~July...Did Fly By!~

Hello!  Maybe I should introduce myself...I am Heather...author of this blog!  :-)  I have been RUNNING 90 to Nothing during the month of July (Like everyone else has been) and have had NO TIME to blog.  I have missed it.  I cannot even Believe ALL that happened in the month of July.  I feel like July had enough activities in it that it should have lasted 6 months long. :-)
So, here I am to update you on our July Happy Happenings. (Please excuse any mistakes. :-)

Around the 1st of September our family will be in LOUISIANA where we will record our family Music CD.  

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS PROJECT!!  

We're excited about it and have been practicing lots!!

BUT FIRST....

Recently a HUGE TREE FELL AND COULD HAVE CRUSHED PHILLIP!   

Phillip was backing down a long narrow drive when all of the sudden he decided to stop, and TURN his van around.   While he was turning his van around, this huge tree fell right in his way.  How we THANK GOD that Phillip felt prompted to stop backing his van up...and TO TURN HIS VAN AROUND ...SPARING HIS LIFE!!!  That tree would have crushed him!!!

~AND Wednesday night on the way to church,

~A couple pics I forgot to post last time.~ 
I had such a fun coffee outing and heart to heart with this Dear Girl...Ellen.  Such a sweet girl who loves Jesus with her whole heart! We had fun sharing answers to prayer and ways God is working in our lives!

 ~We had to be in Hillsboro a few weeks ago and called Dave and Gina and asked if they had time to meet us at Pizza Hut for supper.  We had a great visit together!~

 
~Girl's Day Out!~
~As a Home school family, during the school year, we seldom "go out" to do coffee or other treats.  So, since it was summer break, and our men were at their 3 day survival course,
we had a Girl's Day out.~

 ~The owner of Branch Hill coffee liked our little girls so much he gave them 2 cookies.~

 ~What A FUN day this was with my girls~

 ~We signed up for the reading program at the Library in Clermont county.  Our kids then read 600 minutes worth of reading and got 3 prizes, free ice cream from Freddy's, and coupons for camping at a park (coming in the Fall), and coupons for Chipotle's.  Fun!!~

 ~On our Girl's day out we enjoyed us some Paradise Ice~

 ~A fun memory that popped up from 3 years ago.  Kara took this of us in Uruguay.~

 ~The next day after our GIRL'S DAY OUT...We had a GIRL'S DAY IN!!
Our men were still gone on their survival trip.~

 ~Abigail trying to take a selfie.~

 ~Megan's graduation party~

 ~Grocery Shopping with the cousins...:-) ~

 ~FOURTH OF JULY SUNDAY~

Sarah and her dear friend RaeQuelle~

 ~My Sweetheart and I~

 ~Our family~

 ~The cute verse and treat the kids got in Jr. church~

~KIMBERLY and OUR GLOBAL HOLINESS MISSION'S YOUTH TAKE A TRIP TO PERU~

The Lord helped Bryon Fling preach on Sunday night before the team left for Peru.

 ~The young people gathered up front so that we could all pray for the team that was heading to Peru.~

 ~Darla and Kimberly were happy to have each other on this team~

 ~ The team...Kimberly, Darla, Tim, Scott, Michele and Bryon and Jake from PA~

 ~Before Kimberly left her good friend Emily gave her this cute mug that she had made for Kimberly!!  ~

 ~A cute little "Joseph and his coat of many (ok 3) colors." :-)  A cute craft key chain that Kimberly made to take to Peru to use as she taught the kids.~

 ~Sarah helped Kimberly paint some of the heads.  Kimberly did several, but then ran out of time, so Sarah stepped in to help her.~

 ~The evening before the team left to fly to Peru (Like they were leaving in just about 4 hours or so) our youth group wanted to got out together.~

 ~Downtown Cinci~

~And they were OFF to Peru!~

 ~The Lord really helped them.  Kimberly was asked to be the official translator, and Jesus helped her.~

 ~OUR 4TH OF JULY~

~We spent the night of July 3rd with Dad and Mom Dickinson~

Dad has been having trouble with his foot.  Prayers appreciated!!

