I love farm activities. Some of the best church activities that I have been to have been on a farm.
Shannon Shindig is my youth group's favorite activity. Every fall Larry and Jackie Bott host the event, and area independent fundamental baptist churches join us. Usually we have 60-80 kids there. Activities have included things like three way soccer, bigball, football/basketball combination thing with tons of balls, flag football, The Knot, and of course . . . the famed . . . the waited for . . . the best . . . Spoke Tackle! After the games, everyone meets in the barn for a time of songs and testimonies and preaching. Following the service, there is food, food, food, and more food (all wonderful cooking by Mrs. Jackie :). We used to have hay rides, but they ended up getting a little too crazy.
Another favorite was Farmtastic. Thanks to Pastor Tim and Pastor Cowan, Illinois has again been able to have Farmtastic. For the very first year, Shannon and I got to play in a hoe-down type band with a guitar, harmonica, accordion, wash bucket, and tambourine. I think my favorite song was Orange Blossom Special. The whole tent shook from all the clapping and stomping feet. Every year my yg takes a couple volleyball teams, and every year we don't win anything. But! We have fun, and that's all that counts. The tractor pull is always fun. And unlike usual tractor pulls where the tractor pulls something, in this one, people pull the tractor. I think the girls from our church did pretty good. We pulled it over the line in something like 13 seconds! Pretty good for being girls! :)
Now for several things I've learned . . .
People call me a hick, and for a long time I didn't think it was true. But then I went to Dacula I made some startling discoveries. Most people do not take their cooler to the grocery store, and a real traffic jam is not when there's a combine driving down the center of a two lane highway. :)
Friday, May 26, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
second edition
My memories today were from a long, long time ago and were full of imagination.
Peach and Erika--Remember AYR (pronounced "air" and stood for all-year-round) Club that we started? For headquarters we were going to finish Erika's garage attic and fill it with inflated sofas and chairs. I think the club was supposed to be a detective agency and a community service project (We wanted to get into American Girl Magazine by raising enough funds for new play-ground equipment for our park.).
We ALWAYS used to play Oregon Trail. All of us would dress up from the abundant resources of dress-up clothes in my basement and fill our little red wagon with all the necessities required by many long months on the trail. After gathering supplies, Whit and I would hook our stick-ponies up to the wagon, and we'd be off. Later that night (actually like 5 minutes into our trip) we would all gather around our campfire for a good old hoe-down. We'd take turns pulling "dance" tunes out of our 3-string guitar (or at times badminton racquet) while the rest would do-si-do around our pile of sticks (a.k.a. fire). After restful night's sleep (3 minutes) the sun would rise early and we'd be back on the trail. Before too long, someone would catch malaria, and we'd all try and nurse her back to health. If Whit or Shan played that part, they always died. But they didn't stay dead for long, because they'd be right back with us on our journey. Even after all those years of playing Oregon Trail, I'm still not quite sure if we ever reached our destination.
Oh the creek! When Nanny and Papa lived in their big, old house my sisters, Erika and Ethan or our cousins, and I would play in the creek all day. We found coffee (dry, eroded dirt) and harvested left-over corn cobs. Once we tried to build a house by weaving grass around tall sticks which were set into the ground. The last step was to cover the walls in mud, but at that point, all the walls came a tumblin' down. We never got to the roof . . . We'd swim in the foot or two of water, and we would always see who could jump the farthest across the creek. Whenever we heard Nanny blow her whistle, we'd know it was time to start the long trek back across the corn field or along the creek.
When Oregon Trail or Creek was not in vogue, we'd play Lost Kids. I did not really like that game because Whitney and Erika made me be the evil step mother. They were always running away from me. Shannon and Ethan always wanted to be the dogs or twin brothers. We'd make a home under the pine trees in the Flynn's back yard where branches became bedrooms and the kitchen would be the dirt floor with a hole dug for our fireplace. Usually somewhere in the course of the day I would have to go chasing after all four of my step children because they ran away from my supposed cruelty . . .
