PYC 2007

Pilgrim Youth Camp 2007 is off to a blazing start (it's really hot!) with 175 youth campers! We are having a great time so far, and the kids seem to be having a blast, as well. At the moment I'm sitting in front of the Franfort Community Public Library...special thanks to them for the wireless connection! If any of my blog friends are in or around Frankfort, stop by the Wesleyan Camp grounds and say hello. I'll be here for 2 weeks. By the way, Don Davidson and Travis Johnson are doing awesome in our services. Just what the Dr. ordered!

Too Funny!

If you have lived in the inner-city, or gone to GBS (as many of you have), you should get a kick out of this clip. It was part of my Multicultural Issues class, and I wanted to pass it along. Kudos to all of the cops out there. I don't know how you do it!!!

http://bb7.liberty.edu/@@1EB0B8ACD5AFF94A7999FE263F8AC501/courses/1/HSER509_B02_TB_200731/content/_1271889_1/police_tazer.wmv

A Stirring Study...

Last summer, while working 3rd shift at a local nursing home, I saw several news reports pertaining to a man who was on the FBI's Most Wanted list. What startled me was to look at the pictures of masses of women and children who looked like they could have been attending GBS campmeeting in the late '80's or early 90's, who were followers of this man. Only gathering bits and pieces of the stories, I realized that this wanted person was the head of a "mormon" group which practiced polygamy and a horrid doctrine. This so interested me, especially with all of the group wearing a modest garb which was so familiar to me (even the ladies hairstyles were synonymous with those of conservative holiness groups - it was unbelievable). I kind of put it on the back burner of my mind, and did no further research...until this week. In my Multicultural Issues class I am required to write a term paper about a cultural issue. My professor ok'd the subject of polygamy in the Mormon Church, so I began to research. I found that this issue of which I saw reports actually is not associated with the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, but a branch group called Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. It is headed by the FBI's wanted guy, Warren Steed, who has since been caught and jailed in (no joke) Purgatory, Utah on charges of child rape. When the "Mormons" outlawed polygamy in 1890 (basically so Utah could be recognized as a state) not all were happy with the decision. The group kind of split and this FLDS was one of the off-shoots. The group, like others, has a prophet, and all must obey his bizarre bidding. When Warren Steed' father died in 2002, Warren became the "prophet". Most of the groups 10,000 members now live in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. It looks like they are now trying to relocate to Texas, and are facing some obstacles. Namely, people don't want this stuff going onn in their neighborhood. This subject might not interest any of you the way it has me, but I wanted to share just in case. I feel deep pain for the many young girls (barely into childbearing age) who are married off to men 20-30 years their senior, and become his 6th or 7th wife. These child-brides have no choice in the matter, and I don't have time or space here to go into the details of what all is happening. Although polygamy is clearly against the law, enforcement is not happening because of the severe overflow it would cause the social service agencies (having to support the hundreds of children and mothers who would be left without a husband). I have multiple websites and news reports to make sense of this huge mess, and I think I have it figured out, but I found one link of extreme interest. The man whose testimony is given there came from the FLDS group when it was headed by Warren Steed's father, who died in 2002. If you have a few minutes, read his testimony. Don't stop before you reach the end. If you believe in the power of a loving God, it will bless you completely! At the end of the testimony there is a family picture of the man, his wife, and their son. I do not understand their use of jewelry (especially in both of the boys ears) because they don't look like "punky" people. Anyway, his testimony rings true...no doubt about it! Let me know your thoughts...
I am also wondering why we are so worried about catching child predators, etc., but not worried about saving innocent American children from these FLDS creeps. Hmmm...Here is the link.
http://www.geocities.com/plygkid/

Nothing New :)

In an effort to be dedicated to my blog, I am going to post without really having anything about which to post. Hmmm. The boys are working on day 10 in Michigan, and I actually started missing them about day 8! Don't get me wrong, they are the lights of my life. A break is very nice though! Greg's parents are bringing them back tomorrow. Our usual plan is to meet somewhere about halfway, but they want to see Greg play softball tomorrow night, so they are making the trek.
I'm working at another Dr.'s office this week. This one is brand new, only open about two and a half weeks. Dr. Oh is a orthopedic surgeon, and seems like a nice person. My only problem so far is that I keep wanting to call him Dr. Ho (the "e" intentionally left off of the word!). He may not seem so nice if he hears me refer to him that way! Fortunately, the few times I had to answer the phone, I was able to say, "Advanced Orthopedics of Ohio, this is Stephanie..."
I found that Dr. Oh shares one pet peeve with me...people using cell phones for loud or rude conversations in public places. In fact, he informed the receptionist this evening that she was to place signs in conspicuous places throughout the office demanding that cell phones be turned off. He said if anyone violates the policy, he will make them reschedule their appointment! His exact words, "Why would anyone want to pay big money to sit in my office and talk on their cell phone?" He has actually walked into patient rooms and had to stand and wait for them to end their conversations! Way to go, Dr. It's about time someone gets mad about the ignorance of cell phone users! I was in Captain D's the other day when a middle-aged male, who was dining with his wife (or significant other) took a phone call from what was evidently an old friend. The guy was sitting two booths away from us, but proceeded to yell his whole conversation into the phone. The entire restaurant was privileged to listen to him tell his friend about a contraption that (I'm not kidding) cleans your nose with one tool, and your ears with another. He went on to tell how great it works, and how often he uses it! Anyway, if you share my annoyance...tell me about it! I'd love to hear your story!
Oh, as an afterthought, I think each church needs to have a small group that teaches cell phone basics - namely how to silence a ringer before trekking all the way out the back door with the phone!

