LOCAL WATAUGA STUDENTS ARE AMAZING!

I don't know about you, but as a teenager I would NEVER have given up my free week from school to serve others. I am so amazed at the students who continue to give up their time to serve others. The first year we traveled to New Orleans to help after Hurricane Katrina. Last year we worked in Grifton, North Carolina for disaster relief through the North Carolina Baptist Men Disaster Relief.

This year we journeyed to Campbellsville, Kentucky and the students worked on 8 different homes. Seven groups worked diligently on roofing projects in less than perfect conditions and then the eighth group worked on building two decks! Many students conquered fears and worked tirelessly hammering thousands of nails to attach a covering of protection on those that they didn't know.

This year we were blessed to take Brandon, Nicole, Ella, John and Denice with us and get a bit of family time in as well. It was so good to see Ella after 3 months!!! My how she has grown and she is so darn cute! Words can't even describe how adorable she is! I had the honor and privilege of spending time with her while her mom and dad enjoyed some rest.

Our worship time was led by a group of guys from Charlotte and God came and sat with us. His presence was unmistakable and the kids grew! The excitement that we saw from them was rejuvenating.

Brandon led our study time and challenged our kids to be a John the Baptist generation; being the change they want to see--preparing the way for the Lord. (Luke 3:5)

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.

Every valley shall be filled means that all of our insecurities can be filled when we reveal them to our maker. I find that I really become less secure when I understand WHO HE SEES ME AS. Knowing who I am in the Lord takes away all the fears that I subject my heart to. No longer will we be a generation that fears others thoughts about us, or fear abandonment, need affirmation, or need control when we turn to the desires of our Father. He desires us to live my our spirit and not need the things that our flesh requires.

Every mountain shall be low--WHAT KEEPS OTHERS FROM SEEING CHRIST IN YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR THE THINGS YOU ARE PRIDEFUL ABOUT? Remove them so that others can see the Light!

Crooked ways made straight- What generational curses do you see from your family? Alcoholism? Abandonment?

Rough ways made smooth- Places where you can be offended

These weren't the only things that were talked about, but I just can't put it all!! It was simply amazing!

More to come.....

Beautiful Spring Day

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. The sun reigned high in the sky and it was one of those days that you throw on the old Chacos and run around in the woods.

I decided to run around in the ones that are adjacent to our yard. It is something that I had the opportunity to do a little last spring. The water has finally decided to unthaw higher on the mountain above us and now the 'culvert drain', that comes from the top of the mountain and flows down past our house, is running with water. I like to imagine it as a little spring or creek that's attached to our property. Works for me and it sounds better than culvert drain! It actually has the sound of running water, so I think Webster wouldn't argue with me.

Of course as I set on foot Lily and Caroline decided to be adventurous right along with me.

John arrived and we laid in the yard for over an hour dreaming of where we would like to add a few more rooms and a garage. Then we remembered that we live on the budget of a teacher and youth pastor and food is of more priority than covering our cars in the winter, so we just enjoyed laying in the free sunshine and resting in the peacefulness of the day!

Loving the Beauty of Boone

Gosh! It's been so long since I have blogged. I just seem to not have that much going on right now in the way of sharing. But that can be a blessing too!



One thing that I have had the opportunity to do is enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Maybe you aren't like me, but there are just things that God creates that speak measures to me. They calm my spirit like nothing else can.



And it seems at times that it is simply God saying,



" BE STILL.... KNOW THAT I AM YOUR GOD. KNOW THAT I HAVE IT ALL UNDER CONTROL. I'M HERE."



