Friday, October 29, 2010

Camping 2010


Camping has become an annual autumn vacation for us. For the past three years, we have journeyed to Garner State Park - about 2 hours northwest of San Antonio. The plan was to go with friends this year, but last-minute illness prevented that plan from happening. So, last Thursday morning, we began the 5 1/2 hour journey to Garner.
Once there, we set up camp in a new location for us, but quite close to where we have been before. This time, we added electricity to the mix. And I have to say, once you go electric, you never go back! It was great having a coffee maker, lights, and the ability to recharge devices.
The weather was not as good as was hoped. We encountered rain nearly every day. The longest it ever rained was about an hour, so that wasn't too bad. The ground was quite dry, so it soaked the rain up instead of making mud.
The girls 8th birthday took place the Friday we were there. So, we celebrated camping style - with gifts we brought plus peach cobbler made over an open fire as their "birthday cake."
We spent quite a bit of time exploring the Frio River. And I did convince Sheri to hike up a trail into the hills (almost mountains) to see the Crystal Cave. It wasn't too far only about a mile - but that's a hard climb up and a steep climb back down. It's not much of a cave, but it's something. I think what impressed her the most was the view.
We headed back on Sunday morning. Oh, and one more thing we did new: we visited Bucee's in Luling, TX on our way out and on our way back. For you Texas folk, you know what I'm talking about. But for those of you who don't know, check out the link. Let's just say it's the biggest Texas-sized gas station in Texas with 30 gas pumps, as big as a large grocery store inside, and some of the largest restrooms in the world. One recommendation - don't stop there on Sunday like we did. WAY to crowded!
Good trip, good times, and we will do it again.

Camping 2010 Photos





Saturday, October 9, 2010

This Week in Our Household

Sheri had surgery on Monday. She has been suffering from chronic sinusitis and other sinus problems for a long time. An ENT recommended she have surgery to correct the problem: a deviated septum. Sheri came through surgery fine and is recovering well.
On Wednesday, our congregation has a number of activities such as Children's choirs and chimes and bells and iYouth and SWAT and worship at 7 pm. There's a meal thrown in there for everyone as well. Anyway, we are usually all there together as a family - the girls are in choir and chimes and I usually am scheduled to lead worship most Wednesdays. So, Sheri stayed at home - still recovering - leaving me to take care of the girls midst all the Wednesday evening stuff. We got thru it all okay.
Then it came time for worship. Usually, there are a couple of families with children in worship that my girls are familiar with or friends with. But that was not the case on this day. So, I put the girls in one of the back pews, gave them an order of worship, and went about my business. Abby and Emma did what they were supposed to do - be quiet, listen, sing, pray, etc. I only had to give them the evil daddy/pastor eye once. They worshipped as they have been trained. It has taken almost eight long years of hard work - mostly by Sheri - to get to this point. This Wednesday, the girls past the test. They have developed good worship habits. I could not have been more proud that day.