 ~A neat apron someone made for Dad D.~

 ~Grandma, Mary and Abigail choosing cups to in which to have hot chocolate.~

 ~Phillip gave Dad D. a haircut.~

 ~My 4th of July morning coffee~

 ~Elijah, Mary, Abigail and Daisy~

 ~Noah and Elijah playing their guitars for Grandpa.~

 ~Grandpa and his Noah~

 ~Then we went over to be my parents and Rodney and Penny and their boys house for a delightful day together!~

~Gram and Abigail~

 ~Moma, Mrs. Penny and I~

 ~Rodney and Penny served us some delicious food!!~

 ~Mrs. Penny's delicious chocolate cake!!~

 ~Our family...minus Kimberly ...who was in Peru~

 ~The Dear Alexanders~

 ~Elijah and Noah playing for Gramp and Gram~

 ~Gramp and Abigail...his youngest Grandgirl~

 ~My Sweet Daddy and Moma~

 ~Mrs. Penny gave me this beautiful potted plant~

 ~Abigail ...hiding from Sarah in the store.  (I put her up to hiding and I was right there when Sarah came around the corner to find her. :-) ~

 ~I made 2 batches of Strawberry Freezer jam~

 ~Mary drew this~

 ~Phillip and I back in the Summer of 1996.  Taken in AK.  We had been married one year.~

 ~We were invited to and enjoyed going to Amy and Beth and their Mom's birthday party.~

~Strawberry Smoothies I made for my Fam.~

 ~Elijah and his 3 "curls."~

 ~My Chocolate Chess Pie~

~RaeQuelle and Kimberly doing their skit on the West in Jr. Church one Sunday morning.  

Kimberly wrote the skit.  So cute!~

 ~RaeQuelle, Noah and Sean in the skit.  (Supposedly Kimberly was in town seeing "the doctor" after getting her ankle hurt.~

~OUR DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER IN THE LORD...

MARK SCHMELZLEN WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD!

 ~We were so SHOCKED AND SADDENED to hear of Bro. Mark's homegoing.  He was so young! They had "changing of the guards" by his casket.  So neat!~

 ~Bro. Justice did a great job with the funeral~

 ~Our Pastor did too.~

 ~Mrs. Rachel, Mark's SWEET wife...playing the piano for him ...one more time. :-(  I wept soooo much during this funeral!!  Such a neat and touching funeral.  Mrs. Rachel tried to emphasize the 3 main parts of her husband's life (besides him being a great husband and father.   The police force that he served on was well represented, the Marines, and Bro. Mark's Pastoring / Chaplin part of his life was well represented as well.  ~

 ~Bro. Justice, Pastor Eisenhart, and Phillip praying.~

 ~Such a touching grave side service.  The had the 21 gun salute.

 ~A man played the bagpipes and played the Marine's them song, and then played Amazing Grace.~

 ~The funeral director was so kind and thoughtful and walked with Mrs. Rachel and her 5 girls, since Isaac was a Pallbearer and was over with his Dad.~

 ~A fun memory that Melanie Smith posted from her time with us in Colombia.  This was from 2011.  What adorable little kids I see in Kimberly, Sarah, Noah, Elijah, and baby Mary. ~

~Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A~

~Sarah enjoyed attending the 

Garen Wolf Band Camp at GBS~

 ~Sarah was chosen to be one of the team captains.  Here they were leaning against the wall in the gym.~

~Coffee with Susanna~

 ~My Sweet friend Susanna was in town.  So, of course we had to do coffee.~

 ~We had a delightful visit!!~

 ~One of Sarah's practice rooms during Band Camp.~

 ~Morning time with Jesus out on our Front porch.~

 ~Mary, Elijah, and Abigail...outside of Target.~

 ~Chloe and Abigail~

~Coffee with Adrian~

~Adrian just recently moved here so she wanted to "do coffee" in her house.  Since she was making the coffee...I decided to bring some snacks to enjoy with her yummy coffee!!