Here was one of these moments captivated in my picture:

About Pepper...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ?I was named after the actress Angie Dickinson from Police Woman in the 70’s. She played Sgt. Pepper Anderson. I tend to like to see the look on peoples faces though when I tell them that my parents were 'smoking something' and Pepper is what they came up with! hehe
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I tend to get overwhelmed when I see the Lord’s hand in my life and how he is working in me. The realization that he loves me and continues to work through my life daily brings me to tears when I realize how unworthy I am. He continues to show grace to a sinful servant like me.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?It’s ok.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?Well I must admit that this one is tricky. I do like lunch meat. Turkey to me is oh so good. But, I have some kind of weird sandwich thing that I don’t understand. I can’t stand a pre-made sandwich. The smell of it after it comes out of a lunch box and out of a baggie is overwhelmingsly gross! But made fresh..i like ‘em.???
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Nope, still waiting on that blessing from God.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Um…yeah.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No. I don’t really appreciate it.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Nope. Not good at risks taking.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I love cereal and I always have. I even enjoy it for dinner sometimes. Favorite s are hard. I like Lucky Charms,Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Apple Jacks…pretty much the ones that aren’t healthy!:)
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I think that some of lifes journeys have made me strong, but that can be a weakness because as a sinner, I tend to think I am strong enough on my own and tend not to always rely on the Lord as I should. Boy how he pulls that rug out from under me sometimes so that I can get closer to him.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I really like the Sweet Cream with brownie from Marble Slab.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their eyes and smile.
15. RED OR PINK? Um...neither are really a fav.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? My desire to be the least bit vunerable as possible. Many times it keeps me from great opportunitites and closer relationships…The Lord's working…
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Time…I feel like I just don’t have much. Can’t believe I am taking the time to fill this out!! How many more questions are there????
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Navy Old Navy fleece pants..no sock and no shoes.
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Chick-fil-a…John Berry’s favorite. We should buy stock!
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Everybody loves Raymond…that mother in law:)…..
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I have no idea
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? The smell after rain or freshly mowed grass.
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My hubby
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? The ones my husband coaches. I love to see him interact with the boys on the football field and the girls on the basketball court. Or there are the ones he’s playing in. I enjoy those too.
25. HAIR COLOR? Brownish blonde.
26. EYE COLOR? Blue
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes…thank you Lord for corrective lenses…I’m SO blind and would love to have corrective eye surgery. I can’t imagine what it would be like to wake up and be able to see without glasses or plastic!
28. FAVORITE FOOD? At a resturant- Chicken Scampi from Olive Garden…Homemade- love some soup in the winter.
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Don’t watch scary movies so def. happy endings
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?Nooma video called Lump..awesome inspirational videos by Rob Bell….full length movie- We Are Marshall..oh so good and based on a true story which tends to be my fav.
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Watauga Pioneer Blue
32. SUMMER OR WINTER? I love them both for different reasons. Love the summer because I’m a teacher and I don’t have to work!!!! Love the winter because I love snow. It’s so beautiful.
33. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake or key lime pie make me smile
35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Captivating by Stasi Eldredge..oh so good.
36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? touch pad on the laptop.
37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Rob Bell video. Check them out. They are so good!
38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? The school bell ringing at 2:30 in the afternoon!!! WOOOHOO!!..beyond school I enjoy hearing John laugh. It’s so contagious!
39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Israel
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Um…no
42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Winston Salem, North Carolina

Children of the World: Take 2!!!

I was blessed on Sunday with the opportunity to see the amazing Children of the World again! My how they have grown since November. They have now seen their first snow, experienced their first Thanksgiving and their first Christmas--US style!

Isaac and Giadon saw John and I walking into the church and ran to us! I was so excited that they remembered us! Isaac embraced me and said, "Auntie, I didn't think I would see you again in all my life!"...It was simply precious! I stayed and watched the children perform 3 different times! It was the best Sunday worship I've had a in a while!!! They are just amazing. Alliance Bible Fellowship raised $25,000 through their 3 services to fund a new home for 12 orphans and a leader in Africa! How amazing!

Once again I had to say goodbye! They are constantly on my heart, in my prayers, and on my mind! If you have the opportunity to see them, I offer only this one disclaimer: The children will reach into you and take your heart and I can't promise that you will ever be the same!

Winter Extreme

Not long after Christmas we packed up and took 25 teenagers to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a conference. It's an annual event for Greenway and something that we all look forward to! It's a time of fun, food, music and growing!

