This past month, I had the unexpected privilege to visit my family in Michigan! Bompa planned a trip from 8/13-8/19, and a week or so before that- It was decided I could tag along and surprise Evan and Farrah + the Siefkas! Alayna found a puppy in Chicago, which E+J picked up for her, and then Bompa and I brought back. We drove straight through, and made it there in about 21 hours (from Tallahassee). It wasn't too bad, and we took turns driving... I was so blessed to spend so much time with Bompa, and we really enjoyed our time together!
Hopefully you can view the videos I got of Joanna, Evan, and Farrah=) Their reactions were hilarious=)
It was a very encouraging and wonderful visit... Praise the Lord!
Ahhh... so refreshing to be there once again! I loved getting to wear a light jacket in the mornings, and the only time I got hot was out fishing in the middle of the day.
Bompa and I arrived at E+J's house at 1:55PM, and since they didn't know our exact ETA, Joanna pulled in 15 minutes later. I was videoing through a window=)
Evan got home from work a couple hours later...
That evening, the Siefka's had a family get together, so I drove over and snuck up the stairs to Pine Lodge where I heard all the activity... Jonathan videoed, and just before I walked around the pool table I tapped Joshua on the shoulder. He turned around, and almost exclaimed, but held his tongue as he saw what I was about to do=) It was so much fun getting to "pay them back" since they surprised me for my graduation!! They didn't have a clue=)
Lil' Rebecca grew so much!
Playing "Catan" with Hanna, Sara, and Farrah=)
The next morning (Tuesday, 8-15) Farrah and I did various things around the house... I love all her flowers! Their house just fits the two of them perfectly... It's so cute!
In order to mow the lawn (from like 4" to 2 1/2=)" we had to jump start the *extremely* loud riding mower=)
No power steering!
Evan and Joshua moving a hay bale into the pasture at E+J's house.
The 6 of us went to Manistee, and picked up DQ icecream ...
Then we walked along the edge of the harbor, and looked at many sailboats!
We had a meal of steak, baked potatoes, and salad at J+F's.
It was scrumptious!
After supper, we played VB at the Siefkas... (sorry, no pics!) This kitty decided to pay Rebecca a visit...=)
Wednesday, E+J went sailing with Bompa, and J+F took me fishing on Gunn Lake!
We didn't catch much, but it was fun!
When we got home, Farrah made "healthy" icecream for our lunch... It was very refreshing!
Thursday, Joshua, Farrah, and I re-covered their rocking chair and foot rest!
I don't have a before picture, but it had been covered with worn out denim. It was fun helping prepare for baby Siefka on the way!!!
We ate lunch and supper at the Siefka's on Thursday... our last day.
Scientist Charity=)
Evan and Bompa getting as much flooring done as they could, before we left Friday afternoon.
Missy Fiona was so good on the drive home!
"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy." Ps. 33:18
With MUCH excitement and anticipation, this big day finally came.... and went! I was happy I got to graduate along with two great friends- Ivan and Michelly! It is a great feeling to be done with high-school! Our family was seriously surprised by the arrival of Farrah and Joshua, from MI a few days before the graduation... It really blessed me that they did that, and I couldn't have asked for a more special treat to top off this milestone! The whole evening was just amazing, and it truly was a grand event...
Praise the LORD!
The speeches...
Presentation of diplomas!!!
Heading over to the fellowship hall for the reception=)
Thanks to the collaborative work of the graduates' families, the decor turned out nicely!
Delicious finger foods!
Three cheerful beverage servers=)=)
Looking at the graduates' picture boards!
Mamaw and I=)
Surrounded by dear family!
*Miss* Charity Morgan and I=) can hardly believe she asked me to be her bridesmaid in a few months!!=)
<3<3<3
Never imagined I'd graduate with a 14 year old!=) Congratulations, Michelly!!
Mrs. Epperson and Christina did a fantastic job on the cake!
"Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare."
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him!"
Ps. 28:7
Praise the Lord for shedding his mercy upon me, and granting me life- 18 years I've been able to spend with my wonderful family, church family, and others. I'm amazed at the Lord's working, and am so excited to see how He leads me in the future.
