Sagamount Camp

Cousin, Holly Viets, Mom and my Aunt Freda Hardister came to Galena this week to spend the day together. We decided to try to find the camp where Holly and I went every summer for many years as early teens and as teenagers. It's about 7 miles south of Joplin in Saginaw, Missouri. Wasn't real sure we remembered how to get there - but when we saw this round, red barn we knew we were on the right road. Poor barn - it definitely has seen it's better day. We found it!

Surprisingly, it looked pretty good almost 30 years later.......this is the building we ate our meals in. Ladies (and men) from our churches would volunteer to come and cook those meals, so they were delicious!

A look down the big ole' hill to the tabernacle, pool, etc........

The open-air tabernacle (and yes those train tracks are still right there beside it and the train still runs!)

The big hill we had to climb to our dorm (and to eat)

The girls' dorm -- they have added central air conditioning and heating - WOW!

Standing in the door that goes into the girls' dorm -- I went in and out of that door, many, many times!

It was a fun walk down memory lane. Lots and lots of great memories as a child and an adult. Jeff & I were sponsors for several years after we married and this is the place where Jeff surrendered to the ministry.

After leaving the camp, we found a nearby "unique" resturant built under a cliff. We enjoyed a good meal there.

After that, we came back to the house and spent the afternoon playing games and visiting. A very enjoyable day!

Lainey Bug

I have really gotten behind on my blog postings, so am trying to catch up. This one is devoted to our precious granddaughter. I had the privilege of helping care for her a couple of days in September while her momma, Carman, took her final tests to get her medical transcriptionist degree (which she passed!). I love the pictures of Laine and her thumb!
I had fun dressing her up, then taking pictures of her! Here she is with her bunny: And then with Mickey Mouse and Bunny:

Josh & Erika gave her this Razorback jacket:

Here is a picture of Uncle JJ and Auntie E with Laine in her jacket:Then a week later, we were going to Conway for Jeff to host a Holy Land informational meeting, so stopped by to see Laine, Andy & Carman. Here is Papa talking to her -- and she is listening!

On our way to their house, I thought it would sure be wonderful to take her with us on to Conway to see Aunt Rachel, since we were traveling back that same day. So I asked......and Momma and Daddy said, "Yes" - hooray! Almost ready to go! First, a couple of family pictures:

OK - on our way.....she was the perfect traveling baby:

Aunt Rachel was so surprised and happy!

Also got to see Uncle Derek:

Thanks, Andy & Carman for sharing your girl with us!

This is her 5 month picture (she will be 6 months this next week - goodness!!)

And then some miscellaneous pictures from the last couple of months:

Love this big ole' smile!!

Also love this silly hat (and especially the little girl wearing it):

Just this week, Lainey-Bug and her parents visited a NWA Pumpkin Patch. These pictures were too cute not to post!

Definitely the cutest in the patch!

It's been almost 4 weeks since we've seen her -- so we've got to get a visit in soon!

Pastors Oasis

We were blessed to once again be able to attend the Pastors Oasis hosted by DiscipleGuide. We definitely enjoyed the program this year with Clif Johnson, Scott Attebery and John David Smith speaking, Kent Wiles and band leading worship and guest artists: John Waller, The Burchfield Brothers, Jason Crabb, and Mike Lewis, the Jesus Painter.

On our way to Branson, we meet Justin and Christie Rhodes at Lamberts to meet their new baby boy. Derenda Shoemaker and Karri Watkins also made a trip to Springfield to see the precious little guy. It was good to spend time with Uncle Marvin and Aunt Judy at the Oasis:

The girls had to stay home to attend school, but enjoyed our time with the rest of the Rhodes family:

As always, enjoyed the drive and time with Paul and Mary:

Delicious banquet meal and concert by Jason Crabb:

It was good to see long-time friend, Toya (& Jason) Aultman too:

Thank you, again, FBC, Galena for providing this wonderful retreat for us!

Boore Girls Weekend in Bella Vista

I am so very thankful for my godly heritage that has been passed down through many generations. My Dad's parents, Ted and Gladys Boore were wonderful Christian people who raised their four children to love the Lord and to serve Him through the local church. Even though Grandpa and Grandma Boore and my Dad have gone on to Heaven, it's such a blessing that the "Boore" family still have a close relationship and love to spend time together. With everyone's busy schedules and distance in miles between us, we have to work at getting together, but when we do, we have such a fun time!

