Camping

John and I enjoyed our very first camping trip by ourselves this past weekend. Though we have been away at the beach with youth, we really haven't had a 'break'. Some people tend to think our trips with kids are a 'vacation', but any and all that think so are more than welcome to join us to see how much work and stress is included in taking a group of teenagers on a week long trip.

Anyway, we hopped in the Jeep on Friday at 1:00 and started a much longer journey than we had anticipated. We had planned to camp at a camp ground in Roan Mountain, TN. It's located about an hour from Boone, but when we arrived they were already filled for the weekend. So, we hopped back in the car and headed for somewhere else.

We decided to 'rough' it out in the middle of nowhere at a special spot for us- Harper's Creek. It was the place that we camped after we got married. So we headed back towards Linville to where we "THOUGHT" it was located. Of course John, my human GPS, had us at the spot in no time. We actually decided to stay right on the creek a little above the trail.

We pulled out our 6 person tent that we had gotten a few Christmases ago and tried to find a spot large enough for it. While there isn't six in this family, we did have to blow up our air mattress!!! We didn't completely rough it! Thank you Lord for power converters!

After we set up camp we started on a mini hike down the creek with Caroline. She loves to run and play out in the woods with us. She enjoys leading the way and often times if we get off of a trail, she finds the trail again for us.

We headed back after an hour or so and made a fire. John decided he wanted to cook his favorite meal from when he was growing up--Corn beef Hash! It doesn't sound appetizing and I never thought that I would like it either, but he makes it really crunchy and it tastes really good with some ketchup. We enjoyed eating it right out of the pan by the fire.

That night I didn't really sleep well. I never imagined that I would be so scared, but sleeping on the side of the road and deep in the woods just isn't appealing to me. Every noise made my ears perk up in attention. It may have been John's lovely dinner conversation about putting our food up so the bears didn't get it or us. It may have been that I read the newspaper, which I never do, as we were finishing dinner. We just happened to have one with us to help start our fire. I am not sure what it was, but I think I asked John what time it was about every fifteen minutes until 4:00. Finally at four Caroline, curled up in my sleeping bag with me and I eventually fell asleep.

The next morning I let John sleep late and I actually started a fire all by myself. It helped that I had carefully watch my boyscout of a husband as he made the one the previous night. He gave me a few pointers too! I made our bacon and eggs over the fire! I was quite impressed with myself.

We packed up and started on a six mile hike towards the waterfalls at the end of Harper's Creek. This is taken at the point where Harper's Creek begins its descent.

And these pics are the beauty that you see at the bottom of the hike. It's gorgeous. A gentle, refreshing breeze blows off the falls.

Overall, it was great trip and good time together enjoying the beautiful creation that we have been blessed with.

More on the beach!

Throughout the week our kids were put on groups to help build unity and to encourage them to get out of their comfort zone and get to know more kids. They did an amazing job throughout the week working together to get to know each other more and to encourage each other. Here are some pics from the scavenger hunt they did and the Greenway Olympics held on the Beach Saturday Morning.

Balloon Toss.
Scavenger Hunt. Some of the clues John made were pretty tough.
Part of the relay. Eating a banana through panty hose?!




Coach Isaacs taking one for the team!



The Human Knot!

A little sister love for some points!

A little team work with tug of war.

It was a great week! We are blessed with wonderful kids that teach us just as much as I hope that we teach them.

BEACH BLAST '08

We have just returned from an amazing trip with 33 wonderful young people and adults. While we are SUPER exhausted, we are blessed to work with such wonderful students!

*Missing from this group picture are Jordan Alverson, Daniel Hodges, and Allison Hodges who had to leave before this pic was taken.

