGCDYr7GKRWyVwfdEUGRSyfKtGQ/s1600/summer+2012+260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCk6B-8AJVTcixtGYKDzywrQwPZzCwEBCQoQZXgDnLuplrzE_D5kv4kC-EHY9Ov7yWNr0iM0__5A_cbYpg59msZbjSUtkzvKv1uf8-KtXI5D1MjRDSGCDYr7GKRWyVwfdEUGRSyfKtGQ/s400/summer+2012+260.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AJ5AYAnPwjnqHiIFRtOT6a9sCD91ZMavSfr2Ap8KgxC1y_lSa-frQpXCk5M5K4K-PI-MUQTsTlFr0kp1o_Ksp5ADaVc4qOMd6uvzrFhGojrGoM8Xrm48-QoOlEupSGTdMqyt6j9bvSw/s1600/summer+2012+268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AJ5AYAnPwjnqHiIFRtOT6a9sCD91ZMavSfr2Ap8KgxC1y_lSa-frQpXCk5M5K4K-PI-MUQTsTlFr0kp1o_Ksp5ADaVc4qOMd6uvzrFhGojrGoM8Xrm48-QoOlEupSGTdMqyt6j9bvSw/s400/summer+2012+268.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
And Christa with her team....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5JvDfv2_zo-5r0EF9HjHiST0_ih2W099j6g9UjIGI0WcIrqyTBtoYrZSHSk3HPmWB21JZXcQehw2kcORFTqIZE6qu4Zf-N8xgmGMAJpWV9kUXuvly6jjBQKsHYbtWAwrczHMp3VIJfU/s1600/summer+2012+262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5JvDfv2_zo-5r0EF9HjHiST0_ih2W099j6g9UjIGI0WcIrqyTBtoYrZSHSk3HPmWB21JZXcQehw2kcORFTqIZE6qu4Zf-N8xgmGMAJpWV9kUXuvly6jjBQKsHYbtWAwrczHMp3VIJfU/s400/summer+2012+262.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
I also was able to share my testimony during one of the large groups time (while Sarah Mally did a "chalk talk"), and was so thankful to have that opportunity!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5RgEerOaMp_v5p3wRoXkw3oYO3eSN9YdJzDDE7sAA7bdFiDWDCtRHz_Pyeh5p4I7gv3Zf8G0HrZ8Kp_ED1DPKHN71yTmvqNSRvZDtM6mLoU9aGXFuEWxzpuBeHoukUsLwX5PVap2rjU/s1600/IMG_0667+-+Sized.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5RgEerOaMp_v5p3wRoXkw3oYO3eSN9YdJzDDE7sAA7bdFiDWDCtRHz_Pyeh5p4I7gv3Zf8G0HrZ8Kp_ED1DPKHN71yTmvqNSRvZDtM6mLoU9aGXFuEWxzpuBeHoukUsLwX5PVap2rjU/s400/IMG_0667+-+Sized.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKYA5zyg0V00gAf8ppctTi2anvsVKWJeDczD9NjsyTj9VjdBhyphenhyphenN6iTzizw11D9M2W4lHYyqXb96NoS2FkT81QqZrw8OUDwFx4lffHsjjtMgId02jBK9dveSX9srghHLZEkHgk6URiRCY/s1600/20120720_202208_16348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKYA5zyg0V00gAf8ppctTi2anvsVKWJeDczD9NjsyTj9VjdBhyphenhyphenN6iTzizw11D9M2W4lHYyqXb96NoS2FkT81QqZrw8OUDwFx4lffHsjjtMgId02jBK9dveSX9srghHLZEkHgk6URiRCY/s400/20120720_202208_16348.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
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The conference ended, but opportunities for follow-up were just beginning! Since the conference, we have been thrilled to host a leader's training seminar in our home for older girls who are interested in leading a Bright Lights group (a discipleship group for girls ages 8 to 13 yrs).....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2-UAKZlJHG-4vmZSKdkt_d4w0krVq8poRhLRMiKzIL1zJcdUx_z_kgCYmCKrIKAgH_tYZTWAo3sB73gOOVfnhvx82TvYe_vKsE6HFzX5fllGTvC2Rh2rExvloVivZ4M0wgWYSic7_V8/s1600/summer+2012+510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2-UAKZlJHG-4vmZSKdkt_d4w0krVq8poRhLRMiKzIL1zJcdUx_z_kgCYmCKrIKAgH_tYZTWAo3sB73gOOVfnhvx82TvYe_vKsE6HFzX5fllGTvC2Rh2rExvloVivZ4M0wgWYSic7_V8/s400/summer+2012+510.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
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We have seen 4 new groups start up in the area, and there is potential for several more!<br />
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God is good.......who are we, that He would choose to use us and give us opportunities like these? "For of him, and through him, and to him, <i>are</i> all things: to whom <i>be</i> glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:36) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDOw6utgEsDrRgHhedFxANwhCf2xMYOPz78dadoAfZOQZKQNBYyPvLZkEG9OOoxabOR-Tw7eQXtlK4fGWolCM63uWa_PYrxHr-gYzO5Z9zSUOf5deIJRSEOYqWQ8C47PsX5PO_F7CZ1o/s1600/20120727_063900_16528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDOw6utgEsDrRgHhedFxANwhCf2xMYOPz78dadoAfZOQZKQNBYyPvLZkEG9OOoxabOR-Tw7eQXtlK4fGWolCM63uWa_PYrxHr-gYzO5Z9zSUOf5deIJRSEOYqWQ8C47PsX5PO_F7CZ1o/s400/20120727_063900_16528.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-67309687168185540542012-02-11T14:53:00.001-08:002012-02-13T18:46:52.752-08:00We're Alive!Yes, we're alive and we're well! Only our blog is not! :) In these past few months, the Lord has taught us much, and drawn us closer to Himself. He does all things well. We pray that He has been real to each of you, and that you have known His goodness in your life.<br /><br />One of the highlights of these past few months has been taking my (Kate's) piano students to play for residents of a nursing home. Music is a gift, and what better place to share it than with the lonely and often forgotten? It brought joy to my heart to see the paradox of nervous thrill in each of my students, as they discovered the joy of doing a difficult yet worthwhile thing. From the six-year-old playing the great all time classic "Old MacDonald," :) to the nineteen-year-old playing "Be Thou My Vision," we all found much joy in sharing our music with the elderly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ETfEAZ19xYqOKgWpOiGL0TdXs-gjIjKJkIb0fW0MD8GpN-smJHhyphenhyphenmv2ZF_AyqDHA9ru4-wR0va7Amb_s5Rf9aU-jwWJfmPwJWFnZ8SEZbEIx4RLkwcAXqC8HQTP9Zo25jW4hyphenhyphenPqYZUk/s1600/DSC01718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ETfEAZ19xYqOKgWpOiGL0TdXs-gjIjKJkIb0fW0MD8GpN-smJHhyphenhyphenmv2ZF_AyqDHA9ru4-wR0va7Amb_s5Rf9aU-jwWJfmPwJWFnZ8SEZbEIx4RLkwcAXqC8HQTP9Zo25jW4hyphenhyphenPqYZUk/s400/DSC01718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708811784935366834" border="0" /></a>The residents were incredibly warm and welcoming! They sang along to the tunes they knew, and clapped their hands or tapped their feet to the ones they didn't. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJlZFRjoQZr12s1SKOYb5-KXufGAZucAZTetfPWbIpjncjqTkr3vaBy_ENkWbVYoWS0En21F92gLqJFDifop60AJPjN52WOJcklI5RgQeZnhlSR1KFcIbPxRsBxMiqGGFz11ELTdCmbQ/s1600/DSC01732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJlZFRjoQZr12s1SKOYb5-KXufGAZucAZTetfPWbIpjncjqTkr3vaBy_ENkWbVYoWS0En21F92gLqJFDifop60AJPjN52WOJcklI5RgQeZnhlSR1KFcIbPxRsBxMiqGGFz11ELTdCmbQ/s400/DSC01732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708815343900815650" border="0" /></a>The duets are always a fun part of every recital...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsEx7bQHeuRf7stV2jpAB65a2SDO0pw54pUvZTEXzO92ZshNp5NKUBJUeQ8czyEjVRqogEhmvV2ANwyOACFCs6ReqLYNk3ri-c2XNCuIyfhc1BviZkWanC1-QANATK0gpgst3e_I6QvE/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsEx7bQHeuRf7stV2jpAB65a2SDO0pw54pUvZTEXzO92ZshNp5NKUBJUeQ8czyEjVRqogEhmvV2ANwyOACFCs6ReqLYNk3ri-c2XNCuIyfhc1BviZkWanC1-QANATK0gpgst3e_I6QvE/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708815376663411794" border="0" /></a>This time, it was so fun to have a couple of the moms play with their children. This is Landrey, whose repertoire included "Oh I Love Snack Time" and "Old MacDonald." Need I say that he was the hit of the program? :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLuyIrijIaNdua7c49J7MFMKN6nyzRlkRAAPKqDxXwSysFvr8iIch27pzs-mMt27TFvr2Y_vcT1L3-OOXZ2I2OYM3m4FN8eEcMPq6lfmYZsrlL8y6MfodZdJFW6i1zB2ptS9rKlyaNAg/s1600/DSC01725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLuyIrijIaNdua7c49J7MFMKN6nyzRlkRAAPKqDxXwSysFvr8iIch27pzs-mMt27TFvr2Y_vcT1L3-OOXZ2I2OYM3m4FN8eEcMPq6lfmYZsrlL8y6MfodZdJFW6i1zB2ptS9rKlyaNAg/s400/DSC01725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708815373827988578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3HfbCyKQehRtqFukSmvUv36i5KG6klgzTVrNUDUwbDOgMhyEppZmWBAtTRL6LWe6lCKZszjvORSnFlQMGqbZ2RfKzu5xJ2QuR2h0Wl6nQSDLL4_Y2k8t0C8lv4vEjm6O1vQCRcvisH0/s1600/DSC01751.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3HfbCyKQehRtqFukSmvUv36i5KG6klgzTVrNUDUwbDOgMhyEppZmWBAtTRL6LWe6lCKZszjvORSnFlQMGqbZ2RfKzu5xJ2QuR2h0Wl6nQSDLL4_Y2k8t0C8lv4vEjm6O1vQCRcvisH0/s400/DSC01751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708811819454607250" border="0" /></a>Most of the piano students - relieved and relaxed at last<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFWSXSqVzTcoxmXXQ3ARzCcSzBbNzlYH-K-WvIIAgrRaM1ftkp0BPjlDkQODGLxnOvYti4yZPNIqFwKNmIHSYFkrtyUljIlZ4vnqrjZV-clrQ9zgpSOWvRp02FUdsIyeqFww8nOFMDtY/s1600/DSC01726.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFWSXSqVzTcoxmXXQ3ARzCcSzBbNzlYH-K-WvIIAgrRaM1ftkp0BPjlDkQODGLxnOvYti4yZPNIqFwKNmIHSYFkrtyUljIlZ4vnqrjZV-clrQ9zgpSOWvRp02FUdsIyeqFww8nOFMDtY/s400/DSC01726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708811788745432354" border="0" /></a>Sweet Annabelle<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhyTUjW2-B0AD95fnIgPp9Jbyz7XwdaM5fY7P9dqixFlPjb_2EgfZFEWAxsvR60yvb-fvQ1SThHhm15FsAZDy9LXwKNkXmdknepCbHxG6iVqlE-QQHDtVzlkKQlGLzmdye_xO9BbZqRQ/s1600/DSC01753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhyTUjW2-B0AD95fnIgPp9Jbyz7XwdaM5fY7P9dqixFlPjb_2EgfZFEWAxsvR60yvb-fvQ1SThHhm15FsAZDy9LXwKNkXmdknepCbHxG6iVqlE-QQHDtVzlkKQlGLzmdye_xO9BbZqRQ/s400/DSC01753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708811825225799538" border="0" /></a>We met this woman after the program, and her sweet spirit shone just through her radiant smile. She loves the Lord and encouraged Christa and me to stay faithful to Him and keep a regular journal of the things He is showing us.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more updates...<br />Until then! :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-70351412580666353572011-07-07T16:43:00.001-07:002011-07-07T17:27:26.586-07:00Fireworks in Heaven :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUtk6nXt4sNlcRKQdTp3FMuc4_OhTIMxQqW7Fb7xaW0ttcTfsHCnA30oH8g4fe859gDCtzJgrdaC6iNGP6qj_Oozne-XQ27LhTAy46LOWrQGW8tLPirGGfb8KxfWW3JDzL4jBXyN3hB4/s1600/Summer+2011+291.jpg"></a><br />We have had many fun 4th of July weekends, but I think this past time will prove to be the most memorable for the Bridges family!<br /><br />As a tradition, we always go to a certain fireworks display on the 4th of July in Addison TX. People line the street for miles to see the fireworks. But everyone gets there around 5:00 or 6:00, because an an airshow complete with World War II airplanes always happens first.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUtk6nXt4sNlcRKQdTp3FMuc4_OhTIMxQqW7Fb7xaW0ttcTfsHCnA30oH8g4fe859gDCtzJgrdaC6iNGP6qj_Oozne-XQ27LhTAy46LOWrQGW8tLPirGGfb8KxfWW3JDzL4jBXyN3hB4/s1600/Summer+2011+291.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1fyG86Sw3jrWdMmGqYLnRbcEdGMlxrSqrCoMuHUdWJ1cDzWsRBUKBNY7dUOdRHF46UmugwRpKwu355DITs_oHjlWsd-RIffqevIbfD-s5gR86Pgz8ZSVYb6pslKpcZeeQobdjG2U8E/s1600/Summer+2011+280.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1fyG86Sw3jrWdMmGqYLnRbcEdGMlxrSqrCoMuHUdWJ1cDzWsRBUKBNY7dUOdRHF46UmugwRpKwu355DITs_oHjlWsd-RIffqevIbfD-s5gR86Pgz8ZSVYb6pslKpcZeeQobdjG2U8E/s400/Summer+2011+280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626765851261075522" border="0" /></a><br />This year, for the first time, we put 2 and 2 together: lots of people together in one place...sitting around with little else to do for several hours...probably lots of non Christians present...are you catching our drift?? A perfect place to go witnessing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgNdNsoXQGu1Rd4rCqjMI-8EdLQBDlWKzjUI5B9rVMS38uHo5k4WXr9mYFqPC1omMJXhWtQtTIXsL04eZDGHQO65k1uuxOYwLRJb0qZSbcVaWhpzhf7TDmScoH4rpMcq6Zd7PaR_kdsg/s1600/Summer+2011+281.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgNdNsoXQGu1Rd4rCqjMI-8EdLQBDlWKzjUI5B9rVMS38uHo5k4WXr9mYFqPC1omMJXhWtQtTIXsL04eZDGHQO65k1uuxOYwLRJb0qZSbcVaWhpzhf7TDmScoH4rpMcq6Zd7PaR_kdsg/s400/Summer+2011+281.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626765857177987090" border="0" /></a><br />The idea kept growing bigger. Why not give a class on evangelism one Sunday before the 4th of July, mobilize our whole church to come with us, then have these families join us in this outreach? We would ask the people there at the park to take surveys with us, leading into the Gospel, and then share Christ with the crowds at Addison Park.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62r79E15wXlIMLmHFSYigliJSrfuaG5bcjwp72IMh_w5PmK2LyDfksHVQAAargsw0MOmbO1V9SuZ3aUwOvEcPI5s-vZv6_DJjGwcG9y1dztepB2bTnZPtsLqAMbonfZE0gLErh72lb50/s1600/witnessing+July+4+%25282%2529"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62r79E15wXlIMLmHFSYigliJSrfuaG5bcjwp72IMh_w5PmK2LyDfksHVQAAargsw0MOmbO1V9SuZ3aUwOvEcPI5s-vZv6_DJjGwcG9y1dztepB2bTnZPtsLqAMbonfZE0gLErh72lb50/s400/witnessing+July+4+%25282%2529" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626761184780518386" border="0" /></a><br />We expected a couple families to show up to join us. But when the evening came, there were more than 40 people there! We were thrilled. Witnessing is not an easy thing to do. Were we nervous? Is the pope Catholic?? :) Was it easy? Definitely not! But worth it? Absolutely!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjnP995YWFrrznGjcqMlDqRq31HzVnJfJCYQDi7CiSxqd2Q3YIpGqKPgnAOxCEkpvMdH4QRKuPVIuAWyzGxqa2zN23eb55LjG0cC08r21rREQwEZ_zNiSuHBPZPw6Alh7V_SNfh_d7ic/s1600/witnessing+July+4"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjnP995YWFrrznGjcqMlDqRq31HzVnJfJCYQDi7CiSxqd2Q3YIpGqKPgnAOxCEkpvMdH4QRKuPVIuAWyzGxqa2zN23eb55LjG0cC08r21rREQwEZ_zNiSuHBPZPw6Alh7V_SNfh_d7ic/s400/witnessing+July+4" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626761181154716258" border="0" /></a><br />What a joy to see young children and experienced adults alike engaging in conversations to share the Gospel! We were so encouraged by the conversations we were able to have. We know that whether every person we talked to spit in our faces and told us to get lost (thankfully that never happened!! :)) or whether we led 10 people to Christ, we laid up treasure in heaven, planted seeds, and pleased our Lord. All we can do is to be faithful to plant the seed, and leave the results entirely up to Him!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrmh_ZveyEF0g8h-XQ6J5L3K73TZVA9y4O_pujWRi4SOsZIITS7sWMWegk0Lvg5JAEyL04Yg5E9Zb8A90MAS53exzY_Bl0cmhhMfZnZTdVlCpPXxL13HTMrAJ880dqemw7CCnPFHSKzs/s1600/Summer+2011+287.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrmh_ZveyEF0g8h-XQ6J5L3K73TZVA9y4O_pujWRi4SOsZIITS7sWMWegk0Lvg5JAEyL04Yg5E9Zb8A90MAS53exzY_Bl0cmhhMfZnZTdVlCpPXxL13HTMrAJ880dqemw7CCnPFHSKzs/s400/Summer+2011+287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626765860682053154" border="0" /></a>After an hour and a half of witnessing, we joined back together at a designated place and had a time of sharing and praising the Lord together for what He had done that night.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUtk6nXt4sNlcRKQdTp3FMuc4_OhTIMxQqW7Fb7xaW0ttcTfsHCnA30oH8g4fe859gDCtzJgrdaC6iNGP6qj_Oozne-XQ27LhTAy46LOWrQGW8tLPirGGfb8KxfWW3JDzL4jBXyN3hB4/s1600/Summer+2011+291.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUtk6nXt4sNlcRKQdTp3FMuc4_OhTIMxQqW7Fb7xaW0ttcTfsHCnA30oH8g4fe859gDCtzJgrdaC6iNGP6qj_Oozne-XQ27LhTAy46LOWrQGW8tLPirGGfb8KxfWW3JDzL4jBXyN3hB4/s400/Summer+2011+291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626765881713943042" border="0" /></a><br />Thankful for friends who encourage us in the Lord!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooKUigoEOXzpXGylaqeINob39O_ndc4GE7OZvT-eWUDbifjZQoPMh6fzq4Zj54o1z_tNj91prnier1V4KrMS5bXP3KDANSZQmdqN4VJ3wctNcA4qfUzVZi4TF0MGINn-eYd2QQfdjWl4/s1600/Summer+2011+293.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooKUigoEOXzpXGylaqeINob39O_ndc4GE7OZvT-eWUDbifjZQoPMh6fzq4Zj54o1z_tNj91prnier1V4KrMS5bXP3KDANSZQmdqN4VJ3wctNcA4qfUzVZi4TF0MGINn-eYd2QQfdjWl4/s400/Summer+2011+293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626765869800872482" border="0" /></a><br />May this night be the turning point for each of us to develop a lifestyle of sharing Christ with the lost! We are excited to see His work!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjnP995YWFrrznGjcqMlDqRq31HzVnJfJCYQDi7CiSxqd2Q3YIpGqKPgnAOxCEkpvMdH4QRKuPVIuAWyzGxqa2zN23eb55LjG0cC08r21rREQwEZ_zNiSuHBPZPw6Alh7V_SNfh_d7ic/s1600/witnessing+July+4"><br /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-13331764490338200082011-06-18T11:15:00.000-07:002011-06-22T20:32:35.836-07:00First Piano RecitalA time of memories...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hosxYlqmxG6LND61x2dQRRpbN0yDZbWdXTpQ7tucxi4Y9jxKs8uo_dxPO-IslnCsfIBx_-TG34wNLxX-NyAX9BdyzqT-Yz87dp2ttMHyOr0dD8XTKKcp1hpEItR49s5M_5U7grOlbHg/s1600/Spring+2011+232.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hosxYlqmxG6LND61x2dQRRpbN0yDZbWdXTpQ7tucxi4Y9jxKs8uo_dxPO-IslnCsfIBx_-TG34wNLxX-NyAX9BdyzqT-Yz87dp2ttMHyOr0dD8XTKKcp1hpEItR49s5M_5U7grOlbHg/s400/Spring+2011+232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627709082147618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A time of laughter...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MJsuL9bwYyh3IkNCLkwMP_Ed5b7tzqCBNsqEHRUj36JZF8vOvDZ90wHruhhOLWtp8ylpbTYOxLBymAbbJxHgfHwt7ywS6VtkCDRqh5Wq6mpsfFViDBq3hrOJP_-tYe3e-0et8wVT58g/s1600/Spring+2011+248.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MJsuL9bwYyh3IkNCLkwMP_Ed5b7tzqCBNsqEHRUj36JZF8vOvDZ90wHruhhOLWtp8ylpbTYOxLBymAbbJxHgfHwt7ywS6VtkCDRqh5Wq6mpsfFViDBq3hrOJP_-tYe3e-0et8wVT58g/s400/Spring+2011+248.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627159517799298" border="0" /></a><br />A time of nervousness :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdd5quFLNxjpq65VLawcUuobs_3LuW2F8giX8ldNs0dJ13shBqUu1rSZdSIE3IVtvqLKcUdhqofEWlUD8jTNLNEK4ELiHlFwEunuBNtNvEx1_t7L8NB-C8YJ55_fGjZyFcEm5lqWa7eo/s1600/Spring+2011+236.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdd5quFLNxjpq65VLawcUuobs_3LuW2F8giX8ldNs0dJ13shBqUu1rSZdSIE3IVtvqLKcUdhqofEWlUD8jTNLNEK4ELiHlFwEunuBNtNvEx1_t7L8NB-C8YJ55_fGjZyFcEm5lqWa7eo/s400/Spring+2011+236.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627167546797922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And a time of victory!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid97BdgJwyRyEERZO7AN-2WnjmYcK6d0szkVflA7vd5TKzbRijzCHGAQWRZBOxKftBKnQj_uMlLRgarHj3yfYmisgr4HifbXMeZp7EqeihTmdAXXM47USMnw1JGN5fCcX75pnswM7C8HI/s1600/Spring+2011+247.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid97BdgJwyRyEERZO7AN-2WnjmYcK6d0szkVflA7vd5TKzbRijzCHGAQWRZBOxKftBKnQj_uMlLRgarHj3yfYmisgr4HifbXMeZp7EqeihTmdAXXM47USMnw1JGN5fCcX75pnswM7C8HI/s400/Spring+2011+247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627150599890370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Several weeks ago, Christa and I had our first piano recital for our students, and ended up making memories that I think will last for years! :) We are so thankful to our Father for bringing these students into our lives and blessing us with the opportunity to make music together that honors Him!<br /><br />All our students and their families gathered in our living room to hear the songs that the children have been working so hard on. Doubtless, the parents have the songs memorized themselves and could have played them in their sleep, but no matter! :) They were all on the edges of their seats, eyes riveted to the piano bench. :) It was quite a fun evening, informal and laid back, with great presentations by the students, and complete with all the usual "bloopers" that we'll laugh about for a long time afterward! :)<br /><br />This is the beautiful verse we put on the front of the program for the recital:<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />“I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> ~ Psalm 101:1 </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDL6gMI2KJtDMbfMGe5c9EVdCkRCo6_XZtp0YhezdR5hbBZcnk3ofRKPBvRIhmEExNqQZOnVWMO1KSRUvjAEhyphenhyphen0ag69MD6-WFXkz5iic82O8ZtH9qwyl8Ns8VfyDb7nUYg1II9kF4IFk/s1600/Spring+2011+223.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDL6gMI2KJtDMbfMGe5c9EVdCkRCo6_XZtp0YhezdR5hbBZcnk3ofRKPBvRIhmEExNqQZOnVWMO1KSRUvjAEhyphenhyphen0ag69MD6-WFXkz5iic82O8ZtH9qwyl8Ns8VfyDb7nUYg1II9kF4IFk/s400/Spring+2011+223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627722732186738" border="0" /></a>"Let's get started..."<br />Welcoming the students and families<br /><br />Duets were in order...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7op-SYiUXxWKala9ph-myz45SC2m1_iw-gsQoO-dfNdStVvAXWlMHk9RAZeVcXzNnEzvuJv2SMDtiqRuesmKPfpOkbQKatIsbI5NUp1cz-Ha_C68pahrC17giJDCmzKsBXn8xqg-pNc/s1600/Spring+2011+238.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7op-SYiUXxWKala9ph-myz45SC2m1_iw-gsQoO-dfNdStVvAXWlMHk9RAZeVcXzNnEzvuJv2SMDtiqRuesmKPfpOkbQKatIsbI5NUp1cz-Ha_C68pahrC17giJDCmzKsBXn8xqg-pNc/s400/Spring+2011+238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627163092948482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XAGpxYEWYjMWLa6e0due5o2jzqkY-RX4BIZpZ5otDV7Au_6yDeFxxHlggFeXNd6cQWAEqzwI4exRtmyHxXoInq-zHs3h_9m2mrWQO_KfSZjDiM7pk8ZquGmVTTrmLjI2wTbX0DSG6Cw/s1600/Spring+2011+225.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XAGpxYEWYjMWLa6e0due5o2jzqkY-RX4BIZpZ5otDV7Au_6yDeFxxHlggFeXNd6cQWAEqzwI4exRtmyHxXoInq-zHs3h_9m2mrWQO_KfSZjDiM7pk8ZquGmVTTrmLjI2wTbX0DSG6Cw/s400/Spring+2011+225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627715139273202" border="0" /></a><br />Solos too...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_PPRuGQkjE4FOUldtnvivhcefuZBdul9iVG902XcvIxbQ57a5-rypuybai5i0Qk8qMbyY1BoqYWYM5muleJS4xsX2VKlnaih1zvGt3XFcII0aHK89rsEBFysPIYCtlbedrQa0mPsxnY/s1600/Spring+2011+241.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_PPRuGQkjE4FOUldtnvivhcefuZBdul9iVG902XcvIxbQ57a5-rypuybai5i0Qk8qMbyY1BoqYWYM5muleJS4xsX2VKlnaih1zvGt3XFcII0aHK89rsEBFysPIYCtlbedrQa0mPsxnY/s400/Spring+2011+241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619632066129129746" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of beautiful music!