Interesting article on friendship

I was discussing this article with a friend the other day and this afternoon I decided I would just link it to my blog so more people could read it. I thought it was so good. What do you all think?

Don't I have a pretty violin?

Rob and Chrissy's visit

My brother, Rob, and his wife, Chrissy came for a visit on August 6-10. It was SO short but we had a good time.

They arrived very late Wednesday night/Thursday morning. So we didn't actually get to see them until late Thursday morning. After talking for a while we decided we wanted to go swimming. The guys had to go get a car part for my dad's car, so it was just the girls. We had a blast. Our friend Michelle met us there since it was her dad's house. Michelle and Chrissy gave us diving lessons. I had never tried to dive before. After diving for a while I tried to do something that Chrissy told me to do and I must have done it wrong because I over arched my back and hurt it so badly. I was afraid I had injured it but I think it must have just been bruised. Thank the Lord! I am way too young to have an injured back! It still hurts some times a little but not much.

Friday we went to the State Fair. We got to see Stephanie's picture on display as well as several things belonging to some friends. I even rode a ride. I don't do that very often. It was a fun day but very long. 

Dale and Michelle came up on Saturday so we were all together. The girls totally outnumber the guys around this place! There were 10 girls and only 4 guys! It was a wonderful day. We played miniature golf in the afternoon. I won in my group! Came in second or third over all. I think Jonathan and Dad tied for first so that would make me third. I don't remember for sure. I guess that is what I get for waiting so long to post.

That evening we played music for a while. That was a lot of fun. Heather was kind of distracting though. We all kept watching her play. :) We ended the day with family prayer. That was a special time.

Rob preached on Sunday morning. We had pictures taken as soon as services were over. We didn't ask anyone to take them Beckisue just set the timer. They didn't turn out the greatest but they are okay. We try to get pictures every time they visit. When we were all done Beckisue was looking at the pictures and discovered that Jonathan was making a goofy face in all but a couple. Needless to say we were all mad at him. We had to go back up and try it again. I liked the pose on the steps but the camera didn't get set right and it was cutting off the top of Dale's head. Oh well.

Rob, Jonathan, and Stephanie rode this silly ride. All it did was drop you once!

Rob and Chrissy

The whole clan. Slightly off center but there. :)

Scalped Dale

And goofy Jonathan

2008 Ecclesiastical Law Center Conference

The text somehow ended up in the middle. It is kind of frustrating but I guess everyone will just have to deal with it. :)

My family singing

Playing some solos

The Cook Family

My Uncle, Mike Hoover

Pastor Ben Mott

Volley Ball

This Monday through Wednesday we had the joy of attending the Ecclesiastical Law Center Bible Conference. It is always a highlight of the year and this year was no exception. 

We left Monday morning. We got away a lot later than I would have liked, and then we made several stops on the way up there so it seemed to take so long to get there. I was very anxious to get there. I always am but this time seemed to be so much worse since we were getting there so late. We got there in plenty of time to get ready for the services and visit with everyone though.

The first night the Cook family did several songs at the beginning of the service. Everyone enjoyed that. Then my uncle, Mike Hoover, preached the opening sermon. Pastor Ben Mott followed with a sermon on the Virgin Birth that was awesome.

After the services each evening there was food, fun, and lots of laughter and conversation. 

Tuesday morning Kevin Marshall and Phil Jonker preached.

Tuesday afternoon all the young people met at the Townsend's house and played volley ball for a long time. It was fun but there were lots of people on each team!

Tuesday evening was my family's turn to do music at the start of the services. We had practiced for a while that afternoon and Dad had decided to through a few extra songs on us. I get so unnerved when I feel unprepared for something. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it does. I HAVE to get over it. Anyway, we did a couple of new songs that I absolutely love. My favorite is "How Deep The Father's Love For Us" and the other is "Complete In Thee". Both are very beautiful wonderful songs.

Dad preached as soon as we were done. Pastor Townsend followed with a sermon from Rev. 1. It was excellent and very thought provoking. He preached on Who Christ is now. Not just past or future.

