More photos from Confirmation

OK, I got a wonderful, BEAUTIFUL, AWESOME surprise on Saturday.  I knew that our long time family friends Steve and Kathy were coming for Confirmation weekend, but I didn't know they were bringing their daughter Kasey and HER baby, Autumn!  I was talking to someone on the phone when they walked in, and I basically hung up on her!  (Sorry, Lisa!)  OH, I was thrilled and excited to see the whole bunch, but extra excited to meet Autumn, who was just born in Feb.

Just look at that cutie!  She was SUCH a good baby all weekend!  I got lots of getting acquainted time in!  Don't ya just want to PINCH those cheeks?  (HERS...not mine!)

I did have to share her with others occasionally :) 

She and her Grandpa, Steve, are good buddies! 

Yes, other people attended, too.  Grandma Marge and Grandma Dorothy.

Our friends' little boy, Connor.  He gives GREAT hugs...and is growing up way fast! (His mom and dad were there, too, but...they managed to avoid the camera that day!)

My brother-in-law, Bill, Kathy, Steve, Kasey and Autumn.

Rachel has some wonderful friends who came for the lunch.  Alexis, Katelyn, Rachel and Bridget.  I couldn't have chosen better friends for her!

Rachel's "Iowa Grandparents" Grandma Marge and Grandpa Richard. 

Grandpa Richard, Grandpa K and Aunt Martha.

Grandma Marge, Betty F. Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa M.

We also were thrilled to have Pastor and Marge Arp as special guests for the day.  I didn't get a good picture of them, sadly.  Pastor Arp baptized Rachel almost 14 years ago, and were able to attend the confirmation celebration, in spite of near white out and blizzard like conditions!  We're glad they were here!

Adam and Kelly were here, too.  I can't believe I don't have a photo of Kelly!  I guess I was too "focused" on those cute little ones :)

but I just couldn't help myself! 

Rachel's Confirmation

Rachel publicly confessed her faith at her Confirmation on Palm Sunday, along with 3 other 8th graders.  After years of midweek and confirmation classes, they successfully answered all of Ron's questions at the public questioning on Wednesday, April 1 in front of the congregation of St. Paul's.  The confirmation service was perfect and we are so proud of Rachel.  We look forward to watching what God has planned for her!

Ron's folks arrived on Tuesday, and were here for questioning on Wednesday night.  We are thrilled that they were able to come and stay!

 

Their gift to Rachel was a lovely gold watch!

(We got her a camera!)

Isn't she lovely?

Rachel and her daddy.

Rachel and her mom and dad.

The whole family! 

Rachel and her grandparents.  They all came all the way from Ohio!

Rachel and her Godmother, Aunt Martha. She came all the way from Ohio, too!

My side of the family.  My dad and Dorothy, SueAnn, Bill, Jordan and Madi and our own clan.  What a crew!

fruit trays

Ron sliced and served the baked potatoes.  The potato bar was a pretty big hit with foks!

The cake, part 1

The cake, part 2

 

 

An "Amazing" Performance

The 7th and 8th grade vocal students at school have spent many weeks rehearsing for a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I have seen many, many junior high musical performances, and let me tell you...tonight's was the BEST I have seen.  I've been helping out at rehearsals for the past few weeks, and these kids worked hard.  And their hard work paid off.  I didn't notice any mistakes at all tonight! Their voices were just superb! 

Rachel was a "go-go" dancer for the song "Go-Go-Go Joseph".  She was GREAT :-)

Dress rehearsal...look at her smiling while she is "go-going!"

Today's performance...notice the "no glasses" look?  She got contacts last week!

And now...these aren't even my KIDS, but I'm so pleased with their performances...I just have to share a few photos!  If you don't know the story, be sure to read it!  It is one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  It begins in Genesis 37.

Jacob and his family

Joseph is given a multi-colored coat by his father...and it makes his brothers MAD.

They didn't like hearing about Joseph's dreams, either!

Joseph was sold to "a hairy bunch of Ishmaelites"

they had to break the "sad" news of Joseph's "death" to Jacob.

Joseph was a good servant to Potipher until...

 

Potipher's wife caused Joseph some problems.

Joseph spent some time in jail and interpreted dreams while he was there.  When Pharaoh had  dreams he didn't understand, he called for help and Joseph was brought before him.

Elvis Pharaoh explained his dreams to Joseph, who interpreted them.  Pharaoh then promoted Joseph to be his assistant to lead Egypt through the famine that was predicted through his dreams.

Meanwhile, Joseph's brothers are still back in Canaan, and things aren't going well for them.  The famine has hit the land hard, and they have no food.  They decide to go to Egypt where they hear there is food to spare.  They don't realize it, but it is their long lost brother, Joseph that they are asking for food (which is what Joseph's dreams predicted)

Joseph is finally convinced the brothers are good men, and he gives them some food. (Well...in the Bible Joseph sends the brothers back to Canaan and they have to return later...but the play takes some "artistic license") Joseph sneaks his golden cup into his youngest brother's sack of food, and then accuses him of stealing it.  The brothers insist that Benjamin wouldn't have done this kind of thing.

They insist that Benjamin "is straighter than the tall palm tree"

Finally, Joseph reveals who he is, and is reunited with his brothers and father.

Joseph falls to his knees in front of his father...(get the symbolism there? ) This scene gives me goosebumps every time I see it, and believe me I've seen it dozens and dozens of times (we own the DVD with Donny Osmond as Joseph!)

And the family is happily reunited!

Outstanding performance of a wonderful story, SF MS Vocal students!

Track Season Has Begun!

Cameron ran varsity for today's track meet and it was at the UNI Dome...University of Northern Iowa's awesome indoor facility.  Ron and I headed to Cedar Falls to the Dome to watch the race...'cause it's just so cool to watch ANY sporting event there! 

Cameron's race was the 4 x 800.  We first watched FIVE heats of the 3200, which took forEVER.  Then we watched 8 heats of the 4 x 200.  Cameron's event was next.  He was in the third heat, the 3rd runner.  Since it was an indoor track, each team member runs 4 times around the track, then hands the baton off to the next guy.  Well...somehow...the judge/ref miscounted Cameron's laps.  He ran three, then sprinted the 4th, just like he was supposed to do.  He was ready to hand off to Colton, his teammate, when the judge prevented Colton from taking the baton and said  "NO!  He has one more lap to go!"  So, the poor kid had just given it his all and sprinted his final lap, only to be told he had to run yet ANOTHER lap!  People were passing him all over the place!  (He'd been in a fairly decent position before this!)  He finished his FIFTH lap, and then passed the baton off to Colton.  Even with Cameron running an extra lap, they didn't come in last in their heat, but MAN were those kids (understandably!) upset.  

Cameron said "It was still COOL to run in the UNI Dome!" 

the team relaxes and watches before their heat is called.

Cameron waits for his turn

Wade hands off to Cameron

coming around the bend...

FINALLY...after running an extra lap, Cameron hands off to Colton.

Way to RUN, Cameron!