What an awesome trip!  I was so blessed to be with my Dad, Johnny, and a group of friends from church back home help with a Children’s Institute in Georgia for a week and a half.  It was great to have the Ceausu family and part of the Waltman family with us as well….getting to know them and their family. The Basic Seminar and CI took place in a Romanian Baptist Church there in Atlanta, and families from the church had us stay in their homes while we were there which was wonderful.  The Lord really blessed our time there and it was so meaningful and encouraging in many different ways...I'm not sure that I can describe it in words.  One of the things that meant a lot to me was simply being with everyone there, serving together, spending time together…it was like being home, away from home.  A great experience and memory... 

There were a number of us taking pictures throughout the trip which was nice, and Darleen Waltman took some great pictures with her Canon 40D as well.

Waiting in the airport.  I flew down from headquarters in Chicago, and arrived there several hours before the group, so I got to know Atlanta Airport a little bit ;).

Gwinnett Romanian Baptist Church

Teacher Training

The sanctuary, where the Basic was held

Large Group time

Kevin and Kyle in the Dr. Schplatt skit

Kendra Iorga and I with our team one evening.

Making hats...

Kayleen Waltman and Johnny's team

After the seminar Sunday evening, we drove to the Ceausu's home in Knoxville, TN and spent two days there with them which was really nice.  We had a great time and it was nice having a short break in between the Seminar and CI.

First day we took a short hike up to Abram's Falls in the Smokey Mountains.

At the falls

Having breakfast at Cracker Barrel the next morning

Fort Loudoun

We almost got to ride together

Out on the lake with the Ceausu's boat...

The Waltman family had us all over at their home for dinner that evening which was great. Here we were playing a game of catch phrase.

On the porch in the morning at the Ceausu's

We also had some good times of devotions and singing together

Andrew and I on the way back to Georgia

Playing ultimate frisbee at the church before the CI on Thursday evening. Those games were so much fun.

The Hockenstock skit

Kevin, Kyle, and Johnny

My Dad, Johnny, and I stayed with the Harasemiuc family while we were in Georgia.  A wonderful family, and we really enjoyed our time together with them.  Here is Mr. Harasemiuc with my Dad.

Driving to the church

Basic Seminar session

    It's hard to imagine that whole month has already passed....time really flew by.  Thank you all very much for continuing to pray for me, it's been good to be back here and a great encouragement seeing everyone again.  I haven't taken that many pictures lately, yet I thought I would just share a few from the last few days and weeks here.  It actually has "warmed up" here a bit, believe it or not, within the last couple of days.  These pictures were taken before most of the snow melted away, so just thought I'd let you know in case you were wondering....

Staff Center

I was able to take a few pictures of the lunar eclipse two weeks ago.  One of the guys let me use his tripod, so that was nice.  Even though the picture is cropped, it turned out better than I thought it would.

The home I am staying in right now with few other guys

A group of us took a trip downtown two Saturdays ago and went ice skating.  While we were traveling on the train, one of the guys led someone to the Lord which was neat.

Sears Tower

The Bean in Millenium Park

Every Saturday, there is usually a game of ultimate frisbee in the afternoon on the field.

Something that I have been reminded of, is that the Lord is working everything together for our good. 

   Last Saturday, I was able to go on a good ride from Oceanside down to San Diego with my brother Johnny and four great guys from church: Jonathan McIntire, Kevin Orman, Kevin and Stephen Weston.  Most of the guys set out Friday morning from Huntington Beach, and rode down to Oceanside for the first day.  I had planned on going, but was not feeling well..so I stayed home.  Thank the Lord by Saturday morning I was doing much better and was able to join them with Kevin Orman on day two.  It was also great having my Dad drive along with us to San Diego.  He took some really good pictures and helped navigate us as we entered downtown SD.  We had an awesome time...just riding along the coast...enjoying that California breeze.

Kevin riding....

Jonathan...our leader.

Here is Johnny...pushed all the way...two straight days.

Kev All The Way....

Stephen pressing on....

Torrey Pines ahead....hardest and longest hill on the trip.

Downtown San Diego train station. Our destination.

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