Wednesday morning Bro. Mott preached again and was followed by Tim Boffey. Bro. Boffey was preaching "Christ from the Old Testament." I am not sure I have ever flipped to so many scripture passages in one sermon in my whole life!!!

Wednesday afternoon the ladies had an outing. The ladies all went to Manistee for lunch and shopping. We had a very nice afternoon. I got to ride with Loralee, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Shepherd. I laughed later because it seemed to be the perfect group. We all shopped about the same way. We went in did a lap around the store looking at things here and there and left. That is how I like to shop. My attention span isn't long enough to spend a lot of time in one store! 

While we were at lunch we got a phone call saying that our friend Danny was in ICU. He has cancer and we knew he wasn't doing well. Last we heard he was much better but he had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. Dad said that he would be home to see him that night. So Dad, Mom, Jonathan, and Beckisue left early. I was disappointed that they missed the last night. It is always so wonderful.

Anyway, back to Manistee... We shopped for most of the afternoon and took a walk along the river. Everything was very enjoyable. 

The last night of the conference Pastor Townsend always sings a few songs and Dr. Wright closes the conference. 

Over all the conference was wonderful. I loved every minute of it. I got to stay with my friend Bethany which was wonderful. I enjoy spending time at her house so much! The Shepherds stayed at the Townsend's also. That was a lot of fun also. Tuesday morning they had me laughing so hard I was bent over the ironing board shaking. When the Shepherds and Townsends are together it is such a riot. I love them all. :)

We left for home about 11:00 Thursday morning. It is always so sad to have to leave. I know it can't go on forever but it seems so short!

More Volley Ball

Some of us silly girls showing our very dirty feet after playing.

A picture with my dear friend, Bethany.

Just to let everyone know I didn't fall off the face of the earth.

Yet again there is so much to post about and not enough time to post it! I hope to be able to catch up next week. Last week Beckisue, Amanda, and I went to Kentucky for the Homeschool Alumni Reunion. We had a wonderful time... more details to follow. When we got home we hit the ground running trying to get ready for Rob and Chrissy's visit. We had so much gardening to catching up on and some canning to do. When we arrived home we discovered that my brother and his friends had torn out the wall in our living room to make it bigger. Mom has wanted that done since we moved into this house. That was a big project!
Rob and Chrissy got here late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning. They will only be here until Sunday after church. Monday and Tuesday we go to South Bend for MusiCollege. I hope to be able to catch up all this last week and a half before we go to Michigan on the 18th!! August is always SOOOO busy.

Precious in the Sight of the Lord

When Monica, Amanda, and I returned from cleaning a house this morning Mom told us that Alan McGill, an old family friend, had died. We had received a letter from his wife a few weeks ago saying he had had a stroke. We received a second letter a few days later saying that he was improving and had been moved from ICU. This morning we received an other letter from Mrs. McGill with the news that he went Home last Thursday.
Mr. McGill was a friend of my grandpa's for years. They met in college in the late '40's. Mr. McGill sang for the Christian Cowboys (my grandpa's musical group) for a short time before he went on with his own ministry. He continued to sing up until his stroke.
My mom, Beckisue, Monica, and I had the blessing of being able to visit the McGill's a couple of years ago when we went to Maryland for a wedding. I hadn't seen him since I was a little girl and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to spend some more time with him.
He was ten years younger than Grandpa and they died just three months apart.

Here is the end of Mrs. McGill's letter:

"Like the true southern gentleman he was, he exemplified honor. He was distinguished, gallant in manner, abundantly lovable, with a courtly and stately style, and truly a "prince of a man." In addition, he had a very kind and compassionate heart. As many have replied, my husband was a genius, never using notes in his presentations, but presenting prograns and singing all "on his own". He did this for approximately 58 years; and, as was his wish, he sang for his Saviour up until the time when two strokes caused complications which resulted in death.
"My heart is broken because of this tremendous loss, but along with many of you, I can share in looking forward to a triumphant day when all of us, as believers, can be together eternally, and I can have much joy; I know that Alan is now singing for THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!"