Happy 40th Birthday, Shawn!

Ah, yes, now there's 3 of us down and 1 more to go

until the big 4-0!

A day at Rim Rock and Jake's Rocks

This past fall, which now seems soooo far away, Chris, Amanda, McKayla and Christopher, and Roger, Logan and I went out to Kinzua one Sunday afternoon (9-21-08) just to enjoy the beautiful weather we were having. We cooked some hamburgers and hotdogs, but first Chris and Roger had to make their own spatula because that was the one thing we forgot to bring. Chris poses with their invention in one of the following pictures. We even put the kids up to harassing a few folks who were protesting any future drilling that may or may not be happening at the state park by letting them yell "Drill, Baby, Drill" as we walked by. There was a lot of hiking, which some had more trouble with than others, not mentioning any names. Everyone played on lots of rocks and basically had a pretty good time. I just got the pictures from being developed and they turned out so good, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post a few even though it was a couple months ago. Besides, it was nice to be reminded of how great the weather was this spring and summer seeing how it's going to be freezing for the next five months, lol

Round 2

As if Monday wasn't bad enough! lol

Let It Snow!

Take a look at what we woke up to this morning! And it's still snowing. I think when it's all said and done, out first significant snowfall this year could be around a foot and a half to two feet. Oh, well, so it begins. And for those of you down south (you know who you are), in nine days we'll be coming your way and we may be bringing a little surprise with us so that we all can have a white Thanksgiving!

Logan's First Trip to the Movies

Last night Leyna and Roger & I took Logan to see her first movie at the movie theatre. She was very excited and she couldn't wait to see the big TV we had all promised her. We went to see Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, and it was a very funny movie that all of us enjoyed.

So we get to the parking lot, and of course I'm going to take

a picture of Leyna and Logan, duh! Can't you all see how

happy Logan is?

We got the tickets...

We got the movie...

We got the drinks and the popcorn, and I got my Milk Duds

that I have been getting since I was little.

And we got our seats. It must be nice being so little that

you don't have enough weight to hold the movie seats down by yourself, lol.

And......ACTION!!

Fall Fellowship 2008

Our congregation's annual Fall Fellowship was held Friday night (11-7-08). There were 19 of us in attendance, and even though the number was small we did have a good time with lots of activities and of course as always lots of good food. The night kicked off with a devotional by Randy M. He and the kids discussed anger and the scriptural way to deal with it. There was quite a lot of input from the kids and I think they were pretty interested in the subject as every one of them could probably think of situations they've gotten into because they let their anger get outta control. I imagine all of the adults could remember certain instances that they themselves got into also for the same reason!

Here we have Sandy, Betty, Marian and Bev overseeing things during the devotional, four women none of us want angry with us I'm sure!

Here are some of the older kids having some snacks and goofing

around. Poor McKayla is completely outnumbered!

Michael and Jake are playing charades re-enacting Abraham
getting ready to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice, with Graham and
Logan looking on wondering what in the world they're doing. Oh, yeah, all the kids love the guy (Randy) with the toys.

Jake takes the apple plunge! Now his brother Josh gives 'em apples a whirl!
But, woo hoo, look at which cousin got the apple!

Overall, Michael was the winner at bobbin' for apples

with a time of three seconds.

Going down the hall on the walls are all of our baby pictures

and here everyone is trying to guess who is who.

John, you got a little bit of chocolate right there on the

side of your mouth.

Evan made short work of his chocolate donut and chewed

his way to victory leaving the others in the dust.

Now, that right there, folks, is Collin and that is one BIG mouth!

Graham and Logan try their hand (er, mouth) at the

ole donut on a string game.

Anyone for a game of Bible Book Bingo?!?

The girls getting together for a family photo.

Mom, Me, McKayla and Logan.

WHAT I BELIEVE WITHOUT A DOUBT

This is what I think about at 12:47 AM, and I felt compelled to share what I believe and why. But don't take my word for it, take God's!

I believe in one God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit
(Matthew 3:16-17, John 14:9-10)

I believe God is the creator of all people and of all things
(Genesis 1:1, Acts 17:24-28)

I believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son, the Savior of the world, and the Head of the church (John 3:16, Matthew 1:18-21, Colossians 1:13-23)

I believe the Holy Spirit dwells within every Christian
(John 16:5-15, Romans 8:1-14)

I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and the final authority for all matters of faith (Romans 15:4, Hebrews 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16)

I believe that every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:7)

I believe that salvation (the forgiveness of sins) is offered to all people and comes only by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ (His death on the cross) and His resurrection from the dead
(Matthew 26:28, Romans 5:8-11, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

I believe the Bible teaches that the pattern to follow to receive Jesus as Savior is to believe in Christ as God’s Son and Savior of the world, to repent of personal sin, to confess Christ as Lord, and to be baptized (immersed) into Christ
(John 20:30-31, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9, Romans 6:1-7)

I believe that the church is the body and bride of Christ, founded on the day of Pentecost, consisting of all Christians everywhere
(Matthew 16:13-18, Acts 2:14-47)

I believe it is God’s plan for the elders to lead the local church
(Act 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4)

I believe that death seals the eternal destiny of each person. The saved will inherit eternal life; the unsaved, eternal separation from God
(Romans 8:10-11, Daniel 12:2, John 6:47)

I believe that Jesus will one day return and reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)