Posts are Better with Pictures!

Our trip has been great. We have been REALLY busy! Some of these pictures are from a week ago, so you might already know what we "did" but here's some evidence.

We have been driving a lot. I get to look over at this handsome sight...

We drove to Allentown, PA on Wed (22nd) to meet Aunt Heather. She and Uncle Paul live in NY. We miss being so close to them. They are expecting their first baby on Jenna & Asa's 3rd birthday. Our kiddos are excited to meet him/her.
Heather & I have been friends for a long time. We met in junior high through tap class! We got reacquainted in college as we served in ministry together. Heather signed my abstinence covenant on April 19, 1998 as my accountability partner. Seven years later she was with Joel & me on April 19th when our first daughter took her first breath. She's been such a great friend. We are secretly (well, not any more) hoping they will move to Texas, where Paul's from.
Aunt Heather read the kiddos books in between driving places.
Joel really misses the rolling hills. This isn't a great shot, but the colors are pretty and the land sure isn't flat!

After a long day of visiting and having fun, the kiddos all crashed in the car. I love that they are all leaning the same direction.

Wednesday night we returned to Harrisburg, enjoyed dinner with friends, and then went to youth group (where Joel served as youth pastor). In honor of his visit, Jason (our good friend and the new youth pastor) had the kids play dodge ball. Meanwhile, our three kids enjoyed gym time with other young kids.

Getting ready for dodge ball.

The youth seemed excited to have us back for a visit.

We had dinner at Pastor Ross & Mrs. Nancy's on Thursday. The kids had tons of fun playing with all Brad & Jon's old toys. And, Asa was having a blast being lovey.

Pastor Ross loves to play with kids.

He gave horsey rides.

And, when his back was tired, he moved them up to his shoulders!

We hosted a dessert Thank You reception for those who have partnered with us financially. We know it is a great sacrifice on their part and wanted to do something special. I made a TON of dessert and we've been munching on some of it all week!

Justin, Ben, Dani, and Melissa joined us.

Heather let me use her house to do all the cooking. Diane helped us get things set up and has been our hostess since we arrived--we're crashing with her family and using her van.

Dani was my photographer throughout the night.

We all enjoyed the food, but the fellowship was best as friends gathered around tables and spent time chatting.

Asa was being a ham!

Saturday we had breakfast with the Derrs and then headed to Whitaker Center with them so all our kids could play. Rylee and Tyler love each other!

It also gave Jason & Joel and Chrissy & I some time to talk.

The play area has a huge grocery center with all kinds of veggies and fruits and products. It has a scanner and carts. The kids love to play "store". Tyler was weighing a pepper here.

They also have a dress-up area where you can press buttons and here a story to "act out" on stage. Not sure what Asa was acting out here.

Tyler had on an interesting costume too.

A group was hosting experiments using markers, coffee filters and water. Jenna was being a little scientist here. Isn't she so cute?

There was also a HUGE water table. I think my boys enjoyed it most. Asa spent most of his time there and Joel was just as fascinated. He made a waterway where Asa could race boats.

Our cute little actors.

After playing, we had lunch and then watched the big marble maze.

Sunday morning we were at New Love to visit again. Rylee enjoyed Sunday school in GaGa Paula's class.

Rylee had a sleepover at GaGa's house on Sunday night. Monday we all took a trip to Chocolate World (in Hershey). The kids had fun on the tour with singing cows and in the chocolate factory packaging kisses.

GaGa and Daddy helped them get their kisses all closed up and put on the conveyor.

Tuesday we had a play date with the A team--Amanda, Adam and Anja. All the kids enjoyed dressing up.

That afternoon we went to a local mall to play.

The kids were playing together so well and really enjoyed a chance to climb, run, and slide.

Our trip has been lots of fun. We have stayed really busy. It has been great to see so many friends and supporters. For the past three nights we attended the East Shore Baptist Church mission fest. It was great to see the folks there and be encouraged by them. Many of them talked about getting our newsletters and enjoying them. It's great to know they are being read and the information is helpful to our prayer partners!

Today we're headed to northern PA to Joel's parents'. The kids are excited to see Grandma, Papa, and all their cousins. We will be sharing at Calvary in Elmira tonight and at Bentley Creek Wesleyan on Sunday. We'll also host a Thank You dessert on Saturday.

Thank you for praying for our trip. God has been sustaining us with His strength and energy. I know that on my own I would have been zapped a week ago! We covet your continued intercession on our behalf. And, we'll post some more pictures next week when we get back to Texas. (I won't have internet access until then.)