<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" 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id="formatbar_PreviewAction" title="Preview"></span><div style="display: none;" id="htmlbar"><span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_Buttons"><span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_undefined" title="insert bold tags"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="insert bold tags" class="gl_bold" border="0" /></span> <span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_undefined" title="insert italic tags"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="insert italic tags" class="gl_italic" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" class="g"> </span><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span></div> <span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_undefined" title="insert link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="insert link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" class="g"> </span><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span></div> <span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_undefined" title="insert blockquote"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="insert blockquote" class="gl_quote" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" class="g"> </span><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span></div> <span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_undefined" title="Check Spelling"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Check Spelling" class="gl_spell" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" class="g"> </span><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span></div> <span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_" title="Add Image"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" class="g"> </span><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span></div> <span style="display: block;" id="htmlbar_Add_Video" title="Add Video"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Video" class="gl_video" border="0" /></span> <div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><span style="display: block;" class="g"> </span><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span></div> </span><span id="htmlbar_PreviewAction" title="Preview">Preview</span> </div><br />Do you see the look of relief on all our faces?? :) These are all our sweet students (minus one.) :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGeymEOUNrCTA8vhoREHJ2_UyZbI9pvMllpoemlbrwX8dU9dQ2bLjBYxTcfVD7fGazaXZCxRjpq-S7olkNGbxVKh3TeinXQmqLDsQFDZRJhR6Ar8zqL2p8h-3AiZuybYxEPVH3Zu_igE/s1600/Spring+2011+245.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGeymEOUNrCTA8vhoREHJ2_UyZbI9pvMllpoemlbrwX8dU9dQ2bLjBYxTcfVD7fGazaXZCxRjpq-S7olkNGbxVKh3TeinXQmqLDsQFDZRJhR6Ar8zqL2p8h-3AiZuybYxEPVH3Zu_igE/s400/Spring+2011+245.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619627144294879938" border="0" /></a><br />Great job everybody!! Can't wait till next time! :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-85094528670610600572011-05-16T19:30:00.001-07:002011-05-17T19:30:17.752-07:00Who Will Call Him King of KingsTwo zealous apostles...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMzkidQLg15cHVe6scXvYRv7zD67BsfVg8qeGwMEK4UNI7CDZrPHHGKBH_p0nzh5vtHmVGbo2mFIHyNPmcGk-chtPPjCyUESwC8Prhw1S1XJhKsU1X1U3WvLh-J9c4JSI5FQ5_cdH554/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMzkidQLg15cHVe6scXvYRv7zD67BsfVg8qeGwMEK4UNI7CDZrPHHGKBH_p0nzh5vtHmVGbo2mFIHyNPmcGk-chtPPjCyUESwC8Prhw1S1XJhKsU1X1U3WvLh-J9c4JSI5FQ5_cdH554/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507470217344306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />An enraged slave master and an imperious magistrate...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq9VNBFpQIcoJ3dZ1KnskGY_HtzErRH9hm-m7W0flaCub1ssK9CL5R2aM6zjo3XPxCs0YueJZZbYpwymA5ftQjrvdf9hM-GXw4n_iUHZxPeYDRCLMJMmaIEjsSWc1KSPxevOuBP4kbZQ/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq9VNBFpQIcoJ3dZ1KnskGY_HtzErRH9hm-m7W0flaCub1ssK9CL5R2aM6zjo3XPxCs0YueJZZbYpwymA5ftQjrvdf9hM-GXw4n_iUHZxPeYDRCLMJMmaIEjsSWc1KSPxevOuBP4kbZQ/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507185479439474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A cynical prisoner...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmsA6UN1nVVljvH05N7iO7GHih_LmrjEyIHJBwesQQyDxznRzHjv3qQx18j3uj7dL8Axy3Q84olLf_7HjzvYpZ4yEKMIxG22KIEAlh8A8ZfMvx-SzK8uCTR8LAaMMcieLqoGKsbhfQt4/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmsA6UN1nVVljvH05N7iO7GHih_LmrjEyIHJBwesQQyDxznRzHjv3qQx18j3uj7dL8Axy3Q84olLf_7HjzvYpZ4yEKMIxG22KIEAlh8A8ZfMvx-SzK8uCTR8LAaMMcieLqoGKsbhfQt4/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507469657739698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A hardened jailer...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_VsY1K20n8A15OlKWvGNi-cMC3tEfrhOJE1IJaA7wf9_9c5F3nwROIRMI0uvepshULTjoIHD5QUIuh_4NJUj0Z6LkPcazXw7VVui9ecea1s7qNjTwSEyQDNKZy2Gy0tgYiorR3v7OLU/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_VsY1K20n8A15OlKWvGNi-cMC3tEfrhOJE1IJaA7wf9_9c5F3nwROIRMI0uvepshULTjoIHD5QUIuh_4NJUj0Z6LkPcazXw7VVui9ecea1s7qNjTwSEyQDNKZy2Gy0tgYiorR3v7OLU/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507193875448914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A broken-hearted slave girl...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngrs1u71SwfE69IzyNXFETcZTAWG3gdMo3ne259pDULxv4-Q3tS5zAnmZ0hMVTDQhLazh7y0JUGM8PIiyR1pV7t3nvdUJiGMj6vkV_4oVlDUL0_Rx7aFqAoBx8_coSWBX7D-EZOeAKPY/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngrs1u71SwfE69IzyNXFETcZTAWG3gdMo3ne259pDULxv4-Q3tS5zAnmZ0hMVTDQhLazh7y0JUGM8PIiyR1pV7t3nvdUJiGMj6vkV_4oVlDUL0_Rx7aFqAoBx8_coSWBX7D-EZOeAKPY/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507187289172754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And a passionate choir...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUvwUJnosiECQog-yoT4eq5aZEtl7Pc6z83o9Z5D4PkDeP9DwLwvMfUD8wZg1pSwcuRqOmw7Fq-9W1S4YnlWIpkwa8SUS4nZt22BVCfQoGwU7D5lvTxvB5KaisU1FawbYPO2v0KWa9WI/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUvwUJnosiECQog-yoT4eq5aZEtl7Pc6z83o9Z5D4PkDeP9DwLwvMfUD8wZg1pSwcuRqOmw7Fq-9W1S4YnlWIpkwa8SUS4nZt22BVCfQoGwU7D5lvTxvB5KaisU1FawbYPO2v0KWa9WI/s400/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507196679078386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All joined together this past Sunday to tell a story and bring a message of God's incredible, never ending love towards a lost and dying world.<br /><br />Our wonderful little homeschool Baptist church recently undertook the huge endeavor of putting on a musical called "Who Will Call Him King of Kings?" It followed the true Biblical story of Paul and Silas after they cast a demon out of a fortune telling slave girl in Philippi...being tried and thrown in prison, and eventually leading the jailer (along with the slave girl and 3 fellow prisoners) to Christ.<br /><br />With Christa in the choir, and me participating in the drama, we certainly put in many hours of practicing along with everybody else involved!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV2XVhijc2QqihOs_q0BLAK20Fnry4ek51VYMMebLzR-v_XvyGk2TYuALwBSLNHDNcmYV1UV1oiwUPgyRSkOi2SgqS7CcQ6ac7XxwUSSwzeYcKJHz994pcyOM2BYXo77WHjYAFE5y0V4/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV2XVhijc2QqihOs_q0BLAK20Fnry4ek51VYMMebLzR-v_XvyGk2TYuALwBSLNHDNcmYV1UV1oiwUPgyRSkOi2SgqS7CcQ6ac7XxwUSSwzeYcKJHz994pcyOM2BYXo77WHjYAFE5y0V4/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607713374903291602" border="0" /></a>I definitely felt out of my league with all the acting :) and this whole experience certainly stretched me!... :) but Christa and I both were grateful to play a small part in presenting the Gospel so clearly. We were especially thrilled to hear that there were several non-Christians present during the actual presentation!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G_adNPhV0oNA_359yqRzHtwraKvDFFUyoRr-23QtRXFg-VrDKJxWGNpTvo6vCt3QMr8P3UcnlDJsAUFnzZS8124PrPVwrr4La4Gip8-gVV9LFBuOwHWly__NePx_m80lP9YAwL4u2zE/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G_adNPhV0oNA_359yqRzHtwraKvDFFUyoRr-23QtRXFg-VrDKJxWGNpTvo6vCt3QMr8P3UcnlDJsAUFnzZS8124PrPVwrr4La4Gip8-gVV9LFBuOwHWly__NePx_m80lP9YAwL4u2zE/s400/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507475435205426" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoGVloHcFPNJs9jbrLsWuajrOebRoKkZI7dfR6letQWlS9BWjfQYZ1Cg8GRn37xxlNBsM7uowVV-Mdp7z5Bf2eqcaBzzuzEZp4fNtdJ-y4-FV87-NAKoVVKlY-6PU-ONQlXYO9_BzDBY/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoGVloHcFPNJs9jbrLsWuajrOebRoKkZI7dfR6letQWlS9BWjfQYZ1Cg8GRn37xxlNBsM7uowVV-Mdp7z5Bf2eqcaBzzuzEZp4fNtdJ-y4-FV87-NAKoVVKlY-6PU-ONQlXYO9_BzDBY/s400/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607507192728396738" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KmAX6kwINQaqsTjL6o6DEaTUH-NyJDJOEI7N0iDv3XcJwTL6p3DMalKAz7F9XpYFJQOIYpvub6hkM1FyrktNGcXWdXrax1iN91noiZlfWCWg8cF8OHS1z6e-hPLDzK70iUQZpxlXJLA/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KmAX6kwINQaqsTjL6o6DEaTUH-NyJDJOEI7N0iDv3XcJwTL6p3DMalKAz7F9XpYFJQOIYpvub6hkM1FyrktNGcXWdXrax1iN91noiZlfWCWg8cF8OHS1z6e-hPLDzK70iUQZpxlXJLA/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607713373381482290" border="0" /></a><br />Towards the end of the presentation, Marcus, a sarcastic, completely hardened prisoner (who later accepts Christ as his savior) sings a beautiful song called "How Can It Be?" Truly this song echoes the awe in my heart when I think about Christ's sacrifice, and it brought tears to my eyes almost every time I heard it sung! I would like to leave you all with the words to the song below. May we all be reminded of Christ's incredible love, even towards those who rejected and despised Him!<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><br />"He might have died for causes, for kingdoms or for thrones<br />For noble men, and women, or orphans all alone.<br />He might have died for heroes, who deserved His charity.<br />But how can I believe it: that Jesus died for me?<br /><br />How can it be, for love of me, a Man would choose to die?<br />How can it be, for love of me, a Man was crucified?<br />How can I understand such love from One I've never seen?<br />How could I dare to hope one Man would choose to die for me?"</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >All photos courtesy of Haven Giglotti</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KmAX6kwINQaqsTjL6o6DEaTUH-NyJDJOEI7N0iDv3XcJwTL6p3DMalKAz7F9XpYFJQOIYpvub6hkM1FyrktNGcXWdXrax1iN91noiZlfWCWg8cF8OHS1z6e-hPLDzK70iUQZpxlXJLA/s1600/15.jpg"><br /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-80807494576710273712011-04-14T11:00:00.000-07:002011-04-16T19:34:15.688-07:00We love Mondays! :)<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4OkDg6P4mm7OvaHb1KNl2a82imrtQ71XGHc0pM6FVSshPGe4BPAagZ3iN4OB8tlr9NLLkoulTAPVfNSO1kUyU844QW3ncJ_oMclt-UiOfb2i5o2_57wNu-smanxZ_vYSDXpX8bIeewg/s1600/Spring+2011+160.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4OkDg6P4mm7OvaHb1KNl2a82imrtQ71XGHc0pM6FVSshPGe4BPAagZ3iN4OB8tlr9NLLkoulTAPVfNSO1kUyU844QW3ncJ_oMclt-UiOfb2i5o2_57wNu-smanxZ_vYSDXpX8bIeewg/s400/Spring+2011+160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504116184465250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> We'd like to introduce you to some dear friends - the Browns - a homeschool family of 9 that we have been working for weekly for the past few months! Their warm and gracious spirits have been such a great encouragement to us!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKLZfD-ZC80pTtoxjwDYWg_i1uPOEwjf0_cqmRTytxFFXiuUouIRFmZVw2YGuGvPMALv4MpJ_f8PviVxNXb_EBpadxl_aDHvvXXNn9BcMb6l0rPlHV4C7TsFYTDaeCAO2TJkF8dPJTSY/s1600/spring+09+017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKLZfD-ZC80pTtoxjwDYWg_i1uPOEwjf0_cqmRTytxFFXiuUouIRFmZVw2YGuGvPMALv4MpJ_f8PviVxNXb_EBpadxl_aDHvvXXNn9BcMb6l0rPlHV4C7TsFYTDaeCAO2TJkF8dPJTSY/s400/spring+09+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595506475029471938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This picture is about 2 yrs old, but I wanted you to be able to see Mr. and Mrs. Brown also! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Every Monday morning finds us at their door around 9:00 to spend the day with them. Mainly we are there to help around the house - whether it's watching and playing with little ones, cooking, cleaning, laundry, helping with school work, doing sewing projects for them, etc. We also help some each week with data entry for their home business. (www.yourhealthsource.org)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Every Monday is filled to the brim with activity and fun little surprises as we work with their sweet children! :)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ4k4979KN0tn9uQGneQ7MkUK4MkXVIcWfexDcyQ5nAjzH8znun1zjsnt0FB2tkeyZaUmCYOqwZDJB8ICL4BOMGGXrXtdg46mAFSAIkneiSibOKuxQD4pz8kDPOpO713QDk_eFGt3HV4/s1600/Spring+2011+158.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ4k4979KN0tn9uQGneQ7MkUK4MkXVIcWfexDcyQ5nAjzH8znun1zjsnt0FB2tkeyZaUmCYOqwZDJB8ICL4BOMGGXrXtdg46mAFSAIkneiSibOKuxQD4pz8kDPOpO713QDk_eFGt3HV4/s400/Spring+2011+158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504109253448002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Little Alonna makes up for her small size with lots of personality!! :)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WqSoH3bAFmXWi-DG2YUrEkmqA17pS5WQKDoUlDY3fkErPmmwFBpa3GPKqJSVWv6Xcb2Fyvw3WxjJwZEei-cvSHYalTAtLlKZcNMjd8vYiYk1LbLOYhDHI46sN03l_NNdTrKNNRf9nYE/s1600/Spring+2011+029.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WqSoH3bAFmXWi-DG2YUrEkmqA17pS5WQKDoUlDY3fkErPmmwFBpa3GPKqJSVWv6Xcb2Fyvw3WxjJwZEei-cvSHYalTAtLlKZcNMjd8vYiYk1LbLOYhDHI46sN03l_NNdTrKNNRf9nYE/s400/Spring+2011+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504879591513602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is sweet Victoria (2 yrs)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93Td1m5h2JrpX_NmIo2pIbAekwS_snyYHxm9ajhuGvgFpNVIbh9h7uTmvIFSgxgmm4kq8cxCxmtkotwFz0MHKIZBFNCCRrZ1B00GWLwwRCKz-RyiyQFpdMKS7fPh9mjRF6dRsJU_0kBQ/s1600/Spring+2011+038.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93Td1m5h2JrpX_NmIo2pIbAekwS_snyYHxm9ajhuGvgFpNVIbh9h7uTmvIFSgxgmm4kq8cxCxmtkotwFz0MHKIZBFNCCRrZ1B00GWLwwRCKz-RyiyQFpdMKS7fPh9mjRF6dRsJU_0kBQ/s400/Spring+2011+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504876816549426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Always time for playing in the sand box! The twins, Christianna and Elaina, are 4 now and growing fast!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rEOB1Xv3kxmPe1yKbemZh7pVDFYmhBJq4KBCT5a3KP_f5uq4f_ZXm5aK69KLPGoJOTmBJgAc5HEytg62q_BgnvaUCUpsVbUwuA7tPhfsyP20hOHsqTj0E97-EMYv8KnrENU1eZB3PQc/s1600/Spring+2011+145.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rEOB1Xv3kxmPe1yKbemZh7pVDFYmhBJq4KBCT5a3KP_f5uq4f_ZXm5aK69KLPGoJOTmBJgAc5HEytg62q_BgnvaUCUpsVbUwuA7tPhfsyP20hOHsqTj0E97-EMYv8KnrENU1eZB3PQc/s400/Spring+2011+145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504098797626370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">I think one of the most wonderful things for us is that we are seeing firsthand what it takes to successfully raise a family with many children. And not just care for physical needs in that family, but also their spiritual and emotional needs. And then to see those children </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">thrive</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> as they grow and mature! What invaluable experience and training for Christa and me!!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3p_5NGpCBOh40-LGXGkOHiGqMEy_0jD_pxPs0gnaaE8TJZSQgTDP3aHoul_qPPOsY83COJjwNei3a_pgvTtimLOzbCwGl14iPdruPZWo_mZUrPU9yxO9MrI9XbD9mKJmMe6IQPA-bL4/s1600/Spring+2011+164.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3p_5NGpCBOh40-LGXGkOHiGqMEy_0jD_pxPs0gnaaE8TJZSQgTDP3aHoul_qPPOsY83COJjwNei3a_pgvTtimLOzbCwGl14iPdruPZWo_mZUrPU9yxO9MrI9XbD9mKJmMe6IQPA-bL4/s400/Spring+2011+164.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595507483402933266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A walk every time with the children is absolutely a non-negotiable! :)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlnz-ZmNSt7NH6DM8ir5NxISeFhVEIw1vQYaZMf2fMSJ4lZEVgilPYjumoeAPhgICIxg7Vkh1tIZnq-PsG9OZWJUSCpxBf51lKDQ1rbE5S7BRIJ3k1kBt1eNsXrLUWsbVT_u14rc94tY/s1600/Spring+2011+156.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlnz-ZmNSt7NH6DM8ir5NxISeFhVEIw1vQYaZMf2fMSJ4lZEVgilPYjumoeAPhgICIxg7Vkh1tIZnq-PsG9OZWJUSCpxBf51lKDQ1rbE5S7BRIJ3k1kBt1eNsXrLUWsbVT_u14rc94tY/s400/Spring+2011+156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504867601708434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Joseph and Timothy, their 2 younger sons, are 5 and 10, and I love watching them play fight with swords and guns together! Weston, their oldest (not pictured) is 17.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe5OAYBrPKZWHVjrdnUhxaxSYXONjBtFHvvxif_5UYRwNzPuuBtrLJds1s1kBFm74zUokKuhjeU60JngAjeA_gN-OaaUb8M2Jd-JZDsDDWlgwTnC1n88B8mSLnvltYWhReK3VTg7cxsg/s1600/Spring+2011+165.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe5OAYBrPKZWHVjrdnUhxaxSYXONjBtFHvvxif_5UYRwNzPuuBtrLJds1s1kBFm74zUokKuhjeU60JngAjeA_gN-OaaUb8M2Jd-JZDsDDWlgwTnC1n88B8mSLnvltYWhReK3VTg7cxsg/s400/Spring+2011+165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504871379630450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I had so much fun making these nightgowns and robes for each of the 3 older girls!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJaKtU68mvo3_1Ptm-PMYJPvGf-Jy103Kqmmfti4uGfOwRl0u08lwCGdsTM0CSJf6LhYTYskBozxN_H198-QnFkx4vY8egaNuhK_Qj1eqALJyMty6tb091Hqv1ASLRncMQOVaTDNaiWc/s1600/Spring+2011+166.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJaKtU68mvo3_1Ptm-PMYJPvGf-Jy103Kqmmfti4uGfOwRl0u08lwCGdsTM0CSJf6LhYTYskBozxN_H198-QnFkx4vY8egaNuhK_Qj1eqALJyMty6tb091Hqv1ASLRncMQOVaTDNaiWc/s400/Spring+2011+166.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504871917402466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Kind of like making doll clothes...only even cuter! :)</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8_HuuvQxP2AJBRv9FOFUk1-BcfEbZTlLWLXRU1XmawGlprRZptgDgWtrFmCc6bE8RD62Y554BC0Q2VAGaPqZE9Dvip4chyBemXMXOJMVMDYcyLh3PdXz1gPiPXcwqlz3nggklYJIqcI/s1600/Spring+2011+159.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8_HuuvQxP2AJBRv9FOFUk1-BcfEbZTlLWLXRU1XmawGlprRZptgDgWtrFmCc6bE8RD62Y554BC0Q2VAGaPqZE9Dvip4chyBemXMXOJMVMDYcyLh3PdXz1gPiPXcwqlz3nggklYJIqcI/s400/Spring+2011+159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595504111681358882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">We love you Brown family and are so thankful for your friendship!</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-61954908146886426582011-04-01T11:41:00.000-07:002011-04-01T12:32:23.407-07:00Piano Adventures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnOUFK_pT8AwhkorJkq6zk59OGhbu0o4J8x4T_cf5YBt9O9otnj0aA2N4JhF_Sd0mtfjkB6ullCzX_03C-Vs9AsuIzczbqLh1Sq9YizuCqn9FPaAJq6PDbLKdM3Hwb2lhhTvngkiNLAE/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+069.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnOUFK_pT8AwhkorJkq6zk59OGhbu0o4J8x4T_cf5YBt9O9otnj0aA2N4JhF_Sd0mtfjkB6ullCzX_03C-Vs9AsuIzczbqLh1Sq9YizuCqn9FPaAJq6PDbLKdM3Hwb2lhhTvngkiNLAE/s400/Winter+2010-2011+069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590688290087035618" border="0" /></a><br />"Ding - dong"...<br /><br />It's 10:45 on Thursday morning. Who could be at our door? It's the first of our 12 piano students that come every Thursday to make music with us!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0BrONZh0wpnEcDRPumvM2u-NWWjeGS_RseY0K1mR0K8IFZDL1wRWo6OWzVM95B18Awo3AKkBhhA0UnMjvh5-PENVMkrGI50kvIS54sImLjYgsTzZZPqglB4XI1gr_7rRBexGw8wG85E/s1600/Spring+2011+044.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0BrONZh0wpnEcDRPumvM2u-NWWjeGS_RseY0K1mR0K8IFZDL1wRWo6OWzVM95B18Awo3AKkBhhA0UnMjvh5-PENVMkrGI50kvIS54sImLjYgsTzZZPqglB4XI1gr_7rRBexGw8wG85E/s400/Spring+2011+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590696850379359266" border="0" /></a>Christa is just starting out with her first 2 students. This is Katie (5 yrs) trying to make sense of all those black and white notes in front of her!! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7jo2yLYoSGdgGNCQ3WhyphenhyphenWgnKK1Vn967aCDVAcFfkzl2w4pgaJSvb0HnTygTqijQ-B0zQ63wQlGuX3wTVYYxvesVhBGNb3S6S4y2IwBHE17R2A3E4TWgGS-JfQWUdIBm6p0c274oE4Nk/s1600/Spring+2011+047.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7jo2yLYoSGdgGNCQ3WhyphenhyphenWgnKK1Vn967aCDVAcFfkzl2w4pgaJSvb0HnTygTqijQ-B0zQ63wQlGuX3wTVYYxvesVhBGNb3S6S4y2IwBHE17R2A3E4TWgGS-JfQWUdIBm6p0c274oE4Nk/s400/Spring+2011+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590696544127170482" border="0" /></a>I have 10 students and am really enjoying this whole new experience of not just playing the piano for myself, but learning how to teach others what I've been doing for all these years!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDdJkFP4F4drLEBeoRXt1jzDyBtps5bmnEWGYJ5-Zn5Qn4Ska5y1nND6N3vVEshqLtoiGnQfwW0ALAu6O0VMXQzpgP-ewtPET3mLjKpWFPoLblKNiwoF8DFEppmE2-KWsPwHC12d2nxA/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+074.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDdJkFP4F4drLEBeoRXt1jzDyBtps5bmnEWGYJ5-Zn5Qn4Ska5y1nND6N3vVEshqLtoiGnQfwW0ALAu6O0VMXQzpgP-ewtPET3mLjKpWFPoLblKNiwoF8DFEppmE2-KWsPwHC12d2nxA/s400/Winter+2010-2011+074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590688299946906418" border="0" /></a>Yes, as much as we hate them, flash cards are indeed an important part of music!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sg5Ie0IMIYcV3AWSDh3IGD6KFFUaA6I_FdPFxYQL09_buLY2twBLGnVqORBrZ6QnvkY2HY5X7rP3r6qkA8Hw1esZN__I30Hz9lMS7p97cIwwKUSMyD6D0xSvlEb7tYeGX72JA220tro/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+068.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sg5Ie0IMIYcV3AWSDh3IGD6KFFUaA6I_FdPFxYQL09_buLY2twBLGnVqORBrZ6QnvkY2HY5X7rP3r6qkA8Hw1esZN__I30Hz9lMS7p97cIwwKUSMyD6D0xSvlEb7tYeGX72JA220tro/s400/Winter+2010-2011+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590697249568887186" border="0" /></a>Sometimes though, we make the flashcard routine a little bit more fun by hiding them all around the room, and making the students race to find them first, before we go through them! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk-WM9m3Znrq2TxmSWmVgAWoI1BVtWk8r_5etgpEUlER_lq1AEpANWfyrVuhjC6yF_j-2izRzmpljCwumoveoe3xstxsQsixneSlB9MbH0zs5UkQKB-ongrn7U2fEf77R_cM1G8wopQI/s1600/Spring+2011+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk-WM9m3Znrq2TxmSWmVgAWoI1BVtWk8r_5etgpEUlER_lq1AEpANWfyrVuhjC6yF_j-2izRzmpljCwumoveoe3xstxsQsixneSlB9MbH0zs5UkQKB-ongrn7U2fEf77R_cM1G8wopQI/s400/Spring+2011+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590696536960857218" border="0" /></a>Landrey, (6) is almost through his first piano book, and ready to start in with a harder book like his 2 older brothers!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW2nlEEGuTC7wxkApXIQljIM1GpGdmvTwzCWM2KM7CM27w2zzed14z_CNFPXEDkrJ5iJgszUEWHGS3EuJPUBuB2e_PHY_41spgIwDfwxykc_2BPXrVat0loSFmXinIoIPhu3OBJ1FBfs/s1600/Spring+2011+046.