January in Pictures

During the first four weeks of our trip, we have been extremely busy...which has resulted in no posting.

Unfortunately I've not had my camera with me much so I just have a few photos to share. There are MANY other moments that I wish I would've captured on camera, but didn't, so this will have to do for now. 

This week has been our busiest crusade week yet, in all of the seven years we've been doing crusades. I'm excited about sharing more on that tomorrow.

Stay tuned!

 Cleaning windows with friends, for friends.....

We got to watch the Republican presidential debate

Carson getting a much-needed haircut

We loved getting to know the Welch's and the people at Fredricksburg Christian Fellowship

Allison & Rebecca making lunch in an Oklahoma church kitchen!

School and bookwork....

Physical exercise

Rides with Daddy!

Meeting beautiful babies....

....and enjoying an unexpected visit with a Journey friend

While in Arkansas, we got to meet Rebekah Swicegood and hear her recite Matt. 1-8 complete with drama. It was SO inspiring.

Taylors birthday party on the bus! 

A highlight for all of us was the three days we spent in TX with our cousins.

Dutch Blitz!

Stories by cousin Alex

Continuing the "matching shirts" tradition.

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Christmas Weekend Recap

On Saturday, the uncles, aunts, & grandma were invited to a brunch at my uncles' home.

That left 37 grandchildren to have our own party at grandmas. Here are a few of us enjoying brunch at the long table.

We had a delightful time!

Liz reading to Rebecca & Brooke

Dominoes with Liz, Jamie, Kenzie, & Ally

The game of choice...Dutch Blitz!

The guys enjoying a very lively football game

We were together @ Pizza Hut Christmas Eve. 

The girls

Annika & Liz

Anticipating some yummy pizza!

Kierra, Leah, & Rebecca enjoy a story by Aunt Linda

Dutch Blitz with the guys

We had a very blessed church service together Christmas morning.

Above, Mitchell does a special presentation for the children.

Cousin Will preached a very convicting and challenging sermon about the love of God. He emphasized that the Christian life is not about what we can do to please God, but rather it is about all that God has DONE and GIVEN for us.

Eating yummy food!

Some of the girls

The adults side

Family/Food/Memories/Tradition/Noise/Laughter=A BONTRAGER CHRISTMAS

Victoria and Tiffany handing out gifts from Grandma 

Uncle Merle handing out gifts to the younger grandchildren

The weather was chilly but definitely warmer than most Christmases. Here some of the ladies enjoy a walk.

More tradition....shooting clay pigeons in the field out behind Grandmas house.

Football in the basement...the younger boys were thrilled to have Mitchell & Will "supervising" the game. =)

Hudson & Brooke enjoy stories by cousin Danelle. This sight brought back memories for me, as one of my favorite and oldest memories of times with Danelle is her reading stories to me when I was younger.

heart-to-heart conversation, tea, and blankets with Hannah, Rhoda, Allison, Dorcas, & Teresa on Grandma's porch swing

Another favorite Bontrager game....SPOONS. I know we all look very calm and concentrated...but thats because no one had grabbed a spoon yet!

The joke is that in the next year, grandma will be finding spoons in odd places all over the living room. =)

Rebecca & Brooke enjoy some special story time with Grandma

worship time with the cousins late Christmas night

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".....happy is that people, whose God is the LORD."

Psalm 144:15