Last Sunday we headed down with a full 25 passenger bus, a van and a completeley packed trailer! Our destination was Garden City Chapel in Garden City, South Carolina. We had spent the previous two weeks plus more of course preparing. The facility had a great chapel full kitchen and dining area along with two different rooms with bunkbeds set up for each of us. the facility was only lacking kitchen supplies so part of my responsiblity was to box up everything we needed for 23 meals!!! Crockpots and skillets were our best friends! We also spent a tremendous amount of time working on an incredible book for the kids to take notes from bible study and with set quiet times for the week. We packed beach games, games for rainy days, t-shirts, aloe (or a-lo as Jamie I. would call it), and so much more than we would probably need.So we headed out with barely any space for the luggage that we would be getting when we picked up others along the way.

Our week was packed with 3 hour bible studies in the mornings. Each day was developed with videos, skits and games. David Nassar had put together an awesome video series about the greast I AM and how he becomes more real in our lives and our walks. John lead off on Monday with LOOKING FOR GOD. We talked about how we cry out for him so often and feel that we don't hear him, but even in the silence God is speaking to us. Our kids really opened up and discussion took off! We talked about creating a safe haven within the church for those that are hurting. So often 'people' get so caught up in judging others so that they don't feel they are able to share what they are dealing with in their lives. We also talked about prayer and what ever else the kids lead us into in the discussion. Tuesday was about when Bad Things Happen and how we deal with them. It challenged us to take our mindset and change it about bad things. Seeing what God has prepared for us learn through struggles and how he wants us to grow. Justin taught on WHO ARE YOU in christ, and John finished off the week with Faith and how we put it into practice.

Each day we had free time and then an event most evenings. Luke and Amy lead our devotion time each night and it was an open discussion from the kids about what God had taught them through out the day with our bible studies. They were amazing about talking through things and being willing to share and open up in front of the group. Their maturity was impressive and we were proud to look at how these kids have grown in the last 4 years.

Other events throughout the week included:

Chicken fights in the pool, pooltimit ( a knock off of the game ultimate frisbee), the water park, the aquarium at Broadway, putt putt, the maze mania, tanger outlets.....gosh I know I'm missing something!

The ladies! Never lacking in desire to help in the kitchen. Especially with the nightly dessert!Matthew, one of our visitors and the quietest kid I know, was amazing. He became so vocal with our group. On the last night of sharing he wanted Justin to share his favorite part about the week. He said it was taking time from his free time to come into the chapel where it was dark and quiet and just praying and seeking God! An amazing kid!

Amy, one of our college student volunteers, showing off her mad skills and talents of being able to wrap her arm around her head and tickle the opposite ear!

Christine, pictured on the right, rid her heart of our doubt that she was a Child of God! I had the honor to lead her to Christ on Tuesday after I taught about laying all our baggage at the Cross. That day she laid down all doubt and confusion. She is one of our graduating students, moving on to the college group. On our last night she poured out her heart to the group about how blessed they were and then turned to John and I with eyes full of tears and shared with us what a difference we had made in her life. I love that girl as if she is my own child. It has been the biggest honor to see her grow over the 3 years that she has been with us.

More to come on this!...Over one thousand pictures were taken throughout the week! God really blessed us with a great group of kids, chaperones, and a wonderful trip!

A New Job!

Well no big surprise, but the Lord has provided. As we knew he would he didn't come too late or too early!

I interviewed on Monday for a position as Campaign Assistant Director and landed it within 30 minutes!!! Hallelujah!! Not only that, but I started with an 8 hour day on Tuesday!

My new position is way out of my comfort zone, but it allows me to utilize numerous gifts that I was able to tweak and improve throughout teaching. Anyone that knows me, knows that I can be a bit detail oriented and at times organized. Those are the two things that are going to keep me moving through this job.

I am working with the local Hospitality House, better known as the homeless shelter in the High Country. Not only is the HH growing out of it's already 4 locations, but the buildings need excessive amounts of improvements. I will be working with Robert, a nice gentleman that reminds me so much of my father-in-law, to raise $4 million dollars to go towards a new amazing facility.

