Back from Peoria

Spent the last the last 5 days in Peoria at the Lutheran Women's Missionary League Convention. We have a lot of fun while getting inspired and motivated. We approved a proposal to spend $1,825,000 on Missionary grants overseas and here in the states. I was so happy to see that Phil's Friends received a $100,000 grant to continue his care packages to cancer patients.

On Thursday Marge and I  took a tour to Springfield and there we saw some of Lincoln's neighbors

Then we went on to the White House and met the President's family.

A site from the Peoria Civic Center and 4,600 Lutherans, mostly women. The folks across the room in white is the choir consisting of singers from across the U.S. They have very little practice but sound marvelous.

This is a sight of all of the Pastors getting ready to distribute bread and wine to the 4,600 people.

I received this long stemmed pink rose from Heidi Floyd who was autographing her book, In a Word. She is a Pastor's wife who had breast cancer while she was pregnant.

This is my Pastor's brother-in-law who is part of a Christian Rock band, called Sibling Harmony ( two brothers and a sister). He was just ordained on Sunday.

 This is Miss America 2009 who just happens to be a Lutheran . She told some inspiring stories and sang a few songs.

And this is me flying the LWML flag getting ready to go home.

Vacation Bible School Day 5

The snack, a glitter decorated cup cake representing the Crown of Glory.

The craft, using recyclables depicting the new Jerusalem

Peter with his little remembrance, Humphrey the Hippo

A closeup of Humphrey, a woodcarving. Humphrey was part of the animal world in the theme, The Big Jungle Adventure.

Vacation Bible School - Days 3 & 4

This was today's snack a biscuit baked with a marshmallow inside. The marshmallow melts leaving an empty biscuit as in the tomb of the resurrected Lord.

This was the craft, a noisemaker to help celebrate Christ's resurrection.

This was the snack from Wednesday, two graham crackers frosted to resemble a mountain depicting Jesus' sermon on the mount.

This was the craft, a suncatcher .

And I did promise the jokes that we colored for Phil's Friends

HaHA

The kids thought they were pretty corny, we just hope they bring a smile to the cancer patients.

Vacation Bible School - Day 2

Another day of VBS with 40 children attending and another not too messy craft, just glue. They made Baptismal banners out of felt today . The snack had to do with the journey through the Red Sea, thus the hobo packs on a pretzel stick.

I forgot to take pictures of the joke cards they colored yesterday and today, hopefully I will remember tomorrow.

Vacation Bible School - Day 1

Today was the first day of  Vacation Bible School, the Big Jungle Adventure. We had about 40 kids attending. Thought I would share a couple of pictures.

This is a scene painted by Pauline and I to use in the classroom.

This is the altar all covered to look like a waterfall.

This is the snack made to be Moses in the basket made out of a waffle bowl, chow mein noodles, string cheese and American cheese.

                                                   This is Bobo's snack shack

This was the craft, Moses in his basket made out of a styrofoam cup, green leaves and a little wooden peg person wrapped in a blanket.

Craft table, busy at work.

When they finished making the Moses craft they went over to another table to color and sign some joke cards that will be sent to cancer patients by Phil's Friends. I'll have the jokes tomorrow.

Banana Split Night

Last night was the LWML banana split night and meeting. Thanks to Marge who supplies all of the goodies for a do it yourself banana split.

Just had to share the hibiscus, it is 6 inches across, just beautiful. I have another hibiscus bush, but the flowers are not quite so large.

Class Reunion

Went to my 55th class reunion yesterday. I went to a small Catholic girl's school, St. Louis Academy in Roseland. There were 24 "girls"  in attendance, some came from as far away as California.  The lunch was held at Fox's in Orland.  Some of the women were really old and some still in pretty good shape. I had a hard time recognizing a few of them.  Its funny how diverse a group we became and have nothing much in common except memories and our health or lack of it. I will go again in 5 years if I am able.

Hot Today

I finally had to give in and turn on the A/C. Temp right now is 87 and its humid.

So what is with blogspot that is not allowing comments? How frustrating. On one blog I think I attempted at least 6 times to comment and have tried on different days without luck.

A Glorious Day

Today is starting out as a beautiful day. The humidity is down and the temps will be in the low 80's.

I took the tarp off the little fountain in the yard. And looks like someone has been living in the top tier. What do you think it is? Notice the pink and green bits in the nest. I can't figure out what those bits are.