Each night a group is assigned to wait in line and try and get the best seats possible. Our group along, with 5,000 other people always want to be as close as we can be to the stage. For two years running our group has ended up with a front row seat at some time during the conference! This year we enjoyed TOBY MAC!!! He's one of our favorites and was playing the first night. New Song, Skillet, and Chris Tomlin were also prepared to take the stage throughout the weekend. Unfortunately Chris Tomlin didn't get to come due to Kidney Stones. We were so disappointed , but continually prayed for his recovery as a collective group. Though that was disappointing it was still amazing.

Eurgan Canter, former Muslim, now hard core Christian and president of Liberty University brought the word along with David Nasser, and Johnny Hunt! It was so good. David Nasser's word really got me and has continued to effect me since the weekend.

He told the amazing story of the great Blondini. He was a daredevil and had the crazy desire to cross Niagara Falls by walking on a tightrope. Not only that, but he was going to carry a wheelbarrow across with him. Thousands thought he was crazy and many gathered to simply watch the 'crazy' man fall to his death. When Blondini walked across the first time with the wheelbarrow the crowd cheered! To their amazement he turned in the other direction and crossed back over the falls. The thousands that had gathered to watch him fall to his death, were now cheering in amazement! Blondini hushed the crowds and yelled, "Who believes that I can cross this again?" Everyone cheered. Again he hushed the crowd and added, "if you trust and believe that I can do it, then get in the wheelbarrow!" Of course not everyone jumped up at once!

David Nasser paralled this story with our everyday walk with Christ. Daily we are challenged to trust him with our life and to allow him to steer us across the tightrope of life.

Christmas...

We have hit the new year running-- in a million different directions I might add! I actually have the time to update our blog because school is cancelled due to that beautiful white stuff!!!! SNOW!!! I love it!!!

Before Christmas ever got here we enjoyed a overnight lock in with the youth! WE enjoyed a time of skating and then had a gingerbread competition. The kids were so creative. You can see by the Peterbuilt creation!

Unfortunately for Garrett and Blake it won 2nd place to Hannah's masterpiece!!! The kids played 'White Elephant' and then we tricked them by playing another game of left/right Christmas! They really had a good time! We couldn't ask for better behaved kids! They are a joy to watch grow!

The night after the sleepover we hosted our friends for a gift exchange. This year, in an effort to save money since John and I just bought a house, Jarrett and Lara are building their house, Brenna and Daniel just got married and are hoping to take an extended vacation this summer and Klay and Marsha are traveling to New Zealand over Spring Break, we all decided to draw names. Even with the eight of us, with names all mixed up, it was funny how the couples ended up drawing couples names. John and I got Brenna and Daniel. Klay and Marsha were picked by Jarrett and Lara and then Brenna and Daniel picked Jarrett and Lara. What are the chances of that happening!? We enjoyed snacks, laughs and ended the night with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

Christmas was great. We had my family up to our new home for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner and presents! It was alot of fun! We enjoyed all the gifts we received! John got new tools! He swears I use them and lose them?? I have no idea what he is talking about:) I received beautiful pearls that are my absolute favorite! Since the holiday I have worn them numerous times and received many compliments! We have thoroughly enjoyed our Starbucks gift cards and Tanger Outlet Gift cards! I always have loved giving gifts! You can tell that Nana always enjoys the surprise of whatever is wrapped up in those pretty packages. I wouldn't trade that look on her face, and the excitement that I feel by giving for all the savings in the world.

John and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas morning together. We enjoy the tradition of stuffing our stockings with enjoyable gifts! We had some breakfast, watched Santa Clause 2 and then began to pack up and head to Hendo to visit his parents, Brandon, Coley and Ella, along with the extended family. Denice blessed me with a KITCHEN AID mixer! I was so excited and so very surprised. We are truly blessed by both sides of our families and their abilites to bless us with special gifts. This year John Sr. blessed me with a new lens for my camera that allows me to see so very closeup! AND then to be surprised with an awesome accessory for my kitchen was amazing. Denice was so excited to give the gift, that she had me open it as soon as we came in the house. That was a great moment. I really enjoyed the idea of her thinking so much of my desires and being excited to give it to me! John got money go towards his tv fund. It was just great altogether. Ella was as adorable as usual! I enjoyed watching her open our cute little outfit for her! She is just too cute for words!

