Spiritual Feasting

Happy Tuesday, Everyone! This month has been a whirlwind of activity, but in the best sort of way. We have been so blessed this month to be a part of several events that have fed our souls, and it has been wonderful!

The second weekend of September, Tia, Brianna, and I traveled to Missouri to attend a Ladies Retreat at LBBC (where the kids go to Bible camp). We arrived late Friday afternoon, just shortly before Lisa, Kristin, Chloe, and Ashlyn got there. It was so fun to be there together!

Chelley, Tia, Lisa, and Kristin

 

Lisa, Lydia, Vaneza, Kristin, Ashlyn, Chloe, and Brianna

LBBC Cabin 5 gals!

Several of the girls had formed a strong bond during camp this past summer, and they were thrilled to be together again! They stayed in a cabin "by themselves" (without an adult), and I'm pretty sure they only slept for an hour or two. Oh, to be young like that again, haha! The adult ladies stayed in a cabin where we were actually able to sleep! I slept on the top bunk above Tia, which was fine until I had to get down in the morning. Sigh. 

Vaneza, Brianna, Ashlyn, Lydia, and Chloe

Lydia, Vaneza, Chloe, Brianna, and Ashlyn

They weren't there to just catch up on life and stay up all night, though. These girls also take Bible study seriously. Their lack of sleep did not mean they missed any of the lessons!

While we were on our short getaway, Daddy was holding down the fort at home. He sent me this photo Friday evening of their dinner at Sam's Club, lol. 

We got home from the retreat on Saturday evening, and Sunday started our annual Gospel Meeting. It is always during the second full week of September, and this year our speaker was Tony Smith. I've known Brother Smith for a lot of years (since I was in high school).

Dad and Tony have known one another for probably close to forty years. It was nice for them to be able to be together.

As it always is, it was a wonderful and uplifting week. We had lots of visitors, and I loved seeing Khloe and Shane sitting next to my parents studying their Bibles so intently (their grandparents were on the other side of them). The relationships we have through the Lord's church are so precious.

The week after our Gospel Meeting were the annual Midwest Lectures in Independence, Missouri. Chris and I decided this year that we would take the kids and attend the lectures for a few days. I remember attending these lectures when I was a child, and they made a great impact on me. We certainly haven't been able to attend very regularly, but Chris and I are trying to go more often now that the kids are getting older. 

Brooke and Brecklyn were excited to go!

Brianna was especially excited about going because she knew she would be able to see some of her camp friends. 

Laci, JoAnna, and Brianna

Elizabeth, Brianna, JoAnna, and Vaneza

Brecklyn found this pretty flower during lunch one day.

Brooke always wants to do what Brianna does. Since Brianna was sitting with her friends, then Brooke decided she would sit with friends, too. And let me just say . . . Brooke and Lehya are quite the pair! At one point, Brooke lost her tooth and Lehya had the tooth in her pocket 😂. You never know with them, haha!

Brooke, Lehya, and Lydia

It's always fun to watch Dad with his buddies and listen to them razz each other, even from the pulpit :-).

Jack, Dad, John, and Leanna (Greg in the background)

Rick, Hank, Randy, and Dad

Brenson also had fun hanging out with other boys. They were cute because they all sat together very close to the front and were diligent about taking notes. During lunch, they played football.

Benjamin, Brenson, Jude, Jeremiah, Ryan, and Alex

I think Grampy enjoyed having grandchildren with him at the lectures as much as the grandchildren enjoyed being there!

Dad preached one evening while we were there, and it was nice to be able to hear him. We were sitting in front of a group of teenagers, and when Dad got up to preach, I heard them whispering, "That's Lisa E's dad . . . " It made me laugh because Lisa and I are both very used to being called "Chuck's daughter", but RARE is the time that he is known as our dad! Those teens know Russ and Lisa from camp. 

These activities made for a very busy September, but it was SO worth it! The relationships we are able to have through the Lord's church are unlike any other and ones that we truly cherish. And watching our children start to form relationships of their own is also a huge blessing.