That light? It's not a train.

If you have been keeping up over at stephanieburley.blogspot.com, you understand that this is a week of changes for us!  Blogging has been sporadic at best because of the dawn-til-dark-and-beyond remodeling/moving process we have been in every single day for several weeks.  Last week we said goodbye to what has been our home for the last six years, and handed the keys to the sweet 79-year-old couple who purchased it from us. 

Everything at the new house is pretty chaotic, but since we're no longer hauling in more boxes of "stuff,"  things should begin to fall in place.  We have exactly one week until our church's revival, and a little less than two weeks before welcoming our first overnight guests, so here's hoping this week is productive!  It looks like this may be our "Indian Summer," so hopefully we can pull some weeds and take a picture of the outside of our new home to share with you.

And I see on the extended forcast that Sunday is our first chance for a little frozen mix, so I might even be courageous enough to ask God for a miracle in the form of a late October snow day.  Wouldn't that just be the perfect little gift?  :-)

After a great weekend with family in MI, this is how I found little Alli this morning...

Happy Monday!

Weekend Activities Part 1...

Last Saturday, our family was stretched from south central Illinois to northwest Ohio to north central Ohio!  My dad scheduled to be at his high school reunion out in Cumberland County (near Greenup) and he took the boys with him, Greg was at home with the girls working on the house, and my mom and I were attending the Women of Worth committee meeting that happened to be during one of the local chapter retreats right on Lake Erie.

Beulah Beach - Vermilion, Ohio

My momma - it was fun to spend some time with her!

Gorgeous fall day

We used this driveway out in the country as a turn-around.
I'm a little jealous of their "privacy fence."  :-)

We packed a lot into a day: 5 hours driving, lunch and dinner with our WOW friends, two retreat sessions (Kristina Joslin was the retreat speaker), and a three hour committee meeting!  I wondered how on earth Sis. Sankey would manage to have enough to keep us busy for three hours, but I guess I wasn't factoring in all the laughs, ideas, etc.  As a side note, Sis. Campbell makes some amazing fudge, and I'm really glad she decided to share some with us.  Any three hour meeting is bearable with fudge!  :-)

As soon as I get the boys' pics from their exciting weekend, I'll post Part 2.

Ryan's Mission Trip Day 5, con't.

Little visitors sometimes like to hide in the closets!

Young adults enjoying the personality assessments

DJ, Dennison, and Ryan hung out on the patio and played games.
DJ and Dennison were captivated by Ryan's schoolwork.

 

DJ checks out a Math PACE

Dennison

Lush Dominican fruit trees

 

Mission compound in the background

Propane source  :-)

Ryan's Mission Trip Days 4 and 5...

Monday and Tuesday were spent primarily in the Leadership Conference.  Rev. Asbury and Rev. Nichols shared sessions on The Attributes of God, while Mrs. Nichols held sessions regarding the personalities (using Wired That Way), as well as the SWOT Analysis.  The SWOT Analysis is used in organizations as a tool to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.  Mom divided up the groups and had them use this analysis to provide an avenue for teamwork, introspection, and communication as it related to the Dominican churches.  It was very insightful for them!

A little R&R on the patio

 

Lots of cars on the island sport logos.  This is the mission vehicle.

The young people (mostly lower 20's) enjoy social time.

Ryan used PPE (personal protective equipment)
for an object lesson in both Dominica and Antigua.

 

 

 

More photos to come!

Ryan's Mission Trip Day 3...

Sunday in Dominica!

Frequent rain and humid temps keep the environment lush and green.



Musicians prepare for a long (and loud) praise and worship segment!

Ryan said this lady was in the dorm shower singing
to the top of her lungs at 6 a.m.  :-)  She gave a testimony
and a song in church that morning.

Some of the crowd that gathered to worship at the PHC
campground in Dominica.

Ryan's Papa Nichols was part of the
2012 Conference team.
 

 

Some of the young people performed a skit.

Two girls sang a special song...one was a bit embarrassed.  :-)

One of the annual treats is that the leadership team brings
M&M fun packs to pass out on Sunday.

Old and young alike enjoy the chocolate!

Rev. Elverne Asbury was serving as the PHC missions
representative at the time of Ryan's trip.  He has since pursued
other ministries, and Dr. Craig Dahler is our new PHC missions rep.

Love this shot of Jennifer working in the camp kitchen!
If I ever make it to Dominica, she is someone I want to meet.

Impressive...Dominican men aren't afraid of food prep!

Ryan's new friend, Dennison.  He is 10, Ryan is 12.  :-)