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So… … I’m building a portfolio.
I never thought that a mere camera purchase would turn into such a passion… thank you to all my subjects, especially my patient children who FOREVER have a camera lens pointed in their direction!
There are many things I could say about the last 18 months…
Let’s just stick with, “that was fun.”
~Katie
Welcome to PA!
So the mission trip began on July 31st and ended with a BANG on August 7th…. a long week of God filled AMAZINGNESS! (if that’s not a word, it should be!)
We traveled from Norfolk, VA to Youngsville, PA… 29 students, 7 adults (one was 7 months pregnant), 4 babies and a golden retriever!
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- Welcome to PA!
Here is the Ranch we worked on… God is at work in the hearts of the people that make this ministry what it is and we were blessed to be apart of something so awesome!
Please visit their site to see how God is using them in a mighty way!
Pastor Rick welcomed us with open arms for the 2nd year in a row @ the church property in the middle of the Biggest Little Town on the Map! We camped in tents all week…showers were graciously provided by Aunt Cheri, Grandma and Buppa Dininny, Aunt Kelly and Grandma & Grandpa Bob Nearing…o! and the creek, many mid-day dips were key to cooling off after a sweaty soccer game. Our meals were prepared by Aunt Cheri. A few of the local church members chipped in also for a couple breakfasts and dinners. We were humbled by the serving hearts that surrounded us.
Sunday night, we pitched tents and slept in the cold; okay well it was in the 60′s… but that is cold in July even if you come from PA… I had my pants tucked into my socks COLD! Monday morning brought excitement and perspective as our leaders helped us dive into God’s word and work! We did some manual labor for a neighboring Youth Camp, Wesley Woods. Tuesday we worked our first day on the ranch; meeting the horses, stacking hay and cleaning out a nearby barn and sweeping the fields with our “Rock Star” skills and encouraging each other along the way. Wednesday was a “Free Day” and the kids and most leaders went on a 8 mile canoe trip down the very calm Allegheny River. Thursday, back at the Ranch 
we made even more “Rock Stars” appear and a few of the kids built a new horse stall in the barn. We saw the grounds where a water tank would soon be put in (the Ranch currently DOES NOT have running water) … we trust God will provide those funds for the Follets and their visitors soon! Friday we cleaned up our “campgrounds” and put in some much needed vamping to the property playground (free sand from the locate Concrete and Block-thanks to Whitmire Block), mulch for under the swing sets and setting up for a night of worship with neighbors and friends. Saturday was our last free day and we went hiking and climbing at Rimrock, a local attraction over looking the beautiful Kinzua Dam. Sunday, God hit a homerun as we worshipped with the congregation of our sponsoring church, Youngsville Free Methodist. The service was awesome and the response…overwhelming!
Thank you to all the parents, church members and family that supported us in God’s journey for us to Youngsville, we can’t wait to go back! Summer 2012, HERE WE COME!
Here’s to Aunt Cheri, who keeps me posting…. CHEERS!
Just in case you didn’t see this on my FB page;
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150129995922892“>
~Katie
My name is Katie. It’s not Kate as this blog portrays me, or Kathryn either. Just Katie. However this blog is a record of my musings and it is accurate none the less. So this weekend is my birthday and I am going to describe for you what I would love for my handsome and wise husband to do for me. My age will remain undisclosed, I at least deserve that much. I was still born in the eighties. This one is a milestone.
Here we go:
Weekend title: It’s My Party: A Weekend of Celebration With MamaKate
Friday night: I recently talked about drive in movies. I have never been, so I would love for AOD to set up a drive in movie at the church watching a chick flick I have never seen yet. With candy, popcorn, friends, the works!
Saturday morning: Ooo, after I go to Walmart, because that is a gift in and of itself!! I would love to get a massage at 11am with Aunt Jay! I could use a good rub down and Aaron sucks at it, LOL
Saturday evening: After watching my babies sleep and relaxing all afternoon, I want to go to the ODU football game with Aaron. We have sooo much fun there, and it’s like a date night! I know Holly with babysit:-)
An night of uninterrupted sleep.
Sunday morning: I want to worship Jesus and study the bible with our youth!! Nothing more filling than that!
Sunday afternoon: Lunch sounds good, ooooo Chicken Alfredo!! Haven’t had that for a while. Gwyn can bring salad, Jen bread and drinks, and Aunt Jay the Alfredo (my recipe). And Jay def has to make the cake, she’s the best at it!! After that, I want to enjoy my birthday with the fam!!!
***In case you have not figured out yet, this blog has been hi-jacked by the handsome and wise husband of Katie! This is how I am telling her what her plans are for the weekend!! You may have read it before her, LOL. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!!!!! I LOVE YOU
-AOD
So many things are communicated by word of mouth. The stories in the bible, our country’s history, our families memories and funny stories. Sometimes you need to be brought back to reality and the other day on the telephone with my Grandpap did just that.
I give him a call every now and then to catch up. Here’s a little background on my Grandpap; Born and raised in Northwestern PA, his childhood years were spent in the ways of the 1930’s. He attended school and was drafted into the Army at 18 years old, served and retired. Married the love of his life (my Grandma passed away in May 2007) and raised his family in Grand Valley, PA. I will say that I see my Grandpap as a simple man. He loves God, attends church and men’s bible study-but tends to not get too involved.
So, I give him a call the other day and he gives me the latest updates… weather, neighbors and the latest project he’s working on. (he fixes up gas engines and antique tractors) He told me that he’s grateful for this past summers projects, that they have kept his mind off of things (he means thinking about my Grandma; he misses her dearly) When he his finished working on these projects and he does not have any further use for them, he sells them. But in the world of today where we use Craig’s List, eBay and Amazon to move our products and make a quick buck-my grandfather uses the good ole Word of Mouth. While he was telling me his story, my mind started to wander-how does the world survive without all these “things” and new and improved ways of communication? Does any of it matter? Or are we just creating obstacles in this life that is as simple as a good ole fashion face to face relationship? Word of mouth… does anyone still use this as their main form of communication? Even in my marriage sometimes our main form of communication is email. Aaron and I both work, so when a random thought comes to mind, we just simply send an email so either of us can put in on our calendar. Don’ get me wrong here, Aaron and I do a good job with communication (most of the time)-BUT… where’s the simplicity? Has it gotten lost? Will we ever get it back?
So I’ll conclude this huge paragraph of thought with this…
My Grandpap doesn’t know about Craig’s List, eBay and all of the other ways we sell things and communicate in today’s fast pace world; nor does he care or want to know. He knows that there is a way to get things done, and for him that way is by word of mouth. For him, it builds relationships.
When is the last time you cultivated a good relationship with just talking?
here are my beautiful babies at the beach! This trip to the beach was so much fun… I’m usually behind the camera; this time Aaron volunteered. ENJOY!
Abigail wakes up (in the morning) pretty happy! So the other day- she gets up, gets dressed, gets her hair “did” and eats her breakfast; and as I’m going out the door for work, she says ” I need to go to church.”
So honest and spirit filled!
There’s your quote of the day: “I need to go to church” !!!
