It's been a while.....

So.  Let me catch you up on what's been happening in the last few weeks.  I want to tell you what happened last week, but honestly.....  I can't remember! :)  That old saying about not being able to remember what I ate for breakfast really is a good representation of my entire life! 

I DO remember this week, so let's talk about that..... 

In honor of Holy Week, The Learning Center (TLC) was closed.  It snowed a bit and school was cancelled, so the kids wouldn't have made it everyday, anyway.  The Stoll kids don't get to enjoy snow days with homeschooling, so our house was business as usual. 

We had meetings and Bible Study on Monday, followed by a birthday party for one of Wayne's youth at church that evening.  It was Michael's 15th birthday and he shared pizza, cake and ice cream.  Sadly, he LOST a pizza-eating contest with Wayne.  I tried to warn him that he was under-estimating Wayne's eating ability, but you know teenagers..........  We had a great time and the kids were in hog heaven, scarfing down pizza and trying out a new-to-us ice cream, called "Superman."

 

 

Tuesday we were able to just hang out at home and enjoy the snow.....from indoors.  To our Missouri friends, this snow is NOTHING like in Missouri.  It falls fast and furious.... and disappears.  No snow forts here. :(

 

Wednesday, Wayne helped others from our church prepare a Seder Meal at The Lord's Café.  Our church family joined together that evening to share in a sweet time of fellowship and a better glimpse into the Passover Meal.  Here are a few pics...

 

 



Here are a few things that happened at the Seder Meal that you will NOT find pictures of....  #4 choking on a pretzel.....Wayne standing up to read while holding #4 as #4 pukes up his meal (no sickness, just an AWFUL gag reflex)..... and of course the unlimited number of  beverages that were spilled during the 2 hour meal.  We did NOT burn anything down, which was a real fear of mine, so victory was ours!

Thursday was also exciting..... Wayne is often the source of adventure in my life, and yesterday was no exception.  He sent me on an errand, but forgot the name of the place I needed to go to.  Oddly enough it was in "WAYNE" county, so every store we went to started with his name! lol  After several misses, we finally found the right place and headed home.  Or so I thought!  Directions have never been something I'm good at, so it took quite a while before I realized we had entered a different time zone and were actually going the opposite direction of where I had hoped.  In all honesty, I would have just kept on driving, as I was not paying close attention to my surroundings, had it not been for my co-pilot recognizing or NOT recognizing the city names on signs.

Friday afternoon we are having a Easter clothing give-away, sponsored by Crossroads Community Baptist Church. 

Saturday will be held preparing for Resurrection Day and the arrival of a new mission team.

Sunday we are looking forward to celebrating the Resurrection Day!!  We are filled with joy that "We Serve A Risen Savior!"  Take time to experience the JOY that only Jesus can give and know that HE LIVES!

What a week!

What a week!  Or what a few days, at least!  So many things have happened in the last few days, that it's hard to believe the week isn't even over yet!  Let me share what's been going on......

Saturday we finished up some last minute details at The Learning Center, in preparation for an incoming mission team; picked up donated site to store nursery gear at Walmart; and cooked up some tasty dishes for Sunday's potluck (always the 2nd Sunday).

Sunday started VERY early for some of us. (OK, only Wayne!  Someone HAD to watch the sleeping babies.)  He helped welcome in this Week's Mission Team from Tate Springs Baptist Church in Arlington, TX.  That was around 12AM or so.  I have to be honest and say I have no idea when they got here!  Up early to finish cooking and off to Sunday School followed by an amazing worship service.  Teen Challenge helped lead the service with both testimonies and songs.

Monday was a typically busy Monday.  We had school, went to The Learning Center for afterschool program, had a short break for supper, just long enough for BOTH #1 AND #2 to be SAVED!!!!!! (At McDonald's, no less)  And headed BACK to The Learning Center to do childcare for kids of those attending adult bible studies.

Tuesday was another school day.  Wayne headed North to pick up some donated ceiling tiles for the team to install, while the kids and I went back to TLC for other assorted activities. Then back home to celebrate our sweet baby #4's 1st birthday.  He was really not impressed with the festivities at all.  I think he was scared when we sang to him-we aren't the best vocalists!  (Hang in there, the pictures are coming.....wait for them....wait for them....)

Wednesday, we had school......again!  (I am such a mean mom!)  Listened to stories and did crafts at the library, helped organize clothing and hygiene closets, went to TLC, and will teach evening classes at church-Mission Friends for Sara and Youth for Wayne.  Another busy day!

All this to say there has been a whole lot of missions going on down here!  Here are some pictures-in no particular order...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy, Busy, Busy

So, we've got a few things going on since we moved to Kentucky.  This week has seemed especially busy....and it's only Tuesday!  On Saturday, a work team from our home church in Missouri arrived, bringing some snow along with them.  (And most importantly, according to our kids, #2's BFF!)

(That was my first attempt at adding a picture, not too bad, huh?)

We started the week out with an afternoon hike on Sunday.

 

 

Throughout the week, Wayne and I work at the church's after school program, The Learning Center.  Our kids are able to work on some of their schoolwork while we help tutor the other kids.  They all start out with a snack, story, and playtime.  Then we hit the books.  The kids have a great time, and if they finish their schoolwork, they can play hide and seek.

Our work team has been hard at work-installing a drop ceiling in our church, Crossroads Community Baptist Church.  They have some serious skills!  And they work pretty fast!

 

 

 

 

 

If any of you are thinking, "Boy, I wish I could go on a mission trip and have that much fun serving the Lord AND visiting Wayne and Sara...." You can!  There are endless opportunities to be on mission here in Kentucky.  Contact us and let us know what you'd like to do!

Since I've mastered photos, I'll show you just one more, of my sweet new 8 year old.... whose identity has now been blown....

Birthdays

Birthdays

Today we celebrated the birthday of our oldest daughter, "#1."  (I'll call her that for privacy's sake, and because if I give her a cute web name, I'll never remember it.)  It seems like only yesterday I was at work when my water broke and Wayne and I made a mad dash for the hospital.  How can eight years have passed already?  #1 is growing into a lovely young lady.  She is still quite bashful, but is such a fun girl and a great big sister. 

Our family tradition is for the birthday child to pick our meal and have family over to share it.  Since this was our first birthday outside of Missouri and away from those who normally would attend, we altered tradition a bit....not too much-she still chose for us to grill hamburgers (in the snow) have cheesy corn, peaches and of course white cake with vanilla ice cream.  Some of our new friends from church joined us and I believe a good time was had by all.