I am coming in a few months late into the campaign and I am amazed that already $500,000 has been contributed. It is amazing how God lines things up, because the wonderful Spinetto family that richly blessed us with a free home for 4 years were instrumental in thinking of me for this position and referring me to the interview committee.

Already I have been a busy bee with the requirements of my job, but the most meaningful part for me is the relationships I am building with the local homeless people of Boone. It is a blessing to meet people who are less fortunate than you and see how much they bless you! I am sure I will have so many more stories to share, but the blessings that I have received from the group here at my office at Rock Haven is beyond description! A total of 6 residents live here at the long term living facility and they have been so welcoming and thoughtful. Sonya, the girl I share an office with, told me that at the house meeting last night they all shared how sweet and kind I had been to them and they really felt that I cared as much about them as my own job! Praise God, because that is what I want my life to be about! Who knows what may come of this position!

I am very grateful for where God has placed me right now and I am content being in his will.

Berry Family Vacation

Ocean waves crashing against the shore, gritty sand and baking in the sunshine! Who could ask for more?

We just returned from a wonderful vacation with Brandon, Nicole and Ella. We had a wonderful time resting, eating, enjoying the beach, hanging at the pool, eating some more and then resting more! That about sums up the entire events of the trip! Sounds like vacation to me!

We enjoyed painting little Ella's toesies for the first time! Nicole did a magnificent job as I helped by holding her still. She seemed to like just watching and didn't really squirm that much. She was wonderful the entire week and John and I were truly impressed with little Ella. She was a trooper and never really fussed. I give all credit for that to her wonderful parents. It is a joy to watch them as they love her unconditionally and are a great example for John and I of the type of parents that we would love to be.

We enjoyed her at the beach on her first day experiencing sand and waves for her first time and seemingly enjoying it. One afternoon we went down to the beach for some Boccie and Nicole and I covered her legs in the sand and she just sat there and even attempted to help us pile on the sand. John was a cute uncle, loving his niece like she was his own. Before the trip he bought her a little pool and then was certain to bring some shade for her and daily made sure everything got carried down that not only she would need, but that we all would need. It was fun observing him becoming more comfortable with her. It made the longing for our own kids sometimes unbearable for me and would just put me in a quiet thinking and praying state because even though you have faith that God knows exactly what he is doing, as a Christian I think you can still wonder? But I can just dream of the days that we are blessed to see the fruit of our waiting and the times that I get to observe with pure joy the blessing of him loving his own children just as he loves Ella.

We enjoyed some good times together and were blessed to have a super cheap place to stay which allowed us the opportunity to check out some pretty good restaurants! Benjamin's Original Calabash Seafood was the top on the list and mine and John's little trip out to Cheeseburger in Paradise would probably be second on the list! It was a good time. Of course we can't forget the night that the girls went out for some Hot and Now Krispy Creme. By the time we got through the Myrtle Beach line they hot and now sign was off, which should be against the law by the way, but the doughnuts were terrific anyway!

Can't wait till the next trip with Berry's. Nicole and I continually said that this one will probably be our easiest!!

Of course with such a dang cute group of people, if I do say so myself, we had tons of pictures! Here's some of the favorites!

Children of the world- ONE LAST TIME!

Children of the World have blessed us once more! It's amazing how close we have gotten to these young children. Last Friday on John's Birthday he received a very special phone call from Mark, one of the boys we kept from the Philippines. He was so excited to hear Natalie tell him that the children have been asking for Aunty Pepper and Uncle John continuously.

Again yesterday Isaac, our young boy from Gulu, Uganda called and reminded us of their performance in Lenior- just 35 minutes down the road! So of course we went to see their smiling faces once more.

It was a joy to hear all of their stories about their travels since the last time we have seen them. They were eager to share about the Disney World Trip that they were blessed with and had many new teeth and inches added to their growing bodies. They were so loving and it was unbelievable to imagine them each returning to their very own countries in a little less than three weeks.