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW2nlEEGuTC7wxkApXIQljIM1GpGdmvTwzCWM2KM7CM27w2zzed14z_CNFPXEDkrJ5iJgszUEWHGS3EuJPUBuB2e_PHY_41spgIwDfwxykc_2BPXrVat0loSFmXinIoIPhu3OBJ1FBfs/s400/Spring+2011+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590696544891454370" border="0" /></a>Corban, his newborn brother, looks on in concern. "Landrey, that was a wrong rhythm! You know better than that!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAGDwxmCNU3apIABKX31UL_wIo1gXNjgVdhP01nbf6b8NQSlFBanhW8MY-spPXXe23uqcRvCYReVcmfiaUenopmkLh1Z3YNmGcY3FBOhTgfUQU_D9BkgDgrUbnLedKFNP8P6W5ydFXS8/s1600/Spring+2011+051.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAGDwxmCNU3apIABKX31UL_wIo1gXNjgVdhP01nbf6b8NQSlFBanhW8MY-spPXXe23uqcRvCYReVcmfiaUenopmkLh1Z3YNmGcY3FBOhTgfUQU_D9BkgDgrUbnLedKFNP8P6W5ydFXS8/s400/Spring+2011+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590696549697551042" border="0" /></a>But eventually he is lulled to sleep by Landrey's lovely playing (and no worries, the rhythm corrected) lol<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vUHoJD1G80qWEp1riwWjHVkRgxd2NTLzguLUN8Vc9ZAwZXI2bXHawqWZd6MeL7oVBBaE1A0ODD7QSsKmK-lWzS7ZTUt9gpEvMuE1BxmZjiViOZzd2N4-akX6zU9dcNMV0w5zArK3ZmI/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+072.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vUHoJD1G80qWEp1riwWjHVkRgxd2NTLzguLUN8Vc9ZAwZXI2bXHawqWZd6MeL7oVBBaE1A0ODD7QSsKmK-lWzS7ZTUt9gpEvMuE1BxmZjiViOZzd2N4-akX6zU9dcNMV0w5zArK3ZmI/s400/Winter+2010-2011+072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590688297678679042" border="0" /></a>We pray that each of these students may learn to love to play the piano, not just for the fun of it, but because they can see how beautiful music ushers God's people into His presence.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-5460585654929280112011-02-18T10:24:00.001-08:002011-03-03T17:01:50.192-08:00Highschool Graduation13 years ago...<br />Christa and I were just starting kindergarten in the Bridges Home Institute, playing for the first time what we thought was an incredibly exciting new game (also known to the world at large as "school")<br />13 years ago...<br />Christa and I were sitting at our kitchen table with Mom, trying to remember what letter comes after "B".<br />13 years ago...<br />We learned that 1 + 1 = 2.<br />And 13 years later...<br />We are celebrating the end of our formal schooling - a few years older, with a few more pieces of information stored in our brains, but still the same eager girls excited to see what God has in store for us next! :)<br /><br />We started out the New Year with a highschool graduation celebration for the first ever graduates of the Bridges Home Institute! (BTW - in case you're wondering, we graduated # 1 and 2 in our class :)) Here are a few pictures from the evening:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWLZSL5ZYwyJzJfXJuMrgCQetl_L4LD102IMoVfkfWtmOXzyzmKYV9JTX6aPoLOiz9-NSRqcTcUbFeik1d5Jsldi5bhde0zQVC5XzbJapz_lz185ZEirrqhJk35kC7AgxPSd_81pJHQ0/s1600/DSC_2052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWLZSL5ZYwyJzJfXJuMrgCQetl_L4LD102IMoVfkfWtmOXzyzmKYV9JTX6aPoLOiz9-NSRqcTcUbFeik1d5Jsldi5bhde0zQVC5XzbJapz_lz185ZEirrqhJk35kC7AgxPSd_81pJHQ0/s400/DSC_2052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574088887735235314" border="0" /></a>Dad was our emcee, keeping us all laughing for the night's activities!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_QAAYd-jp-K8azpoR4bnSaEdOiuIajuusyu8SUE5-j8HgL-OIv-BN3zCDTnFiv63jsjWuIxf1xmVDfqtliJ3H5mLE2YRi4jBlC8-mWn4FDcvY4toXW1KWU-c0KtGLBDIIrh5IB_-56o/s1600/DSC_2055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_QAAYd-jp-K8azpoR4bnSaEdOiuIajuusyu8SUE5-j8HgL-OIv-BN3zCDTnFiv63jsjWuIxf1xmVDfqtliJ3H5mLE2YRi4jBlC8-mWn4FDcvY4toXW1KWU-c0KtGLBDIIrh5IB_-56o/s400/DSC_2055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567754998306509442" border="0" /></a>Christa and I read a poem we wrote as a surprise for Mom and Dad.<br /><br />Then I shared my testimony of God's incredible goodness in my life!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Et5AuQnMCJfhwzT4TREmFFwH1jXAPa-eqmsiK9mJHd_qhApVQi-pQHuFzRGEvoaMJ_DNv7E2WLskvkxs0n617NPx4aMO9uoit8yVkz11keHdJDAcYHohGbA67gqQuhiwGOZxq3Hy83E/s1600/DSC_2066.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Et5AuQnMCJfhwzT4TREmFFwH1jXAPa-eqmsiK9mJHd_qhApVQi-pQHuFzRGEvoaMJ_DNv7E2WLskvkxs0n617NPx4aMO9uoit8yVkz11keHdJDAcYHohGbA67gqQuhiwGOZxq3Hy83E/s400/DSC_2066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567754999157882770" border="0" /></a>No time with the Bridges is complete without music, so of course we had several numbers to share...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6oqgyRElMkVxZ4mQoTxTRkdXXD_NsgiiD9m11BjchcRghnn7kZUFP8Qjg2OsC5cwxfQ6r-PgA977m8yY9KkZEI7ccK6yXnFxb0lrfTSt5YzWupMS7YOUHo-1k58byQb-UffthMdXWZU/s1600/DSC_2068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6oqgyRElMkVxZ4mQoTxTRkdXXD_NsgiiD9m11BjchcRghnn7kZUFP8Qjg2OsC5cwxfQ6r-PgA977m8yY9KkZEI7ccK6yXnFxb0lrfTSt5YzWupMS7YOUHo-1k58byQb-UffthMdXWZU/s400/DSC_2068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567755004716342322" border="0" /></a>"They shall express the memory of Your great goodness, and they shall sing of Your righteousness." ~ Ps 145:7<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGnjA9gmO9wkV9M_3XMdq-iELOs1_mABPxZNzv1wfG7cXwpTf-lgNfpe53_Ad_GsGl19ZMWhtlpw8RBbhVWmPDMrXpuLZbMJbcgRWcuP4O3UZ9NDFUOAymHDdlRGA8YxkiXY61YdEX6Q/s1600/DSC_2080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGnjA9gmO9wkV9M_3XMdq-iELOs1_mABPxZNzv1wfG7cXwpTf-lgNfpe53_Ad_GsGl19ZMWhtlpw8RBbhVWmPDMrXpuLZbMJbcgRWcuP4O3UZ9NDFUOAymHDdlRGA8YxkiXY61YdEX6Q/s400/DSC_2080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567755011139774114" border="0" /></a>Mom and Dad and 2 other godly men in our lives gave us verbal blessings to close out the night.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSiniLsqyw7vDffyDXEEcMFnae7edNbmm_brp41oDuipB-Gd_xrw-ZjCJBiW4oNiSYxkGj0YJqANFkgseimSMc0SQ_4ePR-4jGTsuERDi7uyYTJIwBelqhb3U-l24MMNXa9lOXL4CfiI/s1600/DSC00425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSiniLsqyw7vDffyDXEEcMFnae7edNbmm_brp41oDuipB-Gd_xrw-ZjCJBiW4oNiSYxkGj0YJqANFkgseimSMc0SQ_4ePR-4jGTsuERDi7uyYTJIwBelqhb3U-l24MMNXa9lOXL4CfiI/s400/DSC00425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567756400136401282" border="0" /></a>And of course the highlight for us was being able to connect with so many sweet friends!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhq2k4fGg7WdIYua9fHnA2RlNAsBhUi5pXM4hGfLvl9PEvKoTWx6mSmRXI4m_HLbV3wCxhdhAD6vJzwsL8ZFzWGePij5Vy-6kKgPCPIJPep8Xxaixr60M3UYoGlDPaGXlkHN09L2rD84/s1600/DSC00426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhq2k4fGg7WdIYua9fHnA2RlNAsBhUi5pXM4hGfLvl9PEvKoTWx6mSmRXI4m_HLbV3wCxhdhAD6vJzwsL8ZFzWGePij5Vy-6kKgPCPIJPep8Xxaixr60M3UYoGlDPaGXlkHN09L2rD84/s400/DSC00426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574088883417767346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv36IOiYhjeJcscspe38hqcCGVYOUZjQ8tgJOCFfvLifaZyL409Xy7yPC8hIrPha4sgwZytqVgL8z4rfbpwXZ9qcgEf7TgYlG9VZz2YzC60PGfMxJ6FrOrgEs2QNtLnXGMI1oSoLxLbzE/s1600/DSC00433.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv36IOiYhjeJcscspe38hqcCGVYOUZjQ8tgJOCFfvLifaZyL409Xy7yPC8hIrPha4sgwZytqVgL8z4rfbpwXZ9qcgEf7TgYlG9VZz2YzC60PGfMxJ6FrOrgEs2QNtLnXGMI1oSoLxLbzE/s400/DSC00433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567756404437796178" border="0" /></a>The Bridges family with Mom's dad. :)<br /><br />We are so grateful for all God has done in our lives during our growing up years! He is good!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-61144727930180403832011-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:002011-02-15T19:12:42.958-08:00News FlashBig news from Dallas to you:<br /><br />We the Texans - who forget that the word snow is in the dictionary, who wouldn't be surprised to celebrate Christmas in a t-shirt and shorts, who pull out our parkas when it hits 50 degrees, who order iced tea in December, who have rarely seen snow deep enough to cover the tops of the blades of grass, and who definitely don't have 4 wheel drive - we have just experienced a real northern winter.<br /><br />For 4 solid days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnGw-ScRLvMEyypTm5fO0XsL0RYqjhshqRZAM_UI9gAY_7Q_YwkVQ_-nBkaJ2tlXVUGujmv9oe5BQKv2aGiuQofTYE4G23rndF2kdCSk445yPOOp27fLNNkJwvceA4r4QpqxBsiBc8Yc/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnGw-ScRLvMEyypTm5fO0XsL0RYqjhshqRZAM_UI9gAY_7Q_YwkVQ_-nBkaJ2tlXVUGujmv9oe5BQKv2aGiuQofTYE4G23rndF2kdCSk445yPOOp27fLNNkJwvceA4r4QpqxBsiBc8Yc/s400/Winter+2010-2011+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571721074083004834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From our experience, I have learned 4 things:<br />1. Professional sledding gear in TX consists of a piece of cardboard and/or a cookie sheet<br />2. Cardboard and cookie sheets do not make good sledding gear<br />3. Texans are not used to being cooped up indoors for 4 days and a lot of us got a bit stir crazy (the proof of this would be found in the lines at the stores the day the ice/snow melted. :) )<br />4. Snow definitely brings out the little kid in all of us. :)<br /><br />With that being said, I would not have traded "that much" snow (approx 6 inches of powdery beauty) for anything!<br /><br />here are a few pictures from our snow days:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWYbmcMYEELulq7bREM5ADb8Q3w1GxoGFdcxnjkuYoVamyzxgG2zrcUZF48yOt87qHojW74oc0a1ex_050gyWob7Vk59-jW34q2HfroZgLx49hTbDL63bi1INS5ECm5rfG5dUlFhHNP4/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWYbmcMYEELulq7bREM5ADb8Q3w1GxoGFdcxnjkuYoVamyzxgG2zrcUZF48yOt87qHojW74oc0a1ex_050gyWob7Vk59-jW34q2HfroZgLx49hTbDL63bi1INS5ECm5rfG5dUlFhHNP4/s400/Winter+2010-2011+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571721077848595602" border="0" /></a>Look at how beautifully, perfectly white everything is! Isn't it amazing to remember that God has promised us: "Come now, let us reason together...though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">as white as snow</span>." (Is 1:18)<br /><br />On day 4, we headed to the store to see if we could find some nice, inexpensive boots. Finding nothing that met that description, and not wanting to pay the price for a pair of shoes we would use once - maybe twice - a year, we came up with a creative, ingenious, highly professional alternative.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw2NamV5Ik15bQYIRBTaaPxNZtxwtAnSgmxA2o43sQPHvXswE8bU-RYQOKbAYnInk90zScmMWd_nrMoM7DbUgZveZcw5kRcFUIidWlM8MPiv5McLcqFP_PEYzL2GJ_peAoKe1jC3mZXQ/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw2NamV5Ik15bQYIRBTaaPxNZtxwtAnSgmxA2o43sQPHvXswE8bU-RYQOKbAYnInk90zScmMWd_nrMoM7DbUgZveZcw5kRcFUIidWlM8MPiv5McLcqFP_PEYzL2GJ_peAoKe1jC3mZXQ/s400/Winter+2010-2011+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571721070958370642" border="0" /></a><br />Very nice...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ4wG3bskkjwUd1_sGZXbjm2pmVz1r2Wp2PHmnwkyTni64v5d5714JYsWm3XMU6OHaEpDZ_3I-gBdxMIuhddXquX_g_ozmQP3yM3KrgdkFO4E328gCL85PB1WjbQDdCawgHY7_l6DqNw/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ4wG3bskkjwUd1_sGZXbjm2pmVz1r2Wp2PHmnwkyTni64v5d5714JYsWm3XMU6OHaEpDZ_3I-gBdxMIuhddXquX_g_ozmQP3yM3KrgdkFO4E328gCL85PB1WjbQDdCawgHY7_l6DqNw/s400/Winter+2010-2011+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571721081759618226" border="0" /></a>Then we headed out to hit the slopes with dry, toasty feet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VrHCAJUgzgasuwGkMNDtzGKPGhLVIJLuYH6N5KPvpvhsjNLxh8FUgni9JAk4yKIQtUAm1lzwFaDp6R1Sj6P8s8oYEUFRLjh40P9Zz0NHo1vH4haFw__EGZ9A783u9NgK1O59KxRQiXI/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VrHCAJUgzgasuwGkMNDtzGKPGhLVIJLuYH6N5KPvpvhsjNLxh8FUgni9JAk4yKIQtUAm1lzwFaDp6R1Sj6P8s8oYEUFRLjh40P9Zz0NHo1vH4haFw__EGZ9A783u9NgK1O59KxRQiXI/s400/Winter+2010-2011+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571721084295967506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSC8BtvRfv2oWWWaEjNorzknWkpR4J0_f672t5w0LSfAQvYe6cytMBLUvIgqh7ETrnRS3IYoDGiz_VoOWUD9UoWSylAXR77_YUZETStya3fLY1dur6i4wLcjvOAqb2K80BrwqJukW0fQ/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSC8BtvRfv2oWWWaEjNorzknWkpR4J0_f672t5w0LSfAQvYe6cytMBLUvIgqh7ETrnRS3IYoDGiz_VoOWUD9UoWSylAXR77_YUZETStya3fLY1dur6i4wLcjvOAqb2K80BrwqJukW0fQ/s400/Winter+2010-2011+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571750029571427970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Aqa_TCfQaV6Oji76GFduZnhqr2VeOFAQBuabTluOQ3-emnkVn9yPZLJjwU-nARm6MbaFlv3DEhj6IkCqTLBotDSeA4LMKwIgJFO1YuBYsc84Bhjawf3CKIWsDxw04JjEvdjonCFG2M4/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+058.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Aqa_TCfQaV6Oji76GFduZnhqr2VeOFAQBuabTluOQ3-emnkVn9yPZLJjwU-nARm6MbaFlv3DEhj6IkCqTLBotDSeA4LMKwIgJFO1YuBYsc84Bhjawf3CKIWsDxw04JjEvdjonCFG2M4/s400/Winter+2010-2011+058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571750023328543842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsu5hLBlwMH16plifWsKXpgSKhJYH_YTJ9-wV1_CcnZNuNOSxFXnkvyybGEv_-8uxcFG4yffvoYLoqj1c-d-J9ohoyZGfQTBQG1Cqhl1GOG0z0I9ij2Ij-5ZA98rgMt6Udbgt1I5lCmU/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsu5hLBlwMH16plifWsKXpgSKhJYH_YTJ9-wV1_CcnZNuNOSxFXnkvyybGEv_-8uxcFG4yffvoYLoqj1c-d-J9ohoyZGfQTBQG1Cqhl1GOG0z0I9ij2Ij-5ZA98rgMt6Udbgt1I5lCmU/s400/Winter+2010-2011+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571750029796904306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m_Rg_P1Ihp8VYgcWg2azChUAIYWxS65vwiyB9UqIa7CLy5YQ6GdhS0_l7sAGnBEr6xOPLm7gH074VKl7rW98vQA5pmP4PyM3QVozpLKnMziBQOOwAnUkrqi3zxR0b433TruRSZ2IJ00/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m_Rg_P1Ihp8VYgcWg2azChUAIYWxS65vwiyB9UqIa7CLy5YQ6GdhS0_l7sAGnBEr6xOPLm7gH074VKl7rW98vQA5pmP4PyM3QVozpLKnMziBQOOwAnUkrqi3zxR0b433TruRSZ2IJ00/s400/Winter+2010-2011+067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571750033444718802" border="0" /></a>Yes, snow ball fights with friends were in order too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqiV4jz8k56vD6yqiBHPO78N8y_NMzy2RnYwmi-i4DxYma2fZYlxOF3Q9wBz1HgR-6wwS51JJo_x18m4Ae7OfxWWNTajpG5QJDYlYAil4aa-UiIKtijk5-C1h1rfDC5H5TsgTI186v8c/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqiV4jz8k56vD6yqiBHPO78N8y_NMzy2RnYwmi-i4DxYma2fZYlxOF3Q9wBz1HgR-6wwS51JJo_x18m4Ae7OfxWWNTajpG5QJDYlYAil4aa-UiIKtijk5-C1h1rfDC5H5TsgTI186v8c/s400/Winter+2010-2011+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571750034127057714" border="0" /></a>Can you read it?? :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-kF2uL_NjHgjp0vVEGUdKo1Y3oX2gTcWmjsu10JF2rKVippEgBuACca5vO-vJ4Pflv6RmgXCnenBVfUUw38QRY_XDeyDGkHDmoouGOGX5lM4SBuC7OEnFxl1VpX4PUuxm_b0p79sCyY/s1600/Winter+2010-2011+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-kF2uL_NjHgjp0vVEGUdKo1Y3oX2gTcWmjsu10JF2rKVippEgBuACca5vO-vJ4Pflv6RmgXCnenBVfUUw38QRY_XDeyDGkHDmoouGOGX5lM4SBuC7OEnFxl1VpX4PUuxm_b0p79sCyY/s400/Winter+2010-2011+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571751229370062146" border="0" /></a>May the Lord bless us with such beauty and fun every year!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-44434560876450114282011-01-28T16:45:00.000-08:002011-01-29T16:34:03.279-08:00Catching UpWell, 6 months later, and what have the Bridges been up to all this time??!! :) This is a blog post with lots of pictures to share how good God has been in this past year!<br /><br />Our last post was of our summer trip. We arrived back home and started up the fall semester with a more normal schedule once again. For Christa and me, this was<span style="font-weight: bold;"> finishing up school, continuing our music studies</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiJeSWw36vAn-3oHk7h4et9p-KFHqz7_r8wAESZIwP_H0fL5okWJMpyMZtmPyCv29Q6e1F8kQfrJbgDZBSbBJmxu2xhRvzIBIMsdLwnw_U_LFndGsSiKp5NubCbzlSqmdi3x6-8XayXU/s1600/spring+2010+205.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiJeSWw36vAn-3oHk7h4et9p-KFHqz7_r8wAESZIwP_H0fL5okWJMpyMZtmPyCv29Q6e1F8kQfrJbgDZBSbBJmxu2xhRvzIBIMsdLwnw_U_LFndGsSiKp5NubCbzlSqmdi3x6-8XayXU/s400/spring+2010+205.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567446506916044610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Piano</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">with our dear teacher, Elizabeth</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3g6ZsJh6EJ7yxj-9OiROW_KGsy6oEecWhYK5HvD49OwkquDTbt8fimrjE7LDD6AcFn1lsFbB2LIuoRPwkzk5bgwMXauYtDobsgpkIGRmK8Hsomov_A1omx-ySpAPE8AHiURjIqAKyL0/s1600/spring+2010+217.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3g6ZsJh6EJ7yxj-9OiROW_KGsy6oEecWhYK5HvD49OwkquDTbt8fimrjE7LDD6AcFn1lsFbB2LIuoRPwkzk5bgwMXauYtDobsgpkIGRmK8Hsomov_A1omx-ySpAPE8AHiURjIqAKyL0/s400/spring+2010+217.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567446518289129442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Voice</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">here we are singing with Mom and some sweet friends at a nursing home</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq2SE_6QZCYCHHw4a7cY_wn08h6NAlXFjXJIZ_PhTMSBtZ1o9rVfU47Fspn_4RNgxG_wC9B0Vfxhe585duqMZsalP6TGyMeBTJxLSr0dj98pTWV8CB5LOMa36XvohVirmx-py7UFVenI/s1600/spring+2010+224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq2SE_6QZCYCHHw4a7cY_wn08h6NAlXFjXJIZ_PhTMSBtZ1o9rVfU47Fspn_4RNgxG_wC9B0Vfxhe585duqMZsalP6TGyMeBTJxLSr0dj98pTWV8CB5LOMa36XvohVirmx-py7UFVenI/s400/spring+2010+224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567446513244173186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">And cello for me,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />teaching piano, </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JDGYj4kSuXGauGzLTOC9EXHgsx2j1OwKYGog4PuMFrUpXnEsp8RZ1vSE7iJwlU363gVG5pfUW4OJudNrCKMKB67kjOXTCEE_gvgCwRG0M1Ms4wWPy-kgWdS9S5PLxHR7qfZ32SJU_YY/s1600/fall+2010+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JDGYj4kSuXGauGzLTOC9EXHgsx2j1OwKYGog4PuMFrUpXnEsp8RZ1vSE7iJwlU363gVG5pfUW4OJudNrCKMKB67kjOXTCEE_gvgCwRG0M1Ms4wWPy-kgWdS9S5PLxHR7qfZ32SJU_YY/s400/fall+2010+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567448335315682338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I have 9 students now, and Christa is about to start up with her first 2! More on this later! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Being mothers' helpers for mom's of younger children,</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG8BY8g5ZbBylOVGZWRamYKSOX-ENznyLOiJpCNhFgJB4JNJsec3bNPSqvEhJPan_4RCHYX45EfcPxqklbaZ4W-Hu4Pu_cfOizQ0wj7pxkIykFi95lLvgaeZOZCGzULb2iWMnLRbjN0Y/s1600/spring+2010+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJG8BY8g5ZbBylOVGZWRamYKSOX-ENznyLOiJpCNhFgJB4JNJsec3bNPSqvEhJPan_4RCHYX45EfcPxqklbaZ4W-Hu4Pu_cfOizQ0wj7pxkIykFi95lLvgaeZOZCGzULb2iWMnLRbjN0Y/s400/spring+2010+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567446522565955410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">and various activities and ministry opportunities through our church.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf4WIc9PcafkRHRnbUHJu9fZcpB_AYgM_1Of2dN57-FTeqXF7QiMpgIobmINDCG-b-9gsp541LXi2GlaVnNLJYGRFCD6LONiNbcGe7O9bEV0_6gCxjjE4uLcnKCeG4tiiqGgBEKUw7w8/s1600/spring+2010+268.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf4WIc9PcafkRHRnbUHJu9fZcpB_AYgM_1Of2dN57-FTeqXF7QiMpgIobmINDCG-b-9gsp541LXi2GlaVnNLJYGRFCD6LONiNbcGe7O9bEV0_6gCxjjE4uLcnKCeG4tiiqGgBEKUw7w8/s400/spring+2010+268.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567449953751069154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Recently, we had the opportunity for the 3 C. children (from our church) to stay with us for several days while their mom is on strict bedrest in the hospital. Josh (11), Candace (8), and Sam (2) were so fun to have at our house, and we missed them so much after they left!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82jpX6ndXNvkKcE7_NHv3DK8Gq83bWKLWQaYwWc1ZHiVA1SMTsA4Y2Ns0u3SJ-KkrZ_sdjsr5XIgJ6hQ2yTOo7-4K7_yAcgHjxm2xM12GrxyAmsLM_QYDy3sTPZMbsJcCjgSAWPc90yM/s1600/DSC00381.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82jpX6ndXNvkKcE7_NHv3DK8Gq83bWKLWQaYwWc1ZHiVA1SMTsA4Y2Ns0u3SJ-KkrZ_sdjsr5XIgJ6hQ2yTOo7-4K7_yAcgHjxm2xM12GrxyAmsLM_QYDy3sTPZMbsJcCjgSAWPc90yM/s400/DSC00381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567449964658618450" border="0" /></a>May I introduce you to the world's most exciting tea party ever to be held? :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLyxp7qrDIeEYT4Vrad30Fw_qXp-pvEef4r_MtJNBAu6k24pm-rG5Gd1Pgqt5EiprlN4qr9VHChQDCl6tscD6-M9VwHRwMqHeouEkM9UgowkODnE3au2LSs8pP7NB-7xT94jsPGGjNm0/s1600/DSC00388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLyxp7qrDIeEYT4Vrad30Fw_qXp-pvEef4r_MtJNBAu6k24pm-rG5Gd1Pgqt5EiprlN4qr9VHChQDCl6tscD6-M9VwHRwMqHeouEkM9UgowkODnE3au2LSs8pP7NB-7xT94jsPGGjNm0/s400/DSC00388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567442874286539570" border="0" /></a>At the hospital, visiting Mrs. C.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wd2OmP4gUHcNMT-YuR_ad0VkFVE5NnZKO0NufLFs7-kR07T-hDkIH7HaxNQlf3sAcOOu-u-9uvXcGvlOESxoSRl_wLc5LivvMtumiczBDuVJLBvRB7XvOE20ezuAKDAWYeBLXlk2428/s1600/spring+2010+259.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wd2OmP4gUHcNMT-YuR_ad0VkFVE5NnZKO0NufLFs7-kR07T-hDkIH7HaxNQlf3sAcOOu-u-9uvXcGvlOESxoSRl_wLc5LivvMtumiczBDuVJLBvRB7XvOE20ezuAKDAWYeBLXlk2428/s400/spring+2010+259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567762410940943874" border="0" /></a>A weekend just isn't complete without a trip to the pet store!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dmTItiZh3SXLcAlX_8Z0LVTVfotvMJZfwkuGBJ9GpI1uFRtwnHlS2X3KXaI7D48srouoban1rFdt7GOGWzfr1WWVvZe2m6Mbn47p7VZ2eB83v2uBkydN2VwcbXgCw3s0uVU0-lASKWw/s1600/DSC00369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dmTItiZh3SXLcAlX_8Z0LVTVfotvMJZfwkuGBJ9GpI1uFRtwnHlS2X3KXaI7D48srouoban1rFdt7GOGWzfr1WWVvZe2m6Mbn47p7VZ2eB83v2uBkydN2VwcbXgCw3s0uVU0-lASKWw/s400/DSC00369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567442861725254546" border="0" /></a>No, can't forget about that math! :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiildSoC48KCmYWlBMdXgO633YGypAal3oNE_8OPKPg3xbub3L-V-d53RxK4TyPM_r0YpMkeXMr3A_vMdg8LhIKXoIq5bvNSLChTwhd-jU-pMJtErdOhvhp4FYVr0XDqQ7RQUuIIQD9GnU/s1600/DSC00360.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiildSoC48KCmYWlBMdXgO633YGypAal3oNE_8OPKPg3xbub3L-V-d53RxK4TyPM_r0YpMkeXMr3A_vMdg8LhIKXoIq5bvNSLChTwhd-jU-pMJtErdOhvhp4FYVr0XDqQ7RQUuIIQD9GnU/s400/DSC00360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567442857148369138" border="0" /></a>Or snuggle time, for that matter! :)<br /><br />And then there was Thanksgiving. Of course, there's always tons of cooking to be done, so what better thing than have some friends over to all bake together?