 ~We had such a wonderful visit~

 ~Back over to GBS to see Sarah's team play activities.  They have lots of activities during band camp, to give the kids a break from the intense music practice and playing they do all day.  It's a neat set up. ~

 ~Sarah and Mary didn't know I captured this sweet moment.~

 ~Capture the flag~

 ~The day of the concert~

 ~Trying to get a picture of Sarah...~

 ~There...she noticed and smiled.  :-) ~

 ~Abigail wearing Mommy's shoes.~

 ~The Wolf Gang.  :-) ~

 ~Sarah and her sweet friend Kayla~

 AFTER BAND CAMP, WE TOOK SARAH OUT TO CELEBRATE!  

RAEQUELLE MET UP WITH US!

 ~Sarah playing and singing a special one Sunday night.~

~Abigail wearing the sweet little blouse that Sis. Alba had made years ago for Mary~

 ~Elijah and Levi at Levi's party.~

 

~Kimberly COMES HOME 

from her 2 weeks in Peru~

 and brought fun treats with her!
Kimberly got home at 5:00 A.M. on July 18th, "Slept in" until 10:30...got up and did 2 loads of laundry, then we LEFT AT 1:30 P.M. FOR ATHENS YOUTH CAMP!
Kimberly drove the whole way...and told us lots of the stories from her trip to Peru.  God really Helped and we smiled and got teary eyed together as we listened to her stories.
~Kimberly brought a bag of "Bonbon Bums" suckers the kids used to eat in Colombia.~

 ~ATHENS YOUTH CAMP~
This was my first year to take our kids to Athens, and I really enjoyed it.  Our kids really enjoyed themselves (some of them have been there numerous times) and we all want to go back again.  Thank you, Dear Jesus, for a wonderful Athens Youth 2018!!

 ~The Lord helped Kenny and Elizabeth Stetler as they sang during Athens Youth Camp.~

~Athens youth camp was very enjoyable and God's presence was very close!!

 ~Regina and Sarah peeling 70 lbs. of potatoes.~

 ~Laura and I doing the same. (We were working on the same 70 lbs of potatoes.)~

 ~Noah's team~

 ~Kimberly playing kick ball~

~Noah's team~

 ~Noah, Austin, and Kelton~

 ~Sarah, RaeQuelle, and Kimberly~

 ~Kimberly, Jaylin, and Sarah serving.~

 ~The little kids had fun having water day and games every day.~

 ~This dog was loved by nearly everyone.~

 ~Bible Bowl~

 ~Elijah and a friend wiping down trays.~

 ~Noah taking up the offering at Athens.~

 ~GBS playing "Name That Ball."~

 ~Darla was chosen to play.~

 ~Abigail was so happy to see her friend Tim arrive at Athens on Friday night.~

 ~Elijah and Sammy doing dishes.~

 ~Kimberly is up to bat~

 ~Sarah and I~

 ~Ladies STARS AND STIFFS GAME.  The Stars won 3 games in a row.~

 ~Brianna, Samantha, Sarah, Kristin...and Zack.~

 ~Matching GBS shirts and cute girls~

 ~STIFFS AND STARS GAME!  Caleb up to bat.~

 ~I nearly gave up a lung...to CHEER for the Stars.  They played a GREAT GAME and only lost by 5.~

 ~Matt Ellison and his funny little green hat.~

 ~Kenny Stetler using a chair to keep from getting too wet in the rain.~

 ~Sarah hugging little Abigail~

 ~Kenny and Elizabeth's little girl and Abigail~

 

 ~The dear Flings invited us over for coffee/hot chocolate and brownies.  It was so fun to catch up and visit.  We laughed till we cried.  What a fun evening being with Dear friends and seeing the Fling's new home !!~

~Abigail's drawing~

 ~U.B.C. singing on Sunday afternoon~

 ~Penn View singing~

 ~Taking pics and saying those hard goodbyes...as we were leaving Athens to go home soon.~

 ~One Privileged Abigail ...getting to stand on Tim's car.~

 ~Kimberly and her 2 new sweet friends.~

~Great Friends...Michele, Heather, and Regina~

 ~I stole this pic from my good friend Michele.~ :-)

 ~The young people at Athens from our Christian Nation Church~

 ~Abigail sitting beside Kelton and scratching his back.~ :-)

 ~Elijah holding Abigail during children's church~

This was my first year to take our kids to Athens, and I really enjoyed it.  Our kids really enjoyed themselves (some of them have been there numerous times and want to go back again.  Thank you, Dear Jesus, for a wonderful Athens Youth 2018!!