Summer Days...

My two redheads, Ryan and Jake
Kaitlynn decided she wanted to preach. She grabbed the Bible and began, but quickly realized she would be more prominent if she hopped up on the stump in the middle of the yard. Her sermon went something like this, "I pledge allegiance to the flag..."

FYI to all fellow bloggers...

I have made 8 posts today (an all-time record I'm sure), so to honor all of my efforts, please send me a short note of affirmation... :)

Summer fun for Olivia and Kaitlynn

Olivia - the biker babe
Kaitlynn watches for pirate ships...or something like that. :)

Last Day of School 2007!!!

Aaron, Evan, Ethan, Brandon, and Xavier

These three buds, Ryan, Ethan, and Caleb, were the kindergarten class of 2005!

Aaron and Kaitlynn are such good friends. Although they aren't often together, they play great when the time comes! I asked them to get together for a picture, and this was they pose they chose all by themselves!

As a teacher, I always look forward to the last day of school. As a child, though, I remember it as a day of mixed emotions: always ready to sleep in and go to church camp, but not really ready to be away from friends.

My life with boys...and a girl...

Evan was determined to take his bug net and catch a bird. I told him it wouldn't happen, but who do you suppose was wrong? The big, fat morning dove was all his until I finally told him it had to be freed.
The infamous snake

He chased down a baby groundhog...ewww!

Evan loves to hunt, and recently Kaitlynn has taken his love for the sport, much to my chagrin. These are a few of his "findings"!

PCS Graduation ---Evan's K-grad.

I can't believe two of my three kids are already out of kindergarten! We had a nice graduation this year, and once Evan got over the fact that he had to wear a gown (women's apparel to him), he was thrilled. Click the link for pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gsrek06/PCSGraduation?authkey=6M4cq_SxYp0

Awards Program ~ Pilgrim Christian

Evan had already managed to pull his medal off of the ribbon, so it is noticeably missing

I suppose this is Evan's military pose

I was very proud of the boys this year! They did a great job (even though academics aren't Ryan's favorite thing!) and came away with several trophies each.

It seems like forever!

I guess now that the weather is absolutely beautiful, I don't want to spend time indoors on the computer! I imagine that most of you are more computer savvy than I, and it takes me so long to upload pics. Anyway, hopefully I'll get caught up soon. Life has been busy even though we are officially done working at the school. My LU class is getting ready to wind down here in a couple of weeks, and I start another a week before this one ends. Scary thing is, the overlapping week will also be Pilgrim Youth Camp! Finally, our camps are once again back to back (Youth and Family). To some that might seem overwhelming, but to me it means only packing once. Yeeeaaaahhh!
The boys are in Michigan with Greg's parents for the week. They left last Saturday and won't be back until Monday. Of course, they are having a blast, and probably not missing me a bit! They love being with Grandpa and Grandma Burley, and word has it that Grandpa will be having hip replacement this summer, so this will probably be their last lengthy visit for awhile.
When we went to Virginia a couple of weeks ago, Grandpa and Grandma Burley came down here, along with cousin Harmony, and watched all three kids for the weekend. Kaitlynn had never stayed with them (without Greg and I), but she enjoyed it thoroughly. I figured being in her own house she would be pretty comfortable. Grandpa took the boys fishing, and although I don't have any pics, they caught something like 16 (Ryan)and 24 (Evan) fish. Talk about a good time!
Well, no surprise, I'm "sick" again. This has nothing to do with pregnancy, but more to do with nasal drip, sore throat, headache, chills, and so on. I have a really nice deep voice today, and wouldn't really be worried, except that I'm supposed to sing in a wedding on Saturday! Being pregnant, I can't do what I would normally do in this same situation: take NyQuil and hit the hay! I was given the green light for Sudafed and Tylenol along with lots of fluids...I'm not looking for a quick recovery...
Well, Greg should be returning from his softball game shortly. He is supposed to be bringing Taco Bell (Kaitlynn's favorite), so I'd better sign off!

Women of Worth Mother/Daughter Banquet

Our WOW Mother/Daughter Banquet (of which I spoke earlier) was very well-attended. Here are a few pics of the event:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gsrek06/MotherDaughterBanquetWomenOfWorth?authkey=nyi8u0Dib6w

LU Graduation Weekend

Here are a few pics from our weekend at Liberty. Just click on the link to view...
http://picasaweb.google.com/gsrek06/LibertyUniversity2007?authkey=vH4LULZSQpw

Just Pics...

Mother's Day 2007
The grill crew

Dad and Granny

Eric, Megan, and Olivia surprised Mom, Dad, Granny, Adam, and Valerie with a Mother's Day visit. We had it planned pretty well, but boy was it a tough secret to hold! When they walked into church on Sunday evening about 7:15, there were some happy, happy people!

There is nothing, nothing, nothing like being a mother!!!

Part of our very unhealthy Sunday evening feast.

Olivia is wasting no time growing up! She is such a sweetie!

I think they just had to wait until midnight to take the customary Mother's Day photo!

A few pics from my birthday...

Enjoying some time at the park

Yes, my children are aliens!

Kaitlynn gets into my mocha frapp

Birthday lunch at The Meeting Place, and yes, I'm as tired as I look!