Another highlight of summers past was playing in our neighbor's pond. We'd dig out the algae, feed the fish, catch tadpoles, climb the little waterfall, hide in the pompous grass, and walk across the little bridge to the "island".
One summer I set up a very successful business selling embroidery thread friendship bracelets. I made well over $15 with each bracelet costing only $0.25. Quite a good profit for an eight year-old.
On hot days we would build a water park in our back yard. We'd set our fire-hydrant sprinkler in the top of our play-house and then slide down the slide and swing and sit underneath. We'd also set up a slip-n-slide with old shower curtains, and the wagon or little pool would be filled with water if we felt like a not-too-deep dunk.
Life as a kid was great. There were never any worries about what other people thought about us, only dreams, and imagination, and wonderful times.
Peach and Erika--Remember AYR (pronounced "air" and stood for all-year-round) Club that we started? For headquarters we were going to finish Erika's garage attic and fill it with inflated sofas and chairs. I think the club was supposed to be a detective agency and a community service project (We wanted to get into American Girl Magazine by raising enough funds for new play-ground equipment for our park.).
We ALWAYS used to play Oregon Trail. All of us would dress up from the abundant resources of dress-up clothes in my basement and fill our little red wagon with all the necessities required by many long months on the trail. After gathering supplies, Whit and I would hook our stick-ponies up to the wagon, and we'd be off. Later that night (actually like 5 minutes into our trip) we would all gather around our campfire for a good old hoe-down. We'd take turns pulling "dance" tunes out of our 3-string guitar (or at times badminton racquet) while the rest would do-si-do around our pile of sticks (a.k.a. fire). After restful night's sleep (3 minutes) the sun would rise early and we'd be back on the trail. Before too long, someone would catch malaria, and we'd all try and nurse her back to health. If Whit or Shan played that part, they always died. But they didn't stay dead for long, because they'd be right back with us on our journey. Even after all those years of playing Oregon Trail, I'm still not quite sure if we ever reached our destination.
Oh the creek! When Nanny and Papa lived in their big, old house my sisters, Erika and Ethan or our cousins, and I would play in the creek all day. We found coffee (dry, eroded dirt) and harvested left-over corn cobs. Once we tried to build a house by weaving grass around tall sticks which were set into the ground. The last step was to cover the walls in mud, but at that point, all the walls came a tumblin' down. We never got to the roof . . . We'd swim in the foot or two of water, and we would always see who could jump the farthest across the creek. Whenever we heard Nanny blow her whistle, we'd know it was time to start the long trek back across the corn field or along the creek.
When Oregon Trail or Creek was not in vogue, we'd play Lost Kids. I did not really like that game because Whitney and Erika made me be the evil step mother. They were always running away from me. Shannon and Ethan always wanted to be the dogs or twin brothers. We'd make a home under the pine trees in the Flynn's back yard where branches became bedrooms and the kitchen would be the dirt floor with a hole dug for our fireplace. Usually somewhere in the course of the day I would have to go chasing after all four of my step children because they ran away from my supposed cruelty . . .
Another highlight of summers past was playing in our neighbor's pond. We'd dig out the algae, feed the fish, catch tadpoles, climb the little waterfall, hide in the pompous grass, and walk across the little bridge to the "island".
One summer I set up a very successful business selling embroidery thread friendship bracelets. I made well over $15 with each bracelet costing only $0.25. Quite a good profit for an eight year-old.
On hot days we would build a water park in our back yard. We'd set our fire-hydrant sprinkler in the top of our play-house and then slide down the slide and swing and sit underneath. We'd also set up a slip-n-slide with old shower curtains, and the wagon or little pool would be filled with water if we felt like a not-too-deep dunk.
Life as a kid was great. There were never any worries about what other people thought about us, only dreams, and imagination, and wonderful times.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
first edition
I'm going to start writing about my memories from Shannon. There are so many.
First one that comes to mind wasn't too long ago. My family loves to have teens come over and just hang out. In the summer we'll go to the park and play slide tag or basketball or tennis or just swing. For the other 9 months of the year we all pile in our living room and talk or be entertained by Brady and Ethan or play rousing games of Blurt or Mad Gab. This one particular time we were all hanging out at my house, and about 7 of us were sitting on our ancient sofa. All of the sudden everyone started falling to the right. I guess 7 on a sofa is a little too much for the little legs. . .