John and I also had a surprise up our sleeves for the Berry Family. We had worked endless hours to create a memorable gift from our Israel trip that we had taken as a family. Together we put together a DVD with all the places that we had been included. John worked 30+ hours editing priceless home video taken on the trip by he and Brandon and I worked together the pics that Nicole and I had taken to be included. Though you always find things that you are not paticularly happy with, we felt that it came together well for the two of us. It was nice surprise for the family and a gift that we hope will be enjoyed for many generations.

We also got the opportunity to visit Mamaw Clara in the nursing home! Ella gave her a nice full diaper and B played the violin! She enjoyed seeing the boys!

What an amazing time of celebration that the Lord blessed us with!

It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas....

It's beginning to look more like Christmas here at the Berry Home....

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we put up our Christmas tree!!! That's early for us, but John is super busy and I had to get him while I could! We went to a tree farm and hand picked our tree. We are probably the slowest people at choosing a tree. We look around all over the farm and try to pick the best one! It's so much fun!! We really love it!

We come home, with some Christmas music and hot wassail and put up the tree! John's in charge of the lights and then I put on the other things. Right now we still have the tree that matches. We just got John's ornaments from when he was a kid last year and I don't really have any from when I was a kid. Maybe some day when we have children we will go to a 'kid friendly' tree, but until then I will have my 'Martha Stewart' tree as some might call it. I love that my ornaments and wrapping paper all match. I know it's weird, but I enjoy it!

At this time of year I've already recalled quite often our trip to Bethlehem during the summer of 2006. It was such an eye opening experience. It helped me to really take a different look at the Word. It really brings it to life to have been in all those places where my Savior was. To stand in the place where he was brought into the world....was simply amazing. What a blessing that was given to us by my mother-in-law and father-in-law. Though the image to the left is less than what you would have imagined, it is the spot where Jesus is said to be born. I didn't imagine it being a 'shrine' as it seems. It smelled of incense. But when you are able to pull yourself away from the appearance you are able to realize that over 2 thousand years ago and thousands of tourists before it was a lonely cave where an amazing Savior was born to the world. The spot on the floor where the star is, is the location that they suspect that he was born at. It was so cool to stand there and know that a tiny little baby had cried there that was born for each of us!

In Sunday School we are studying the story of Christs birth and watching the Nativity Story. It is a wonderful movie. If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it. The reenactment of Nazareth is very much like the area that we were able to see. The movie makes the journey for Mary and Joseph so real. It brings to life the ridicule that they faced and how they were blessed with an amazing gift!

More Christmas celebrations to come!!! Can't wait!

OH so Thankful for rest!

Our Thanksgiving took us on a long journey of travels: Below is a small synopsis of our travels.

Destinations and Mileages
Boone to Hendersonville 107 miles
Hendersonville To Greenville, South Carolina 38 miles
Greenville to Hendersonville 38 miles
Hendersonville to Boone 107 miles
Boone to Mount Airy 89 miles
Mount Airy to Pfafftown 31 miles
Pfafftown to Boone 81 miles

Total miles traveled: 491 miles!! From Wednesday to Saturday!

It was a wonderful time filled with seeing our families. Wednesday we traveled to Hendersonville and hung out with John's dad at his office for a while. Then we joined Denice at home and headed down to Greenville to Brandon, Nicole, and Ella's. Ella was as adorable as ever! She was sitting up in her new little chair. I enjoyed every opportunity to hug her and love on her. Her Auntie Pepper sure does love her!We ate dinner at Chili's and then we enjoyed church at Redemption World Outreach. It's so nice sometimes to go to church and not be in charge of anything or have to worry about what others might be thinking about what your husband is doing! It's just nice! I love to hear Pastor Ron teach! He is an amazing speaker and spoke about Ezekiel 37 and the dry bones that we become when we have repetitious cycles that we don't deal with. He always brings the word!