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4Qy2fHCQUyNZ9oU6_LJqTDodbFqS19xO6TTtKt28RsHUX0yvjVQER3TmMsNucc7YAlUqyERvGSsdOmZKiVZP7ZxmsvqWPvichAPUxrBbbUtKNO_cpBjNkyZBsCOkTY18Ugr8_B5egTY/s1600/DSC00231.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4Qy2fHCQUyNZ9oU6_LJqTDodbFqS19xO6TTtKt28RsHUX0yvjVQER3TmMsNucc7YAlUqyERvGSsdOmZKiVZP7ZxmsvqWPvichAPUxrBbbUtKNO_cpBjNkyZBsCOkTY18Ugr8_B5egTY/s400/DSC00231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567441887389354754" border="0" /></a>Such a fun time! :)<br /><br />The next day, we headed up to Mom's sister's lakehouse, in Gainseville. Besides cousins and our aunt and uncle and Grandpa, we also had my cello teacher join us, as well as our cousin's boyfriend and his family! So quite the full house!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuykAMr64CCmivYhIhv29vnoMizg91_3h992TnaWldMVOO7NMa-9q1NWHZUTEUUBzAqlwClsNZ2K8dcoxGBWvaNzzUN5fkUP-fEDrDEC25w2arPv90sASHAKthZ0zzHt315OcqySMLBmI/s1600/DSC00245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuykAMr64CCmivYhIhv29vnoMizg91_3h992TnaWldMVOO7NMa-9q1NWHZUTEUUBzAqlwClsNZ2K8dcoxGBWvaNzzUN5fkUP-fEDrDEC25w2arPv90sASHAKthZ0zzHt315OcqySMLBmI/s400/DSC00245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567441907170245362" border="0" /></a>This is my mom's sister, Diane, and her daughter (our cousin) Kelsey<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaBCXagCs12ZwWwv78SEKXPQCMhUnZ4z4BIdc1HfudrESs1GOpznz_YdrBMioTWqHyrwJgb_ewJNq20QVW5rvDV9Wlc8wHo7Fwu0wDVM2bnDYaQsZMpKhfuvxMcCbqSx6zPYP5aMIfvM/s1600/DSC00240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaBCXagCs12ZwWwv78SEKXPQCMhUnZ4z4BIdc1HfudrESs1GOpznz_YdrBMioTWqHyrwJgb_ewJNq20QVW5rvDV9Wlc8wHo7Fwu0wDVM2bnDYaQsZMpKhfuvxMcCbqSx6zPYP5aMIfvM/s400/DSC00240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567441900617285986" border="0" /></a>Dad did a short presentation on our ancestor on my mom's side, John Howland, (who was with the pilgrims on the Mayflower and is the one who just barely survived being swept overboard during a fierce storm.) Dad likes to remind us every Thanksgiving that Mom and Christa and I are here by God's providence in saving the life of John Howland!<br /><br />And we can't forget about our annual Water Buffalo Party on New Year's Eve again (you can go back a couple posts and read about our vision for these parties). We were SO excited to see what God did through the evening!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VhfhnBZZyUf8mkwfU9HGvej8G56xaxBflZoEM09mZz_nt7lsS7PSumlH4k4qzeLOA2U-mg7dPNpPnSXM5FZNoy0LHIE8kCwj5ScFzbNZDndmbQCBv0hahCvWr6IpN2G0V1zG6k1vIi0/s1600/DSC00414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VhfhnBZZyUf8mkwfU9HGvej8G56xaxBflZoEM09mZz_nt7lsS7PSumlH4k4qzeLOA2U-mg7dPNpPnSXM5FZNoy0LHIE8kCwj5ScFzbNZDndmbQCBv0hahCvWr6IpN2G0V1zG6k1vIi0/s400/DSC00414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567453809856518386" border="0" /></a>Fun games helped to get the ice broken and our minds started thinking towards giving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfG0QGZMxbETf53n_4BajKXuD69DBFgDWm01jYDU_oocOiAwBjqVikd6Rg_BATvIeEknm8HZndR1S7N9h-ngDx_juCFhoncYgxTpYDVCKQqoxwVnN1qiM1_sIsgL8Q1YbLIK9dWAeT_E/s1600/DSC00411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfG0QGZMxbETf53n_4BajKXuD69DBFgDWm01jYDU_oocOiAwBjqVikd6Rg_BATvIeEknm8HZndR1S7N9h-ngDx_juCFhoncYgxTpYDVCKQqoxwVnN1qiM1_sIsgL8Q1YbLIK9dWAeT_E/s400/DSC00411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567453802499524002" border="0" /></a>Pictionary is always a hit (although it looks like this team "cheated" and used their I-pad device to do some extra speedy sketching!) lol<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls-00AF3YmFeUIy-ATrbbCq6LLyCRJPLQmurzrXwnGPWo64pSXGu-znFvUVMAtKixX70wHWgV9IgxlizIxRAK2lmRcUhAcqj2tNtx-Da9o53qPOZmsu0BHIal07hUL5xNYVsGusWCSDg/s1600/DSC00409.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls-00AF3YmFeUIy-ATrbbCq6LLyCRJPLQmurzrXwnGPWo64pSXGu-znFvUVMAtKixX70wHWgV9IgxlizIxRAK2lmRcUhAcqj2tNtx-Da9o53qPOZmsu0BHIal07hUL5xNYVsGusWCSDg/s400/DSC00409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567453814500517762" border="0" /></a>The quiz got just a little intense...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhGZRfai7F-mfLhYNcL50pQs_jYk7F_0jvR_14P6_1zGZkvO2R4lXJn-n6sRIAip8nmbFUOkzFbMFN2VJzKb2mqtPaPbqRmgBfv6k0QqT4k0-PUhyphenhyphenUY9bpM7mm3sO4pQ9ME4aLZsYuZ0/s1600/DSC00403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhGZRfai7F-mfLhYNcL50pQs_jYk7F_0jvR_14P6_1zGZkvO2R4lXJn-n6sRIAip8nmbFUOkzFbMFN2VJzKb2mqtPaPbqRmgBfv6k0QqT4k0-PUhyphenhyphenUY9bpM7mm3sO4pQ9ME4aLZsYuZ0/s400/DSC00403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567453805325247186" border="0" /></a>As you can see, the scores were close!<br /><br />At the end of the evening, God had raised up enough money for us to be able to buy <span style="font-weight: bold;">FIVE water buffaloes</span>, as well as<br /><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >38 Bibles<o:p></o:p></span> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >4 <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Vacation</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Bible</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> scholarships<o:p></o:p></span> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >3 Pairs of rabbits<o:p></o:p></span> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >2 Lambs<o:p></o:p></span> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-size:100%;">4 Goats</span><br /></span></span></li></ul>Isn't God amazing!?<br /><br />Stay tuned for an update in the next couple weeks about our highschool graduation celebration!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-60917229665359910632010-08-20T10:40:00.000-07:002010-09-09T10:52:48.440-07:00Catching up...summer time!How do 6 months go by, and it feels like only 2 months?? I am amazed to realize that it has been a full 6 months since we have posted on our poor neglected blog! We are getting back in the swing of things after 4 1/2 weeks away from home this summer. As wonderful as it is to travel and see dear friends and family, visit new places, and meet new people, it always comes back to....there's no place like home! :)<br /><br />We pulled out of our neighborhood in a very full van on July 12th and headed first to Iowa/Illinois, where my dad grew up, and has many friends and family there. Even though we were only able to spend a few days there, we so enjoyed our time and were blessed by each one we were able to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmVXdvC1rkBxXys0ajeybAoAEErXkIXGkSkQ49Gb2BECjVFYQ1y1auZdqXswvtD7KD6axPG1Yj1kh90h4u9BXljKYRjvutYtMKQy9M1_2DodpHS3hD8zggt9F78sb0gtPrQLroXw_C1U/s1600/IMG_7499.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmVXdvC1rkBxXys0ajeybAoAEErXkIXGkSkQ49Gb2BECjVFYQ1y1auZdqXswvtD7KD6axPG1Yj1kh90h4u9BXljKYRjvutYtMKQy9M1_2DodpHS3hD8zggt9F78sb0gtPrQLroXw_C1U/s400/IMG_7499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551706570172178" border="0" /></a>We stayed with our dear aunt and uncle: Diane (dad's youngest sister) and Don, whom we have become very close with over these past few years. They were so sweet to allow us to completely take over their place with all our bags and "stuff"!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5XKiQArPizLZOR63-nRGffMvdbBShqBXYg7iqCRG0xzQaXRAbS4EzYC9KrqxwBFAeoWUlfYY4eBRmgr0oGlhHlm_G3WECAp9mQAMdtQrrMOvl_H4BjP_MjkcRq15oiIMA40SXwAjw1o/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5XKiQArPizLZOR63-nRGffMvdbBShqBXYg7iqCRG0xzQaXRAbS4EzYC9KrqxwBFAeoWUlfYY4eBRmgr0oGlhHlm_G3WECAp9mQAMdtQrrMOvl_H4BjP_MjkcRq15oiIMA40SXwAjw1o/s400/IMG_7485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551728520467602" border="0" /></a>While we were in town, our other sweet aunt and uncle (Julie - dad's sister - and Randy) who live in Iowa came and visited with us one evening. We had such a fun time with them - catching up, seeing pictures of their son's recent wedding, and playing games with them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FK3_5UQQv9zaIcsulj-xHqA9fTEjjtGXiso62PcgH0DxgimiIjK4rF-ZFvtMq73aVF7CzjTV_Hy3tuAvt1RbC3M4rpNgE8qn-H5UVRf7_sSMhQZlWQaFUtMOXf78F-otUzXkrIoKn9w/s1600/IMG_7503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FK3_5UQQv9zaIcsulj-xHqA9fTEjjtGXiso62PcgH0DxgimiIjK4rF-ZFvtMq73aVF7CzjTV_Hy3tuAvt1RbC3M4rpNgE8qn-H5UVRf7_sSMhQZlWQaFUtMOXf78F-otUzXkrIoKn9w/s400/IMG_7503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551740135863682" border="0" /></a>Also while we were in town, our fun cousin Autumn (Diane's daughter) came back from her home in MO to visit! We were so excited to get to see her, and spend time with her going to the Farmer's Market, riding on "The Channel Cat" (a ferry that takes people on the Mississippi River), discussing music (always! :)), and going to church together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxeDC-9iCr62z7Dyh4SKT6zn5uFVgEWCHhNXQHH7uhy49hwSIFtaX4ZYHlPbkpbfe17kRlcH5XCHlR9VgGj1VNnobBxurLj3U0mbtzcTj1iJMR0nhtx4lc9Wp5HcJ4i5AyYS4wE-Kzpw/s1600/IMG_7481.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxeDC-9iCr62z7Dyh4SKT6zn5uFVgEWCHhNXQHH7uhy49hwSIFtaX4ZYHlPbkpbfe17kRlcH5XCHlR9VgGj1VNnobBxurLj3U0mbtzcTj1iJMR0nhtx4lc9Wp5HcJ4i5AyYS4wE-Kzpw/s400/IMG_7481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507551713994986162" border="0" /></a>There were many dear ministry partners that we were able to see also, and here is a picture of one amazing couple - Don and Marj Dirk. In their late 70's/early 80's, they are still going strong with dozens of mission trips all over the world under their belts, and plans for more in the making! It was so encouraging to hear their stories about God's work in their life: from wondering what God's plan was for them in their retirement, to where they are now! One of the keys to their success that they shared with us was to mentally and emotionally put on the whole armor of God every day, as God tells us in Ephesians 6:13-18. What an inspiration to us!<br /><br />From Illinois, we traveled to Indiana, where Christa and I attended a 3 week music course at an institute through our homeschool association. (www.verityinstitute.org) What an experience!! Here are a few highlights from our time:<br /><br /><a href="http://goo.gl/photos/ip4f" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img style="width: 407px; height: 293px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_JB934OUzWD4/TGhLvXqKnbI/AAAAAAAABL4/4wo_u5atE2g/s512/NoteWorthy%20July%2019-August%206%2C%202010%20001%20%28434%29.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There were 15 students that took the course with us, and we loved getting to know each one of them, and many of the other college students on campus there as well! This was a small class in comparison to other years, but great for us because it meant more one on one time with the many wonderful instructors!<br /><br />Topics covered over the 3 weeks included: theory, music notation, conducting, orchestration, song writing, music history, piano pedagogy, music in children's ministry, etc.<br /><br /><a href="http://goo.gl/photos/wzLB" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img style="width: 409px; height: 306px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_JB934OUzWD4/TF4h3Q-i9KI/AAAAAAAAANc/dcv4Oaieio8/s512/IMG_0021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There were many team projects over the week, and on one of our teams with 3 other sweet girls, we had to sing or play a song creatively or dramatically using solfege (like on "The Sound of Music" - do, re, mi, fa, so, etc) Too fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx5MvvNyixHk3WQ4RvfC5caoX4NkOAVNfZ7ZqARerTRgWTeMHCLNUZU9BJX8LjtrhO-Mx9hYz13saVvzkOPGNLt1E4gy3Vh4-6RHLINbDpiJODQObV6X4Kk8gu_f4m8Ft-6vMQ-PgYfo/s1600/IMG_7580.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx5MvvNyixHk3WQ4RvfC5caoX4NkOAVNfZ7ZqARerTRgWTeMHCLNUZU9BJX8LjtrhO-Mx9hYz13saVvzkOPGNLt1E4gy3Vh4-6RHLINbDpiJODQObV6X4Kk8gu_f4m8Ft-6vMQ-PgYfo/s400/IMG_7580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510224851400680498" border="0" /></a>Another team we were assigned to was with these 2 guys - Jonathan and Donald. The four of us were supposed to plan a half hour children's choir rehearsal using LOTS of creativity, and then all the teams actually presented their assignments to the teacher and the other teams at the end of the second week. The four of us were laughing hysterically for much of the planning time, but managed to come up with some interesting, let's say original ideas... :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW2AFbCkJXZ0W0D0wyqdmynESPqLqCp6L9-XQTb7H5URiXBWHMO5wqakvL5EeUbA-KwLlrEZq0NvXgFhPYkYs8d3-aZ-oV10ulRGPoepJQOHObCpG_swssQhARk_HnfnX0iECjcREygs/s1600/IMG_7607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW2AFbCkJXZ0W0D0wyqdmynESPqLqCp6L9-XQTb7H5URiXBWHMO5wqakvL5EeUbA-KwLlrEZq0NvXgFhPYkYs8d3-aZ-oV10ulRGPoepJQOHObCpG_swssQhARk_HnfnX0iECjcREygs/s400/IMG_7607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507556163568622434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin__KJlnEaIK_3qUEk2F2_tDDOeFWPc2diUOZpyvI4eWI8nBuwWBPuBlRDa5TFB8WCT9q9m9CCP_x8g2SExdKQ4EdExW9laxbqqMnYmtAAFg15EqQVf_-5b9MHgCUrzb2tkexoEXTMtx0/s1600/IMG_7611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin__KJlnEaIK_3qUEk2F2_tDDOeFWPc2diUOZpyvI4eWI8nBuwWBPuBlRDa5TFB8WCT9q9m9CCP_x8g2SExdKQ4EdExW9laxbqqMnYmtAAFg15EqQVf_-5b9MHgCUrzb2tkexoEXTMtx0/s400/IMG_7611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507556156040456914" border="0" /></a>...Like the relay race where the "students" had to draw out music notes with whippping cream and then use MnM's to designate how many beats that note had! We called our game "dessert notes" :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy_dhbphe1vKFbr3_1RP9NUzjyiWWi633ZNZ18rWbRfuTXYfa265oosWwbMgssBMfkxknfyvFlkUz0E5vpJfWPmgpCv6mO9purW5PDxJQKcbNGQp6VAG51DpqWkbrZw1_QXXpdU_M51Y/s1600/IMG_7630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy_dhbphe1vKFbr3_1RP9NUzjyiWWi633ZNZ18rWbRfuTXYfa265oosWwbMgssBMfkxknfyvFlkUz0E5vpJfWPmgpCv6mO9purW5PDxJQKcbNGQp6VAG51DpqWkbrZw1_QXXpdU_M51Y/s400/IMG_7630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514973040280522274" border="0" /></a>Most evenings saw us releasing our pent up energy in volleyball games outside with the other college students, taking long walks, and playing ping pong in the dining room! Here we are with Jonathan, Hannah, Rene, Elizabeth, Donald, and Kelsey.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_Q9OJrPAhtuPLfOFeM793fB9yfNr1O7kBsNPA17YF_KXhrGgrtlWQjJ8pF-55wwXvHw6GN4zdDdXHeUr2e7-9R3U92QEp-iAWFaAdUNXNB7KGruUxMJj9-Zt35nNUwSy3NLqTIU2me0/s1600/IMG_7633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_Q9OJrPAhtuPLfOFeM793fB9yfNr1O7kBsNPA17YF_KXhrGgrtlWQjJ8pF-55wwXvHw6GN4zdDdXHeUr2e7-9R3U92QEp-iAWFaAdUNXNB7KGruUxMJj9-Zt35nNUwSy3NLqTIU2me0/s400/IMG_7633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507556172315833458" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://goo.gl/photos/lm8J" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img style="width: 402px; height: 301px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JB934OUzWD4/TGaHju4YieI/AAAAAAAAAk0/8T5Cy46qrs0/s512/41288_456203626494_682011494_6320386_5948167_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Jonathan, Elizabeth, Kate, Christa, and Marie<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdixk8ZmcfvX9OWQ3MKEC8n0kicF7zXXiLkHwSPo_14re993QZWjCzoi6kOZN_OdNRIJCpFvGSjbOPeP1YfIVnvC_nLb7A8QbTRn9ZyYrs3W_wGB1Ev6jO7L-q5DyoqxFgtQvTFa8ZbSw/s1600/IMG_7538.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdixk8ZmcfvX9OWQ3MKEC8n0kicF7zXXiLkHwSPo_14re993QZWjCzoi6kOZN_OdNRIJCpFvGSjbOPeP1YfIVnvC_nLb7A8QbTRn9ZyYrs3W_wGB1Ev6jO7L-q5DyoqxFgtQvTFa8ZbSw/s400/IMG_7538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510228290142021090" border="0" /></a>Our sweet friends the Spiars' from Indianapolis, came to visit us during the course. It was so fun getting to catch up with them and laugh with them as always! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpxCEcU0GnYXpZHbt1F2gqxzsTgSXJs7_3t7loIcm0-UqmkkmLNbj4C12WRxm_d0cOD0ft39l69nSi8eu5RoKuT5reIVOL2-BBgdzv2a4w-KOxW4UM_K4HRjJm1DlSpvrFyFFcPpb8XI/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpxCEcU0GnYXpZHbt1F2gqxzsTgSXJs7_3t7loIcm0-UqmkkmLNbj4C12WRxm_d0cOD0ft39l69nSi8eu5RoKuT5reIVOL2-BBgdzv2a4w-KOxW4UM_K4HRjJm1DlSpvrFyFFcPpb8XI/s400/IMG_7685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510228283207619090" border="0" /></a>We ended the course with a concert on the last night for the other students at the college as well as families of the students. This included the solfege song that our "Team A" (Marie, Hannah, and Elizabeth) put together...<br /><br /><a href="http://goo.gl/photos/x6H9" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img style="width: 376px; height: 282px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_JB934OUzWD4/TGhLwURKleI/AAAAAAAABMM/HjVH4GScda8/s512/NoteWorthy%20July%2019-August%206%2C%202010%20%289%29.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://goo.gl/photos/w4ES" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img style="width: 415px; height: 311px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_JB934OUzWD4/TF4jAvw7pUI/AAAAAAAAANc/-hni_kTGCNI/s512/IMG_0111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As well as singing about 15 songs as a choir!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI6leXi7BP8FBP9aG2wA68d7rZ3JHiZ9YUzT50gdjPljLTRZS3Mmhj_UcOK2JqhUHRbAwimY3cr-cVbIhRQcFwMBxMmUYHjHM7IYuS3tr34IE99qEDIeXV3GDswZJnqf_ivr5d4pKPK0/s1600/IMG_7697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI6leXi7BP8FBP9aG2wA68d7rZ3JHiZ9YUzT50gdjPljLTRZS3Mmhj_UcOK2JqhUHRbAwimY3cr-cVbIhRQcFwMBxMmUYHjHM7IYuS3tr34IE99qEDIeXV3GDswZJnqf_ivr5d4pKPK0/s400/IMG_7697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510228299810211378" border="0" /></a>And we were so thrilled that our Aunt Di and Uncle Don came to hear our concert and stay with us the last 2 nights!! What a special thing for them to do, especially since our mom and dad had to be away at a Student Venture conference the last week of our course! Mom was able to stay for the first 2 weeks, and faithfully made meals for us, did our laundry, and was our moral support! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE65or7j18Ku3d_l7T-2gY30pJc_msl3YJ3XKyXQbPGcuIg_JDdXPIwMCf9riWXMDTfvK0RBfBv7EH2ptBXKC9rzTKng50fUMCpOyOFPskFTlsOt_MPB2k8bEXIpWYYA8IfEXD-ZZ1sU/s1600/IMG_7703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE65or7j18Ku3d_l7T-2gY30pJc_msl3YJ3XKyXQbPGcuIg_JDdXPIwMCf9riWXMDTfvK0RBfBv7EH2ptBXKC9rzTKng50fUMCpOyOFPskFTlsOt_MPB2k8bEXIpWYYA8IfEXD-ZZ1sU/s400/IMG_7703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510228308795962642" border="0" /></a>Suzanne and Rene - two super sweet college students that we got to know!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBU82zX7wKJDFnDJfqsgEsTujzGV4Z3GoaCpIZ5CvJcJSAnr-Fst9bdF5Isndw2aw5RmN0puacnWYHavSpVwpb7x3oVjBroXbUhXr4lQej2FY1v3z5FSO2mYTsPWKm2hWQWxmcXLxuuA/s1600/IMG_7707.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBU82zX7wKJDFnDJfqsgEsTujzGV4Z3GoaCpIZ5CvJcJSAnr-Fst9bdF5Isndw2aw5RmN0puacnWYHavSpVwpb7x3oVjBroXbUhXr4lQej2FY1v3z5FSO2mYTsPWKm2hWQWxmcXLxuuA/s400/IMG_7707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510228315167135874" border="0" /></a>A "goofy" shot with some friends at the reception after the concert...Anna, Natalia, Rachel, and Becca :)<br /><br />Christa and I both love music, and are so excited about developing our skills to use in future ministry however the Lord leads. It was wonderful to see how this music course furthered us down the road towards that end. We're thankful to the Lord for giving us the opportunity to participate in this course!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jnYTCc5Wj1QK4_IrUOnx5DqZbZWRFGMV8gX6LJhFoLia_GxOXpfNFZLe2v6p9YPTZJuZRUcaSzxhiZAXHwVEbQTTp5pnR4Oi19kUEQRcFrpmpp1Czhke7lhxd6fzFAYW23AhoT_Z7Go/s1600/IMG_7695.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jnYTCc5Wj1QK4_IrUOnx5DqZbZWRFGMV8gX6LJhFoLia_GxOXpfNFZLe2v6p9YPTZJuZRUcaSzxhiZAXHwVEbQTTp5pnR4Oi19kUEQRcFrpmpp1Czhke7lhxd6fzFAYW23AhoT_Z7Go/s400/IMG_7695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510224834745633554" border="0" /></a><br />To be continued... :)<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/BEAANN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-48289097508318400642010-01-02T19:28:00.000-08:002010-01-09T10:13:47.099-08:00Think Water Buffalo! :)We have been known to throw some "wild" parties in our lifetime, but this past Thursday just might have surpassed them all. :) We organized a New Year's Eve party at our church. And the theme? Water Buffaloes.<br /><br />Don't laugh. Just hang tight for a minute, and it will all make sense. :)<br /><br />There is a ministry called Gospel for Asia (GFA) that has its headquarters right here in Carrollton, and several of those on staff with this ministry attend our church. Every year, GFA sends out a Christmas catalog that allows people to give specific gifts to poor families in Asia. (go to <a href="http://www.gfa.org/gift">www.gfa.org/gift</a>) You can give anything from Bibles, to bicycles for missionaries, to chickens, to blankets...<br /><br />And don't forget about the water buffaloes!<br /><br />To the poverty stricken families in Asia, a water buffalo is like manna straight from heaven. They serve as tractors, "vehicles" for transportation, surrogate cows to give milk, and of course, an income generator when they reproduce every other year. They can live for 29 years, and even after they die, they are still useful by the meat they give. So you are getting some bang for your buck with that gift!<br /><br />But, speaking of bucks, a water buffalo costs $460. So we thought we would throw a party to raise the money as a church family - water buffalo style!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQCCZCGahyq5iv0gx9kYlEdXYirOCAHIGm_7SF24Ip2MJvUYL_G-JvXni4NYIVo_4dfWhFI4OTmaJ9vSdewimEVO22RUdI-jjx883cILYLEgj4vUNJOJtAAlLiw6mjn4FtiKQb6zOiMs/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+090.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQCCZCGahyq5iv0gx9kYlEdXYirOCAHIGm_7SF24Ip2MJvUYL_G-JvXni4NYIVo_4dfWhFI4OTmaJ9vSdewimEVO22RUdI-jjx883cILYLEgj4vUNJOJtAAlLiw6mjn4FtiKQb6zOiMs/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354511225142914" border="0" /></a>Our pastor and his wife, who are retired missionaries from Taiwan, had several statues of water buffaloes and water buffalo horns and were excited to bring those to help decorate!