Mini Vacation in N.C.

Our family spent much of last week on a mini vacation to N.C. Most of that time was spent at the Pahnke farm. (See the Thomas Tales blog for more pics of that.) We left Mom & Dad Pahnke's on Tuesday and spent the night in Asheboro in order to pay a visit to the N.C. Zoo on Wednesday before returning the rest of the way home. The first collage shows the Pisgah Covered Bridge, a delightful and relaxing spot we went hunting for upon our arrival in the Asheboro area on Tuesday evening. The second collage shows you a little of our day at the zoo.

Beauty and the Beast

We went to a very nice performance of Beauty and the Beast this afternoon with the kids. It was the Burnsville HS that was doing it, and they did a superb job. The Beast was a kid from our church, and he did an excellent job.
The kids will have to tell you more about it later.

The Next Best Thing to Holding Corban!

Bonikowsky Kids at the Bixby's Place

We have really enjoyed having Danny, Mark and Rachel with us this week. Their parents are in the Holy Land. We have had lots of fun getting to know them as teens! This is just a few shots of some of the things we have been doing. Of course, they had school each morning :-( It was also Alicia's birthday and the weather had turned hot so we cooked out. The last time that they stayed with us Danny was able to slide down the shoot!!! Couldn't do that now!

Berryman, Bixby, Browns Easter afternoon!

The kids had a great time hunting for the eggs as we adults enjoyed fellowshipping around the table. We were thankful that they included us at the last minute as our dinner plans had fallen through.

Easter Morning 2007

Our Easter Morning was a bit more rushed than usual as so we took pictures at the church up near Bob's office. The one of my two favorite guys is that afternoon at the Berrymans where we had lunch.

Grace and Truth Womens Conference 2007

Thought you all might like to see what we were up to this past weekend. We really didn't get very many shots, and missed some key ones like Holly Stratton, workshop speakers all the men that served us... I think we should hire Dad or Donna to come and take pix for us next year. But I did get the chocolate foundain which was a big hit. We had a wonderful time and it went very smoothly. I'm looking forward to next year already!

It's Brenda's Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Brenda Lou! I'm sorry your birthday falls on a Sunday, but hopefully your family will still manage to do something special for you. I can't wait to hear about all the wonderful things they have planned. Enjoy your day; you deserve a special one. Love you, girl!

BMMFrance Field Conference 2007

Well, we have finished another field conference and are back home. It was a good week--especially because of the messages by Dr. Kevin Bauder from Central. If I was computer savvy, I would herein make a link to those said messages, but alas, I am not computer savvy!!! They were excellent (Hebrews). You get just a glimpse of him and his wife in the first picture in the second row. The second set of pictures are all from the banquet night. That is Rachel Barnes and Laetitia hugging ! The top set of pictures is just to show you how small our field has become and to let you see some special people. Dan and Betty Lacey came over for a part of the time and it was special to have them. It was right after conference two years ago that he was diagnosed with cancer and we had not seen him since. Benjamin and Emily are actually becoming friends after all these years. They, too, make conference special.

Science Fair, part 1

Ben and I are in Mankato, MN (about an hour and a half south of the Cities), at the Regional Science Fair.
I'm quite bored, though actually, I've gotten quite a bit done. I'm wondering what people did back in the olden days with no laptop computers!
We are having a good time. He is soaking it all in. He's been judged 3 times so far, and I guess has one more to go. Since his project involves matchbox cars he needs male judges in order to get anywhere!
We'll blog more on the project later, but its hypothesis is that matchbox cars will travel different distances depending on the surface. VERY scientific, and VERY essential to every boy's understanding of the basics of life.
His trigger mechanism (Daddy designed, Mommy built [while I was on a trip]), is what is getting him the most points, I think. There are a couple of projects similar to his, but only his appears to ensure that the same amount of force is applied to each car. Anyway... can you tell who thought this project up? Next year he's on his own!
Anyway, just thought you might enjoy the pictures.

Songs about God's Word

Does anyone have any good songs on God's Word / Sound doctrine? Pastor is preaching on I Timothy 4:9-16 on Sunday and I'm struggling with a service. I always do the same songs (How Firm a Foundation, etc.) on this topic and am looking for something new and fresh.

Where are Dad and Mom?