We went back to Hendo that night and hung out. John presented his brother with their old Nintendo and it consumed alot of our time this past weekend! It was so much fun! Papa John hooked the TV up to the projector and put Mario up on the big wall! I never played on the wall because I was busy loving on Ella, but John and Coley enjoyed fighting over who would win and Brandon enjoyed making animals with his hands in the light. I must say Nicole came up victorious and saved the princess!!! Old school games are so much fun!

The next day we enjoyed a good time with extended family. Everyone shared one of their favorite family memories. Carmelita told a story and shared a dish from Mamaw Jo's. The dish sat on a picnic table outside and survived a large flood that overtook the back yard one year. The dish sank into the water and remained there, unharmed after the floodwater subsided. John shared our plaque with the "Dance like no one is watching", which reminded him of his time with Granny! Brandon shared a Mickey Mouse scarf that Granny bought him to clean the rosen off his violin. I shared a hilarious memory from the first time that I visited the Berry home and thought I had come in at an inappropriate time and found John Sr. rubbing Denice's feet! Coley shared a falafal postcard from our trip to Israel. Denice shared a time that Papaw gave Granny and "azalea" (haha..can't tell that one on this website). Tiffany shared about a time that when the boys tackled her in new clothes and ruined them in the mud! ....Many more stories followed. It was a good time to think about all the good times everyone has experienced in the Berry/Jones families!

We hung out and played all night! It was so much fun, just spending time together! The next morning we packed up and headed back to Boone. That night John had a football game and the Pioneers won! They have one more game until the State Championship!!! We fed some of the coaches and their wives after the game! It was fun to hangout and watch Friday Night Football!

The next day we headed down to Mount Airy and ate lunch with my fam! After lunch John hung a new light for Nana and I took a nap! Then we headed down to Pfafftown to see my Dad! As we headed home we picked up Marsha and then back to Boone!

We were exhausted once the holiday was over, but it was a great time with family and friends!!! We have so much to be thankful for!

GIVE THANKS

It's unbelievable to me that it is already Thanksgiving. Tomorrow we will be surrounded by the Berry family with the aroma of turkey and all the trimmings. We will each have our very special dishes there, I'm sure. Already in my kitchen the smell of pumpkin cheesecake, apple nut cheesecake, and pecan pies are making me ready for a yummy Thanksgiving lunch! I'm sure the picture will be the same as usual. Everyone with their over filled plates and happy faces which quickly turn to ohhhhsss and ahhhhsss after the meal and complaints about eating too much. John will surely fall asleep from the sleeping aid said to be included in each slice of turkey that he consumes, and then we will all be serenaded by his deep, sweet snoring brought on after a good thanksgiving lunch.

This year there is so much to be thankful for. It's amazing what God does in 365 days! More than you really can remember or ever list. I'm thankful for so much, but some of the things include:

A God who continues to multiply and bless me with so many things. His love is so indescribable. What an honor it is to be his child and to rest in the assurance that he loves me without condition and that he chooses to. That constantly amazes me. He doesn't need me, but he WANTS me. Coming the childhood that I have had, THAT very sentences explains why I stand in awe of my amazing Savior each day.

An amazing husband that can simply not be explained. He is such a servant and he not only blesses me by loving me (even on the days when it is difficult), but he serves so selflessly everyone around him. His smile is amazing and his laugh is nothing less than contagious. Though he tells the corniest jokes known to man, I would simply miss them if they didn't touch my ears. John has a love for the Lord and his people that is infectious. He has taught me and continues to teach me so much as we travel through this life together. It goes without saying that I am more in love with him today than I ever imagined I could have been 6 years ago when we met.

A new home that is one of my most loved dreams of my life. It's mine. Today as I baked, I thought to myself "wow! Look how far the Lord has brought me in my life." I used to imagine what life would be like as an adult. And he has so richly blessed me with a home that I love and enjoy being at. Also he has blessed us with the ability to bless others with a space where they can come and find refuge if it is needed and simply rest.

