"State Fair"

Bob and I, along with Tim and Ruth had a great time going to the Overshadowed Production of the "State Fair" Tuesday night.  The Miller's graciously offered to babysit for all the kids (although Patience went to my parents instead because of a fever), and we four headed off to Itasca, IL for a lovely double date.  

Cousin Playtime

Hello, Grandma & Papi!!! We're having a great time together. Wish you were here! ;-)

Concert with the Parkers

Yesterday we had the Mark Parker family from BJ with us all day. He preached (in French!) in the morning service and they presented several special pieces. In the afternoon, we had a concert. We were happy that the neighbors came and Parroutis. We had 41 in all which was great considering everyone is on vacation and that the Tour de France was rolling around the Eiffel Tour. We had a "collation" afterwards on the porch. We have personally enjoyed the Parkers and the clarinette and viola went to new heights in our opinion. He remembers having Ruth in class and of course, they know Brian and Jo.

Mediterranean Sunrise--another show of God's glory.

Friday morning, Beziers, France.

Arles, France

On Thursday we took a trip to Arles. It is full of 1st century BC ruins. Absolutely amazing. There is an amphitheatre, a coliseum, aqueducts, ramparts, and more. The age of these things is absolutely astounding to me. To think some of that stuff was there before Jesus walked the earth. It makes Christ's walking on earth so much more real to me. I loved it! The cities first inhabitants (besides, prehistoric, of course!!) were 11th century BC Phoenicians with the Greeks quickly on their heels. Very interesting.

For Bob!

For Brian!

Overview of Paris

Just a few pics of our stay in Paris. We spent 4 days there, and I'm sure that my feet will never be the same!
1-St. Michel--a beautiful church. 2-Notre Dame. 3-On the boat ride on the Seine (highly recommend). 4-Gardens of Versailles (millions of people!). 5, 6 & 7-L'Opera--my favorite place. 8-Notre Dame. 9 Joan and Me at Place de la Concorde.

M & M at Bedtime

Thought you might enjoy this little clip we took of the kids during our family devotions just before bedtime a week or so ago. It was taken the evening after our "Ashtabula Train Disaster" tour, hence the conversation about the train wreck. Please excuse Miriam's Oreo crumb left on the corner of her mouth. ;-)



We've also posted a slideshow of pictures that show a little of what we've been up to lately here.

More with the Guetli YP

Just a few shots...here are some more pictures if you are interested. Fernando gave his SS lesson on the God of the Universe before going to the Dune with them. Gina took them to town where they sang and passed out tracts (the tram picture is so that you old MMTers can see how much Lydia has grown!) They were making the initials of their youth group in the sand--JSE, I think. Donna and Jeanine left at 6am, they left about 10 and we are down to only Gina and us!

The "Guetli" Comes Our Way!

Yesterday about 6pm, the youth group from the Guetli arrived. There are 21 of them and they are staying here with us until tomorrow. In a matter of minutes our yard was transformed! The girls are sleeping in the salle as we have Donna, Jeanine and Gina (she came on Monday) already on that level. It was really nice to see them again. Emmanuel and Marcel are the leaders. I was hoping until they arrived that Nati would be stashed away in a corner,but alas, he wasn't. Donna and Jeanine got back from Paris in time for a10pm supper with them!

Do you remember...

Jean Jacques BoukaBouka? I am sure that you all do. He came the same year that Sue and Joan did and thus helped form our first student group. He was here for 5 years and left 10 years ago! We have had a nice afternoon reminiscing about the past. It was great to see him again. It just so happens that Donna is with Joan this weekend. Now if Sue were here, we could have a reunion! He noted that young Timothée is losing his hair!

Our Iowa Vacation....

We stopped in Galena, IL on our way to Iowa.

Dad is enjoying his kids in the pool!!  The kids are loving the water!!! 

These pictures are from our time at the Children's Museum in Cedar Rapids, IA

Our farmer boy!

Our restaurant owner and Chef Patience.

Her Sous Chef and waiter!

We are now home for today and tomorrow and leave again on Monday morning for Northland camp and two vans filled with campers!!

Here is a link to more vacation pictures on FB.