I had the privilege of joining the Wilson family for a week long vacation, to the Northwoods Conference Center in the UP recently! It was amazing how the Lord brought it all about for me to go with them, and it was especially fun that it was a surprise for the girls. We flew up Thursday, 9/8, and got back Thursday, 9/15. The primary reason we were going was for a family conference that weekend. Mr. Towle taught the first session, and Pastor Wilson taught the rest. (6 total.) We had a wonderful visit with the Towle family, and enjoyed the cool "beginning of Autumn" weather! We went hiking at a place about an hour away, that had gorgeous waterfalls, and winding trails that made me think I was walking through a picture book... It was seriously the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen, and it was such a reminder of the variety of beauty in God's magnificent creation! It was one week I'll never forget, and was thoroughly enjoyed with precious friends.
Waiting to board!
Yay! At least flying gets you places a lot faster than driving.
If you look closely, you can see a full rainbow, with the shadow of our plane in it! It was SUPER neat, and a lot brighter in person.
It was so good to walk around the corner, and see familiar faces waiting for us!
We stopped at Culver's in the middle of our 3 1/2 hour drive from the airport to our destination.
Almost there!
The CASTLE! As we called it=)
My room.
This tree was just starting to change color outside my window, so by the end of the week it was much brighter!
Walking our LONG walk down the hall to the kitchen.
\We were treated like royalty, with elaborate meals served very promptly!
Smile!=)
This kitchen was amazing, and you could tell they were used to cooking for large groups!
Setting out lots of cups in preparation for the conference!
The view from one of the dining room windows.
The lobby!
This "Bad Boy" got stuck in the mud...
They soon fixed that with a big chain, and truck!
Off on a 3.7 mile walk around the lake!
The tower was a great place to run up and spot things... We loved watching the sunset, and moon rise from there.
People were starting to get there before supper, Friday night.
Some of the most fun outside time was spent on the water. We went out on the pontoon boat with Mr. and Mrs. Towle, and then in a little fishing boat, and kayaks later. Fishing was a lot of fun, and we all caught some!
It was nice and breezy most of the time.
My buddy, Heather=)
One day we went exploring around the property, which is over 2,000 acres! There were at least three lakes on it, and several old houses. It was fun riding in the back of the truck, and stopping at lots of scenic places.
The trees were so pretty up there...
Walking back to the truck, after touring around this big house.
Elizabeth and Anna=)
Fall foliage!
Elizabeth and I ~ Thanks to Christina for the pic...=)
A fun game of Dutch Blitz!
We had fun watching Heather open her birthday gifts. She turned four while we were there!
Excitedly, she tore off the quilt, which revealed to her ecstatic gaze..............
her very own bike!
We played volleyball a few times, which was REALLY fun!
Heather rode around, and around, and around the court on her new bike!
Hiking time...
Some beautiful falls, that were bigger than anything I'd ever seen!
Everyone that went, but Rachel... She gets the photo credit=)
I kept getting behind because of all the photography opportunities!
These colorful little mushrooms by the way...
At one place we could climb out on the rocks!
Not a better spot to get pictures together!
Anna
Elizabeth
Yours truly
Then we drove a little farther to visit Lake Superior!
Sweet Christina=)
Danny and Matt loved getting chased by the waves=)
The rocks on the shore were so flat and smooth, so they were perfect for skipping!
This was an interesting tree...
Ski lifts are something we Floridians never see, so I had to get a picture=)
View from the tower one evening!
The Towles tried scaring us with this bear, so we tried it on them the next night... =) It didn't work though, because they're so used to it!
On the way to church, Tina and Matt were wearing sunglasses and trying to dodge pictures taken from the seat behind them... Didn't work too well=)
Another incredible sight from the tower!
The far pavement is part of an airstrip there!
As many Towles as were there when we left... This is just 8 out of 17!
Vibrant trees on the way to the airport...
It was neat seeing the sunset from the plane!
The innumerable lights after dark from the air! Praise the Lord for safe travel and a wonderful visit! The neat thing is, while I was in the UP, Farrah was visiting the Siefkas in the LP! We left the same day, and got back the same day, and didn't see each other once that week! Farrah's pictures coming soon... just, she doesn't have half as many as I do since they were working on their house most the time.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of GOD; for they shall wisely consider of His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
