TRCC Woman’s Retreat

We had a wonderful retreat at New Harmony this weekend.  I gave my testimony on living in God’s will.  Connie, Vicki, Gwen, Charlene and I sang a song about growing old and the ladies loved it.  We had great food, a wonderful craft and played late night bingo.  All the ladies loved our time away and are already talking about “next year.”

Corona Virus

Our Social Distance Breakfast before Online Church

The world is fighting a pandemic that has literally shut down countries. A person is contagious for two weeks before they even show symptoms.  All kinds of businesses and factories were ordered to shut down.  Only "essential" businesses can remain open. Colleges closed and sent students home to finish school online. People were ordered to stay in their homes.  Public schools were shut down for the remainder of the school year to help prevent transmission of the virus.  All college and professional sports were cancelled. The Olympics were postponed.  Restaurants were ordered closed. 

Vacations were cancelled.  Public transportation closed. The stock market had the largest losses in history. People were in a panic and grocery stores were stripped bare. Churches were only allowed to meet via the internet.  You couldn't even go to the doctor.  Most appointments were done via the computer. All elective surgeries were cancelled. 

People were ordered to keep a 6 foot area between them, known as "social distance." There is no cure at this time and thousands of people are dying worldwide.  We have never seen or lived through times such as these.  People are scared. 

My small group at the TRCC Ladies' Conference

Front Row - Charlene Decker,  Carrie Vickers, Karen Zuber, Connie Mayo, Sherrie Richardson

Back Row - Amanda Leslie, me, Ashley Miller, Samantha Hardaway, Judy Roach

Good Friday service at the Methodist church

I missed Sophie, Alex and Kennedy singing at church this evening for the Good Friday service. I'm glad I chose to go to Ben's ceremony, but I sure wish I could have seen this as well. Sometimes, there's just not enough Mamaw to go around.  Andi did send me a video and they did a great job.

Chemo Buddies Blankets

Our church book club small group spent some time this evening eating junk food and making some blankets for Chemo Buddies.

Great day with great friends

I love my church

It's a great place - full of loving people and many people who I now call friends.  I have recently joined the staff as the Director of Fundraising and our first event was an evening at Painting with a Twist.  Great success!

Sarah

One of the very best things (people) about the church I've been going to for the past year is Sarah. She is a one of a kind, crazy woman.  I love her.  I love spending time with her.  We've yet to go have lunch or dinner that didn't result in us sitting and talking for at least 4 hours.  We have so much fun together -  but do mostly nothing. 

Sarah is the youth leader at church.  Wes and I just hosted a party for the the youth group an 20 of them came for pizza an games.  Everyone had a blast. 

Pumpkin Palooza 2014

Andi and Shaun brought their kids. Amanda brought Ben and for the first time ever, I got a semi decent picture of all 5 kids together.

We had a fun time carving pumpkins and going on a hayride.  They are a fun age to be enjoying these events.

Wyatt was there, dressed as a monster. Cutest monster EVER.

Carly's Baptism

 

Carly was baptized last Sunday, August  25th after church.

Singing at church - Mother's Day

The Sound Crew

Jacob had his first day of training today to help with the sound and light system at church.  He loved it!

He was also named Employee of the Month at McDonald's.  I was very impressed when he worked for me and I'm glad to see that wasn't just because I was his mom ~~ he's just a good worker.  That should serve him well in the future.

Wesley's Baptism

Wesley was baptized today and he was giddy with excitement.  All day long, he told everyone he saw "I was baptized today."

Ryan's Baptism

Big weekend for Ryan - first a fishing tourney win and then a public affirmation of his faith in God.  Ryan was baptized in the pool of some friends today.

Retreat!

This past weekend, four friends from church and I went on a spur of the moment retreat. When I say spur of the moment, I mean, we saw it on the internet on Sunday afternoon, registered Monday morning and left Friday afternoon. It was a wonderful time of solidifying friendships, sharing, and laughing till the wee hours of the morning. We attended some great classes, had some wonderful food, beautiful weather and learned some things about ourselves & each other.Nancy only looks like she was giving us what for. Me, I was a bit apprehensive to line up for a group shot before we took off since the last time I did that was for the canoe trip - and we all know how that day turned out. But we got it together and made our picture.

Cathy came straight from work and the plan was for her to sleep on the drive so she could stay up late to play games. This is her "I'm sleeping" face.

Trying to get 4 adult women to be good for a picture is about as easy as putting panty hose on a worm. It just wasn't happening.

Gwen touched and rode a horse for the first time ever. She was a natural equestrian.

Although our original intent was to check out this camp for a church wide retreat for next year, I learned something I didn't know before leaving. Lutherans serve wine at their retreats. Quite a shock to my Southern Baptist roots. But they sure knew how to have a great retreat - very relaxing (even without the wine.)

It was a fantastic weekend and we ended it by heading to Nashville, Indiana where we did a bit of shopping then had some dinner before heading back to the real world of work and motherhood. All in all - I'm planning on doing it again next year -- with these same lovely ladies.

Gwen, Me, Kelli, Nancy & Cathy