The boys and I returned from the Mission Trip in Gray, GA last night. We are TIRED! In fact nothing got unpacked last night and as of 2:51 today nothing is still unpacked! We've been laying around and sleeping all morning. To be going and going for four days and changing time zones, we've been wiped out. But the trip was wonderful as always.
Austin was so excited to know he was going back to that white church building, it is a white trailer that's their building, and getting to ride the big bus. We left Friday and Todd O. rode with us. We got there right as they were finishing lunch, so we ate quickly and
LoLo (Lauren O.) took Austin with her group door knocking. Mom wasn't feeling well, so she was made to go back to the hotel and rest while Cooper took a nap. I stayed at the building and helped Peggy in the kitchen cleaning up lunch and getting supper ready.
This was not easy for Mom to "leave her post" and go and rest, but she did after she saw that she wasn't going to win. Mom and Peggy do such a great job organizing the food and preparing delicious food! They really know how to pinch pennies when feeding such a large group for several meals and for several days.
Then Saturday was more door knocking and this time Cooper and I went along in the morning. In the afternoon, Mom rested again with Cooper and Austin and I stayed and helped. Saturday evening we went to a members farm which reminds me of Palmetto Bible Camp. There's a big lake and a large covered picnic area. Everyone relaxes, plays games, fishes, and we cook out for dinner. Then there's
devo, in fact they have
devo every night prepared by some of the adults or youth. This night we divided up into girls and guys and had a time of sharing. The older ladies were asked to share something that has helped them along their Christian walk. Some gave verses, others stories, and some advice. It's always a great bonding time when Christian women open up and share some of themselves. We did something similar to this two years ago in Dawson, GA and I still remember what others said and how connected you feel to them afterwards. It was no different this time, what an awesome way to get to know your Church family better!
Sunday came and the little auditorium was packed, more chairs had to be brought out! The preacher was so excited to have a filled room! After lunch we set up our classroom outside. We did the same thing we did at
UCC, but outside and under tents. There is only one classroom inside which was being used for the toddlers and the small fellowship room was being used for crafts. That's one of the fun things of mission trip, you don't know what to expect! We had several visitors that night but I'm sure it will grow with each night to come!
Monday was service project day, we stayed until after lunch on Monday and then returned. Good thing too, Cooper started running a fever and Monday night Austin did too. They both have runny noses and fever today still. Who knows where it came from. But, when I asked Austin last night what his favorite part of the mission trip was he said door knocking. How it just fills my heart with joy to hear that! I was sure he would say staying in a hotel or swimming in the hotel pool, but door knocking. I hope he always feels that way about spreading the Gospel. Pray for the rest of the group that will keep working until Wednesday night
VBS and then drive back. And pray for continued success of the Gospel being taught in Gray, GA!
Here is a neat pic from mission trip, I "stole" it from someone else's pictures online. But, it's all the kiddos on the mission trip from smallest to tallest. Cooper is at the front, then Trace and then Austin. Just thought it was a cool picture of all the kids!
The next day we got up and went to Six Flags! By this time in our trip Austin had had fun staying in a hotel, going to the airport and riding an escalator at the mall! This was his first trip to Six Flags. It was neat to see him enjoy the same rides we did as children. He wasn't as thrilled to see all the Super Heroes as we thought he would. The picture below says it all!
By the end of the day he was one tired boy!
We traveled to Nashville to celebrate the 4th with family. We had a great time swimming, eating, and just relaxing with family. We celebrated Grandma's Birthday after grilling out a delicious dinner. She just laughed at the sparkler in her birthday cake!
Cooper finally loved the water and when it was time to get out, he threw a fit, of course. It made for some great pics!
We tried to get a picture of all the grandkids while they were all together. We probably took 100 pics and have 2 good ones. I thought I'd take advantage of the boys being dressed up and the pretty flowers and get some good ones of them. Well, Coop was not in the mood to sit still and say cheese...oh well.
Charlie got hooked on Guitar Hero. He enjoyed playing it outside on the big screen and we all felt like we were at his concert. And if you know Charlie then you know how he can really ham it up. We all got a good laugh and the neighbors probably did too!
The morning started off with a parade through the neighborhood which ended right in front of Jami's, Charlie's sister, house. So, we enjoyed seeing the police, fire truck, and all the kids riding their decorated cars, bikes, motorcycles, mowers, wagons, etc. 
Here are the grandkids! All looking pretty good and sweet as always!
He had been awake for a while, but I didn't rush in to get him out of bed. I was selfish and wanted to get a few more things done around the house without interruption. Needless to say, I won't be selfish again...Coop was havin' a good time and had taken off his diaper. He was just in a diaper for his nap. He was talkin' and playin' and peein' in the bed! I had to take pics for future use! But, who could get mad at that cute little face! He just wanted out of bed!