  ~Back Home...Jessica's birthday~

~Noah and Elijah slept their hammocks one night in our back yard.~

 ~Sweet Abigail~

 ~A Yummy Red Velvet roll a great friend gave to our family~

 ~Selfies Abigail took during church....

 ~Look at That Face!!!!She's OUR THREE-nager!!~

 ~Friends after church~

The neat cup that Kimberly got for Phillip for Father's Day~

 ~Elijah and Flint~

 ~Noah and Elijah's Classical Guitar Recital~

 ~Jesus helped them and it was beautiful~

 ~Phillip visiting with Jeremy C. the boy's teacher.~

 ~I walked by Abigail's little kitchen the other day and evidently "Frog" was on her menu for that day. :-) ~

 ~Two Squeaky Clean girls all ready for the Lord's day~

 ~Sunday Dinner~

We had Daryl, Laura, and family (minus Brittany) over for Sunday dinner.  To get to be with them, with Natasha, to hear Kimberly and Darla's stories from Peru, and to celebrate Darla's birthday.

 ~Surprisingly I forgot to take a pic of my table.  Phillip captured this one before I got the glasses turned back over.  (I had set the table on Saturday.) ~

 ~Thank you, Mrs. Lila, for the fun gold silver and the gold edged goblets!~

 ~Girl Cousins~
Kimberly, Natasha, Darla, Sarah, Mary, and Abigail.  Sadly we were Missing Brittany!!~

 ~Celebrating Darla's Birthday.  Laura's yummy butterscotch pie.~

 ~Abigail got a hold of my phone.~

 ~Isn't God Amazing?!!  He is able to EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY A.B.O.V.E. ALLLLLLL we can ask or think!!!  

THANK YOU, DEAR JESUS!!!   

GOD HAS JUST ANSWERED A HUGE PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY!!!

~LOOK WHO GOT HER DRIVER'S PERMIT!!!  

(They just changed the law, to where now they mail the Permit to your address.) 

Congrats!!! Sarah, sooo happy for you!!!

 ~Free Ice cream at Freddy's cause of the summer reading program.  GRATIS!!~

 ~YUMMY~

 ~Abigail has a birthday soon, but we will be in FL when that happens. So, we decided to give her bigger birthday gifts early.  She was sooo Excited!!

 ~She got her Very own suitcase and she is sooo excited.  We already have it packed for Comargo~

 ~She got a Balance Bike.  She's enjoying it.~

 ~Abigail and her buddy Tim~

 ~Ice Green Tea.~

 ~An encouraging quote from Steve Mills.~

~OUR COMARGO CAMP CLEAN UP!~

 ~Our Wonderful Comargo camp starts on Monday.  WE CAN'T WAIT!!~

 PRAYERS APPRECIATED FOR OUR COMARGO CAMP.  HOW WE WANT GOD TO COME AND MEET WITH US!!!    Comargo camp dates are Aug. 6th -- Aug. 12th.

The Monday after camp ends, Aug. 13th, our family plans to DASH to FL as quickly as we can.
On Friday, Aug. the 17th we will participate in the wedding rehearsal of Phillip's cousin Rachel and her great husband-to-be Ostyn.  Phillip will perform their ceremony on 8-18-18 and Kimberly and I will do the music for their wedding.
The next week, we will stay in FL, celebrate Abigail's 4th birthday, be with U. Scott, A. Libby and family, and get some much needed R&R.

Around the 1st of September our family will be in LOUISIANA where we will record our family Music CD.  

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS PROJECT!!  

We're excited about it and have been practicing lots!!

~HEATHER~