An array of memories..

Greetings! Here I am again...catching up on memories-past that have still not been posted! So here is a combination of PA kindreds coming to our house to visit (And somehow in the uploading process, these pictures are in the beginning and end of the post, with Iowa thrust in the middle...don't ask me how to fix this problem. Sigh) and a wonderful week of revivals in Iowa.

I sart with a picture of Miss Allison and I! What fun we had that week in Iowa. Long talkes down their dusty road, cooking healthful meals in the Bontrager kitchen, coffee shop time, sleepover, and the evening church service nightly.

Wow, it was such a pleasure to have these dear friends come all the way from PA for the weekend. It doesn't happen like this very often! Most times we are in other people's houses, in other states, eating other people's wonderful meals!Now they came to see us! It was a delight to have them!


Meet family number one: The Esh's! John is chairaman of our PA auction bord, and we have come to really appreciate our friendship with this exciting,wonderful family.




I give you, the Kings.




Here is all twenty two of us! It was a crazy weekend of music, talks, food, and laughter.




The word crazy keeps seeming to come up through this whole ordeal! Smiles. We so love these people. There's nothing like Kindered spirit fellowship, but after twenty two people in the house for three days, we also understood there's nothing like just family! :)



Here is just some activity at home. Daddy's Birthday gift from me was an hour massage. So our dinning room was transformed into a candel-light massage parlor.



Back to Iowa again, sweet Gracie and Elizabeth join us older girls for coffee one day!




Random shot of my Kindered that made me smile. According to Chelsie, we have run out of things to talk about and continuially talk about the same things we are passionate about and don't tire from it! :) So alike in personality, it's so good to have good friends.



 We talk colors, health, brothers, dads, creative indeavors, personal struggles (and victories) we both wonder and ponder on our futures, and try to counsel each other when we aren't both sunk in the same boat of our visionary/dreamer way of thinking! :)



Our sweet, virtuous mothers. We enjoy talking with them too. They power walk and talk untill they miss supper. But appoligize by doing the dishs for us! So we don't mind! :)






Brother speaks life to Sister during blessing time.



And, of course, being in Iowa,  we had to have a late night at John and Lillies" before we head out. Such good friends they have been ot us! I still have sweet memories of me as a little girl playing at their house. First they were the "hot chocolate people" (We often have little things to remember people by as we travel.), because the first night we came to their house, very long ago, they served us hot chocolate. Then they were the "baked potato people", because they faithfully have baked potatoes evey sunday lunch (to which we were happy victims.). Now they are sweet John and Lilly, that we love. There is always places that seem like a second home as we travel the states. This being one.



Returning to our PA invaiders...we have all the youthful aged people pose together.



On Saturday morning after breakfast, we all sat around for a time of sharing and prayer. Then we got out the guitars tickled the ivories, and all sang praises. We stayed at this for quite some time...and it seemed at almost all moments (except for meal time, of course.) there was some manner of playing or singing in the house on that weekend.




Rainy walks with sweet laides.




Food was eaisly devoured all weekend. But even the men pitched in  making salads or loading dishs! :)

 I dare say that one might be confused at the muddled arrangment of post, quotes, and musing, in random spntanious order when reading my blog. So if I'm not making sence, I do apolagize.
   Perhpas you wonder at the "Amish people" visiting our home, posing in pictures, and have ofspirng being Beachy. This is part of the amazing thing in these friendships. They are very non-typical Lancaster County Amish to say the least. Since both my parents came from the Amish, it simply feels like ex-Amish or currently Amish people create such a bond in relationship. We feel we can understnad,relate and relax therein. They are born again and Holy Ghost filled people that exhort us as a family in amazing ways.They feel called to stay right where they're at in the Amish culture, respect their authories, and be an example. But bless their children to perhaps live in a slightly different culture, though the honor an respect between the parents and children remains. Beautiful. They are passionate about their Savior. And their fellowship is inspiring! And they have Childen in our age that we have such great times with.

   And the Bontragers. They are such a blessing. Since both our families travel, there is much to relate to. And much to inspire each other about. We did not live at their house while we were in Iowa, but were grateful to have several meals with them and quality bonding time.We were glad they weren't out of town when we planned meetings in their area.  



   And the privlidge of having revivals in states across America, is so sweet I can't even say. Such a blessing and rewarding place to be. The church in Iowa blessed us so much with gifts, prayers and friendships. Beautiful and wonderful people.

 Praise You Lord, for Your Creation of human fellowship with the saints.

 



The week of meetings we had at SunnySide Mennonite was so sweet. We had such a good time meeting new people, and fellowship with the leadership each night at supper. After the night on the family, there is time of blessing. So here Gracie blesses Daddy,





Deborah Isabel