La Dordogne

Wednesday:
First two pictures are of the Chateau de Beynac. The second 2 and 1st 3 on the second row are in the village of Roque-Gageac. We stopped there, had lunch, and walked around the little town built into rocks. The last on 2nd row is a door in Domme! Notice the knocker!
The first 3 on the third row were all taken in Domme. The last on the 3rd row is taken from Chateau Castelnaud looking over to Chateau Beynac--arch enemies of each other in the 12th century. 4th row: Jeanine sitting on wall at Castelnaud; notice how tall I am in the next picture!; 12th century toilet!; me sitting on 12th century toilet with very angry mother bird trying to fly up and get me! Fun day--very sunburned and tired!

Dune de Pyla

On Tuesday we went to the Dune and then into Arcachon. It was fun and really not all that hot. I didn't come down the dune head first this time!

With friends in Massanutten, VA

The Dodds and Christys invited us to join them for the tail end of their vacation last week at the Massanutten Ski Resort in the Virginia mountains. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. We arrived last Thursday night, and left on Saturday morning, but were amazed at all the good memories and enjoyable fellowship we were able to pack into that short period. Among the things we enjoyed: deer and hedge hogs coming right up into the back yard, "flying" (as Miriam called it) on the ski lift, a little top-of-the-mountain hiking, making s'mores on the stovetop (a bona fide "cook-in"), the kids' swim in the jacuzzi, and most of all great fellowship.

John Stauffacher is with the Lord

About midnight, John went to be with the Lord. He had lung cancer and at the time was in the hospital. Dad always considered John his best friend and mentor here on the field. He will be greatly missed as a leader here in France. He would have been 72 in September.

Bonne Fête de la République!

Happy Bastille Day! We went to the market downtown this morning. The food market was closed for the holiday, but the Arab market was going strong. Was fun. Then we toured the church St. Michel. This afternoon we shopped at Auchan le lac, but unfortunately IKEA was closed for the holiday. Tonight we had a steak supper prepared by Jeanine and me while Mom and Dad worked on the shower which is nearly done. Then we watched, from the porch, 4 different towns have their fireworks displays using the colors of BORDEAUX 2013. (Normally, the major fireworks are actually on the 13th.) This was a special to show due to the fact that Bordeaux is trying to be nominated for European city of the year for 2013. The decision of whether they will be in the running is to be made in about 50 days. Everything over here right now is about BORDEAUX 2013!

Corban LOOOOOVVVVVES bath time!

July "4th" Picnic on Thursday July 10th!

We grilled brochettes, had a piano trio of Stars and Stripes, and even some sparklers! Mom and Dad enjoyed seeing Betty Teachout again whom they haven't seen since they left Africa about 25 years ago! They had come to Greenville to see me shortly after my accident because they were in the area, so I have seen them since Mom and Dad had. It was really fun to renew the friendship and meet Cherith whom I've heard so much about. It was also nice to get to spend some time with Ed and Sylvia. Had a great time with them.

Quick Glimpse of Sunday

Antsa, severly autistic, likes to play her "trumpet" for church. She has grown so much and made so much progress since I saw her last. It is exciting to see how much she has grown. Thierry has just started playing the piano for church, and after just a couple of hymn playing lessons from Sylvia--he is doing great! Johanna, you can be proud, your first student can do quite well.
Yaya! She came to church today just because I was going to be there! (She'd been out at a wedding yesterday and had gotten home at 5am!) She hasn't changed any either. It was good to see her again. She's going to make me Makalas (African doughnut type thing) for my last Sunday here! Of course, Ando is as sweet as ever. It has been fun to be back "home."

Plum Police

Without really realizing it, we were suddenly involved in a bigger project than we realized! Jeanine was the water power queen! We got most of the plums up off the driveway, but unfortunately, there are quite a few back again today.

Bordeaux by Night

Place de la Bourse

Pont de Pierre

I promised to post some night shots and then never got around to it. The panoramic was taken by Jonathan Teachout (the picture that we're pretty sure is where he lost his camera bag--but at least the picture was good--not sure if it was worth the cost of the stolen GPS, but....). The other was taken by Jeanine. I went cameraless!