Last weekend was one of those times. We all are so appreciative of Kaye in making the arrangements for us to meet at two of her lakehouses in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Those beautiful homes and the gorgeous lake were the perfect setting for us.

The days prior to this time was a difficult one. One of our faithful couples at First Baptist, Galena, lost their 24 year old son in a tragic death on Sunday night. Bruce was the father of one year old twin boys, Adam and Aiden, and all 3 of them were living with Bruce's parents, Mike & Karen. Jeff and I spent much of the week trying to minister to this dear family whom we love so much. I had intended to go to NWA on Wednesday evening after church and spend the night with Andy, Carman and Laine in order to watch Laine on Thursday for Carman who was working that day. Since the funeral wasn't until Thursday, I could not fulfill that commitment. So Rachel took my place. As soon as the funeral was over on Thursday, I drove down to the lakehouse, meeting Rachel and Laine and Mom and Kaye. This picture was taken shortly after I arrived.

Sure do love this sweetie pie!

Later that afternoon, we met Andy in Rogers to return Laine and also met Bev, Shawna, Tristan and Madyson who had traveled from Texas that day. We ate a delicious meal at P.F. Changs. It was such a treat to meet little Tristan for the first time. He's a doll!

The next day, Carman and Laine came to the lakehouse to spend the day. So here are the little ones getting to know each other.

Friday, the rest of the crew came: Aunt Freda, Holly and Shawnee; Aunt Judy, Patti, Paxton, and Chelsea, Kristin, Adrienne, Lincoln and the last to arrive were Nancy and Morgan.

This is was "4" generation picture: Mom, Bev, Shawna and Tristan......

Lainey-Bug loves to cover her eyes when sleeping.......

Thanks Carman for bringing her out and sharing her with us!

Mom, daughter, grandson.....

Two sweet girls (Shawnee and Chelsea)

Rachel's turn for some snuggling.....

Playing a fun game Chelsea brought.....

Mom and son.....

All my family stayed at one house and then Judy and Freda's family stayed at the other house. Each family was in charge of a meal and we ate at whichever house the family was in charge of. This is Friday night and we are about to eat a delicious Mexican meal prepared by Holly and Aunt Freda.

Now for some lake pictures.....I tried to be discret and not get too much skin showing. I could have posted some "doozies," but will be nice - ha! It was so enjoyable to spend time floating, playing, and visiting in the water. Loved it!!

Lincoln was so busy all weekend, I didn't get hardly any pictures of the little guy -- but here is one of he and Madyson....

Tristan loved the water too....

Mom and Aunt Freda didn't get in the water, but enjoyed watching all the others who did.

Tristan loves the outdoors.

At lunch, Nancy, Judy and Patti fed us a delicious sandwich and salad meal....

The girls are "plumb" worn out from all their swimming:

Cuties:

Our last evening together was a special time. Kaye, Bev, Mom and I fed the group an Italian meal. Then we were blessed to hear from two of our "missionaries." First Shawna told us about her and Nathan's time as missionaries in China in a deaf ministry there. God used them in a mighty way and will continue to use them, I'm sure, here in the States!

Then Shawnee told us about her summer mission trip to Japan. We are so thankful for both these girls' hearts for the Lord and other people.

Aunt Judy and her family: Patti, Paxton, Chelsea, Nancy and Morgan:

Our family: Tristan was already in bed. Kristin, Carman and Lainey Bug had all returned home before this picture was taken. We sure missed Erika this weekend due to her being sick and we also greatly missed Shannan and her boys, Zachary and Cooper. Thank you, Shannan, for sharing Madyson with us. She is a sweetheart!

Aunt Freda, Holly and Shawnee (also missed Michelle and Cara due to some church commitments):

We also missed Aunt Jo and her girls! Maybe next time more of the family can come!

To close out this posting, here are a couple of group pictures. First the "younger" gals. I'm so thankful you all came. Thank you for the delicious desserts you contributed. It was a special treat to get to know you better. All are such terrific gals!

And then us more "mature" ladies :-). As someone said in email this week -- Grandpa and Grandma Boore would be so proud to know we enjoyed this time together. They loved their family and I do too!