Spring has Sprung, sort of

This tree pretty much started turning green overnight. It is just to the right of our driveway. I had to go out and take pictures as I can hardly wait for spring to really come and STAY!!

March 17th Green Night at Church

Twice a year, our ladies get together for food, fun, and fellowship and draw for Secret Sisters. We always have a good time, but I have to say that I think this one was the best one I've attended..or at least one of the best. Our Youth Pastor and his sidekick, I mean assistant ran a game for us. We played Wheel of Fortune with each table being a team. It was so much fun, even though our table didn't fare to well on the Wheel. :)Jeanine was in charge and did a wonderful job putting it all together. The sweet lady in the bottom right is Mrs. Oliver. She is Mary's adopted Granny and very special.Pastor Mike instructing us on the rules. Isn't she, HE, beautiful? Jon Blakemore was such a good sport and even donned a "Vanna" wig to play the part of the dutiful letter turner. :)

We are a pretty competitive group, and all had a great time trying to solve the puzzles when it was our turn to spin the wheel.

Carole waiting sort of patiently for Mike to stop reading the hint. haha

Lori, after the wheel turned on us, I think. :O

Ladies' Prayer Advance 2009

Our ladies went to Goshen, VA for the 2009 Prayer Advance. It was awesome. I didn't want to go...I just never do retreats or anything as I absolutely hate being away from my family. I felt compelled to go, but then when it was time almost chickened out. I am SO glad I went and am already praying I get to go next year. I missed my family a lot, but we were so busy and learned so much, that it was a great time. If any of you want to go next year...let me know...we'd love to have you join us!! It truly was the best "retreat" I've been on...it is so much better than just a "retreat"..it truly is a Prayer ADVANCE. :)

It snowed the first night we were there...and it was so very pretty. This is my friend, Courtney outside of the house we stayed in. We were in a room with 10 bunk beds. It was very nice. There was a common room when you first walked in where we did our group prayer time at night.

This is me on the sidewalk in front of our "house".



The view from our porch.

This is actually on the 2nd day...I have some of these out of order. I took a lot of pics outside on our way back and forth from the classes and breakfast/lunch/dinner.

One of our tables during onen of our meals. They fed us very well...I gained 2 pounds!


One of our other tables. We had such a great group of ladies.

This is a row of our ladies in the bigger meeting area.

This was one of the speakers. He was actually my favorite. I'd love to sit under more of his preaching. He'd make a great revival speaker. He did one session on devotion time. I learned a few things I've incorporated into my daily study time and prayer time. I think his name was Roger Baker. I will check my notes and change that if it's wrong! :)

Some outside shots. I love taking close ups of stuff, so was just experimenting.

Pretty, Pretty

The snow was just so beautiful!

Here we all are posing and making faces. I asked everyone to make a funny face...most complied.

Here is our "serious" picture!

Our prayer time meeting area. It was so wonderful. Also, the last night, there were 5 of us who slept out here on these little seats. We stayed up laughing and talking until 330 a.m. It was really fun...I had not done that in years!


Packing up to go home. We drove in three vans. It was about a 3 hour drive from the church.





We did have such a great time. God worked in my heart and life. I learned so much and enjoyed being steeped in that atmosphere and having plenty of time alone with the Lord, too. I made new friends and deepened friendships I already had. It was just an awesome time!!

Sister Time Is Over for Now

We took a few more pictures before Lisa headed to her home.

Crazy Crazy

After 7 days together, this is how we really felt!! haha

I took this picture of TJ & Samantha with Jo and Nessa on our way out to take them to the airport. Theron saw me taking it and popped his head in. He is so cute!

Bye Nessa and Jo!! I miss you!!

Home again, Home again

We took two days to get home and had a lot of fun. Jo helped me drive the second day, and I took some pics of one of the Runaway Truck Ramps in WV.

They had about 9 inches of snow a few days after we left VA. By the time we got home on Friday afternoon, this is all that was left. :)

Jerseyville

On our way out of town on Thursday, we took some pics of Cindy and Richard's home and then of the church her dad used to Pastor. This is the church Uncle Earl was pastor of for years. I have happy memories of this place when we were little.

Here is another view of the church with the parsonage in the background.

Cindy and Richard's pretty home and property.
It was hard to leave and we all wished we had more time to spend with Cindy. We laughed a lot and had a wonderful time.