A wonderful family. This year I was blessed with my very first niece. What a responsibility I feel with being called an Aunt. Little Ella Christine in her mere 14 weeks has already taught me so much about love and putting things aside. She is absolutely precious when you behold her. I never imagined loving a child, that wasn't mine, so very much! John, Denice, Brandon, Nicole, PaPaw, Carmelita, Troy, Drew, Tiffany, and Jordan are great. Though we don't get to see them very often we know that they love and support us as we journey through life.

My personal family that I grew up with, Nana, Wanda, and Donald, have taken on a whole new meaning to me as I am growing up, I guess you would say. I understand the responsibilities of life so much more as I gain years and see what they took on raising me from the age of 8. I am so thankful for what they gave me, taught me and showed me as I grew as a child.

I am thankful for all the family and friends that can't be listed because they number so.... What a blessing each one is in my life individually. My bible study girls are a constant reminder of the ones God puts in your life to spur you on in your walk with him. Our study on Esther as been amazing and such an inspiration for each of us. Our friends and church family love us so much and I thank God for them. I thank God for those that have gone on to be with the lord and the unbelievable footprints they have left on the hearts of those behind. Our time with them was precious.

As you celebrate this wonderful time of thanks.....GIVE THANKS!

Teenagers and lots of laughing.....

After a week of children withdrawals from Gaidon, Isaac, and Mark being gone our home was filled again with laughter last night when we had our youth group meeting at our home. Different ones have come over at different time, but it's the first time that we decided to have everyone meet at our home. What a blessing to have a home close to town and where all the kids live. Before we were about 20 minutes from the ones who lived the closest. Now they all live within about 5-10 minutes of the house. It makes it so much easier. And, unfortunately, they are all getting their licenses. SO SCARY! Makes you want to not drive when you see some of them get their drivers license. We have endured many accidents with a few of them already!

Anyway..they all gathered (even Ben's Baby Think it Over in the picture above being abused in order to keep its head from falling back and lessening his grade). I spent most of the afternoon making them some goodies. Velveeta dip, cream cheese and sausage dip, ham and cheese rolls, popcorn chicken, cheese sticks, cheesecake, and other things that parents sent to us! They can really clean you out when they come to visit. Where do they put it all??? We finally got home about midnight after taking our last few home. It was a great night of fellowship!

Everyone in the living room singing.

Cassie and Blake competing to see who can catch the grapes without touching them.

John leading us in worship.

Evalyn, Sara, Caroline, and Danielle.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Our morning began at a bright 6:30 AM as Isaac awoke ready to seize the day! He hopped out of bed and immediately turned to make his bed and brush his teeth! Gaidon woke up wanting to know where Uncle was. Once he found that he was still in bed, he wanted to wake him up. The above pictures show the somersault he did to make this happen! Not long after Gaidon was awake and it was time to make breakfast. It was obvious that once he was up, than everyone else was going to be up too! Mark was the latest riser, but woke up full of joy and ready to go!

We began to make breakfast and the boys were eager for bacon and eggs. Gaidon and Isaac were eager to help in the kitchen, while Mark wanted to run and play outside in the cool Boone air! Isaac knew how to make the eggs and Giadon helped to make muffins for our hike that we were planning to go on (I later burned them because I was so caught up playing with the boys!). It was fun to see John with Isaac working together to make some mini pancakes. Breakfast was yummy! The boys enjoyed it with a heavy coat of Texas Pete for Gaidon and Mark and ketchup for Isaac. No syrup was necessary because hot sauce was good for even the pancakes. They did like the strawberry jam that I had made back in the summer! I had cooked half a pound of bacon, but after the prompting of Gaidon and Mark, I cooked the other half! They loved it.







After breakfast the boys played, sang and wrestled. It was so much fun to listen to the laughing coming from the children. We prepared ourselves to go for a hike with all 16 children and all the other host families that took the day off! Marsha, Jenny, Jarrett, Adam, and myself all took off work to play with the kids! It was well worth it. I heard Jarett say it was the best day off he has ever had! We ran to Wal-mart and grabbed some waters for everyone. The boys enjoyed playing in the buggy and racing.