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTUdQQOLglrlB482PXmjtavsrQFunHif-j3nhD4gRmNLNU8pN8MYMCRcrNXfLXrtwIBQKiOB_hSblr03EjPvf6col7Zyv3goLh8-Za7VqeUVuChcUL_ur3yZ0D2OrUumXSeFPlNbafHQ/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+076.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTUdQQOLglrlB482PXmjtavsrQFunHif-j3nhD4gRmNLNU8pN8MYMCRcrNXfLXrtwIBQKiOB_hSblr03EjPvf6col7Zyv3goLh8-Za7VqeUVuChcUL_ur3yZ0D2OrUumXSeFPlNbafHQ/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354512345263970" border="0" /></a>We started out with splitting up everybody into four separate teams and having a competitive quiz involving fun facts about water buffaloes. Whoever answered a question right got a point for their team and a Starburst. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7IieR2Y5aqNCPlSKumdmJug3LebMcna93A7s0AtAtCyw6Rn0rgSy3b6XV7V33qifvqmMqGfP3bmxyoRvYtVRdoLY1tpgAP_frUauFV8Q0PXuEnJ_jOTcAqFLzfI3HBOfDyk1-iiO7r4/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+081.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7IieR2Y5aqNCPlSKumdmJug3LebMcna93A7s0AtAtCyw6Rn0rgSy3b6XV7V33qifvqmMqGfP3bmxyoRvYtVRdoLY1tpgAP_frUauFV8Q0PXuEnJ_jOTcAqFLzfI3HBOfDyk1-iiO7r4/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354529285463778" border="0" /></a>The next game, and by far the biggest hit and the most lively, was Pictionary! Each of the four teams had to draw items that involved life in Asia and make their teammates guess what they were drawing <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> the other teams got it. Needless to say, we had some pretty crazy drawings, and some pretty crazy people too... :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS4jtQPZw19wXN-MnyYsuJoJboB5_tJ7Ezya0tkoJDO-WqZgaABYz3xp5MMjqJg_G0pqHZpNKvFAisCR16QvsUlfmQ9Eao6K0KrsorDREi0b6nycI6W8mS17PrOg5RexFqFyr_q1y0MU/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS4jtQPZw19wXN-MnyYsuJoJboB5_tJ7Ezya0tkoJDO-WqZgaABYz3xp5MMjqJg_G0pqHZpNKvFAisCR16QvsUlfmQ9Eao6K0KrsorDREi0b6nycI6W8mS17PrOg5RexFqFyr_q1y0MU/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354926663277954" border="0" /></a>Christa and our friend Nicole enjoying some social time together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfPSUsnCFip8U0_uPK9PTK6np3FXx82wvHj_8APLDZSklPFWzQXxMmJG_5sbxlSCW27eFBxpWxp5YoH7AGZtMtzhsQSA8C9ykPvpUZY7lhApr6tNfw-vdKSJmUfEf2PY6KiyyX8zyT3c/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfPSUsnCFip8U0_uPK9PTK6np3FXx82wvHj_8APLDZSklPFWzQXxMmJG_5sbxlSCW27eFBxpWxp5YoH7AGZtMtzhsQSA8C9ykPvpUZY7lhApr6tNfw-vdKSJmUfEf2PY6KiyyX8zyT3c/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354523991753378" border="0" /></a>Some more intense sketching. :) Our pastor is great with children, and loves to gather the little ones around him whenever he gets a chance!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jumuLEm38MMwBLmpEpoWxv9kQCc_EN7ihEid04kgIsUaJCPo7J4JWPpFSnFFdWT07j5Q1BXc7kyp9-v-SOAhSkZLH69ksTagSaTZ6yLV5kk5s9VvyaoB_IcnZ_AbI56e3w9GdPigwmQ/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jumuLEm38MMwBLmpEpoWxv9kQCc_EN7ihEid04kgIsUaJCPo7J4JWPpFSnFFdWT07j5Q1BXc7kyp9-v-SOAhSkZLH69ksTagSaTZ6yLV5kk5s9VvyaoB_IcnZ_AbI56e3w9GdPigwmQ/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354525948753138" border="0" /></a>As you can see, the scores were pretty close!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0ziaa1jW66jm9FmQdoqOj0YVGYF_0YKtSHFVb-I0hVxQ8GxGRT4jjPq5ss2vLIim9P8_Fu9hHRMrBYVLB_ZSaZ5-Bipea9NMI65P9fogwhniYKfZwD4xdmAYEcOrSUubMo4YBGOHoJk/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0ziaa1jW66jm9FmQdoqOj0YVGYF_0YKtSHFVb-I0hVxQ8GxGRT4jjPq5ss2vLIim9P8_Fu9hHRMrBYVLB_ZSaZ5-Bipea9NMI65P9fogwhniYKfZwD4xdmAYEcOrSUubMo4YBGOHoJk/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354915842993106" border="0" /></a>Sweet Miss Hannah was my faithful team partner and helper for the evening. I greatly enjoyed getting to know her better! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc2HMls1grfcMT6PM2GkpTSu4JNLPTNKswM4zgGUDUQ-3Y9z96-A6emikxuFDQL5BE6J_BdKHhVN1LdmYSTGT9TVLqqZnvMjQW4f3T6ZWtj_3OqJUhv1X8oll_nrfVq56sokXWhdwvxg/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc2HMls1grfcMT6PM2GkpTSu4JNLPTNKswM4zgGUDUQ-3Y9z96-A6emikxuFDQL5BE6J_BdKHhVN1LdmYSTGT9TVLqqZnvMjQW4f3T6ZWtj_3OqJUhv1X8oll_nrfVq56sokXWhdwvxg/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422354910825115394" border="0" /></a>Dad was the emcee for the night, and did an awesome job! We also showed two videos from GFA that shared testimonies of changed lives. You can go to their website (<a href="http://www.gfa.org/gift">click here</a>) to view one of the films we showed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJXG3M4IJqiL6dEZcMT562GGm-c2C1BGrBgHg4iCiEMZOMiqRgraC5M-hFwGpnoH3E84ROrhc08Lx40pXrx_3UIjNBTqbbjRGYZMjLhXR8EmotaAHbNeQ5xOldotIqMq5L4oiuPz7nio/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJXG3M4IJqiL6dEZcMT562GGm-c2C1BGrBgHg4iCiEMZOMiqRgraC5M-hFwGpnoH3E84ROrhc08Lx40pXrx_3UIjNBTqbbjRGYZMjLhXR8EmotaAHbNeQ5xOldotIqMq5L4oiuPz7nio/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423047145021612098" border="0" /></a>Our friend Mr. Dickson who is on staff with GFA shared a testimony that he heard about a widow who received a water buffalo recently and accepted Christ as her Savior as a result of it! That was so exciting to hear!<br /><br />And we are thrilled to report that God raised up enough money to purchase not one, not two, but <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">three</span></span> water buffaloes, plus a goat and fourteen Bibles on top of that!! We praise God that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us! ~ Ephesians 3:20. May God use these gifts to change many lives for His kingdom.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-13759960388598126682010-01-01T13:45:00.001-08:002010-01-09T10:01:26.460-08:00White Christmas!We have big news for all you that live outside of Dallas. Make sure you're sitting down!<br /><br />We had a WHITE CHRISTMAS here for the first time in <span style="font-style: italic;">eighty years</span>!!!!!!!!<br /><br />It was enough to put the whole city into shock. It was the talk of the town. A whole 2.5 inches of powdery white flakes that actually stayed on the ground for 24 hours!!! Oh my!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfxOFUk-Xzacuq6MfepuHv-sMPG4-9xCnJhZFdk6KtqF18IYw87kM9CclABB3yBBUcukArVEDu99ztjqwpi_lm7OWd4jdhXvc7fCEVPYBCB6LaI2ezh8LtPmA4uChpH-t5wMPn_1wYB8/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfxOFUk-Xzacuq6MfepuHv-sMPG4-9xCnJhZFdk6KtqF18IYw87kM9CclABB3yBBUcukArVEDu99ztjqwpi_lm7OWd4jdhXvc7fCEVPYBCB6LaI2ezh8LtPmA4uChpH-t5wMPn_1wYB8/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421980872425288226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA4k3cUZaz4mMXIjxqT8WPQmxCjnBERUm1Nm62df186IJhM7-C_P4xF2MscU5Dib5Wb4V09ZuhTE5A2ftqP9rAJ4LoMIsecFz48ndu9McS86hpBVTEtEUsVH24Fdn1e29j1EIkCtypz4/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA4k3cUZaz4mMXIjxqT8WPQmxCjnBERUm1Nm62df186IJhM7-C_P4xF2MscU5Dib5Wb4V09ZuhTE5A2ftqP9rAJ4LoMIsecFz48ndu9McS86hpBVTEtEUsVH24Fdn1e29j1EIkCtypz4/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421980858319802274" border="0" /></a>Isn't it beautiful??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ooyh8K81_11wZ8CRLRxBTT958Ua_f1lw5Pz0eEhzDv8n_xciTydtT40qkRwGY8pHK4O9RriLhTcnQ1KFWhiO6chU7S0txlFP9qw9cfqQcU_D5rIUVJ4IlSUIPK6cQHcgBeOrhL37WGc/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ooyh8K81_11wZ8CRLRxBTT958Ua_f1lw5Pz0eEhzDv8n_xciTydtT40qkRwGY8pHK4O9RriLhTcnQ1KFWhiO6chU7S0txlFP9qw9cfqQcU_D5rIUVJ4IlSUIPK6cQHcgBeOrhL37WGc/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421980866338006482" border="0" /></a>Our poor flowers were definitely not expecting such "frigid" temperatures...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm0_8I5YG_PybYtoDWQ0xdhYGOCF44txDLqtSmyDIc9FMQfKusCPy4omPfhz_SwvRVKw2UYl-ndbNlJWMPQcfSLkNJKORmCa70JsALKrbJAJRzdNMH5sASqEStzKr8xc2cQP9X1JXL5U/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm0_8I5YG_PybYtoDWQ0xdhYGOCF44txDLqtSmyDIc9FMQfKusCPy4omPfhz_SwvRVKw2UYl-ndbNlJWMPQcfSLkNJKORmCa70JsALKrbJAJRzdNMH5sASqEStzKr8xc2cQP9X1JXL5U/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421981296478406370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUVzH4SOlGENg5b667EiroHFGObxjqkxfdIcHCfhnwp-Zh8Be4Ldk-wuljz4lAe7zt2HgEU_2_RZxOVSWy9xqKCrvk1T0Tz2i88-geFh599n6pQ4B1jCCKSEuj466zWMbfWTsqd0bfuA/s1600-h/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUVzH4SOlGENg5b667EiroHFGObxjqkxfdIcHCfhnwp-Zh8Be4Ldk-wuljz4lAe7zt2HgEU_2_RZxOVSWy9xqKCrvk1T0Tz2i88-geFh599n6pQ4B1jCCKSEuj466zWMbfWTsqd0bfuA/s400/Christmas+%26+New+Year%27s+09+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421981302126039154" border="0" /></a>And we even built a little snowman, complete with raisin buttons and a small cup for a hat! His name? Billy Bob! :)<br /><br />Yes, there's still a "little kid" in all of us! :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-74604748294448174182009-11-10T18:43:00.000-08:002009-11-11T17:42:04.250-08:00Trip to Houston<span style="text-decoration: underline;">This past weekend, we traveled to Hou<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>ston for the wedding of a dear friend! While there, we were so blessed to be able to stay with some other dear friends, the Riddell family!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrhRAUK1aPCWnd2f_8cqsru4TxB22KtyFcWPJd_kcrBGktc24t7igLlqxnCeHpSjTDjapOsLD__OibCebU3u3GIL7rPlUBCnI-FgI0wcPyNjr-axvhTw-GeXJZHaoyOChlGPRjoJoxdY/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrhRAUK1aPCWnd2f_8cqsru4TxB22KtyFcWPJd_kcrBGktc24t7igLlqxnCeHpSjTDjapOsLD__OibCebU3u3GIL7rPlUBCnI-FgI0wcPyNjr-axvhTw-GeXJZHaoyOChlGPRjoJoxdY/s400/houston+trip+09+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402671764070581122" border="0" /></a>Mr. and Mrs. Riddell have 3 daughters: Tara and Kelly and Elizabeth. They are SO MUCH FUN!!! and such a godly family too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKKbZJpJQx35b3iI5El4jpoDfsDhaKQ8wCP4FxHRPhDAv8kT9LAq9SAerzD6Xkf9dpeO3tW2DC6yEDo0t_YYDo1o1kUvSgjRBnvQgJJ6rMiHfckc8ls_3ldFZRimHhTm8e01LmJU8zog/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKKbZJpJQx35b3iI5El4jpoDfsDhaKQ8wCP4FxHRPhDAv8kT9LAq9SAerzD6Xkf9dpeO3tW2DC6yEDo0t_YYDo1o1kUvSgjRBnvQgJJ6rMiHfckc8ls_3ldFZRimHhTm8e01LmJU8zog/s400/houston+trip+09+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402671757986127682" border="0" /></a>We arrived in Houston on Friday, and headed over to the Fiesta Fellowship dinner that the engaged couple hosted for many of their guests. We had a wonderful time catching up with Tara and Kelly (above) and also the bride and her sweet family!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3kKsnK73ErbL_BkbQB06e53kN6FQ2L5n-EHMRkWnFj0iTY-9LdSpZHTzL-CfsCGpodMgw-u-bZ1NJLrFj3PFMeHRWDZJKeSm6c6UZT1IvzZx88dfzsrIWdpkRHeeJXQdBG0XTphLHEI/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3kKsnK73ErbL_BkbQB06e53kN6FQ2L5n-EHMRkWnFj0iTY-9LdSpZHTzL-CfsCGpodMgw-u-bZ1NJLrFj3PFMeHRWDZJKeSm6c6UZT1IvzZx88dfzsrIWdpkRHeeJXQdBG0XTphLHEI/s400/houston+trip+09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402671767850841810" border="0" /></a>Part of the Fiesta Fellowship was a "family talent show" for everyone to do something special for the bride and groom. The songs, skits, stories, and poems had everyone roaring with laughter! Our family wrote a song, and sang in public for our first time together ever!! :) Yikes! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70VTUPjLBkSgF5D-NtC9vHoaCoWtLtu7fRRbyWa-f7o08bXbfkGmrYPV0bwafSBEkae3B69EqpFqiZA4GSx_9Vu6Jpdu-49unoqym9QDwfPMBVs7nSyLA1U2vdOcEL9N9CcRtvi66LdA/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70VTUPjLBkSgF5D-NtC9vHoaCoWtLtu7fRRbyWa-f7o08bXbfkGmrYPV0bwafSBEkae3B69EqpFqiZA4GSx_9Vu6Jpdu-49unoqym9QDwfPMBVs7nSyLA1U2vdOcEL9N9CcRtvi66LdA/s400/houston+trip+09+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402672305151357298" border="0" /></a>Here is the lovely couple Katelin and Nathan on their wedding day! A special thing about their ceremony was that both of them saved their very first kiss for the wedding alter! What a special gift they were able to give to each other. And what an inspiration this was to Christa and me also!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2oCReKWDIT0sN8-uMtqu4n6BoURCY0G3hQ-OTgYEyyfVw1DU7R-3MY2qxycP6u85Un5gZ5_ekWYlENwdW_b7DhcrXB2jtbkO2EiL0syCGHE_cAZtkilL0fGPJ_5n157refZ_qCi4BuY/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2oCReKWDIT0sN8-uMtqu4n6BoURCY0G3hQ-OTgYEyyfVw1DU7R-3MY2qxycP6u85Un5gZ5_ekWYlENwdW_b7DhcrXB2jtbkO2EiL0syCGHE_cAZtkilL0fGPJ_5n157refZ_qCi4BuY/s400/houston+trip+09+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402673532401141106" border="0" /></a>Our whole family really enjoyed being able to serve during the wedding in a variety of ways. Before the ceremony, we took gifts from guests to a designated room, manned the guest book, and welcomed guests. During the reception, we helped to restock the "munchie" table... :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5lUrJ8gWC8k59ZikCZs0ygFX9-Dq2NEJTx5H8BwVTC3YLSAjW7kfe2EATo-Qle7EEiSwNMJmpBvrgnd7lwO2ggrs86VQN5jY25GJsQkFbWnZWfUJ_2wyfpYXSD856CkjWPYxeRmvuYQ/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5lUrJ8gWC8k59ZikCZs0ygFX9-Dq2NEJTx5H8BwVTC3YLSAjW7kfe2EATo-Qle7EEiSwNMJmpBvrgnd7lwO2ggrs86VQN5jY25GJsQkFbWnZWfUJ_2wyfpYXSD856CkjWPYxeRmvuYQ/s400/houston+trip+09+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402671771761511522" border="0" /></a>...and Christa's and my favorite part was serving toppings for the ice cream sundaes that the family had at the reception instead of cake! Learning to spoon liquid caramel into a cup without getting it all over the table cloth, the outside of the cup, and the hands of the guest was quite a task! :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5ijKvJh9OdcZ8DikwamVLcsS0izKQ0ZLdCz_NBMzUGx1ohS5nUPcS7UFXDiPWWfaQdbHHh1GTxEgbRQd4sh4VaQj8Yr3mTTCqf_yFfSS6Y7p3c7T_MOp1mNVVb__IXZXnobpVEgIvdM/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5ijKvJh9OdcZ8DikwamVLcsS0izKQ0ZLdCz_NBMzUGx1ohS5nUPcS7UFXDiPWWfaQdbHHh1GTxEgbRQd4sh4VaQj8Yr3mTTCqf_yFfSS6Y7p3c7T_MOp1mNVVb__IXZXnobpVEgIvdM/s400/houston+trip+09+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402671782994816498" border="0" /></a>Ice cream serving buddies! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDlRo-yHWckPvFae8qISEpbJJeLhKkT4m9e4L6_FDmx4CdLr_i04OEwDD5u2bEk84SlwjXgVKNskT7gsiXGHsIhdfc5U6Ya6X-gHDyKXW-CCXiyUR4I7Tu4oflYlHAWX3cQ2_nTyBwBU/s1600-h/houston+trip+09+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDlRo-yHWckPvFae8qISEpbJJeLhKkT4m9e4L6_FDmx4CdLr_i04OEwDD5u2bEk84SlwjXgVKNskT7gsiXGHsIhdfc5U6Ya6X-gHDyKXW-CCXiyUR4I7Tu4oflYlHAWX3cQ2_nTyBwBU/s400/houston+trip+09+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402672309195077234" border="0" /></a>We consider these 3 older girls, Kelly Riddell, Katrina Rebsch (sister of the bride), and Tara Riddell, our mentors, and we are so thankful for their friendship! We also had such a fun time getting to know Elizabeth Riddell (age 10) better over the weekend! She is a sweet friend too! :)<br /><br />Praise the Lord for friends who encourage us in our walk with Him!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-36646475096826810942009-09-01T10:35:00.000-07:002009-09-02T08:39:05.616-07:00Family Choir CampThis past week, we hosted a family choir camp at our church! We had some sweet friends of ours, Mr. and Mrs. Amon and Joy Baker, drive over from Arkansas to direct it for us. Mr. Baker is in his eighties, and Mrs. Baker is almost eighty, but both seem years younger!! Together, they have been directing choirs and teaching voice for over sixty years!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVOEDNDCiIG65rpyEkDRWTCje_cwUXJdVkfLmASr8e73c2exQSopBni4p9EQPBmXsQzt76UMTvnSXIVdpFm97LWoJFZGxixA9EUqlQOQ-I79dB5jFbvG_jk2rJRvcwE3-xpRB4ctM9vI/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVOEDNDCiIG65rpyEkDRWTCje_cwUXJdVkfLmASr8e73c2exQSopBni4p9EQPBmXsQzt76UMTvnSXIVdpFm97LWoJFZGxixA9EUqlQOQ-I79dB5jFbvG_jk2rJRvcwE3-xpRB4ctM9vI/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376556228347137410" border="0" /></a>It was such a joy to have them in our home for the week that they were here! They are a lovely, vibrant couple that truly loves and serves Jesus, and it was so much fun to be able to get to know them better!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqYnSRl93lfoye5NMXafFthuup4DMZdcfT73ZC2v7dyAYuaqu3V8cUw36AoijdWuD7HpCyS-P0uSvLxSEztQvJWvLtzj2wqygW4_aXoYk_0kqh9Wx0aMb5VOyf1STl2vjvgngpGATDwg/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqYnSRl93lfoye5NMXafFthuup4DMZdcfT73ZC2v7dyAYuaqu3V8cUw36AoijdWuD7HpCyS-P0uSvLxSEztQvJWvLtzj2wqygW4_aXoYk_0kqh9Wx0aMb5VOyf1STl2vjvgngpGATDwg/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376556222496732930" border="0" /></a>The choir camp was Wednesday and Thursday evening, and all day Friday and Saturday. We rehearsed six anthems to sing, and loved every one of them! Here is a picture of all of us squeezed into the choir loft! :) There were about 40 people participating - most of them from our church, but a couple homeschool families from other churches as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PJQZUJECkqZRCa744zcddmNfKmyTkHRaFrC4IPr5Brukdqb90ipqVFXRTaus39i_nZiGkt8iFabWcKCgah8XZyhtJ85-tHW0qYtn59Vk3XLqK2mzt9dMUfaTtZS8gunqVUbcBrZ24Tw/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PJQZUJECkqZRCa744zcddmNfKmyTkHRaFrC4IPr5Brukdqb90ipqVFXRTaus39i_nZiGkt8iFabWcKCgah8XZyhtJ85-tHW0qYtn59Vk3XLqK2mzt9dMUfaTtZS8gunqVUbcBrZ24Tw/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376556199930284722" border="0" /></a>The fun thing about the week was that we had all ages participating: from six years old to seventy years old!! :) This is Christa with a new friend, Bethany, (17 yrs) and another little friend, Andrew, (6 yrs) in her lap! :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2CglyjosZ3TWf_8Czj277kOe9sDPB_vUfriEGu0EA5XrsjsxNbUdcHAYilU4Hqro5KvkAUAWWgi6-7k2da41RnrvrYGlIUJujJav7hAu3dJmj7Ajs6jK0B-2ezNvCkUIHOetPucBkiA/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2CglyjosZ3TWf_8Czj277kOe9sDPB_vUfriEGu0EA5XrsjsxNbUdcHAYilU4Hqro5KvkAUAWWgi6-7k2da41RnrvrYGlIUJujJav7hAu3dJmj7Ajs6jK0B-2ezNvCkUIHOetPucBkiA/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376556210240350450" border="0" /></a>Besides working on the six anthems to sing, we also had something called masterclasses incorporated into our rehearsal times. This was a brief personal lesson in front of the group to get Mr. Baker's advice and input. Though everyone was more than a little nervous to participate, there were quite a few who decided to take the plunge and put together a song to sing for everyone. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9y7CHFrmQFGv8GWPayQcvtDID0WlyA-hamBDBh6WAUMPD1WVNLJWasJ2IhFd1nkAgF984zEJE-E52JqcYp3YZPvDikGTTC6pQCamyP0DXJb44ZHlZOYReD96rL_cbFGf6UMlhXpyCkM/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9y7CHFrmQFGv8GWPayQcvtDID0WlyA-hamBDBh6WAUMPD1WVNLJWasJ2IhFd1nkAgF984zEJE-E52JqcYp3YZPvDikGTTC6pQCamyP0DXJb44ZHlZOYReD96rL_cbFGf6UMlhXpyCkM/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376556188856707810" border="0" /></a>Christa playing the piano for our friends, Emily and Jenny, as they practice their duet to sing for a Masterclass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3-c5aMnxiDK6ai4RWC8BfXKq9rfK1E5pT8KozQtV8y8axzk35aZSZPoVTRqNmvDPvU-g8FMfIFVt6BEpBU6DxwDtHyVq1RCAzx3TTFHB-wLWmWxCL__Oj3c5vAqgaHrjbWVktdDUnDU/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3-c5aMnxiDK6ai4RWC8BfXKq9rfK1E5pT8KozQtV8y8axzk35aZSZPoVTRqNmvDPvU-g8FMfIFVt6BEpBU6DxwDtHyVq1RCAzx3TTFHB-wLWmWxCL__Oj3c5vAqgaHrjbWVktdDUnDU/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376555331430413954" border="0" /></a>The two sets of twins! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUyLzkbPK2aygDPcj5k_WOHh6zntfOZ12B1BnZUoSEjW_kVCf1DCHR8J67dGUIiL09OoZt0yHCs1WEsRN7c6KSga1k0ZLVupqWB-uNPAauPZLt2m-XAvcyVbJ6FDTXcCiD8PngKuyIgc/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUyLzkbPK2aygDPcj5k_WOHh6zntfOZ12B1BnZUoSEjW_kVCf1DCHR8J67dGUIiL09OoZt0yHCs1WEsRN7c6KSga1k0ZLVupqWB-uNPAauPZLt2m-XAvcyVbJ6FDTXcCiD8PngKuyIgc/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376555324854387122" border="0" /></a>Hope and Grace Rohlin were my "second soprano buddies" during the rehearsal times!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOF5OmIZrLfAqeRbB3PN49XgEhkqRIDinmCONhe79ih58AEQsmVoqnKbW-5ZZ-PuW9uuZ7_zf5Z8bbOCHTBK48mwEJONvMgJyriDe7sJ7foCCyZPvf3UVekuuh1vhNKiDTZt8BevCmSc/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOF5OmIZrLfAqeRbB3PN49XgEhkqRIDinmCONhe79ih58AEQsmVoqnKbW-5ZZ-PuW9uuZ7_zf5Z8bbOCHTBK48mwEJONvMgJyriDe7sJ7foCCyZPvf3UVekuuh1vhNKiDTZt8BevCmSc/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376555313450365810" border="0" /></a>Mr. Baker...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl7sDqtD9oiFEILpCnjAh5sxk68ooWgihcmPnqXXgvA8jIfhZlEIR2NBwuK2ymUOoQIlLDtuK_CRp_Vyv4MFtzQPLUdo36XDoAnttHR8iXVUCWcxHf57k6GPHSjskUxweAmgTCfpqpPo/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl7sDqtD9oiFEILpCnjAh5sxk68ooWgihcmPnqXXgvA8jIfhZlEIR2NBwuK2ymUOoQIlLDtuK_CRp_Vyv4MFtzQPLUdo36XDoAnttHR8iXVUCWcxHf57k6GPHSjskUxweAmgTCfpqpPo/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376555307111537970" border="0" /></a>And the joyful Mrs. Joy Baker!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS0Y9a4QRkQ0_BZJktqcY6wKa1F8hC8N4BClaCVvtoJ5TdnZ7pMW7Tv5an36i82xC2dyi6DaceEDltMIYoP94mOgPbEKc2TuBdz_dFckbOBjNa0QcVcfTQ1M4RQMmPH9dDLoWYlQg8MQ/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS0Y9a4QRkQ0_BZJktqcY6wKa1F8hC8N4BClaCVvtoJ5TdnZ7pMW7Tv5an36i82xC2dyi6DaceEDltMIYoP94mOgPbEKc2TuBdz_dFckbOBjNa0QcVcfTQ1M4RQMmPH9dDLoWYlQg8MQ/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376555301010732754" border="0" /></a>Even Dad was a good sport and joined us for the week as a promising (but sometimes goofy!!) tenor! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaSSejkx7Wc29Ej-CSat8p5buurY9NQDS-wmJQyu5zpgozwcBx_AuUgMvD_Ozu8-3YrHQz-ukUFYl5kDB5GaX-BYVtGmjN4Pmjo6tcd6s1pJ4bgPGMC7vaTtpxsspQlxFpniRrnGpKmY/s1600-h/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaSSejkx7Wc29Ej-CSat8p5buurY9NQDS-wmJQyu5zpgozwcBx_AuUgMvD_Ozu8-3YrHQz-ukUFYl5kDB5GaX-BYVtGmjN4Pmjo6tcd6s1pJ4bgPGMC7vaTtpxsspQlxFpniRrnGpKmY/s400/sewing+%26+choir+camp+-+Aug+09+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376556458096033314" border="0" /></a>On Sunday morning, we warmed up our voices in the Fellowship Hall, and then headed on in to the Sanctuary to present our program of six anthems as part of the worship service.