Christmas, 2007

Almost all our family was able to be together for Christmas this year. Wil and Amy joined us for a few days at the end of our time. We are thankful to Missionary Care Ministry that has a home available to missionaries free of cost in Athens, GA. We began planning this reunion a year ago and were able to book the whole house then. It has six bedrooms, two kitchens, two living/diningrooms, 11 acres of wooden land, a playground, and a wonderful, generous hostess there to be sure all your needs are met. We were totally overwhelmed with the graciousness shown to us and our children. We were there from Dec. 21-Jan.1. It was a wonderful time of reconnecting as a family and getting to know our grandchildren better. Here's a picture of the whole gang.

Besides celebrating Jesus' birth and having a traditional Christmas dinner, we enjoyed just being together, playing games, cooking, eating, looking at old slides, and the list could go on. We also went to Stone Mountain Park for a picnic with my sister, Sarah Taylor, and family. After that we went to an Ethiopian restaurant. It was Kirk's (Sarah's husband) first experience. It's one of our favorites so we really stuffed ourselves.





Another highlight for the grandkids and their Grandpa was a train Paul and I found right before Christmas. It actually is really fun and the girls just loved it.

Well, lots more could be said but they say a picture speaks louder than words so if you would like to see more pictures of our time together you can go to these two websites and check them out. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27900&l=7c436&id=624702564
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27903&l=fc480&id=624702564

October to January

Paul and I spent October through December in the States on Home Ministry Assignment. We were able to visit 11 of our supporting churches and many friends and supporters. We were also able to attend Mission to the World's Global Missions Conference, help with a training for Pastoral Associates for MTW's teams, and be small group leaders at Living in Grace, a training that all MTW missionaries must go through. We saw both our Mothers and all our siblings and many of their spouses and some of our nephews and nieces. We are very thankful for my sister and husband, Paul and Sarah Taylor, who allowed us to go freely in and out of their home in Atlanta.

In October we went to see Kirk, Sarah and Joanna. This is a picture of Joanna helping Paul build a top for the bed of our pickup. It was a great few days of being together.

In November we celebrated Anna's 23rd birthday with her and Wil and Amy were able to join us. We also joined Paul's Mom and all his siblings for Thanksgiving. It was a special time since we don't have the opportunity to see so much family all at once very often.


End of November we had a quick visit with Wil and Amy and then on down to Florida, stopping in to see Erik, Rinnie, Lauren, Meredith and Coriena on our way to Marco Island.

Sarah and Joanna came with us to visit my Mom and that was a very special time. Sarah hadn't seen her for 3+ years and Mom had never met Joanna. Joanna was so sweet calling my Mom "Great Granny" and wondering where "Great Grandpa" was since he in heaven now. She loved Mom's walker and was friendly with all the old folks where my Mom is.

In January, all my siblings, their spouses, Paul and I celebrated my Mom's 85th birthday together. It was a special time of each of us telling my Mom how much she meant to us and sharing memories together. My Dad's sister and husband (the only living relatives besides my Mom on either side) were also at the party along with two of my cousins.

Christmas will have to be another blog entry. But just as a preview, we were able to gather at one place with all our kids over the holidays. More on that and pictures to come later.