Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering 2011

The last weekend in July was the Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering in Ann Arbor, MI on the campus of Concordia University-Ann Arbor. We took 9 kids, 6 boys and 3 girls. This is first time in a long time that the boys outnumbered the girls. The theme of the weekend was "Hide and Seek" based on Genesis 3:9. We made the banner again this year and it was a not an easy one.

If you look closely you will see the branches on the tree spell out "hide & seek". "hide" goes up the left side, "&" is at the top, and "seek" goes down the right side.

We had some great speakers and musicians. Swen and Dean were there. They are always a crowd favorite. Pastor Bill Yonker lead the Bible studies and worship. The Living Stones were our worship band. They are a group of young men from Michigan. The girls swoon over them.

Our Servant Event was helping to organize personal care items for the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. After the Servant Event was good old Waterpalooza. They set up water games on the lawn and the kids have at it. 

A gentleman from the Detroit Rescue Mission speaking to the group.

All the things that needed to be sorted. 

Waterpalooza. The adults stay at a safe distance. 

This is a picture from Friday night's mass gathering (I obviously did not take this photo). Our kids are sitting on the couches. They had premier seating, because they made the banner. The adults are a few rows up keeping an eye on them.



Everyone had a great time and they are looking forward to next year.

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani 


 

Vacation Bible School

The last week of July Holy Cross had Vacation Bible School. Our theme was Gold Rush: Discovering the Rock of Ages by Answers in Genesis. We had a great turn out for the week. We averaged about 50 kids a night. Stefani was in charge of crafts again this year.

Gold nugget soap made from gold dial, oatmeal, yellow food coloring, and water.

The wagon that was in the parade and sat out front of church for our VBS.

The sanctuary decorated like the old west.

Aren't we cute in our super yellow t-shirts.

Stefani crafting in action.

Another year of VBS under our belts. A successful one at that.

God's Blessings, 

Joshua and Stefani

St. Louis Visit July 2011

Stefani went to St. Louis for a week in July to celebrate births. She arrived in time to see her mom on her birthday. They went out for a nice dinner and enjoyed spending time together.

Stefani's cousin, Mandi, had a beautiful baby girl, Sophia Emma, about two weeks before Stefani's visit. 

Stefani and Sophia. She is precious!

While in the area waiting to visit Mandi and Sophia, Stefani and her parents went to the South County Antique Mall. We were in need of end tables and had success there when we lived in Webster Groves. Stefani found two end tables and a coffee table. She was able to fit them all in the Pathfinder to take them back to Onaway. 

End table number one.

The coffee table.

End table number two.


The main event for the week was Noah's 2nd birthday. Noah is Stefani's best friend's son. He had a Cars theme party. He is really into playing with cars and watching the movie, Cars. 

Noah blowing out his candles. 

Noah and his cool new bike from his parents. 

Stefani and her friend, Christine at the party.

Stefani and Christine's daughter, Alyssa. 

Stefani and Carolyn, Noah's mom and soon-to-be Nora's mom. 

It was an awesome visit with family and friends. Stefani can't wait to visit again when she will get to meet Nora. 

God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

Fourth of July 2011

This Fourth Joshua's mom and sister, Sarah, came for a visit. It was a busy, fun filled weekend. 

Sunday, we went to the Dancing Hippo craft fair. The fair is always the first weekend in July. It is a really well done fair and has many interesting booths. 

Monday was the holiday. Joshua wasn't feeling well so he did not walk in the parade. Later in the week we found out he had bronchitis. The parade route was rerouted due to the main road of Onaway being under construction. Our float was based on our VBS theme, The Gold Rush. Instead of handing out candy to the crowd we decided to hand out water bottles. It was a great success.

The awesome float!

 Look at all the water! 

Moran Iron Works' float. It is a model of the Lexington.  They reveal a new iron sculpture every year.

Later that evening we enjoyed the fireworks despite the mosquitoes that tried to eat us. 

We hope you enjoyed your 4th of July as well. 

God's Blessings, 

Joshua and Stefani