<br /><br />We closed out the week with a sad farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Baker. We had such an enjoyable time and felt like we benefited so much from the instruction we received!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-25354910525988960092009-08-19T13:09:00.000-07:002009-08-20T12:23:27.167-07:00Calming, Captivating, Commendable Colorado!!<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Part 2 -</span><br />After having spent a week and a half in the Midwest, (pictures in the previous post below) we pointed our minivan westward to the beautiful mountains of Colorado!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b0bcJtCU_n7m5oVxYRIO414Q7rGhbpHCbr63NWtqSZHM3pdVwu8OqCv5cEkPwA1UIgiX9TAXNuOp-lN7H0d0MIKoeMGFRR76IVrJhVCISNYpAtWxCMH5BRx16DBnpGYYCR5Gea1CE2k/s1600-h/colorado+09+074.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b0bcJtCU_n7m5oVxYRIO414Q7rGhbpHCbr63NWtqSZHM3pdVwu8OqCv5cEkPwA1UIgiX9TAXNuOp-lN7H0d0MIKoeMGFRR76IVrJhVCISNYpAtWxCMH5BRx16DBnpGYYCR5Gea1CE2k/s400/colorado+09+074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771404737822994" border="0" /></a><br />In the lovely town of Fort Collins, we attended our biannual staff training conference for Campus Crusade for Christ, along with 4,000 of our "best friends!" :) The speakers were so inspiring as we heard reports of all that the Lord is doing all over the world as men and women seek to share the Gospel Message! We were able to meet up with old and new friends, and spend time with so many special people! Sadly, we were slackers and pretty much forgot our camera for the whole conference, so we don't have pictures of any of them but one of our dear friends, Libby Cox.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuszP4l1_Tg1a4uHfnHsicV5X-rK5CY72RisGxobJhPkAhoD3spA-ddh2mkvn8_OmKpdyKuLsP8_kB6-GbqUlcplsmJ2-d3ub0T9JjhkwYbQdBb82q0IQrTUWjhfkHaPcTTS-p_TJ1Qcc/s1600-h/colorado+09+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuszP4l1_Tg1a4uHfnHsicV5X-rK5CY72RisGxobJhPkAhoD3spA-ddh2mkvn8_OmKpdyKuLsP8_kB6-GbqUlcplsmJ2-d3ub0T9JjhkwYbQdBb82q0IQrTUWjhfkHaPcTTS-p_TJ1Qcc/s400/colorado+09+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771410234537826" border="0" /></a>Yes, true gal friends always do each other's hair! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFoWq9fxwsRQUIFt19c97IOaGXTNv5BxBwrGA-7Ek9MrxIED0iynbDnfGCkGp5X6nMzvqH7nBgItKP7xI1OQ_Re30vuidVFWRlovKeHlnNjy3-oUDQ4TAUNwPROjbRmtRfekcQL6_sA/s1600-h/colorado+09+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFoWq9fxwsRQUIFt19c97IOaGXTNv5BxBwrGA-7Ek9MrxIED0iynbDnfGCkGp5X6nMzvqH7nBgItKP7xI1OQ_Re30vuidVFWRlovKeHlnNjy3-oUDQ4TAUNwPROjbRmtRfekcQL6_sA/s400/colorado+09+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771424509385458" border="0" /></a>Libby is such a special friend, and we were so excited to be able to spend time almost every day with her! From shopping, to long chats, to taking walks, to picnics, to sitting in meetings together, we loved every minute of it! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoSVskRD7RRjiZBxtS8KuZnlirZZaJpohogvZQmm9DAy4GEITbJ_QLHKsgHiHVxaoy2QXEOrfmGUJikyuCKtCg153hJFy3EvvQd-OiNsmHCr3tiTIak72drlWv7qD3SUgkt7QkDTIBQ8/s1600-h/colorado+09+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoSVskRD7RRjiZBxtS8KuZnlirZZaJpohogvZQmm9DAy4GEITbJ_QLHKsgHiHVxaoy2QXEOrfmGUJikyuCKtCg153hJFy3EvvQd-OiNsmHCr3tiTIak72drlWv7qD3SUgkt7QkDTIBQ8/s400/colorado+09+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371772914902190898" border="0" /></a>And Mom (actually all of us!) always looks forward to reconnecting with Libby's mom (and dad!) whose sense of humor brings roars of laughter to us all!!<br /><br />After the conference ended, we decided to spend a few extra days "tooling" around Colorado and spending time in the gorgeous countryside! We ended up passing through Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, and all the little "cutesy" towns in between! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwNqGWBSVLQEU75MQQQdYziEMu1LlSWEfGR3KegayBqSUddKKiTQvZ-HIk1s8LHjgxSmd-NFjO20zOsWf0Euk4Pd1FBhj439dWgtaLl3E1QUtIccYC6NXBgzsr6spxfWExUUAOuyLJhY/s1600-h/colorado+09+086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwNqGWBSVLQEU75MQQQdYziEMu1LlSWEfGR3KegayBqSUddKKiTQvZ-HIk1s8LHjgxSmd-NFjO20zOsWf0Euk4Pd1FBhj439dWgtaLl3E1QUtIccYC6NXBgzsr6spxfWExUUAOuyLJhY/s400/colorado+09+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771439185450114" border="0" /></a>One of the days, we decided to take a free 5 minute ski lift ride in Winter Park! Fun, fun, fun!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlX3a1Vpq60X8cuEWisIItbHs3FwZ5ZsT0gjC6urMyeK9-pZ4ybOlmytLRL8G-03ZkZ-uspMM9MeZ39N_RoqickiMaHYDzKQdxh5gYlFCyV7W5UBuwwqMwJeAUgm6jwhPxE8YXAD0C-4/s1600-h/colorado+09+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlX3a1Vpq60X8cuEWisIItbHs3FwZ5ZsT0gjC6urMyeK9-pZ4ybOlmytLRL8G-03ZkZ-uspMM9MeZ39N_RoqickiMaHYDzKQdxh5gYlFCyV7W5UBuwwqMwJeAUgm6jwhPxE8YXAD0C-4/s400/colorado+09+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371772925491899090" border="0" /></a>Here we are in Boulder, walking through Pearl Street Mall! What a crazy, but fun place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtYFS3pGje2XhwheVynGJDr6O7RN7qGsgthM0Qjyx7OY7A39qOUcWvKgdQnzz1z5MkGo4fAgA5yjM_TDLR3tFkj0Wsj4_6FpwgQhb-aNqpqahnm01dy_gQxqgnMr-Z9imLfh2phGZ5d4/s1600-h/colorado+09+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtYFS3pGje2XhwheVynGJDr6O7RN7qGsgthM0Qjyx7OY7A39qOUcWvKgdQnzz1z5MkGo4fAgA5yjM_TDLR3tFkj0Wsj4_6FpwgQhb-aNqpqahnm01dy_gQxqgnMr-Z9imLfh2phGZ5d4/s400/colorado+09+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371773812852291378" border="0" /></a>Our favorite times were when we could hike the mountains and explore in creeks and water falls!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToscen0CaPkm9hMaMCpIs1CKyfiDVBiyTPIB6m27OM_WDOoabIQM7NtbjxRN-tMDzhEdvUChZIRp51LgaaV5PRZGS7ZIsV8Ge4GoNw5juHEtCbiE3HtCrGq0gkdg995XtvVyNTBIQUvw/s1600-h/colorado+09+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToscen0CaPkm9hMaMCpIs1CKyfiDVBiyTPIB6m27OM_WDOoabIQM7NtbjxRN-tMDzhEdvUChZIRp51LgaaV5PRZGS7ZIsV8Ge4GoNw5juHEtCbiE3HtCrGq0gkdg995XtvVyNTBIQUvw/s400/colorado+09+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371772900020842610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJWKGeUcxyQE9pxhyphenhyphenJwF0CTId_JAq7xx1nIj4Y7XZR-iAKzmtf21BHM9aQ044z6ZzRGecAzd_PQnCqyGFayyjxthXIyVjDgjeYcbhEPRnF39ZamdG3hqEEp45Qd8e1Yan5fiH2fGmylw/s1600-h/colorado+09+096.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJWKGeUcxyQE9pxhyphenhyphenJwF0CTId_JAq7xx1nIj4Y7XZR-iAKzmtf21BHM9aQ044z6ZzRGecAzd_PQnCqyGFayyjxthXIyVjDgjeYcbhEPRnF39ZamdG3hqEEp45Qd8e1Yan5fiH2fGmylw/s400/colorado+09+096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371773821548443042" border="0" /></a>Dad in hiking mode! :)<br /><br />On our way home after a fantastic time in Colorado, we saw this beautiful rainbow! What a reminder of God's faithfulness to us!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZChNQiyr2YPG0jMWBgerYRlYi8WZr1R3SkQzn0tcZJcu_3bjpkJW66yIwg6pI1UkccpgzYGosFg8F-ElJtkOpBE0JkGutXqzuM5WTGP65TXTzbJKGkxnjjo2On2S2ikrOwgxcX9bZ-s/s1600-h/colorado+09+125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZChNQiyr2YPG0jMWBgerYRlYi8WZr1R3SkQzn0tcZJcu_3bjpkJW66yIwg6pI1UkccpgzYGosFg8F-ElJtkOpBE0JkGutXqzuM5WTGP65TXTzbJKGkxnjjo2On2S2ikrOwgxcX9bZ-s/s400/colorado+09+125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371774080583049458" border="0" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-34628889625976754232009-08-08T08:57:00.000-07:002009-08-10T18:46:50.329-07:00HOME!!!We are back home!! After almost a month of traveling like gypsies, :) we have returned and have finally gotten a handle on bags and bags (and bags and bags) of "stuff" to unpack, mountains of laundry, hundreds of emails, stacks of dishes, etc! But it was all worth it!! The Lord gave us a terrific time, and so many unexpected blessings during the month! We'd like to share just a few of these with you now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gjPkcvjf4msl2zl1aTbiQLRuyYOCMFF94mnZefzXYIM73Vo1sMnnaUiucGGn6AFsNUQTJKinYfjzJuq9HY8pIwRW8485EAD2rKftUx9TDpRSKdQGOGaCz_P_JEDuQwnDzE1U2Yq45fc/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gjPkcvjf4msl2zl1aTbiQLRuyYOCMFF94mnZefzXYIM73Vo1sMnnaUiucGGn6AFsNUQTJKinYfjzJuq9HY8pIwRW8485EAD2rKftUx9TDpRSKdQGOGaCz_P_JEDuQwnDzE1U2Yq45fc/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367623969542677730" border="0" /></a><br />Our first stop was Illinois to stay with my dad's sister, Diane, and her new husband, Don! (on the very left in the picture above) While there, we got to spend an evening with my dad's other sister, Julie and her husband Randy (in the middle of the picture) and their children Meagan and Nick and Nick's fiance (not pictured). And of course we had to make a stop at Whitey's ice cream with everyone! On the Sunday that we spent in Illinois, we visited one of our sending churches, and saw many of our special ministry partners and friends! Though we don't have pictures of any of them, we were so blessed by our time with each one!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTiSWhHxybOv83u5xa-Kw6OXlfIKkxdsIx_fSSd4XhD1V0IKJGTLoJPYHzNwb8D3nIUf5IfDgDJplXjDlHF1-WmtRWBucI__ACvrsmy4SeLHaGn7Ra5iOEeuKL4e-MwOWlu2vmH72VT4/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+108.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTiSWhHxybOv83u5xa-Kw6OXlfIKkxdsIx_fSSd4XhD1V0IKJGTLoJPYHzNwb8D3nIUf5IfDgDJplXjDlHF1-WmtRWBucI__ACvrsmy4SeLHaGn7Ra5iOEeuKL4e-MwOWlu2vmH72VT4/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367633465688283874" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop was Union Pier Michigan (the very southern tip, and I do believe one of the most beautiful places on earth!!) We rented a little cottage right on the beach and stayed up there as a family for the first few days, then Aunt Diane and Uncle Don came up from Illinois to join us for the rest of the time! It was wonderful to be able to take a little break from our busy schedule and rest by the beach!<br /><br />Activities included:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJSUkxqgQj2cPsOBbCu9wOh0GbvBH-US2pxT4NeRW2bNmqw3k2yrNsRgz3EjE2mGqNJzyM0_OdpaSuC1WKBjpW-yfpoDWeIuhsm-JipuX2DIWhgcSsVZt1rfo28oQysJdBIT2WSDgrhU/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJSUkxqgQj2cPsOBbCu9wOh0GbvBH-US2pxT4NeRW2bNmqw3k2yrNsRgz3EjE2mGqNJzyM0_OdpaSuC1WKBjpW-yfpoDWeIuhsm-JipuX2DIWhgcSsVZt1rfo28oQysJdBIT2WSDgrhU/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367627878110914002" border="0" /></a><br />Badminton,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg26aescV5OTGLdP1Dk6LFyIkjaxjnQxMRFEZcWbaXCWpTMVNTsiRNqQ0x1FcD7LnmRfBD-jdvwyNZfklQK7-EhE70wp8mvG2ZwCuBX1uZrB_hX235nao1bXe_zc61uRoSciAK_f-xpDA/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+077.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg26aescV5OTGLdP1Dk6LFyIkjaxjnQxMRFEZcWbaXCWpTMVNTsiRNqQ0x1FcD7LnmRfBD-jdvwyNZfklQK7-EhE70wp8mvG2ZwCuBX1uZrB_hX235nao1bXe_zc61uRoSciAK_f-xpDA/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367628732422477122" border="0" /></a><br />Rock hunting,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUQNaJJFK9vvWVDXQ-ifbtW92dqWzcTBenGBonc45gdrKv0dZlvZfoOsOZfCv2qAtpWNcW5BeADcVv2Gcz_VgMYCyjt12so85_FQzgddC-BUQJ-ZrWd1SHeHiEcNCaI3MXobmEnx0pQ4/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+255.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUQNaJJFK9vvWVDXQ-ifbtW92dqWzcTBenGBonc45gdrKv0dZlvZfoOsOZfCv2qAtpWNcW5BeADcVv2Gcz_VgMYCyjt12so85_FQzgddC-BUQJ-ZrWd1SHeHiEcNCaI3MXobmEnx0pQ4/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+255.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367629494263997170" border="0" /></a>Walks along the beach,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xjWtn0p1CcW4THeHkLdqSLSW_mtx0ErIhShVYVTvUuWU8gEx2OmNNwshjs25L2A_TG-3ntCq_DM_XLX2zVezzrgHXxNXlnVNn6lpphc9nag9-oDFqVZ_SVEqANXZ81-EIPTEj6vzJlY/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xjWtn0p1CcW4THeHkLdqSLSW_mtx0ErIhShVYVTvUuWU8gEx2OmNNwshjs25L2A_TG-3ntCq_DM_XLX2zVezzrgHXxNXlnVNn6lpphc9nag9-oDFqVZ_SVEqANXZ81-EIPTEj6vzJlY/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367627887137651314" border="0" /></a>Frisbee,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JLfNCtZCo7CpNWiYvucwlRvzUwwGuj6v7Pk2esXxYxCmD7_RfodWGT2AXiGe1Uus4WYzx4WyFQXvTmVkMm9WmWKxbp0wdLqgedswvRlwmVp3689TQvSDM8yE3bL5P_HVyTy8wOnQjEs/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+192.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JLfNCtZCo7CpNWiYvucwlRvzUwwGuj6v7Pk2esXxYxCmD7_RfodWGT2AXiGe1Uus4WYzx4WyFQXvTmVkMm9WmWKxbp0wdLqgedswvRlwmVp3689TQvSDM8yE3bL5P_HVyTy8wOnQjEs/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+192.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367629480388641650" border="0" /></a>Bike riding along the darling little streets of Union Pier,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYMudK6QGwrWQPtKjuWyd-ig2mg8_cXXvLvRQBYMfKRz_ABY0oiq1vMAkJnqdYet0WQc7TwcdN2R4nt-v_jVs9J1dy0nOzYTaJUpF2qQGRyysE_jQ-lRRzCK7x1AGFwfNvCQdINQ5wT4/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYMudK6QGwrWQPtKjuWyd-ig2mg8_cXXvLvRQBYMfKRz_ABY0oiq1vMAkJnqdYet0WQc7TwcdN2R4nt-v_jVs9J1dy0nOzYTaJUpF2qQGRyysE_jQ-lRRzCK7x1AGFwfNvCQdINQ5wT4/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367628736402031954" border="0" /></a>Reading aloud as a family,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSfNkyEXLrlka_2f2qHoBjraMa9zm2Q1E8fUlEVBBjiV_1_qe-yrRCdngyyMX-Xpt0JheIYqTIA7xZI-utWKVOBcdGlEJ0su_B4g5WiEoGPoXdeq65jcHv8DlcMnru88qt7yATOhT0yY/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSfNkyEXLrlka_2f2qHoBjraMa9zm2Q1E8fUlEVBBjiV_1_qe-yrRCdngyyMX-Xpt0JheIYqTIA7xZI-utWKVOBcdGlEJ0su_B4g5WiEoGPoXdeq65jcHv8DlcMnru88qt7yATOhT0yY/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367631973478074114" border="0" /></a>Canoeing,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYg5Y3elLOCcGn3rz7YuUy2tF4wVdQbbARaMRToqf1zyBTuOe-IFmBbg2xqWqHwmQ8k_EOwt094hF22tkRw0nEG-_gHZRq1cBAemr59AEaV7GQMBQHBxBDYkh0qGKdJADwJUXbxxAxYE/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYg5Y3elLOCcGn3rz7YuUy2tF4wVdQbbARaMRToqf1zyBTuOe-IFmBbg2xqWqHwmQ8k_EOwt094hF22tkRw0nEG-_gHZRq1cBAemr59AEaV7GQMBQHBxBDYkh0qGKdJADwJUXbxxAxYE/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367631969668803266" border="0" /></a>A campfire and s'mores,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwx28zbRUhnO8OdYehPeQ95D-oa9CISjTApf0rPdeLRTJ4OfcHdt8yUxaPrfS3iDyzyaFjDBLHUuQindkzbf-XP3afE4uXRzdW6_D7SoCIjkGf1elKkYYKDDs-D5Ldxu6X2GL0JsIeZM/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwx28zbRUhnO8OdYehPeQ95D-oa9CISjTApf0rPdeLRTJ4OfcHdt8yUxaPrfS3iDyzyaFjDBLHUuQindkzbf-XP3afE4uXRzdW6_D7SoCIjkGf1elKkYYKDDs-D5Ldxu6X2GL0JsIeZM/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367633482642378050" border="0" /></a>And of course swimming!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC38CH9nADxFa9X3Qt2ddCKBlUmrvozKCUNABRzb3mTnuRaAaG2UGJDX0N7zXOYf1dvtG3ZVQx39C9IoqBxPAh8Rwjb_darkneFyhwWN4xeRYhaA0WUKxxseKGtSatqKPodY-BjpiafHE/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC38CH9nADxFa9X3Qt2ddCKBlUmrvozKCUNABRzb3mTnuRaAaG2UGJDX0N7zXOYf1dvtG3ZVQx39C9IoqBxPAh8Rwjb_darkneFyhwWN4xeRYhaA0WUKxxseKGtSatqKPodY-BjpiafHE/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367633479248908210" border="0" /></a>There were huge waves on a couple of days!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1iYNELXKuLO8ry7JKHXUhgg7y1z6YXhF0Wi-sbhpXYfRpCKtD6wUybhMVWsMrDSKf3erX6SU-hHfFHZppxmB47DFGZMG74KwWU8qJ-oSI4M3SVwY79udhYsm4DOPSeezAjXlqGz0jQE/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+206.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1iYNELXKuLO8ry7JKHXUhgg7y1z6YXhF0Wi-sbhpXYfRpCKtD6wUybhMVWsMrDSKf3erX6SU-hHfFHZppxmB47DFGZMG74KwWU8qJ-oSI4M3SVwY79udhYsm4DOPSeezAjXlqGz0jQE/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+206.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367633472227777186" border="0" /></a>Here I am trying to tame "Finley"- my out of control blow - up dolphin! Impossible! lol<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuHi_2AqZ1dXE6ej3pCdCblZB72cnHRfthosNr46mvoiyb3jODBY6iZhv20iB03msWgvGOvluPin5_kfl3QYecVPTfAaN5-Ojl6lbhK4sJ4LapcYTftPiFkHoti4SFXdGgfjwXJKdsnE/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+176.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuHi_2AqZ1dXE6ej3pCdCblZB72cnHRfthosNr46mvoiyb3jODBY6iZhv20iB03msWgvGOvluPin5_kfl3QYecVPTfAaN5-Ojl6lbhK4sJ4LapcYTftPiFkHoti4SFXdGgfjwXJKdsnE/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367628739633373426" border="0" /></a>One morning we took a bike ride to "The Whistle Stop:" a little breakfast place,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQd6BMSmNJ0zhh34lerLbcf3Ut1g1AWhjAECu-NW8dATx7JEpx_l1DXoUHfWdFulLUo2MLkXj17ZC5taLHDNYqfi_gbLW2R7SeEr0QoTwGgJx8Xk4di8QjC3HjxIkx7y62suFrjkteME/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQd6BMSmNJ0zhh34lerLbcf3Ut1g1AWhjAECu-NW8dATx7JEpx_l1DXoUHfWdFulLUo2MLkXj17ZC5taLHDNYqfi_gbLW2R7SeEr0QoTwGgJx8Xk4di8QjC3HjxIkx7y62suFrjkteME/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367629492502683746" border="0" /></a>And another morning, we had special visitors walk by our site on the beach!! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0NiEGXKLZvNRUbpiFSqpcHaERBI0XcgwXJxc5O_x-aFIgOMkvH6CIRUdb4wRUoqpUCONCOpuhyphenhyphenSebDNNgnSiHNrOL6TP7sIOqkUh2mKwqf3z4BxwRe_wAClKKS2imMjtaU37g_Evu3Q/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+281.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0NiEGXKLZvNRUbpiFSqpcHaERBI0XcgwXJxc5O_x-aFIgOMkvH6CIRUdb4wRUoqpUCONCOpuhyphenhyphenSebDNNgnSiHNrOL6TP7sIOqkUh2mKwqf3z4BxwRe_wAClKKS2imMjtaU37g_Evu3Q/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+281.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367631966130805458" border="0" /></a>Out to eat as a group after a long day in the sun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNNF_7Cz9BtkXZyyC-01viZVOOnzXAIi5xMEnm9ThQZizA-eCQhO2AvwuzNj5ulgUDnXWR_mXPwW6PW2Q5Nrvu4ekFxhjMq7euwvAHC1ylKPzHyrK86aeC3rjy2FGwVx1ykIMCwQw3Ok/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+323.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNNF_7Cz9BtkXZyyC-01viZVOOnzXAIi5xMEnm9ThQZizA-eCQhO2AvwuzNj5ulgUDnXWR_mXPwW6PW2Q5Nrvu4ekFxhjMq7euwvAHC1ylKPzHyrK86aeC3rjy2FGwVx1ykIMCwQw3Ok/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+323.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367631988826348834" border="0" /></a>Sweet Mom and Dad!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5FhFFcR6rdXyttUAvdlGK6dbw842EvQXNJBaQsjDebejV7CRzJd3jrvIpfQkO7DIC-n0ifk5Hjh9kIUG1GvvtG_XAewaA3XAq8xakWEq7fbJj5KzrNIUJxj2m5BGqjVkd5N1vBUfotM/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5FhFFcR6rdXyttUAvdlGK6dbw842EvQXNJBaQsjDebejV7CRzJd3jrvIpfQkO7DIC-n0ifk5Hjh9kIUG1GvvtG_XAewaA3XAq8xakWEq7fbJj5KzrNIUJxj2m5BGqjVkd5N1vBUfotM/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367629485369779042" border="0" /></a>Beach twins! :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1N57QYXcBSrIYtO4d5RUe7pvYR399nYhWdGDaoF19yJL-wrKA9iOzyZnIf_ZTrtqviA9Kgu3Wcd-kktGVEPgZqdqbgOfxHQdinNxiQKclS5Q7RbFYZnvKioAJ9i0KYPPAayJzWLEcPQ/s1600-h/michigan+%26+illinois+09+336.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1N57QYXcBSrIYtO4d5RUe7pvYR399nYhWdGDaoF19yJL-wrKA9iOzyZnIf_ZTrtqviA9Kgu3Wcd-kktGVEPgZqdqbgOfxHQdinNxiQKclS5Q7RbFYZnvKioAJ9i0KYPPAayJzWLEcPQ/s400/michigan+%26+illinois+09+336.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368516455067691586" border="0" /></a>Stay tuned for part 2 of our summer travels: to the Rocky Mountains and beyond!! :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-78408120011059924662009-07-03T07:45:00.000-07:002009-07-03T13:34:53.330-07:00The Blessed Tree Swing<span style="font-style: italic;">-Sunday morning, 9:00 AM.</span> -<br /><br />"Yahoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!"<br /><br />I looked out the kitchen window to our backyard. I had my suspicions as to who was making all the commotion, and what I saw confirmed I had guessed correctly. Four little boys all trying to pile at once onto our little green tree swing. Four little boys all yelling at the top of their lungs. Four little boys running around our tiny backyard and tackling each other mercilessly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6mzZ_pikrykiu02d983eLiYyUrGGGECi4WqEOqbmTrWe6PFccAYsVrkM_wH7d0pytHdi748o98Gf6JDUkyXtB58Kyi-HBDdHyJP4tTesOzgRvVX0Ng_hFWAbNbzHQmv432hUcMDKwR4/s1600-h/spring+09+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6mzZ_pikrykiu02d983eLiYyUrGGGECi4WqEOqbmTrWe6PFccAYsVrkM_wH7d0pytHdi748o98Gf6JDUkyXtB58Kyi-HBDdHyJP4tTesOzgRvVX0Ng_hFWAbNbzHQmv432hUcMDKwR4/s400/spring+09+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354278730771082962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"It's the neighborhood posse, come to make their rounds!" Dad announced from the family room, where he was ironing his shirt in preparation for church later that morning . I grinned at him. This "posse" was a regular visitor at our house because of our fun swing, and also because of the "free" water and suckers we are so well known for in these parts. :)<br /><br />Let me back up a little bit. Four years ago, we had our handyman, Mr. G, put up a cute little green swing that matched our cute little green picket fence from our huge sycamore tree in our backyard. For several years now, our backyard has been a "hotspot" among many neighborhood children because of that swing, and we loved the many open doors this has provided for us to get to know and reach out to these children. Most or all of them come from not - so - good families, and don't have a clue as to what it means to know Christ personally. So we go out to give them "underdoggies" on the swing, and give them water and suckers (and bananas and apples...) and talk to them about Jesus.