Our Church Family

"CAPTAIN JIM"S CREW
Jim, Tammy, Pam, and Stephanie

July 2010 Eden Heights Congregation Float Trip Noel, Missouri

Jim and I packed up the trailer and headed south to Noel, Missouri for our third and final outing before it becomes our 'home". Our family has rafted many times but looking for any excuse to spend time with friends before we leave, Jim and I decided to be a part of our church family's annual float trip.

Our Navy son Tony came home from Chicago to spend a couple of weeks with his grateful parents and we took off a couple days early to do some camping. We arrived at the campsite after dark and as Jim was trying to back 38" of trailer and truck into our spot...we put our first ding/wrinkle/dent in the RV. I say "We" because Jim pointed out that I obviously didn't scream, "Stop, Stop!! There's a pole right......there!" until after the pole was swaying and the park lights were flickering on and off! I kind of wonder what the RV ownership/divorce statistics are???

It rained the first two days there but the day of the float dawned overcast but dry. It didn't last....Gosh, if I had a dollar for every shivering, teeth-chattering "I'mmmm nnott having ffun anymore...I wouldn't need Fulbright's money to go to Canada......Pam????



TIM WALSH and TONY

My cousin Stephanie and me

GATHERING FOR CAMPFIRE



The Heide family

Stephanie and Lee
Tony
Me and Pam
It was a wonderful four days spent with precious friends










GOING AWAY PARTY

There had been hush, hush activity going on for weeks at church. I was aware that the congregation had taken up a collection to buy Jim a new set of scriptures in honor of his ordination. What I wasn't aware of is that they had a wonderful surprise in store for me as well.



For three years I have been the music director for our congregation. I really enjoy playing the piano and it is rare day that I don't sit down and play a little something or other.


Knowing that I would not have access to my own piano for quite awhile...
while they were, in front of me, collecting money for Jim's gift, they were....

on the sly,
also collecting money to buy me a keyboard to take with me!


Needless to say there were many tears when I realized what was happening!
I was told that the keyboard was a blessing for the congregation as well as for me...With daily practice they anticipate that I will be ready to pick up right where I left off when I arrive home!


You may value the friendship of youth and of age,and select for your comrades the noble and sage. But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road, are the friends of my Master, the children of God.
David H. Smith

Family and Friends

Even if I didn't know today's date I would be able to tell that the time draws near for us to leave because the mad rush is on to squeeze in as many activities as is humanly possible with our family and friends before we go.

ALEXIS'S POOL PARTY!

With a fall birthday Alexis had the rare treat of a summer party at Tomasha Pool .

Working on snacks

Uncle Tony and Mariah

Alexis's friends from school and church
Working on presents
and of course SWIMMING!
Now we'll just have to figure out where to celebrate her ACTUAL birthday in BC.

VAN HORN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '79 FALCONETTES REUNION!
Debbie, Jayne, Joyce, and Kelley,four of the coolest chicks ever to graduate from Van Horn (five if you include me)had a little going away lunch for me this weekend.

Cruising Noland Road, football games and Freddie the Falcon,the parties,Falconettes Drill Team, 40 Highway McDonalds,the parties, picking everyone up in my turquoise 65 Ford Falcon,spying on boyfriends,relocating road signs,the parties,sneaking out but mostly sneaking in,stalking poor John Austin(sorry for being so annoying),falling out of Kelly's car and rolling down Sterling Ave.,Dad taking me to school and getting my coat caught in the door. After dragging me down the street in front of half the student body he helped me off the ground and said"Tammy, I don't have time for your nonsense I'm going to be late for work!",Joyce backing into Debbie's brother's car, (what was with us and cars??),did I mention the parties? Note to God...thank you that we survived!
Thanks Jayne for playing hostess!I had such a wonderful time!!
Kelly, Debbie, and Joyce
After graduation Debbie and Jayne went off to college and graduated from MU in '83, Kelly worked as a travel agent,and Joyce and I got married but anytime we get together the years fall away and we're 18 once more!Thanks guys it was so much fun to get together :)

More to come........

Preparations

For the next eighteen months or so our home in Canada will be a 38 ft. 2010 Coachman Chaparral RV.Jim and I took it to Lake Paradise in Oak Grove for its maiden voyage over Memorial Day weekend. Fred and Jack, two of our long-time RVer friends taught Jim the ropes of setting up one of these monstrosities and tearing it down again. We also learned a new language that includes words such as black water, grey water, gross vehicle weight and dump station.

Just to make sure that we would be able to fend for ourselves without Jack and Fred's help we took it to the Lake of the Ozarks for a weekend in June. I must say my husband impressed me. Even though it was pitch black by the time we reached the RV park, Jim had us up and running in 45 minutes. Of course I believe that is due,in large part,to my assistance... hold the flashlight when called upon and other than that stay out of his way.

It all seems very cozy at the moment but I wonder if we'll still think that a year and a half from now.