I remember the time we played Alien Invasion with Evan Collier. We were all dressed in black with black hats, etc. on and were sneaking across the Athletic Field (no hills and trees to play around here :-). Just then our town policeman patrolled by. Pastor Evan, seeing the police car, yelled at the top of his lungs, "HIT THE DIRT! IT'S THE COPS!!!" That's when Mr.Policeman turned on his spotlight. We didn't get in trouble or anything, but boy, did we laugh! :-)
Then there was the teen activity where I got thrown in the pool. And the other time that I got thrown in the pool. . . and the other time that I was threatened about being thrown in the pool. . .
I'll miss our teen room. Jodi did an amazing paint job to turn our room from "junkiest at church" to coolest. It has been the depository for cast off sofas, though, making it all the more comfortable. I like Blake's description, "This is were bad sofas go to die."
Our first annual Winter Formal was a huge success! We had visitors come, everyone dressed up, the food was catered by Melissa, and probably the highlight for most people, the seniors gave testimonies of how God has worked in their lives since 7th grade. I loved the decor and all the games. Oh, the freshman picture was great!!!
Northland Camp of 2004 was incredible. Our whole yg went with hearts that desired to be changed, and wow, did God change. He has blessed us, and we never been more unified or seen more souls saved. I would give just about anything for my kids to get to grow up in a yg like mine.
Well, enough memories for today.
First one that comes to mind wasn't too long ago. My family loves to have teens come over and just hang out. In the summer we'll go to the park and play slide tag or basketball or tennis or just swing. For the other 9 months of the year we all pile in our living room and talk or be entertained by Brady and Ethan or play rousing games of Blurt or Mad Gab. This one particular time we were all hanging out at my house, and about 7 of us were sitting on our ancient sofa. All of the sudden everyone started falling to the right. I guess 7 on a sofa is a little too much for the little legs. . .
I remember the time we played Alien Invasion with Evan Collier. We were all dressed in black with black hats, etc. on and were sneaking across the Athletic Field (no hills and trees to play around here :-). Just then our town policeman patrolled by. Pastor Evan, seeing the police car, yelled at the top of his lungs, "HIT THE DIRT! IT'S THE COPS!!!" That's when Mr.Policeman turned on his spotlight. We didn't get in trouble or anything, but boy, did we laugh! :-)
Then there was the teen activity where I got thrown in the pool. And the other time that I got thrown in the pool. . . and the other time that I was threatened about being thrown in the pool. . .
I'll miss our teen room. Jodi did an amazing paint job to turn our room from "junkiest at church" to coolest. It has been the depository for cast off sofas, though, making it all the more comfortable. I like Blake's description, "This is were bad sofas go to die."
Our first annual Winter Formal was a huge success! We had visitors come, everyone dressed up, the food was catered by Melissa, and probably the highlight for most people, the seniors gave testimonies of how God has worked in their lives since 7th grade. I loved the decor and all the games. Oh, the freshman picture was great!!!
Northland Camp of 2004 was incredible. Our whole yg went with hearts that desired to be changed, and wow, did God change. He has blessed us, and we never been more unified or seen more souls saved. I would give just about anything for my kids to get to grow up in a yg like mine.
Well, enough memories for today.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
it's officially out. . .
The news is out. I can actually talk about it now. We're moving to Georgia.
I've lived here for 16 of my 18 years, and now we're moving away. I don't doubt God's plan, though. In the next few weeks I'll be writing a lot more about how God brought everything together. I know that this is His will for our lives, but at times I still have to remind myself of my two favorite songs.
Grace
Your will cannot lead me where your grace will not keep me.
Your hand will protect me. I rest in Your care.
Your eyes will watch over me, Your love will protect me,
And when I am faltering, I still will find you there.
My God is Good
Though I may never understand, I'll trust with all my heart,
And from the course that You have planned, I never want to part.
In searching for Your way and wisdom, teach me if You would.