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36-JMTsQwPFQ34Rhb1U1OiWE9qX3eW9dZTP9LbUx1zUj_VUHW1zbbPbv9Lf_HIJNA5-n7BRCcOJ8gA69ggGKX8JXG_3LL25ZnIejkMHDVNaFzL9-2EI-gcaVtakmlYLVy-KxttC47DWY/s1600-h/Back+yard+pics+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36-JMTsQwPFQ34Rhb1U1OiWE9qX3eW9dZTP9LbUx1zUj_VUHW1zbbPbv9Lf_HIJNA5-n7BRCcOJ8gA69ggGKX8JXG_3LL25ZnIejkMHDVNaFzL9-2EI-gcaVtakmlYLVy-KxttC47DWY/s400/Back+yard+pics+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354278746229762050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx7HR9YtER0hca06rLZqjrF3zPUjlp45iV7AASDDG3Kf_mC3jNSUswRqVr-mwYjrrJTI8jEtl9OiKeapoS-0Q5yK8CWoHZXqpbs5x_cNgD9RJcRCheC9rhf7gJQgHtK0472_V4ENQw1M/s1600-h/backyard+bible+club+and+chicks+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx7HR9YtER0hca06rLZqjrF3zPUjlp45iV7AASDDG3Kf_mC3jNSUswRqVr-mwYjrrJTI8jEtl9OiKeapoS-0Q5yK8CWoHZXqpbs5x_cNgD9RJcRCheC9rhf7gJQgHtK0472_V4ENQw1M/s400/backyard+bible+club+and+chicks+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354279356696555298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So when we were informed just recently that our huge tree was dying, or mostly dead, we were terribly disappointed! If we cut down the tree, then this meant no more swing, and no more swing meant no more children. So we came up with an idea: why not just cut down all but the trunk and the one branch that the swing hung from?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs0rZJiAKyq_VtHNEf1fw7kUBFtzq97M88d_ObOUj0WMQE4rhY1Pz-NKNgsyiZM80TqffhQF5v-MPJn_XQfXNBUocyKyim5JOIa1Lk_3KP4DW40zMVXZEoErGCRfFFSEJ6wrzB7_IaXs/s1600-h/spring+09+052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs0rZJiAKyq_VtHNEf1fw7kUBFtzq97M88d_ObOUj0WMQE4rhY1Pz-NKNgsyiZM80TqffhQF5v-MPJn_XQfXNBUocyKyim5JOIa1Lk_3KP4DW40zMVXZEoErGCRfFFSEJ6wrzB7_IaXs/s400/spring+09+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354284156482929618" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, you may laugh (and all our neighbors did! :)) but the kids keep coming, and there is still enough life in that trunk and one branch to give the kids many more hours of fun! :)<br /><br />So back to Sunday morning, the noisy boys soon ambled up to our sliding glass door to ask for a drink. They claim we have the best water they've ever tasted!! Then they asked me to come out and give them underdoggies, since I'm bigger than they are and can push them higher. :) So I did, even though I was dressed for church, and right in the middle of lunch preparations to take to our church potluck.<br /><br />Soon, to my surprise, spiritual conversation came up. Coy...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV7FNtxT3vEzgeXrhtGcq0HWx2lo1joV_Zj4PMhFclvPn0Vtk-056YH9RefFSR_8C45MYMkKujoAYpYH7vGgll-CcfjarPfZ2mEneI6BW60RoWAZokMnvUdH5iJjYfCKAPdGI5opzoUk/s1600-h/spring+09+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV7FNtxT3vEzgeXrhtGcq0HWx2lo1joV_Zj4PMhFclvPn0Vtk-056YH9RefFSR_8C45MYMkKujoAYpYH7vGgll-CcfjarPfZ2mEneI6BW60RoWAZokMnvUdH5iJjYfCKAPdGI5opzoUk/s400/spring+09+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354278729053141570" border="0" /></a><br />...9 years old and the most outspoken, told us "Victor doesn't believe in Jesus."<br /><br /><br />Victor is 10 and twins with James. (I'm sad to say that I don't have pictures of either of them!) They are sweet little guys, and don't actually live in the neighborhood, but come to visit their grandparents every once in a while who live on our street.<br /><br />So we were off and running, talking about Jesus, and soon Dad joined us to talk some more. At one point, when Dad was talking about heaven and <span style="font-style: italic;">hell</span>, Coy looked up aghast at Dad and questioned, "isn't that a bad word??" lol!! There was some obvious interest from the three of them, and it became very apparent that Victor, in fact, <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> open to Jesus, but there was one other boy, Gavin - 9 years - that seemed distant. He left for a while, and we thought that he probably wouldn't come back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF4KfASmyVZ6bXkD74wnaTPaV0khdxu-XZCLhOf5eA6g4yzp5CaP5aYpY0CC4CkQNe4-YcjipACynN_cFEMBPkMNobEi3HzorgzeCbshwR3cMw-1aD-In7zEcSzmLfBo1voJxrc_SqDs/s1600-h/spring+09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF4KfASmyVZ6bXkD74wnaTPaV0khdxu-XZCLhOf5eA6g4yzp5CaP5aYpY0CC4CkQNe4-YcjipACynN_cFEMBPkMNobEi3HzorgzeCbshwR3cMw-1aD-In7zEcSzmLfBo1voJxrc_SqDs/s400/spring+09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354278717801976498" border="0" /></a><br />While he was gone, the three other boys all expressed that they were ready to ask Jesus into their hearts!! We were so excited, and made sure that they understood the decision that they were making. Just when we were about to pray, Gavin came back, and bowed his head with the rest, repeating the words after Dad to make the Lord their Savior. Praise the Lord!!<br /><br />Victor looked up after the prayer. "Why is my heart burning??" he asked slyly. Coy joined in: "and why is everything changing colors??" Ha ha, you silly guys! It was so fun to hear all the cute, fun things they had to say.<br /><br />Gavin, normally the most wild, was surprisingly a bit more sober than all of them. We found out why just a few moments later. His uncle had been murdered just the night before, and his whole family was in shock and grief. So we were able to go over and talk to his parents, who are not Christians at all, and offer our help in any way that we could.<br /><br />So we completely missed church, but we made church in our backyard instead that morning! God works in wonderful ways, and we praise His Name!<br /><br />We are not sure if these boys were sincere or not in their decision that morning, but we do know that seeds were planted, and we fully intend to follow them up!<br /><br />Would you join us in praying for each one of these four boys and their families: Coy, Gavin, James and Victor? Also for Gavin's little sisters Audrye and Jana (pictures below). Thank you!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXLkB6e4JFTvCodvKhMV9sqJjzzDX9REQ7uskaoO0mNDgcSIJ4lfqNv86IHeKHS6WV0pUy0fm8CUt8dKMTHoOb-_bJxDFwT-dXbcMsXR-NG3j4qLXIqd64ANPAhiLiVtcBaR_rKqRjZw/s1600-h/Back+yard+pics+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXLkB6e4JFTvCodvKhMV9sqJjzzDX9REQ7uskaoO0mNDgcSIJ4lfqNv86IHeKHS6WV0pUy0fm8CUt8dKMTHoOb-_bJxDFwT-dXbcMsXR-NG3j4qLXIqd64ANPAhiLiVtcBaR_rKqRjZw/s400/Back+yard+pics+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354278742019091938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHG1Saelpc1TlStAcPmfAp7TGQSLq9byQyBDK0fxEj2g6SJEhDRKrZZkBQEWVBd0OLSLOhxQXWjL9mck09WldtwMwnkYt6PbOkO1cb0eY2deC9-WJmzSbxs9faWw72ScIERbZNjJWTBk/s1600-h/Back+yard+pics+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHG1Saelpc1TlStAcPmfAp7TGQSLq9byQyBDK0fxEj2g6SJEhDRKrZZkBQEWVBd0OLSLOhxQXWjL9mck09WldtwMwnkYt6PbOkO1cb0eY2deC9-WJmzSbxs9faWw72ScIERbZNjJWTBk/s400/Back+yard+pics+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354281780250200130" border="0" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-88198691011355138092009-06-01T14:12:00.001-07:002009-06-03T12:20:07.871-07:00End of the year and summer activities!Hello Friends!<br /><br />Summer has officially begun for the Bridges family! We have just finished up school, and just this past Saturday, we had our piano recital, which ended our piano activities for the year! So now that the busy month of May has passed, we are ready to have a bit more time on our hands for the summer months. Lord willing, our plans include: SV Getaway trip for Dad, trip to visit Grandpa in Ardmore Oklahoma for the girls, learning to sew and working on our quilt project, family choir camp at our church, ministering to younger children thru different avenues (more on that in the next couple weeks!) hospitality, cello for me (Kate), gardening, mother's helper, a month long trip to Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, and blogging more faithfully! :)<br /><br />Below are a few pictures from our Spring Awards Piano recital. Playing the piano is one of our favorite things to do, and we are so grateful to the Lord for our wonderful teacher!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4DGbtUcZudAdEQ-AeX26AC8cveOxWJQlUP11SmlrTZFHo-O8vKhjTq1kuqgGPg7kQU7rK31lN_4khBEt9AbG-KYnDGjpJjlKBvvgaYoXRBihC5zz3HoHef_CGlz-5kPiVfRRh7eVkOc/s1600-h/May+09+090.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4DGbtUcZudAdEQ-AeX26AC8cveOxWJQlUP11SmlrTZFHo-O8vKhjTq1kuqgGPg7kQU7rK31lN_4khBEt9AbG-KYnDGjpJjlKBvvgaYoXRBihC5zz3HoHef_CGlz-5kPiVfRRh7eVkOc/s400/May+09+090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342471335019782738" border="0" /></a>A family picture with our teacher, Miss Elizabeth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDncgtDZVKvzYEBiKN7u0GPfCAJXEgVYS8h48aWw_ZsWqWs7QvZl3096YQ9x3jUq2XNqRQkeLoPzoNGRwW5zbjBJ2GqF_OSVxtLx2F0O9OYYSJPCWu35L1t1iPpDG880iOP4gX5wjJuwI/s1600-h/May+09+072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDncgtDZVKvzYEBiKN7u0GPfCAJXEgVYS8h48aWw_ZsWqWs7QvZl3096YQ9x3jUq2XNqRQkeLoPzoNGRwW5zbjBJ2GqF_OSVxtLx2F0O9OYYSJPCWu35L1t1iPpDG880iOP4gX5wjJuwI/s400/May+09+072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342471351906801058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXpKPmZugK3VGVUcLPsSvAJpNfr5JDneNaebtcOAiP_3x-gWfEn_KM2OY4BtNArzd-HD-4Ra9ubnrdOXYnMNOJTD2dqWg4lF1WmszyQu12RGwHkFhKD9hOiDLGKbuDUqAX4F-QiOnANU/s1600-h/May+09+079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXpKPmZugK3VGVUcLPsSvAJpNfr5JDneNaebtcOAiP_3x-gWfEn_KM2OY4BtNArzd-HD-4Ra9ubnrdOXYnMNOJTD2dqWg4lF1WmszyQu12RGwHkFhKD9hOiDLGKbuDUqAX4F-QiOnANU/s400/May+09+079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342471339748463842" border="0" /></a><br />Some family and friends: The Roach family and the Hickle family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTZf_BcRc_HVwldbv-vr8MfLZTasoNPw_luCOCre1w3IrubEyNWUkRnNOLoBYhA6N8Im5XpsJqsJ5ISuZ35gxqU7H8fRPF4S0MRh_4rO7Yj0w64izLglzQMds_BpJTkD36XN9YYJGoss/s1600-h/May+09+082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTZf_BcRc_HVwldbv-vr8MfLZTasoNPw_luCOCre1w3IrubEyNWUkRnNOLoBYhA6N8Im5XpsJqsJ5ISuZ35gxqU7H8fRPF4S0MRh_4rO7Yj0w64izLglzQMds_BpJTkD36XN9YYJGoss/s400/May+09+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342471344077400930" border="0" /></a><br />Kylie Roach, a dear friend, and Kelsey Hickle, a dear cousin! :)<br /><br />Later that evening, we went to hear the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with the Roaches, and had a wonderful time!! What an inspiration to hear those talented musicians! It motivated me to hear the AMAZING cellists (as I plug through my little beginners' basics!! :)) We also enjoyed a serious game of volleyball and Frisbee during the intermission! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q5YnD7OwUb15jRa8Ruc0v8udKQtr7fRzi450vOnbdYdtphKvnVoDKvupsDmThWebozx79K91o7jtCNfoKQCYmQjmtI_cggo57noilRNSb27nNBeiEQLL5-3eMzGpq1a261lB3aebs_U/s1600-h/May+09+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q5YnD7OwUb15jRa8Ruc0v8udKQtr7fRzi450vOnbdYdtphKvnVoDKvupsDmThWebozx79K91o7jtCNfoKQCYmQjmtI_cggo57noilRNSb27nNBeiEQLL5-3eMzGpq1a261lB3aebs_U/s400/May+09+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342471354154916626" border="0" /></a>We joined the approximately 500 other people on the lawn with lawn chairs and sheets to watch the performance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxosLOqrWmn5_vfComH0IDuT3v2OgRERMCzPq1GKlCiNpsudJVVPgeSyiSAZozQLE-L7lz0CpdC1GQV4XKROS_ZbVNObxJ7Yoh3qqlU8YyzR9T-Gl3dIlYpassJFrWGn4Epsk-UhOFW_I/s1600-h/May+09+105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxosLOqrWmn5_vfComH0IDuT3v2OgRERMCzPq1GKlCiNpsudJVVPgeSyiSAZozQLE-L7lz0CpdC1GQV4XKROS_ZbVNObxJ7Yoh3qqlU8YyzR9T-Gl3dIlYpassJFrWGn4Epsk-UhOFW_I/s400/May+09+105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342476594246302882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1swwLufrKiCrvezXwqCg-lNNORleHYOGeoA-hbaF6g8HWM-W3Pzanqcp-rvn5myzhw7nh0RgNjCWTzemYsNLYt9KiIzSoXiMiSG-TcWJ7aOYTXATYU6ATvO0beDho1bgT8s7jUw5qTcQ/s1600-h/May+09+112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1swwLufrKiCrvezXwqCg-lNNORleHYOGeoA-hbaF6g8HWM-W3Pzanqcp-rvn5myzhw7nh0RgNjCWTzemYsNLYt9KiIzSoXiMiSG-TcWJ7aOYTXATYU6ATvO0beDho1bgT8s7jUw5qTcQ/s400/May+09+112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342476606669100450" border="0" /></a>And were surprised and delighted by a spectacular fireworks display during the very last song!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JbTqTgINhEDRjpnIhdZ_mwIllZtTPJkD2b7NYropPu_lZZcZjV2AYjpZeSnkQ3hxLKMl443LISkEXQF0h_u_yD6y6OCtk6SNsN9owhTbPYJ4FJnKxacE0YzqXy_ipiRg99P-v5fQi6s/s1600-h/May+09+107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JbTqTgINhEDRjpnIhdZ_mwIllZtTPJkD2b7NYropPu_lZZcZjV2AYjpZeSnkQ3hxLKMl443LISkEXQF0h_u_yD6y6OCtk6SNsN9owhTbPYJ4FJnKxacE0YzqXy_ipiRg99P-v5fQi6s/s400/May+09+107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342476601176583586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Stay tuned in the next several days for an exciting story of how we have seen God's goodness to soften hearts and bring people to Himself!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-68090454787373139422009-04-22T17:54:00.000-07:002009-04-22T19:14:49.605-07:00Hospitality UpdateWell hello friends!<br /><br />It has been a long time since we've posted, so we thought that we would give a little update on how our hospitality adventures are going! If you will recall, the first post that we have on this blog is about our new year's resolution to make our home a hospitality center!<br /><br />We have been able to have several more guests in our home recently, and though we haven't been able to get pictures of all of them, here are a few below...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUNRHJfqXgC6_EBzWVNTYWvEewVMh5OFRBI6KuESb7xT1ovcjcprRXrsI6xl7eKmmsYUVpY9tA6lsgNhWrhR7pIR1v6jHqGUpLruDYHBXIU1oT8Yd05ZiH-4IZ-hW_kJRaEMvwi3iYbc/s1600-h/spring+09+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUNRHJfqXgC6_EBzWVNTYWvEewVMh5OFRBI6KuESb7xT1ovcjcprRXrsI6xl7eKmmsYUVpY9tA6lsgNhWrhR7pIR1v6jHqGUpLruDYHBXIU1oT8Yd05ZiH-4IZ-hW_kJRaEMvwi3iYbc/s400/spring+09+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685945931001314" border="0" /></a>This is Jeremy, our Student Venture staff guy for Frisco! Jeremy is such a sweet guy - really a joy to be around! If you're wondering what in the world he is doing in this picture, let me explain...<br /><br />My dad, being the fun-loving-kid-at-heart kind of guy that he is, has invented a game with Jeremy when the two of them are together at staff meeting each week. They go in the men's restroom and once they have washed their hands, they wad up their paper towels and play a game of hoops with their paper towels (basketball) and the trashcan (hoop.) You would be amazed at how much they get into it (and how competitive they get!!) Christa and I and even Mom joined in the fun , since we set up the "hoop" <span style="font-style: italic;">outside</span> the bathroom this time:) and I do have to admit, it's pretty fun!! So now you know what really goes on at staff meeting... :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf2rjLm_Oddxh2e32scJxAdnE5GH2MhfvOggBrLpRqi2x5WXQOVfKJVTu3ObtbX7C_dhLSzSPfLweEKr0EbGVguQZxMIsS51c7kqDptqV18lQ9pFOapD3R6xpKIx9BTMa99czf-XMSY0/s1600-h/spring+09+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf2rjLm_Oddxh2e32scJxAdnE5GH2MhfvOggBrLpRqi2x5WXQOVfKJVTu3ObtbX7C_dhLSzSPfLweEKr0EbGVguQZxMIsS51c7kqDptqV18lQ9pFOapD3R6xpKIx9BTMa99czf-XMSY0/s400/spring+09+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685948944983826" border="0" /></a>Did I mention that they get competitive?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fzYf05MddNdFeexHjlDrO8iERFm8hj7rjdgtohISiGJ7kFqwklfT3tvpTCF2XEx8mWR_9cbmN3am2J-CnxaUqkcATGExHg8Q_Uwu61j9UTpDNXBP4gITp0ZcFxfpljw-kzLzZDQ8vtM/s1600-h/spring+09+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fzYf05MddNdFeexHjlDrO8iERFm8hj7rjdgtohISiGJ7kFqwklfT3tvpTCF2XEx8mWR_9cbmN3am2J-CnxaUqkcATGExHg8Q_Uwu61j9UTpDNXBP4gITp0ZcFxfpljw-kzLzZDQ8vtM/s400/spring+09+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685954254856498" border="0" /></a>After dinner, we played a rousing game of catch phrase - boys versus girls. And who won?? Drum roll please.................<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXa5fLFewZKIJ0S32so9akOX2-JqKxNqaJKGwq9F8trV5YUUBXx2M4L2SBwgztUDuVg8jM0L9_Eefk5-AeXxAyAQWZqukTPCOPz8IlXXugxZfnhAme7PEwkDgglt895vivhj75AUJT8U/s1600-h/spring+09+050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXa5fLFewZKIJ0S32so9akOX2-JqKxNqaJKGwq9F8trV5YUUBXx2M4L2SBwgztUDuVg8jM0L9_Eefk5-AeXxAyAQWZqukTPCOPz8IlXXugxZfnhAme7PEwkDgglt895vivhj75AUJT8U/s400/spring+09+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685955439552322" border="0" /></a>The GIRLS!! This is a picture of "the losers eating their cookies" as my mom put it!! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie77pm8yiKrDixVKS-ly-MMaeR8VggXMRf_791qgUKfQxchAjcYqoSht81yUmmDTdOt5SnMsQfISGydVzLU0DnwYY19we2f3CHaFw4piaFQIKYav3PIQwHnsHZslD29dWoppwfsDauctk/s1600-h/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie77pm8yiKrDixVKS-ly-MMaeR8VggXMRf_791qgUKfQxchAjcYqoSht81yUmmDTdOt5SnMsQfISGydVzLU0DnwYY19we2f3CHaFw4piaFQIKYav3PIQwHnsHZslD29dWoppwfsDauctk/s400/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327695572216575842" border="0" /></a><br />The next visitors were Simi, our wonderful Student Venture intern "big sister," :) Jacquellynne Miller, a prospective staff girl from Arkansas, and Ruth Cotton, a prospective intern from Michigan! We had a wonderful evening with all 3 of them, getting to meet Jacquellynne and Ruth for the first time, and of course getting to know Simi even better! Jacquellynne spent the rest of the week with us as she got to take a closer look at the Student Venture ministry, and we had a wonderful time with her and really hit it off!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoJd5oPuG3dJD2IN9oT6CKMCDg2cx0JLCpVImXaZlMIIn_kdPIQ75C8NuHfShua5hzuuYRvgAFRvIsOrNCzMCj23rhyphenhyphenKNOJMLZsimxxRMR3zGYlV_y7nUFT7bp7GUnlzAtXgY6m5nsPM/s1600-h/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoJd5oPuG3dJD2IN9oT6CKMCDg2cx0JLCpVImXaZlMIIn_kdPIQ75C8NuHfShua5hzuuYRvgAFRvIsOrNCzMCj23rhyphenhyphenKNOJMLZsimxxRMR3zGYlV_y7nUFT7bp7GUnlzAtXgY6m5nsPM/s400/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685012056132114" border="0" /></a>Yes, there was time for ministry, but also time for goofing off...we spent a while the last night practicing our juggling skills with Jacquellynne!!<br /><br /><br />Last but certainly not least, were our friends the Vogrins! We had met them once before, but were thrilled to be able to get to know them better when they were in town this past month! We spent the day with Mrs. Claudia Vogrin and their 18 year old son Paul at our local nature preserves, and had a wonderful time walking the trails, learning how to juggle from Paul (who is an expert, let me tell you!! :)) and playing a game of volleyball and frisbee! Then later that evening, Mr. Vogrin and my dad joined us for dinner and music!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCeMwFYpK7rS6_Jvet0okFO1ZcZUXZprqIKgQoSy8PPO1rxuDsD04Gz6cO-MncWDnJR9Rbez-CA-ieqt7i4Nc5Fz4KeV8S3j5o5_i6VX_nv3zzpc_rW_235dIjNWoE2e9fq_KeVIUqK8/s1600-h/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCeMwFYpK7rS6_Jvet0okFO1ZcZUXZprqIKgQoSy8PPO1rxuDsD04Gz6cO-MncWDnJR9Rbez-CA-ieqt7i4Nc5Fz4KeV8S3j5o5_i6VX_nv3zzpc_rW_235dIjNWoE2e9fq_KeVIUqK8/s400/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685005946608578" border="0" /></a>Just for the record, juggling is WAY harder than it looks!! Paul was so patient, but we never quite caught on before he left! :) We're doing better now! (after much practice!) :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsJr1OP62VCO8_6Ma5u7OLT2y9z0orO8vI8tm4M1fEhcRAPV8vn5NMpFpmLEIfUlRaRA5cIJS8YDoVjhiRvgY3oSMj4O1iND6MTBEqS-1z2APRXwt3lfUVKhJdGeq5eJBK6CDIzler5Y/s1600-h/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsJr1OP62VCO8_6Ma5u7OLT2y9z0orO8vI8tm4M1fEhcRAPV8vn5NMpFpmLEIfUlRaRA5cIJS8YDoVjhiRvgY3oSMj4O1iND6MTBEqS-1z2APRXwt3lfUVKhJdGeq5eJBK6CDIzler5Y/s400/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327685001384828434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjileT-aNpqu8fpUFN80F1Xdx0ljZCGhg-ZyBqYXTfLMuLcSxqSzClsOJ1x1V6hrXrJUBWJMIEPEpPvUauTg_68EyHrSAste-6OJtwqFB41smNlFBB1LshyphenhyphenB_9LHWPtItroqgDSBPIaI4w/s1600-h/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjileT-aNpqu8fpUFN80F1Xdx0ljZCGhg-ZyBqYXTfLMuLcSxqSzClsOJ1x1V6hrXrJUBWJMIEPEpPvUauTg_68EyHrSAste-6OJtwqFB41smNlFBB1LshyphenhyphenB_9LHWPtItroqgDSBPIaI4w/s400/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327684994527161970" border="0" /></a><br />A time of music...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6fRBdLcjL6OqurvbD17V4xVh9oTgxuWGe2L38_1u7orYOfK8yipDeaMWAiEKVsyi-rm0CUkGP88PnPTsa4AvOJ2lMOWTf_mvJhL58tCbY2KoVchyc3HaHAN0Qc6v4AzcHt2ZchNx13Y/s1600-h/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6fRBdLcjL6OqurvbD17V4xVh9oTgxuWGe2L38_1u7orYOfK8yipDeaMWAiEKVsyi-rm0CUkGP88PnPTsa4AvOJ2lMOWTf_mvJhL58tCbY2KoVchyc3HaHAN0Qc6v4AzcHt2ZchNx13Y/s400/Vogrin's+%26+Jacquelynn%27s+visit+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327684998822975522" border="0" /></a><br />And singing together!!<br /><br />We thank the Lord for each one of these friends that we got to spend time with! :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-27124703156703822902009-03-28T13:25:00.000-07:002009-03-30T19:14:54.945-07:00Part 2 - The Grand Canyon & Beyond!<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hello!</span><br /><br />Here is part 2 of our trip to Arizona! In our last post, we shared pictures and stories from our first week in Phoenix. Now, here are the pictures from our second week in Sedona and the Grand Canyon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />SEDONA<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t0N6p-o7Scb1fbNfT-1QGuvqHGxp8-aIfvRkq419n_qL4yCggMFecCVfKZ9-qL2s6pnTgvjRbAYoAybC-C324DfSqcy_guEnmYvMk0nEgLbTVddDamwOED5SrTZ6iJHJQD37ICv-soo/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t0N6p-o7Scb1fbNfT-1QGuvqHGxp8-aIfvRkq419n_qL4yCggMFecCVfKZ9-qL2s6pnTgvjRbAYoAybC-C324DfSqcy_guEnmYvMk0nEgLbTVddDamwOED5SrTZ6iJHJQD37ICv-soo/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318361669449400994" border="0" /></a>These saguaro cacti are all over the place in Arizona!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsq1fLBu-2bjCc-TIX2kQI8YeD-UHOHK3yzpAovGhJYSw91ymaL2ysOvSEMTSC6yYEtxWGfF9g9CR9lDYJiN4lufq-ctVjgiCUV-GKNKgVg65LwOBn4dkqHg5hLm0E6l2hu7w9EidJUU/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+201.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsq1fLBu-2bjCc-TIX2kQI8YeD-UHOHK3yzpAovGhJYSw91ymaL2ysOvSEMTSC6yYEtxWGfF9g9CR9lDYJiN4lufq-ctVjgiCUV-GKNKgVg65LwOBn4dkqHg5hLm0E6l2hu7w9EidJUU/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+201.