Bella and Bre Visit Josiah

Doesn't this look like a fun children's ministry team? Bre - back holding Bella - took her team to Seattle for an "Orange" conference. Maybe it has a different name....

Among the benefits of the trip, was Uncle Cy getting to spend time with Bella. Bella is  5 months here. 

In an ironic twist, Josiah's Chick Fil A team made the meals for the conference....

Krista's Ordination Service

We drove up to Oregon this weekend for a big event. We wouldn't miss being present when Krista took the next step in her goal to be a United States Air Force Chaplain.

We started the weekend by walking in the house and realizing Dad needed to go to the E.R. He spent our entire visit in the hospital  and he and Mom missed Krista's Ordination service - but they were there in heart and spirit.

Sherri took great video of the entire ceremony. We edited it and Mom and Dad have a copy - but it's far too long to make into a Youtube clip.....not sure where to shorten it.  Thanks to Arielle for taking photos. I was busy with Gemma duty. SOMEONE had to hold Bella.

Sherri, Will's wife, took lots of video for us

It was fun to have Will and Sherri, CoRielle, and BreZaak and Lorri all present to celebrate with us. Cory does look a bit unsure about being in such company?

Cory, Arielle's beloved

Nolan, Stacia & Alex

Pastor Gary, on the left, was my youth group pastor growing up. When I graduated from high school, my parents were still missionaries in the Philippines. I lived with Gary and his wife Jonielle until I began college.  He began by speaking, then he had Michael read some Scripture and speak, then Pastor John read a passage and spoke. 

Gary had me come up and Krista walked through an oath, the church agreed to be prayer support for her and we all gathered up front and prayed for and with her as she steps out in faith.

Krista, Gary, Me, Michael 

Krista is presented with her framed Ordination Certificate - which she'll need. 

Pastor John then asked Krista to preach her first sermon as an ordained minister. She preached about a couple of the churches from Revelation - and it was challenging. I was happy to see she will carry on my inability to speak in public without her hands. LOL

It was fun to see Ray and Becki in attendance as well. When Krista licensed after graduation from Bible College  she was given a ministry mentor. Becki is a friend from middle school - and Krista's ministry mentor. How cool is that. It was fun to connect again. 

Becki was Krista's mentor and MY friend from Middle School

BreZaak and Bella! 

Bre, Izaak and Bella!

What does this all mean? As Pastor Gary said, "We see God working. As a denomination we are declaring we see Him at work and are joining Him."  To be an Air Force Chaplain Krista needs to meet military standards of fitness and retainability.....she also has to have a MDiv degree, have  Pastoral Experience and be ordained for two years before being commissioned.  She is working on the MDiv and is nearing the 1/2 way mark.  She's had the experience, but it's not "post-ordination," she will be looking to serve a church as she finishes her degree. She is moving to VA to finish the last part of her degree in residence.  She's been to MEPS and been approved as to military standards. She's waiting to hear when she will be interviewed by a Wing Chaplain and pending his approval will be accepted into the Chaplain Candidate program. She's following Jesus along a path she never envisioned and it's mighty fun to watch.

Nickerson Ranch Trail - #WYFF

Post by Michael

This is the second time on this trail, but the first time to get all of the way down it.  It was easy to see that it was once a wagon trail/road.  The trail is wide and level for the most part.  The real question is where, exactly, is the homestead.  Years ago, my mother said, the homestead was well-marked because of all of the apple trees.  Now, it is a bit more difficult to see the homestead.  Actually, we are not so sure we found it the site.  Michael's memory was that the homestead was across Mill Creek.  We did not get adventurous enough to cross the creek this time out, but the area is amazing.  You walk through towering Redwoods and alongside the ubiquitous fern to reach Mill Creek and its crystal clear waters.  If I were to build a homestead, this would be far and away ideal.  It is not easy to find out much about the Nickerson homestead, but the imagination can see an absolutely idyllic setting for raising a family and living life.

These towering Redwoods are only enhanced by such a lovely young woman as our Stacia has become.

Nolan showed his prowess at navigating a 15 passenger van through the sometimes tight confines of Howland Hill Rd.  He did a great job.  No dents, no dings, no errors.  Well done!

Someday, we are going to take the time to count the rings on one of these fallen Rewoods, but not this one.  It is just too small, and the rings are hard to see from about the hundred year mark to the center of the tree.  Any where else, this would be a massively huge tree, but not here.  Here it is smallish, at best.

Sitting on the top of the logs and looking out across the scenic beauty of Mill Creek.  No takers on jumping in this day, though.  The weather is beginning to change and the water is just a tad bit cooler than before. The view is amazing.

Guessing there may have been a barn or corral in this area for horses.  Just guessing though.  Will need to bring a metal detector the next time we come through.

For those who would like to hike along with us. 

More EXCITING mail

This has been our week for exciting mail! Stacia has been waiting and WAITING since her birthday in August  for this to arrive! Captain America - Civil War!  The boys saw it at Jared's Bachelor Party - but the rest of us are excited to sit down for Friday night movies tomorrow!

Who knew there is a Grandparents day? Bella is so thoughtful to send us these beautiful magnets! 

Mail Call

We got something in the mail today. I waited until everyone was back from working to bring it out. 

There are very few pieces of mail that would garner this much attention. 

Baby Girl's Wedding Invite! 

We're counting down the days to celebrate with CoRielle! 

Grandparents Day

Our first Grandparents day, too! ::wink:: 

Bella brightens our screens and our lives. Here she is at 5 months. 

We've obviously fallen down on the whole grandparent thing as we didn't know to be celebrating this all these years with our parents. LOL

#WYFF - Walker Road Adventure

It's Friday! We've finished our second full week of school.  Michael reminded me  we schedule Friday lighter so we can explore....and 84 degree weather was predicted.  I'm proud of us; in addition to school this week, I had two days to run into town (Mom G's labs and Mom G's pedi), we made it to church on Wed night, and we ate dinner every night. The boys worked like maniacs on Thursday to make sure they could finish school by lunch on Friday. Score! We're worn out! But we did it!!!

There is a little sign off Hwy 199, on the way in to Crescent City, that says, "Walker Road."  We decided it would be fun to explore. This could be hiked, we chose to drive. By the end of the day we'd explored both spurs. Both lead to the river. We'll be back. We discussed any tow behind vehicle we buy will need to be able to handle roads like this, as well as in town driving. Jeeps are looking like a favorite option. Do you have a toad? Do you tow a vehicle behind a Class A or C? If so, which do you have and what are the pros and cons you've discovered of your model?

This being Friday - we did take a couple of "Where's Your Feet" photos....

Feet on Walker Road

Feet in the Smith River

Michael continues to illustrate the finer points of skipping rocks across a river. The kids continue to find the biggest rocks they can handle to chuck. To see this in action, watch the video below.

I did not grow up in the woods - or hiking in the woods. I've noticed some lovely vines climbing over the trees....this week the leaves turned red...so pretty. It turns out the vines are poison oak - this sort of ruins the beauty for me. ::snort::

I plan to get smaller glasses. Stacia responded this week, "Please, don't buy embarrassing Grannie glasses."

Fall can't be too far away.....stay away rain! 

Our own tower of stones

We drove the rest of the way into town to pick up a Papa Murphy's pizza.  The kids and I were amazed at the change in weather. It was 84* on Walker Road....7 -8 miles later in town it was foggy and 59*. That's some weather variation. I understand why Mom G says she loves living "out here," but doesn't want to live in Crescent City.

The video version of our Walker Road Adventure. The final view reminds me of Mirror Lake in AK.


#WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) is sponsored by Fulltime Families. For more #WYFF entries, click the tab above.