The Filipinos will leave the group first and say goodbye a week earlier than the other children. Then the children from India will go home and then Chad and Natalie will have the privileged of going back to Uganda with the children from Africa and meeting and family that may be living. They have recently had to receive all of their shots and are excited and anxious about the opportunity to see what the children will be returning to. Isaac shared that he was excited to see his mother.

Natalie said there have been many days filled with tears as the children have had to say goodbye's to the ones that they have grown to love. As the children worshipped to "How Great is Our God", you can just imagine how easy it was for my eyes to well up with tears as I realized that this was it for spending time with the children and knowing that they are safe. It is hard to believe that many of them may have to return to hard home situations or no homes at all. One thing that I must remain grateful for is that they have learned to know that God is love for them and their might provider. As I watched a group of young boys lift their eyes and hands in worship, I prayed that God would keep that forever burning in their hearts and lives.

Schools Out for Summer!

I made it! I made it through an entire year of teaching 5th grade.

I must be honest that there were times that I wasn't sure whether I could hold out the entire year of not, but finally at 1:00 yesterday the final bell ring announcing that the 180th day of school has ended and my work at Cove Creek was completed.

I experienced a new age group of students this year and I was definitely stretched.I can remember the first day when one of my boys decided to throw out the "f bomb" on me and flip me off. It was an eventful way to begin the year, but praise God that through much prayer and patience that could only come from above I made it with him and I am proud to say he was much different at the end than he was that first day! It was a joy to see him as proud of himself as I was of him.

All 25 of my Fifth Graders were special in their very on way and together we were very successful!

So Much Has Gone on!

Well alot of happened since I last blogged....


We celebrated Mother's Day in Hendersonville and had some good family time! I included some of the best pics! We enjoyed a buffet breakfast at Highland Lake Falls Bed and Breakfast! It was great and we were able to celebrate the mother that Denice has been to us all by giving her a new Ipod and some flowers. It was a great time of celebration and seeing each other. I went to visit my Aunt Wanda and Nana to celebrate the mom's they have been in my life.







We also enjoyed a family reunion with all of the Jones'. It was a good time to see those that live far away and to check up with the family that you don't get to see all the time. How cute is Ella in her cool sunglasses!!!?? She is adorable. I just love some Ella time!















We also enjoyed a good time at Eric (John's college roommates) wedding on May 17th. He is on a previous post about our Bed and Breakfast. He and Mer finally tied the knot and it was a beautiful day of celebration with them!





We went on down to Greenville, SC to visit our brother and sister and niece for Ella's dedication!





On May 23rd we celebrated John's 28th Birthday with an awesome cookout with our closest friends! It was a time to celebrate how important he is to us all! I love celebrating him, because he just smiles the whole time. Here's one good pic that I got of that.





School is over in just a few days and summer will be in full swing. God is sending us into a season of trust, faith and unknown territory for as a couple. But we will rely on Jeremiah 29:11 knowing that all that he has for us good! Can't wait to see what he has in store.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Today was my birthday! Well, the entire weekend ended up being my birthday. It started on Friday with Brandon and Nicole coming up with little Ella. It was a fun time to catch up and spend some quality time with them since we don't get to see them very much.

We took Ella on a nice hike in the mountains at Hebron Rock Colony! It was a fun time!

On Saturday night, Klay, Marsha, Jarrett, Lara, Brenna and Daniel all gathered around at the Anderson household to have Klanal's well known steaks! YUM!! SO GOOD!!! Marsha, as thoughtful as she is, topped it off with one of my favorites- FUNFETTI CAKE!

On Sunday, I was showered with 'Happy Birthday's at church and then my family came up for Makoto's! It was really good too!!!!

On Monday I came to my classroom to door decorations, a cookie cake and flowers!!! How Sweet!!! I felt so very much loved!

Overall, it was a wonderful birthday and I am grateful for all who took the time and put in the effort to making it a very special day for me!