That for all times in every place my God is good.
I've lived here for 16 of my 18 years, and now we're moving away. I don't doubt God's plan, though. In the next few weeks I'll be writing a lot more about how God brought everything together. I know that this is His will for our lives, but at times I still have to remind myself of my two favorite songs.
Grace
Your will cannot lead me where your grace will not keep me.
Your hand will protect me. I rest in Your care.
Your eyes will watch over me, Your love will protect me,
And when I am faltering, I still will find you there.
My God is Good
Though I may never understand, I'll trust with all my heart,
And from the course that You have planned, I never want to part.
In searching for Your way and wisdom, teach me if You would.
That for all times in every place my God is good.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
a special day
Today is a very special day. Beane turns 3. For those of you who don't know who Beane is, he is our dog (but Shannon's dog when he's bad.) His birthday was tonight at exactly 10:30.
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I remember the first time we got to see him. The Vandeburgs brought all 9 of their puppies to my grandparent's, and Beane (then Earthy--all the puppies were named after the planets) was not my first pick. But when Dad went to pick a puppy for Shan's b-day, he picked the cuddliest, sweetest, most lovable puppy there. All you had to do is walk up to him and he'd roll over on his back and beg you with his eyes to rub his tummy. If he got excited, he would (and still does) wag his little stub of a tail so hard that his whole backside would shake.
As he grew older, he became very protective and didn't like boys very much (which my dad thought came in handy what with his having four girls. . .) He is also very pompous and struts his stuff when we take him on walks. He has a definite element of surprise about him, like the time he layed me out flat on my back when we were playing at my grandparents house, and the time he made Whitney trip over him as she was walking by and sweetly waving to the town policeman, oh, and the time he made Mom fall flat on her face in a puddle when he decided to suddenly halt his brisk trot (directly in front of Mom) to sniff an invisible something. We have a dog with personality. He's not too stupid. We teach him hand motions for all his tricks, and when trying to teach him to roll over, we pointed our index finger down and made a circle in the air. His response? He walked in a circle.
We love our Beane, and (I think) he loves us. I hope we have a lot more years ahead with this other member of our family.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
chik-fil-a
While down in GA this weekend, I got to experience, for the second and third times in my life, Chik-Fil-A. Ya know, the billboards with the cows holding signs saying "Eat mor chikin." That restaurant has THE BEST CHICKEN. Not only did I go to Chik-Fil-A, but I also got to go to the original Chik-Fil-A Dwarf House. I, like usual, took a picture. :-)
Advice: If you ever go to Chik-Fil-A, you have to get their original Chik-Fil-A sandwich with waffle fries and sweet tea.
Another couple of cool things--Chik-Fil-A always has fresh flowers in bud vases on the tables and are never opened on Sundays.
So if you ever make your way down south, grace a Chik-Fil-A with your presence. :-)
Advice: If you ever go to Chik-Fil-A, you have to get their original Chik-Fil-A sandwich with waffle fries and sweet tea.Another couple of cool things--Chik-Fil-A always has fresh flowers in bud vases on the tables and are never opened on Sundays.So if you ever make your way down south, grace a Chik-Fil-A with your presence. :-)
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
hero
Brady is my official hero for the day. He told me that the CD insert, I have been working and working on (photography, layout, everything...), looked like it was done by a professional!!!! So today's official hero award goes to Brady, my Lil-Big-Bro. :-)
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
amateur
I am 100% amateur photographer, but I love every minute of it. Tonight I was shooting a cover for our newest CD that is just about ready to come out. To get the height and dimensions that I wanted, I had to get creative. :-) Instead of those little black boxes used to add height at professional photo studios, I used baskets, trashcans, foot-stools, decorative boxes, and a Dutch oven pan. Oh, and my backdrop was made up of our old living room curtains. For lighting, I used our piano lamp, my desk lamp, towels to keep the bright colors from showing thru the curtains, and a table lamp with its shade (covered in a towel so less light would escape) propped on so that the light would shine at the right angle. I love being creative! :-) Life is more fun when I figure out eccentric ways do do normal things.
Monday, May 01, 2006
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