January 29th, 2007 | Author:
steph
The teenage boys that come here usually come kicking and screaming (sometimes literally!). But this past weekend there were more hugs than kicks. More quiet words than screams. And hopefully more healing than hurting.
But on other notes – sorry for the long pause in my posts. Between some internet “issues” and just not a whole lot of stuff going on, I’ve been negligent in keeping you up to date on our adventure. So, here are just a couple of high points of the last couple of weeks (I’m omitting the trips to Walmart and Home Depot, and the fact that I won at Crazy Uno last week!)
A great concert by The Hoppers. Yes, it’s true, I’m hanging around with a gang of Southern Gospel groupies! The concert was excellent!
A trip to Ft. Rucker (outside of Enterprise, AL) – Home of Army Aviation. There was a very interesting museum there – US Army Aviation Museum (focusing on Helicopters) and we also did a quick stop at the commissary (due to the fact that our friends were retired military!)
Gary took a day off and went horseback riding with the head of maintenance here and the three cadets that graduated on Sunday. They had a good time and wonderful fellowship, but I think all of them decided that 5 hours in the saddle was about 4 hours too long (especially the next day).
And another Southern Gospel Concert – The Blackwood Gospel Quartet. The most impressive part of this concert was the second half when they took audience requests and sang them acapella. It was amazing!
We got together one Sunday with a couple that we knew very briefly in the mid-eighties (Bob & Sally Marsh). We were able to worship with them and then enjoy a good Olive Garden dinner. It was fun connecting with them again and doing some massive catch-up on our respective families. Thank-you, Bonnie, for nudging us in the right direction!
Oh – and we paid $1.81/gal for gas last weekend. Ah, the blessing of a local gas war!
We’ll be snuggling under the down comforter tonight – it’s already 28 out there. I guess they didn’t get the FLORIDA memo!
I think we’re driving to Panama City this weekend! I’ll keep you posted……
January 16th, 2007 | Author:
steph
Yes, a new batch of piggys is one of the more exciting events around here. You should see how excited we get when we know a calf is about to be born!!!
All farming aside, just thought I’d check in to let you’all know we’re still alive and kicking! We’ve enjoyed having a bigger group of volunteers here, and some of them have become dear friends. Lots of laughter as we share each other’s stories about life with a couple of corny jokes thrown in for good measure. The weather has changed from beautiful and sunny (it’s been in the 70′s for the last week or so) to “cold” (50′s) and cloudy. At least it’s not snow and freezing rain. 
Oh- a little wedding goodness – I found a little cottage to rent just outside of Lancaster where the whole family can stay AND we can have the rehearsal dinner there. SSSWWWWEET! I had been hoping to find a B&B that we could all fit into (and afford!), but to have an entire establishment to ourselves is just a delight. Verdant View’s Little White House - here we come!
One more sunset shot – niiiiice!
January 08th, 2007 | Author:
steph
After a weekend of wild weather – a couple of tornado watches that had us glued to the weather info combined with lots and lots of rain – today has dawned clear and bright. Our neighborhood has grown by almost a dozen RVs, so we’ve been having a good time getting to know the new folks and catching up with some we’ve worked with before. It will be interesting to see how the community gels in the weeks to come!
I’ve moved from doing kitchen laundry to answering phones in the office. It appears that my “long-term” job will be covering the phones and other assorted office jobs in the afternoons. Gary’s A/C assignment seems to still be a bit in the future. However, he is content to do whatever job is at hand, so no problem there.
Today, before I check in at the office, I get to help make bread pudding for 65 hungry teenagers (plus 30 or so hungry senior citizens). What do you think – chocolate chips or raisins?
January 02nd, 2007 | Author:
steph
Long ago, just after 13th century turned into the 14th century, Richard Rolle wrote:
What a serious waste it is to let a day go by without allowing God to change us.
And that is my prayer for 2007 – that I not waste even one of the precious days God has given me.
And on a less lofty note -
losing 10 pounds by The Wedding would be good too!
Blessings to you all in the new year!
