our West Virginia adventures

Here are a few random shots of the rafting.  It was quite the adventure.  We all had a very fun time! Especially me because our guide really liked me.  If you ever have a chance to go, check out the Rivermen at Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia.  There were a few times that were pretty scary.  Darryl fell out twice and Kyle fell out once.  That was pretty intense for a while waiting for them to surface.

We had a nice time relaxing with Mom and Dad and Scott and Flo.

Here's my Dad wearing the hat we got him for Father's Day.  He liked it.  He's going to wear it when he goes haying.

songs on the front porch

We are at my Mom and Dad's house in West Virginia.  Here are a few of the songs that we did for fun while we were hanging out on the front porch.







We are having a nice relaxing time here!  Heading home tomorrow...or tonight?

Wayne Day and Rethink Yoyo

Even though Kyle was apprehensive about all the attention being drawn to his yoyo skills, it was a hugely successful exhibition.  There were plenty of kids who came by to watch or even try throwing.  Kyle was a Master at yoyoing and teaching.

Building the wall

 This is the beginning of the steps that Ryan made.

 Taking a quick tea break.

 This is the wall they are building...

 Sure will look nice when it is all done!

 More hard working guys.

Oh this is just a bag of bird seed that we forgot about on our front porch.  The animals have been enjoying it.

It sure is nice that the boys can be home to work again this summer.  With the rain lately, the wall isn't done yet, but I'm sure it will be before we leave for West Virginia!  We are hoping to do a little white water rafting while we are down visiting Mom and Dad.

songs from June 1st

Here are some videos from Sunday.  These are in order of how we did them.

Unfortunately we had issues with the camera being knocked over a couple of times. Darryl got it back up once (minus my head) but the second time, it was lost for good.

Build Your Kingdom Here
This was a super fun song to start the service.  Everyone seemed to like it!  Kyle does such a great job on that djembe.  I had fun with the tambourine...



I Need Thee Every Hour/ Lord, I Need You 
I love the look on Ryan's face when I first start out. He told me later that he was just thinking to himself how cool it was that I was leading the song by myself.  Kyle did super with the violin! 

Oceans
Here's where we lost the video completely. There was nothing we could do about it. I admit I was sad we didn't get the video of this song. It was very special. I loved that the congregation joined in on their own without us even asking them. It was awesome! (it's too bad the piano got turned down so much that I didn't notice my cue...and at times I felt like I was singing acapella because it was barely there.  I know you couldn't hear it in the back at all).   All in all, it was a good experience.

 Never Once
Ryan was on piano, me on guitar, Kyle on djembe.  This was a new song and the congregation received it very well...considering that the guy doing the powerpoint completely had the wrong slides on.


Doxology
Ryan on guitar, Kyle on violin.  This was a nice song to end with... very worshipful.  I loved hearing how loud some of the people sang!


I'm so proud of both of my boys.  And thankful that Darryl was there to keep the sound levels just right.  We never did get a monitor hooked up for me, but it all went well without it!

family fun at Bushkill Falls

Here are some fun pics from our day at Bushkill Falls in PA.  We walked a lot!

Our pool is finally up!  Swimming will officially begin soon.

The boys have been getting a lot of work done.  I think their next project is a stone wall, and then redoing some steps, making a nice sandy area, redoing our front walkway... and a whole boat load of other things.

Kyle has a mountain of Greek homework to do, as well as prepare for Wayne Day coming up this Sunday.

Ryan is writing songs and working on music things.  I think he is going to give me some guitar and vocal lessons over the summer.  That way he gets experience at teaching and I get to benefit from  it.

Leading worship

We packed the car full yesterday and headed to Preakness to set up.   It was a good practice!

Today was the big day to sing with my boys.  Based on all the feedback that we all got, it was grandly successful.  We were told it was beautiful!  I was told, "You should sing more."  I was happy for this experience.

Thank You God, for Darryl, Ryan, Kyle, Emma, and Zuke for how they have encouraged me and expressed their confidence in me.  It was the only thing that got me through the negative voices and many rough spots.   Thank You for the gifts that my sons are using to serve You.  Kyle did magnificently on his lesson today, and Ryan, as usual, did marvelously on worship leading.  Thank You for Darryl doing a splendid job on the sound board.

To God be the glory!