Just wondering. Haven't heard from them on the blog for a while.
Maybe they are just showing some maturity?

Hungry, Anyone?

I found this recipe in the Bon Appétit magazine and decided to give it a try. It is GREAT.

4 thick bacon slices, coarsely chopped
6 cups mixed baby greens (I used spinach leaves.)

1 TBS red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
3 Tbs. olive oil
( I just used a regular homemade vinaigrette!)
4 oz. soft goat cheese crumbled

4 large eggs
water

Sauté bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off and discard all but 1 TBS of drippings from skillet.
Whisk vinegar and mustard in large bowl to blend. Whisk in oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer 1 TBS to small bowl; set aside. Add greens to large bowl with dressing; toss to coat. Divide greens among 4 plates. Scatter goat cheese and bacon pieces over each salad. Heat drippings in skillet over medium heat. Gently break eggs into skillet; cook until whites begin to set; about 1 minute. Add water to skillet; cover let cook until whites are set and olds are softly set, about 2 minutes. Using spatula, top each salad with 1 egg. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper. Drizzle lightly with reserved 1 TBS dressing and serve. Serves 4.

I copied this directly--sometimes I think they think that the readers must be morons! It may not sound good at first, but it is delicious! Makes a good supper or light lunch! Great for the South Beach diet! Enjoy!

Friends

My friends, Collin and Lisa Olander with 3 adopted children: Christian (6) (in process), Joseph (20 mo), and Grace (2 1/2); and she is excpecting in May! I know you don't know them, but this another godly family committed to adoption.

The Rest of the Picture

Hmmm...

Caption this!

Pizza Party

Kaylie & Lilie, two little girls from church, spent Friday evening and Saturday morning with us. The kids all had a blast playing outside, and then we made pizzas! Candy Land was, of course, also on the evening's agenda. It Miriam's first slumber party. (Micaiah had the consolation of sleeping in Mommy & Daddy's bedroom.) And she sure giggled a lot at bedtime, though all the girls did go to sleep pretty quickly. (We had really worn them out.) Kaylie and Lilie really enjoyed all the new and different toys, and Micaiah enjoyed having someone around who was big enough to pull him in the red wagon, since usually he has to be the chauffeur for Miriam. ;-)

I need this outfit

Jennie asked me to fix the door the other day and I wish I had known about this outfit.

A couple more recital glimpses

Bottom left and clockwise: Johanna (& Brian) by piano; Brian and David; Amy and Josh's back(!) and Carol Burch; Jo and Dr. Davis.

Alosha (Foster?)

My Recital

I am grateful to be done with this part of my grad degree. Overall, I was pleased, especially as I have been really sick. There was a really great attendance of about 90 some people. Some of my students came which you see in the picture. Donna and Judy had a fabulous spread ready for the reception.

It's over and I'm ready to crash!

Our Newest Little Church Member!

Gabriel Ascher was born this morning just before 10am. Both Maman Audrey and baby are fine. We were with the children when they met their little brother for the first time. We are grateful to the Lord for the healthy little boy that He gave to Audrey and David.

New Great-Niece

We went to visit our new great-niece last night. She is pretty cute. Shirley Kathryn Bouwmen. She was 9lbs 13oz. Home delivered.

Funky Hair Day

Today was funky hair day at school.

What d'ya think?

Happy 6th Adoption Day!

Patience, I hope you have a wonderful adoption day. We are all very thankful that God brought you into our family in ways that were above and beyond what we could have ever imagined.

A Glimpse of Our Easter

Introducing the Book

This is very helpful technical advice. I hope it helps!

More Register Star Pictures

Go to this link and on the left hand side you will see "related content" and click on "Easter celebrations." There are ten pictures of our day by the Star. The picture of me praying was a large, color picture on the front page of our paper today.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

See how the Rockford Register Star wrote of our day here.

Easter Sunday in France

We had a great day today--long, too! We started early getting ready for our annual breakfast. Our resident florist came early to brave the heights and make a pretty flower arrangement with the cherry blossoms. We had several specials by the choir and the children sang and then played their instruments. After a good dinner together, we had a meeting in which Laetitia shared her missionary trip to Zaire. Then at 5, we had the English service. Ando and Hyo Soeng stayed for that and sang in an English choir! Dale and Madeline were here, too.