WMU Conference

Recently I attended the Tennessee WMU Conference held in Gatlinburg, which is held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I have attended each year for about four years now.  I love the encouragement and refreshment that I receive.  We get to meet home and foreign missionaries and hear their stories and experiences.  The speakers are first rate.  This year 1,400 plus women attended.

A View of the Sunday Morning Worship Service

I was tired going into this trip and ended up sleeping in the back seat of the car for about half the way there.  My friends, Juanice and Billie, went with me and Linda and Barbara joined us there.  We take in as many conferences as we can and also the worship services held in the evening. 


Juanice and Billie Wait for the Evening Service to Begin

On Saturday afternoon we had a break between conferences and the evening service.  My sister Jean, and her husband, Edd, met me at our motel and took me into Pigeon Forge for dinner.  Due to heavy traffic, we spent most of that time in the van. We had a good visit, ate dinner at the Golden Corral, and then drove back into Gatlinburg.  It was a very hurried visit but I was glad to have the three hours together and they got me back to the convention center just in time for the evening worship service.

Here are some pictures that we did in the van. 


Taken Just to Prove That Jean and I Were Together

Jean's Hair is Growing In Again

Traffic is Moving Around Us in Pigeon Forge

Edd Waves Without Taking His Eyes Off the Road

Edd - Just Outside the Convention Center When He Dropped Me Off

We just bought a new camera the day before the trip so I did not have time to practice all the features available to me.  I knew that we would not be able to stop for taking good pictures so I snapped a few quick shots.  The quality is not very good but it does document the trip.

On Sunday we got a few more shots back at the WMU Conference.

Me, Juanice, & Billie on Saturday Morning (Time on Picture is Off by 12 Hours)

Practicing With the New Camera in the Room

Billie at Breakfast

I was tired going into this trip and we stayed so busy that I slept in the back seat for about half of the way home.  Do you notice a pattern here?

I had a good time with the family and the ladies at the conference.  I was also glad to get back home to Walter and my usual routines.

God is good!

Nephew John-Philip Visits

This past week we hosted our nephew, John-Philip, as he moved from Las Vegas to Pennsylvania. He is a singer and entertainer.  After his Las Vegas contract was over, he packed his worldly goods up and drove through Amarillo and into Tennessee to visit his Tennessee grandmother and us on his way to Pennsylvania.  He is moving to Pennsylvania because he is on contract through 2013 with The American Music Theatre.   He has earned rolls in two musicals that he will headline in between now and the Christmas season.

His original plan was to spend one night in Amarillo, one night outside Memphis and one night with us.  By the time he reached our house, he was so tired that he crashed for about four hours until Walter came home.

He woke then and we went to Murfreesboro to pick up his grandmother, who he calls Gran.  The four of us drove over to Pei Wei for supper and a short visit.  John-Philip wanted no more time with his hands on the wheel.  I understood.

We reached home and the night was spent with Walter and him going through old pictures and the retelling of family stories and history.  I think they even played some games on the Wii.  I retired upstairs for bed and they stayed up late.  I drifted to sleep with the sounds of laughter coming from downstairs.

John-Philip Texting a Friend

The following day, John-Philip decided to stay over one more night.  I was glad.  It has been a long time since any young people have slept over.  It was good to have a lively person living among us again, if only for a short time.  He spent the day with Gran seeing other family members and them doing his wash together.  What a nice grandmother!


John-Philip and Walter Pose Before Supper

He returned home in the early evening and we set about to prepare supper.  We decided to make homemade pizzas.  Everyone worked over the crusts until each was satisfied with the results.  We spent lots of time at the supper table catching up with each other.

Smiling John-Philip and Me

Catching Up on Facebook

Ever the Entertainer-Funny Smile

He left out early on Friday.  A friend in Murfreesboro was making him a big ole country breakfast to send him off full.  Hurray!  I drove out of the driveway just behind him.  I was headed to the three-day weekend WMU Conference held in Gatlinburg.

A full week of fun and remembrance - God is Good!

Alijah's 2nd Birthday Party

Our youngest grandchild turned two back in February.  We had a small family get together for his birthday.  I was having so much fun that I didn't get pictures that documented the party entirely.  But here are some that turned out clear and properly focused.

Colin and Alijah at the Piano

I always love it when I see the grandchildren "playing" the piano.  Maybe one of them will someday really want to study and practice on our piano.

Alijah Smiles Prior to the Candle Lighting

We had balloons and banners for Alijah.  His mother, Robyn, made him a cake with chocolate icing.

The Sippy Cup is Still His Friend

He loved his cake and I have spared him the sight of all the chocolate that ended up on his face.  When he is into his teens, I think he will thank me for that!

Robyn Concentrates on Placing the Candles

Alijah's mother put all kinds of candles and decorations on his cake.  It was so tasty too.

A Potty Chair with Sounds

He got lots of gifts suitable for a two year old boy.  I mean who doesn't want a potty chair that make sounds when you use it?

Grandpoppie Starts the Box Opening of the Desk & Easel

We got him a combination desk and easel.  That should be fun and useful for a few years.

Colin Bolts from the Chair

Okay, not a very good picture.  Why won't grandchildren wait to move until you get the camera focused?  Robyn's friend, Cindy, waits patiently in the background.

Uncle Chris and Cousin Austin Watch the Gift Opening

Alijah's gifts filled their car.  We enjoyed having the group of friends, children and grandchildren in our home.  Walter & I washed up the dishes and then treated ourselves to an outing.  We went to MTSU for the last home game of both the men and women's basketball teams.

The summary of our Saturday:  Alijah had a fun birthday event and we had a good, full day.

God is good.