Stone Mountain

Last Saturday, Jeff and I got back from vacation, and an hour later left with our Sunday School class to go to Stone Mountain. Talk about a long day! But it was a lot of fun ... When we arrived at the mountain, it already looked like rain, so we were not surprised when the bottom dropped out! Everyone was soaked, and only two people brought umbrellas ... The kids really enjoyed playing in the rain, and they liked the laser show, but not the fireworks that went along with it!

Summertime Strawberry Punch

Summertime Strawberry Punch

1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 package (20 ounces) frozen unsweetened strawberries, partially thawed
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups cold brewed strong tea
2 liters ginger ale, chilled

In a food processor/blender, combine lemonade, strawberries, and sugar. Cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a large pitcher or punch bowl; stir in tea. Add the ginger ale. Serve immediately. Yield: 3 1/2 quarts.

Hilton Head

This year was the first that Jeff and I have gone on a vacation in the traditional sense. Our family went down to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to spend a few days with my parents in a condo they rented. Joe has never been to the beach, and Kaity only once when she was about two years old. I find that to be so strange considering the fact that at one time, my family lived on an island -- Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island! That was home -- where we had lived, and where my grandparents and several uncles lived. Dad loved the sun and the beach, and Mom loved walking on the beach in the morning to see the sunrise. But that was AGES ago, and we live in north Georgia now!

Anyway, here are some highlights of our beach trip ...

Grammie and the babies! Their first look at the beach.


I love how Joe's feet are not even touching the sand!


Baba and the babies!


Joe's chief delight was burying his army man in the sand, then rinsing him off in the ocean. He did that, literally, for hours.


You can't tell, but that's Kaity underneath the surf!




Friday evening, our good friends Paul and Sandy De Jong came for dinner. Berk grilled out hamburgers and turkey burgers. After dinner we played Loaded Questions, which was a lot of fun!


Berk: "What was that last answer, Jeni??"


The kids, passed out by the end of the week ...

Hurricane Shoals

A week or so ago, we went to a going away party for one of our college people. Zach joined the Navy a couple of months back and was given a time frame of October for going to boot camp (or whatever the Navy calls it!). In true military fashion, he found out on a Tuesday that he'd be leaving for Great Lakes the following Wednesday. Even on short notice, his parents planned a family/friend party to send him off in style. Most of our Sunday School class was able to go, and we had a lot of fun.

Central Asia 2008

Wow! Although I've gone to the same place three years now, it's always different. There is a comfortable familiarity there, like I'm visiting extended family, but at the same time there are differences that make every trip unique. I had several firsts on this journey, which has been a nice surprise.

I went to places I had never been, met people I hadn't before, had a meal in the home of a national family, and didn't get a major case of homesickness. I'll stop talking now and get to the good part -- pictures!

English Conversation Club -- the nationals come to practice their English. It's a great way to build relationships and really get to know people.


We went shopping and touring the City with several of the girls throughout the week.


The traffic there is CRAZY! Yes, the cars are parked on the sidewalk.


How beautiful are the feet (and faces) of the ones who preach good news!


One of the highlights of the trip was walking the City at night. Absolutely beautiful!

Home Sweet Home

I haven't fully processed the trip yet, so this post won't concern it. I'll tell you it was amazing, and post more details in the next couple of days! I am always so blessed to go, and so glad to be home again with Jeff and Katie and Joe. For now, I just have some adorable pictures of the family for you.





I showed this last picture to a few of the nationals on the trip and told them it was a traditional American meal. They thought that was hysterical! Of course, I made sure they knew I was kidding. :)