We joined all other children at the church and enjoyed a little play time inside. We then all hopped on the bus and had a little snack. They loved apples and bananas, but were not too excited about the teddy grahams because they were 'too sweet', as the children would say with crinkled up faces. On the way Gaidon and Little Rose enjoyed wearing Auntie Marsha's sunglasses. He thought he looked like a ninja and was excited to look at his pictures on the camera. We finally arrived. The children were so excited about the idea of seeing a real waterfall. Isaac said he had only seen one in a movie and couldn't wait to see it with his real eyes. I can just hear his little African accent as he spoke. The children all had to take turns going to the bathroom. Once the boys found this out 'Uncle John' showed them the privileges of being a boy--going to the woods! They were laughing and loving this! They all came back yelling and grunting! Such boys--no matter what country or what color their skin is! I love that and think that so many Americans are ignorant of this. They are just like us. Just wrapped in their poverty stricken situations that limit them in their opportunities.



We made our way to the waterfall and the children got so excited once they saw the water. It was hard for everyone around us, that wasn't with our group, to not notice the difference in the children. Many asked questions about where they were from or what they were doing? It was an awesome opportunity. A nice couple took the group picture with about 8 different cameras. They were mesmerized by the excitement of the children. You can see from the pictures how proud Isaac was to see his first waterfall!



On the way back everyone was asleep in a matter of minutes. We traveled back to Boone on the parkway and Gaidon was staring out the window at all the beautiful mountains and trees saying 'Auntie take a picture...take a picture auntie!' We took everyone to Chick-fila and they enjoyed chicken nuggets and french fries. Our boys wanted more and ended up having 9 nuggets each and splitting a second fry! They played in the play center for a with all their friends.They enjoyed their time together with everyone. Everyone in Chick-fila, including a family with some unruly kids were amazed at their incredible behavior!


We ran to the grocery store and got all kinds of fruits that they saw as we we went in the produce section. We had a real coconut at Gaidon's request; a green melon looking thing that he called Elephant fruit. Mark wanted a mango. All three boys loved the mangos and it was a lot of fun watching John and the boys break apart the coconut.

We came home and had dinner. Everyone wanted something different for dinner so I agreed to make both spaghetti and tacos. Mark and Isaac ate up some spaghetti, while Gaidon ate his weight in taco meat. I loved serving those kids. They were so grateful. Isaac kept saying, 'thank you auntie. thank you for everything!' How precious.


They wanted to look at pictures of us as we were married. They loved it. They wanted to know about my rings and why I didn't have them on. They made John go and get them. Isaac said, "In Uganda when you put on a ring- you NEVER take it off.' We looked at pictures from our El Salvador trip and the boys shared things about their homes. Isaac shared how his home was made our of wood and straw and Mark and Gaidon said their floors were dirt. We listened with open hearts as the boys shared their dreams for the future. Isaac wants to be an engineer. He shared on a news story that he hoped to build his mother a home with a roof like the ones he has seen in the United States. Gaidon wants to be a preacher. He preached to us at dinner about how everyone is special. This was prompted by Isaac saying that he was made fun of for being' too black' in his country. Gaidon told him that God made him the way that he was! An eight year old was preaching to an eleven year old about how precious he was in God's sight. Not to mention that Gaidon is an eight year old with nothing. From what he said he lives with a neighbor and his father is dead. He told us that his mother was alive, however he said he doesn't really get to see her because she lives so far away. Gaidon even blessed my soul when he left me this precious letter that is to the left.


Mark seemed to have the most active childhood of them all. He mentioned his father having a laptop and that he had family including his grandfather. I am sure his living situation is not that great since he is sponsored by someone through the World Hope.





As we prayed that night the boys took turns. Isaacs prayer brought me to tears. He prayed in his broken English with a heavy accent: "Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for auntie and uncle who have opened their home to us. Thank you for everything they have done. Please bless them for what they have given to us. amen"

You can hear Isaac sing and hear his story at the following link. It is so worth your time to watch!

http://texomashomepage.com/media_player.php?media_id=3704#