2011 Convention begins

Registration began on Saturday night and we got to visit a little bit but it was cut short as we were also playing grandparents.  We picked up on grand babies on Friday afternoon and they went home on Sunday morning before services.


 
We had lots of rigs for the 2011 Convention .. it was reported to be a record breaking attendance.  Almost 600 people and over 200 rigs!  Lots of rigs everywhere.
Sunday morning services started out with Sartell, MN pastor of The Waters Church Reverend Doug Vagle, he had a wonderful message and we really enjoyed him.  Then Communion and a Memorial Service DVD that was hard to watch as we had 2 wonderful women that our ministry lost .. Tish Huffman and Ruth South.  They have gone home with our Lord and Savior.
It was a cookout lunch after the morning services with lots of wonderful fellowship with friends we hadn’t seen in a year .. then it was back home for a short nap as i was exhausted.

 
The evening services was awesome with Alton Garrison who is the Assistant Superintendent of the Assemblies of God.  I can listen to him speak for hours and it always feels as though he just began.  If you have never heard him speak .. you need to .. after services we did some visiting and then was home to shower and hit the hay.  I love Convention but it’s exhausting .. esp since i was exhausted before arriving. 
 
Jerry had one of Alton Garrison Album he made when he was younger.  Alton was saying how he sold 3 Albums for .99 cents on ebay .. of course we all got a laugh out of it.  Of course the next morning  after services they auctioned the Album off and it brought $500!  The money it brought went to a good cause.  Alton has started a program that outreaches to church’s struggling and it’s called Acts 2 Church.  The money went to help fund it. 

Enjoying Friends

 
It’s been a busy week spending time having way too much fun
 

We have been juggling our time between family and friends .. it's been crazy, busy and lots of fun

  
Yes, i have had a messy home but hey I'm spending all my time with family and friends .. I’m retired right??

Heading Home

We packed everything up and headed home to Illinois for a couple weeks.  We were excited to see friends we have missed.  In fact we surprised several friends by just popping in for a potluck .. campfire.  Our friend Wanda was the only one who knew we were heading home to see everyone.
  
In fact we had several gtg potlucks and campfires and it was great enjoying such a wonderful time


It was a wonderful afternoon and evening and our gtg was wonderful.  It felt so good to be back home among good Christian friends who are like family.  Of course we called the kids to let them know we were home.  They were surprised as well and we will be seeing them soon.