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318344278724854850" border="0" /></a>And here's a prickly pear cactus (a.k.a. man eating :)) that is found along the hiking trails of Bell's Rock in Sedona! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52I82Z5oXHifEoS8pMKpkSpgFg3jaDuu96xBg62SPNf-9Jw2dmmFo1NN8d64kWW6ZNW-QvnPdVJb6rV45OTI_aBovXAPgb_uAz-U94WLi2USs98ZvNf5O24zzG2mlpdjOnrhVlbZWxNg/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+207.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52I82Z5oXHifEoS8pMKpkSpgFg3jaDuu96xBg62SPNf-9Jw2dmmFo1NN8d64kWW6ZNW-QvnPdVJb6rV45OTI_aBovXAPgb_uAz-U94WLi2USs98ZvNf5O24zzG2mlpdjOnrhVlbZWxNg/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+207.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318344281370524194" border="0" /></a><br />There were a ton of beautiful hiking trails in Sedona, but we finally decided on one that wound around a mountain called Bell's Rock. Halfway through, we decided to abandon the trail and blaze our own! It was some serious hiking, but we had the time of our lives, and made it almost all the way up the mountain!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQZ-wD4p12QMccCCJwkJDxrhtVzFRbsAPtMj-rzrkQ0FPOYrEADLMV8r5cNmi3fcHjTZ7J_1vAKsLH8e_fPgrKZJyuZslua_nWN4ow7i3ZxTgphE0kd_aUK8ce-XNlOASJTAJzZk1YzU/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+210.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQZ-wD4p12QMccCCJwkJDxrhtVzFRbsAPtMj-rzrkQ0FPOYrEADLMV8r5cNmi3fcHjTZ7J_1vAKsLH8e_fPgrKZJyuZslua_nWN4ow7i3ZxTgphE0kd_aUK8ce-XNlOASJTAJzZk1YzU/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318344286506999858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaFwdf7XTB-6H_BduL49tM-vL7dqEs4myFaGCq5JXP8nDYNxmlCHokPn2V9sD8ZNJMkzzQi8KblPqm7TAGNDZ0cqT6mcw5VhoJF2H-hI1G9pWKDjoV-R70rW1B7yGFYd19xhRUq35xl4/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+247.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaFwdf7XTB-6H_BduL49tM-vL7dqEs4myFaGCq5JXP8nDYNxmlCHokPn2V9sD8ZNJMkzzQi8KblPqm7TAGNDZ0cqT6mcw5VhoJF2H-hI1G9pWKDjoV-R70rW1B7yGFYd19xhRUq35xl4/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318345877457374322" border="0" /></a>We were on hands and knees in many places...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_etv3kXNFNkhDxxp3tAtJv3k9rMQxgqhDY52RmCxZInrPSYlfqmqlDeh5C8zHg-PwS-K_EI6ekFfJdULhpKFxX2Z5hM6lw7gkljjZdjM809qgoD9mrRES5MKroTcQllWPdjEXiAPQMds/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+237.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_etv3kXNFNkhDxxp3tAtJv3k9rMQxgqhDY52RmCxZInrPSYlfqmqlDeh5C8zHg-PwS-K_EI6ekFfJdULhpKFxX2Z5hM6lw7gkljjZdjM809qgoD9mrRES5MKroTcQllWPdjEXiAPQMds/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318344288743881442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPkiScT1mVqXqd2fHsTBBGiToLukJFzrFdNDS7At5bm_B3cvB61HLVvfaUzCuTeXFTRIBNWkxOo0mOLBR_0wWRdIOregZG-qG7m8FOlyfgbCiWl10dS9em_WBTHiHcQgN_Tk-0YjtrSI/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPkiScT1mVqXqd2fHsTBBGiToLukJFzrFdNDS7At5bm_B3cvB61HLVvfaUzCuTeXFTRIBNWkxOo0mOLBR_0wWRdIOregZG-qG7m8FOlyfgbCiWl10dS9em_WBTHiHcQgN_Tk-0YjtrSI/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318345887809494994" border="0" /></a>Sometimes, you just need a helping hand...:)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppUUrHS2_aHYj8qeRQyDaO1k7Npv4Slg9dwCdCxHnZverA7u12nuGLLfBODv6Ty0I1P4L8TGCsH0wtYOhRRlggM-UbuJjGJFAZcFKNIb3a5LatBSiqimOKCpHYah4sE4Uw07MKgy-1kg/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+240.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppUUrHS2_aHYj8qeRQyDaO1k7Npv4Slg9dwCdCxHnZverA7u12nuGLLfBODv6Ty0I1P4L8TGCsH0wtYOhRRlggM-UbuJjGJFAZcFKNIb3a5LatBSiqimOKCpHYah4sE4Uw07MKgy-1kg/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+240.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318345867182994482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooCsRUdiDzSZnaF2wigZvElQA3Vo_zxDQb5gSyZ8l2i8c-3GYICwMCsHExh5njhPlwKBKVQ5GkOkY_U4r2xX0rHwq7t1BMNdMojp70dLEovnIsM1ClXGmj59x4htU_oB79xq7mb8U-HI/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+248.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooCsRUdiDzSZnaF2wigZvElQA3Vo_zxDQb5gSyZ8l2i8c-3GYICwMCsHExh5njhPlwKBKVQ5GkOkY_U4r2xX0rHwq7t1BMNdMojp70dLEovnIsM1ClXGmj59x4htU_oB79xq7mb8U-HI/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+248.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318345881716709026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9H9rkKBDcJjY_t1-0g8gFMCC6OQuMJq7-gTnEqgioG0Zl_ziKZg-RwknM480L7dxi1plw9oNplrh3lWRwpjrdhbDqmkG-NX3bNn83acPl6aCp_RKqUEMONPGoe9sh8JjDf9BoTzts6E/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+259.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9H9rkKBDcJjY_t1-0g8gFMCC6OQuMJq7-gTnEqgioG0Zl_ziKZg-RwknM480L7dxi1plw9oNplrh3lWRwpjrdhbDqmkG-NX3bNn83acPl6aCp_RKqUEMONPGoe9sh8JjDf9BoTzts6E/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318345897697881714" border="0" /></a>Here, we are almost at the top of the mountain on an overhanging rock! We found one other lone hiker to take this picture for us! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJDw_fDe5sX6dVWVYWxKpn6W-R9N-OS0SshJeiyUWfxaBzmCoKIBIDUKGqmh0OwhDtvh0nwcanZc2EQgMf8B88pS2cUowo_Z-66Wd8Q9ZQl_njHirZYFgZp6aX146UHiCO8oq4z2u9JQ/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+288.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJDw_fDe5sX6dVWVYWxKpn6W-R9N-OS0SshJeiyUWfxaBzmCoKIBIDUKGqmh0OwhDtvh0nwcanZc2EQgMf8B88pS2cUowo_Z-66Wd8Q9ZQl_njHirZYFgZp6aX146UHiCO8oq4z2u9JQ/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318347383562185394" border="0" /></a>Here is a view of the whole mountain after we hiked it. Just for the record, it was a lot harder than it looks! :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-3JcrLYCg3gBbc9UIuEH5242upsGJjzuYLFCY-wi_RjN0_HJUN2kojs1p29VyDdj_ZpgQrTg7jAQZkyvLvcwfxELKU5PiEKszW19EPu3z2e1H1BE58fpzLa1Ej-xCCOGfscCbKmxQsE/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+287.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-3JcrLYCg3gBbc9UIuEH5242upsGJjzuYLFCY-wi_RjN0_HJUN2kojs1p29VyDdj_ZpgQrTg7jAQZkyvLvcwfxELKU5PiEKszW19EPu3z2e1H1BE58fpzLa1Ej-xCCOGfscCbKmxQsE/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318347377853144802" border="0" /></a>We took a "cool off" ride after the hike in the back of the truck that some dear friends from Phoenix loaned us! Boy, were we tired! :)<br /><br />After spending one night in Sedona, we reluctantly left that beautiful area, and headed on for some more serious hiking on the Grand Canyon trails!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">GRAND CANYON<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The interesting thing about this part of our trip was that it was actually Christa's and my second time to "hike" the Grand Canyon. You see, the first time was over seventeen and a half years ago but we didn't get to see anything, because we were still developing at three and a half months in my mom's womb! :) So this second trip was a long awaited gift for our seventeenth birthday!</span><br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKdbV3h-xQXxPJpmZhVmG8ipIbz7vJ5g7iMM4xmsgYMpO8G2OmErxTqtkSDkJXtT1B52FNRsH0lzgfBp1lf-9Kirb47YxkdRUurNUY2HzkeP3l_c3BHryoiMCWnpBM0BLr8-1PHOzFh8/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKdbV3h-xQXxPJpmZhVmG8ipIbz7vJ5g7iMM4xmsgYMpO8G2OmErxTqtkSDkJXtT1B52FNRsH0lzgfBp1lf-9Kirb47YxkdRUurNUY2HzkeP3l_c3BHryoiMCWnpBM0BLr8-1PHOzFh8/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318347407173380290" border="0" /></a>The view was breathtaking!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBgk_Ig4WhAr0A-ZMINAZlZdNoTxltCZyC-S3GYTMzWaQI_eQOL1aeM713tSq0UzVZDcQiE-rElKIPlGS32a6Pgf04UDNGN2_94LY9addP7nyVKWfu87SH3TdoiAfsgsWot_PfQFIm-4/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+296.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBgk_Ig4WhAr0A-ZMINAZlZdNoTxltCZyC-S3GYTMzWaQI_eQOL1aeM713tSq0UzVZDcQiE-rElKIPlGS32a6Pgf04UDNGN2_94LY9addP7nyVKWfu87SH3TdoiAfsgsWot_PfQFIm-4/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318347386745441938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7Zc5DyL1PdyZ9aVLqbr6pBnk735vukf08TGwK_5S_Evl-FYVS-SZYkGpzeizbEtnpmTQe_tYZuwrEvuuHd6-IZuGQdcnU1pzVXBZXwHpefnUxfzerfYDI5eqVD3jW8vJkbqvl_0MrOI/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+333.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7Zc5DyL1PdyZ9aVLqbr6pBnk735vukf08TGwK_5S_Evl-FYVS-SZYkGpzeizbEtnpmTQe_tYZuwrEvuuHd6-IZuGQdcnU1pzVXBZXwHpefnUxfzerfYDI5eqVD3jW8vJkbqvl_0MrOI/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357865949018658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t99h6OstUt7U-mMJCHTvtCUX_nxdZFMseBvfvYLjB_G3ADSFy3_p6JT6PeFd2n_l-TxOtR6F8r_gyq6Ospj34fYzYJsbUUHs-AfV8bRSM72wlXEC5GLV5onRPVWZ495hYRWeRZzQVZ8/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t99h6OstUt7U-mMJCHTvtCUX_nxdZFMseBvfvYLjB_G3ADSFy3_p6JT6PeFd2n_l-TxOtR6F8r_gyq6Ospj34fYzYJsbUUHs-AfV8bRSM72wlXEC5GLV5onRPVWZ495hYRWeRZzQVZ8/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357855125431090" border="0" /></a><br />We had a fun game that we played on our way down into the canyon. (on our way back up, we were too out of breath to play any kind of game! :) ) We tried to talk to as many people as we could to find out where they were from. Since the Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the world, people come from all over the world to hike it. We met people from Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, the Ukraine, and a bunch of other countries! And we loved hearing all the different accents too! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUdBdlumTNDDgtsG2LBGimW2wyMXZd3tgyWZfJ0h_6xyKOWS_PKQPJ-AeUg-GZtUtDV49YpIPCx11wMWSRliOIVtEEciXf2VbDAJzTo06WgqlNIyYGNOLd-oeY-z7jPuux9EvIfVEcSg/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+326.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUdBdlumTNDDgtsG2LBGimW2wyMXZd3tgyWZfJ0h_6xyKOWS_PKQPJ-AeUg-GZtUtDV49YpIPCx11wMWSRliOIVtEEciXf2VbDAJzTo06WgqlNIyYGNOLd-oeY-z7jPuux9EvIfVEcSg/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357865247831458" border="0" /></a>Taking a break from the steep trails! Hiking the Grand Canyon was beautiful, but it was much, much harder work than I ever expected, especially coming back up! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gxhqiPthjL4-9VfyimsjM00-YIsNTBr_UZWVFALQJcEc_wwkK-18qhexChE0qL-JG_jKvjSw1sAYooCLAcfVOzZUb3zWfFqGLRad0rJZ07b6sODA-Tc6LUTvLjyJtNlyVbUZfPJSeAQ/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gxhqiPthjL4-9VfyimsjM00-YIsNTBr_UZWVFALQJcEc_wwkK-18qhexChE0qL-JG_jKvjSw1sAYooCLAcfVOzZUb3zWfFqGLRad0rJZ07b6sODA-Tc6LUTvLjyJtNlyVbUZfPJSeAQ/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318357858678706866" border="0" /></a><br />After we hiked 1.4 miles down, we took a break to eat a snack and relax on a huge overhanging rock called Canyon Ridge. We were the only people there, and the weather was beautiful, so we stayed for a while! :) We even sang some worship songs together before we left!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCtcRQDAxwecfpnXSklTunfrJSaO-2uiu4YV68lWBFzHY97Pa0PGqJlo016umcoD1iWjJWhH73R2V3E0lxFBwFLuS2oQMAg2ZCB1UgMq77oeaKsGHmST0-mb8kQcErpRi36q9Aidb8UQ/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+299.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCtcRQDAxwecfpnXSklTunfrJSaO-2uiu4YV68lWBFzHY97Pa0PGqJlo016umcoD1iWjJWhH73R2V3E0lxFBwFLuS2oQMAg2ZCB1UgMq77oeaKsGHmST0-mb8kQcErpRi36q9Aidb8UQ/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318347397456865154" border="0" /></a>Yes, there was actually some snow on the ground in places! But it wasn't too cold; in fact, we had beautiful weather both in Sedona and the Grand Canyon! Thank you Lord!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGxJa3K1zVeaJrrIU8DaLzvJL-u3u7AqB7KDXpyUxvSXbI6RDOIi7x5pstxldywFjrKlFoTzo8Rs5m9iaG-0Mxyv837KsPe3rU9_SJuItNuxxNKtaMmkYima-v7IzJbCKpkQX1tjsJ_k/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+342.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGxJa3K1zVeaJrrIU8DaLzvJL-u3u7AqB7KDXpyUxvSXbI6RDOIi7x5pstxldywFjrKlFoTzo8Rs5m9iaG-0Mxyv837KsPe3rU9_SJuItNuxxNKtaMmkYima-v7IzJbCKpkQX1tjsJ_k/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+342.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318361682401876242" border="0" /></a><br />The hard road up the canyon! :)<br /><br />The Lord was so good to us to give us such a wonderful trip! These are memories that we'll never forget!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-65303292870807409742009-03-14T14:24:00.000-07:002009-03-21T18:25:38.768-07:00Back Home!Hello friends,<br /><br />We are back from Arizona! It was a wonderful trip for all of us, and we so enjoyed it! Here is an update about what we did, and some pictures of our activities. We took about 300 pictures, but don't worry, we didn't include them all here! :)<br /><br />The first week we spent in Phoenix, where Dad lived for 11 years, and we were born! Since Dad was the speaker for our church's mission conference there, we attended several church activities, and in between times visited with ministry partners and friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimexZvHU-4Loh5hPlk_IPb4tx79DVnXnr0IVpEm22fQWo63PL32GM-4jilzhO_W7f5lUWWBVx-jO0YcWWXNzWelBhdw_shav0BnEnsZ5tJY_JY9dcr2LmpfyH2ocif-MqKTsGUu1ZFwZk/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimexZvHU-4Loh5hPlk_IPb4tx79DVnXnr0IVpEm22fQWo63PL32GM-4jilzhO_W7f5lUWWBVx-jO0YcWWXNzWelBhdw_shav0BnEnsZ5tJY_JY9dcr2LmpfyH2ocif-MqKTsGUu1ZFwZk/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313159624552244146" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the house of Sandra Fontaine - the girl with whom we stayed. Let us just tell you: Sandra was such a gracious hostess, and it was such a blessing to stay with her. Isn't her house cute? Below is a picture of Sandra...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMlQm_N7rsv0YheWyACTENpVjewpQSolPWK8ROjT2_81hyX1mhGcoS58FAT8K1By_wmaL7fyqsZVBgcxYLIq0mefVVJWjZcHlUgOgN1RpZ3YbrZWGRgi6yrxP5plm1vxpoXtfsRN_UWI/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+137.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMlQm_N7rsv0YheWyACTENpVjewpQSolPWK8ROjT2_81hyX1mhGcoS58FAT8K1By_wmaL7fyqsZVBgcxYLIq0mefVVJWjZcHlUgOgN1RpZ3YbrZWGRgi6yrxP5plm1vxpoXtfsRN_UWI/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313159668564027058" border="0" /></a><br /> Such a sweet friend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ75UHKpMfxvzKSvO2MR2hFk_mstfoKGQMrvLYVa1wVKHXuaqECv6kqVCEY7wbdpzhNXUGpM6yaDAJL-hx47UROlQZwF7QPfMiIMAqVCTwowtYZd_G5c0Dtg4VcyNjZWxbWTNErZvIgs/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ75UHKpMfxvzKSvO2MR2hFk_mstfoKGQMrvLYVa1wVKHXuaqECv6kqVCEY7wbdpzhNXUGpM6yaDAJL-hx47UROlQZwF7QPfMiIMAqVCTwowtYZd_G5c0Dtg4VcyNjZWxbWTNErZvIgs/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313159633129376786" border="0" /></a><br />And, here is Sandra's Toyota Tacoma truck that we got to ride in a couple times! We love trucks! :)<br /><br />We had the privilege of meeting with so many dear partners and friends while in Phoenix. Though we weren't able to get pictures of them all, our time spent with each one was such a blessing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSWNsHay9Kn7Qr6Pr1bc2n9hNWyyTXETGavsgnYpVIP8KwtIGNd4M9cqcIxFegAXew-efs7YxhNxChjolmJHtSE648E64ouR1Pn5bsHJKiumxkzuVHQt-ULA5mpnK8UlZQNV-rl1Clm8/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+134.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSWNsHay9Kn7Qr6Pr1bc2n9hNWyyTXETGavsgnYpVIP8KwtIGNd4M9cqcIxFegAXew-efs7YxhNxChjolmJHtSE648E64ouR1Pn5bsHJKiumxkzuVHQt-ULA5mpnK8UlZQNV-rl1Clm8/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313159655212698290" border="0" /></a><br />Here are our dear friends, Louie and Linda Lopez. They are sooo much fun to be with! Their enthusiasm and fun-loving spirits are an encouragement to us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVunOALjtsX8CslkFIvrng3UfDUVcnLbenZgJNQdzvN-IUZ7nkIYodfccI2_D3LCmN3oRlRqlEKDqA6pBdKRzJXi9HLaqWas0tuz_A7T-uC9Q8Yy7t_zyctlV0SljcrIPjIc9cUaOxjn8/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVunOALjtsX8CslkFIvrng3UfDUVcnLbenZgJNQdzvN-IUZ7nkIYodfccI2_D3LCmN3oRlRqlEKDqA6pBdKRzJXi9HLaqWas0tuz_A7T-uC9Q8Yy7t_zyctlV0SljcrIPjIc9cUaOxjn8/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313159649092509330" border="0" /></a><br />Some other dear friends, the Hensiek's, are pictured here with their adorable little grandchildren, Ben and Faith. It was fun to visit them and play with the children - not to mention the delicious lemons that they allowed us to pick off their abundant backyard lemon tree! :) And below is a picture of the lemon meringue pie that we made with those yummy lemons! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHas57awsCq1Efvj6E9QKvA2Yq9aEawsBYVJMvpo9BaP_ezwNx9252etG0f_Nh9-aVz3k88j4XBopvc_nanFAL_pD5XM3nvs8MThDfChemDFurcRF6iyTuOUm_SzV9W4b8yFE0d4MpPck/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+136.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHas57awsCq1Efvj6E9QKvA2Yq9aEawsBYVJMvpo9BaP_ezwNx9252etG0f_Nh9-aVz3k88j4XBopvc_nanFAL_pD5XM3nvs8MThDfChemDFurcRF6iyTuOUm_SzV9W4b8yFE0d4MpPck/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313264506161546914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These next several pictures are of the church children's programs that we visited on Wednesday night. We had a wonderful time talking to the 4 to 6 year olds first, where I (Christa) gave my testimony, and then heading over to the 7 to 12 year olds, where we shared the Gospel using drama and other fun visuals! There were about sixty of the older children in the meeting that night. Kate also talked a little while to the older children about the Lord's work in her life since she has become a Christian. At the end of the meeting, several children indicated decisions made for Christ, and we were thrilled!! This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V_CzfN5CiXVBRcXAxFbUfI2Jt7b5-xXblvTngzvofSzIpgqKB23s6tJ3QyE0SI2nBmxR0uLd-hT2uh1xH4qy4cA4Wb7wcb9pVmhgZeqKjWhyphenhyphenaN2xnNWqWz8iVKhwDbGtHekHcwA8d7g/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4V_CzfN5CiXVBRcXAxFbUfI2Jt7b5-xXblvTngzvofSzIpgqKB23s6tJ3QyE0SI2nBmxR0uLd-hT2uh1xH4qy4cA4Wb7wcb9pVmhgZeqKjWhyphenhyphenaN2xnNWqWz8iVKhwDbGtHekHcwA8d7g/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313162652698317058" border="0" /></a><br />The 4 to 6 year olds - aren't they darling??!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaxRJ8hRPx55ov9lirTEcBnHWSYtb1DAyMRF9XrzEAHEHo6w18qkE8oJvOfvb7dVtmWjyEH1pKYCli5ZJ-8qKuNuilQm69CGgB0a8J9IZQPw-QPO-sRbl1HT-3d6EcVESFuKewDgLWvc/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+102.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaxRJ8hRPx55ov9lirTEcBnHWSYtb1DAyMRF9XrzEAHEHo6w18qkE8oJvOfvb7dVtmWjyEH1pKYCli5ZJ-8qKuNuilQm69CGgB0a8J9IZQPw-QPO-sRbl1HT-3d6EcVESFuKewDgLWvc/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313218946082704866" border="0" /></a><br />Dad giving a demonstration of trust...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5YNZG58KLjGCJEB8hQNOARQqGQNb_8B_r2CbT9tJVB63kvrk2kNDX8pGZPwrChL4CjpnDYj6WQsHCs9ZncmatXK_z6bEYQap_346QGQwTMUu2ph-2j3TcAXvwh8pqJrxAytGD0xWD8Q/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5YNZG58KLjGCJEB8hQNOARQqGQNb_8B_r2CbT9tJVB63kvrk2kNDX8pGZPwrChL4CjpnDYj6WQsHCs9ZncmatXK_z6bEYQap_346QGQwTMUu2ph-2j3TcAXvwh8pqJrxAytGD0xWD8Q/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313218952218865474" border="0" /></a><br />Doing the"trust fall" with a brave volunteer...:)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2hbFvJ2TRfGDP5BQtXGxb5d_OQFCVpZGXUignbVjoizLZU38PnVswgLjfPmadvAcna0i5J2fgX4mS82Iy-e5RKEt6isqWrWWMFoSH5_T5ZlLdWV_QLvxXB9EXnHr_bv3L0I-bjD82O8/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2hbFvJ2TRfGDP5BQtXGxb5d_OQFCVpZGXUignbVjoizLZU38PnVswgLjfPmadvAcna0i5J2fgX4mS82Iy-e5RKEt6isqWrWWMFoSH5_T5ZlLdWV_QLvxXB9EXnHr_bv3L0I-bjD82O8/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313218965661289650" border="0" /></a><br />The Gospel skit...(Me as "God," the boy in the black shirt as rebellious sinful man, and Dad as narrator)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusyneqzcBZMm1LNqNhrTILApmJtl5BXJhUbN2NbZX1OWMpPKGuuLpPl8iSL4M-QNf29zEM4tEJFc6wBNBwz5SNsb0_fvCboECtW5Et8HlNR0Umm_hfReG7FAKDNUnnxP-J2d1Tm4Z5mE/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusyneqzcBZMm1LNqNhrTILApmJtl5BXJhUbN2NbZX1OWMpPKGuuLpPl8iSL4M-QNf29zEM4tEJFc6wBNBwz5SNsb0_fvCboECtW5Et8HlNR0Umm_hfReG7FAKDNUnnxP-J2d1Tm4Z5mE/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313218970520006258" border="0" /></a><br />And Kate giving her testimony!<br /><br />One of our best friends, Libby Cox, lives in Phoenix, and we were so thrilled to be able to spend a couple evenings with her!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCVby-nR3uOE-s7SIBCa-bRn_Z8Ss3OfaDD-UQ-Brj1HH5ok2SGN9JEiejZN-rOJgZ9X1-E-R8vNKbiw_LhwOvY2fL1pIvI_t2yH8fEn7Sj-X9Gr6iS5UWzYV42eX_7Hnv4lweCBmwJ0/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCVby-nR3uOE-s7SIBCa-bRn_Z8Ss3OfaDD-UQ-Brj1HH5ok2SGN9JEiejZN-rOJgZ9X1-E-R8vNKbiw_LhwOvY2fL1pIvI_t2yH8fEn7Sj-X9Gr6iS5UWzYV42eX_7Hnv4lweCBmwJ0/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313162623957995650" border="0" /></a><br />Taking a ride in her darling "slug bug" car! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4E6OLI9g7ADhyphenhyphengi7U-C1Dc_XK3MvpQJbMVXbXzkhcOnDjc7gsP9BGl3bcJXh2Wno7Ey6ucYpCpKmk0ni4nXJvOydePGgCM226pxodI2E4TenfxpnYrYbfFCf7SB2vkAzAK0Jg2WCCVs/s1600-h/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4E6OLI9g7ADhyphenhyphengi7U-C1Dc_XK3MvpQJbMVXbXzkhcOnDjc7gsP9BGl3bcJXh2Wno7Ey6ucYpCpKmk0ni4nXJvOydePGgCM226pxodI2E4TenfxpnYrYbfFCf7SB2vkAzAK0Jg2WCCVs/s400/AZ+trip+%26+B-day+09+145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313225028413537058" border="0" /></a><br />To be continued...in the next post, we will post more pictures of the next week's adventures in Arizona...to the Grand Canyon and beyond!! :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5968072808530508761.post-91599686455565911582009-03-05T13:49:00.000-08:002009-03-05T13:56:29.924-08:00Thank you!Just wanted to thank you all for the sweet comments you have left for us on our blog!! Please forgive us if we haven't responded to each one of you. It has been fun writing up our posts, but even more fun to read the comments you've sent! :) We love hearing from y'all!<br />We love you!<br />The Lord's blessings on each one of you,<br />The BridgesKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17336890607979239555noreply@blogger.com1