More Catching up- CIY Move Conference

We joined the youth group this year for the CIY MOVE conference again. It was great to has double the size of the group last year and have Landon get to go as well. We went to the Tennessee location again this year after tenting in North Carolina.

The drive up there went well. Josh's dad let us borrow the van which made the ride up their very nice with the navigational system and satellite radio. The only problem was there wasn't enough seats for everyone who wanted to ride with us! Landon did so well. We use the forward facing seat for the trip because we thought that might help him with the 9 hours long drive. I think it did help. He enjoyed looking out the windows and seeing everyone.

We went camping for 2 days in North Carolina. It was Landon's first camping experience. He did really well. He loves being outdoors so it was great for him. We played games and did lots of outdoor activities. Everyone but Landon went white water tubing down the river. Josh and I just took turns with Landon. I don't think Landon minded much he played in the river or napped.
Josh, Landon and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary best you can on a youth trip by going out to dinner while Brian and Jessica played games at the campsite with the kids. It was nice to be able to enjoy time with the youth group and still enjoy each other

We had a great time at CIY MOVE. I will get this publish and let the pictures tell the rest of the stories. A few things stories can tell. I love all of our kids they are so great and I feel so blessed to have gotten a week to enjoy all of their company. Also I love the fact the girls split from the guy this year in our small Discussion groups. I think it helped us girls bond and open up a lot more.

"Girls we so smashed Satan with all of our works and words on this trip and I am so proud of eash and everyone of you!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!"

I will tell you God did some amazing things on this trip. I think it was a great trip for all.

Landon excited for his first Youth trip


Waiting to get into the van after a short stop.



Very exited to be out of the vans after 9 hours of driving





Setting up the tents...Blindfolded?
The kids were split in 2 teams and raced to put up the tents while blindfolded, I think there were some cheaters but at least the tents were up!












Moving and groovin Dancing time!




Landon in the tent playing



After waking up our first morning after camping we went for a walk on the hiking trails



Landon and Mommy enjoying the river

The view was amazing, God's work is so great!


Our family at the top of our hike

Although we are all smiles here right before we took this poor Chayson tripped on the trail and bruised her ankle very badly. She was a trooper though, She participated in just about everything the rest of the trip.

Brian did carry her down the mountain to make sure she didn't do anymore damage.

Chayson resting after hiking


Landon enjoying the campsite


Getting ready for tubing


Landon enjoying the very COLD river


Back up the mountian for another River run!


Landon tucked out after playing in the river

Sunbathing after the run.




The games they play. Brian and Jessica had the kids doing all sort of crazy things whle Josh, Landon and I were on our anniverary dinner.




The girls got the boys GOOD! It was a white wake up at 7:15am!
Brian and Josh were spared becasue they were in on it and helped us.



One of our first nights at CIY

The kids LOVED Landon's hair do



I think he might be taking after Jesse! Uh Oh!


Brian was choosen to be a singer for the Canada Team, He did great but USA won (which was actually our team anyways)

Enjoying worship time!



Our Skip a Lunch-lunch and free day, This BBQ had some of the best food(And I don't even like BBQ that much) and super service!


Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Christian Church allowed us to use the pinic area for an afternoon of fun- Thanks!
Brian with the pastor's dog

Chris being silly- like always!

The puppy loved all the attention and she was super sweet

Some of our beatiful girls




Amanda was determined to get a pose on the rock

She got it and looks great!


The dancers

Enjoying the cool stream on a warm day


Josh and his little critters



Happy 5 Years! We are so blessed!!


Roomies



War!



The girls chewing gum houses- one of our small discussion group activities


I love the flowers Mom!


Playing with Daddy in the car




Alex wondering why our son is trying to drive laying down :)


Pratice driving with Dad (pretend of course!)


We have a strange youth group



but then again look at their leader, He is a great one no matter how weird he is though!


Dodge Ball tournament

Josh was asked by Josh (the purple haired guy) and Justin to be baptist





I was very honored to be asked by Destiny. I was also really nervous I had never baptized someone before.




God is so awesome! We had such a great group of kids, Josh and I were so blessed by each and everyone!


So exciting!



Beautiful Adrienne



My little man having a great time on the trip and being loved on by all






Brian in the air!


Boys, enough said


So you know that if you think you should get gas and you are in the mountians that when you think you can make it to the next exit (because in FLorida where everything is flat you really could make it to the next exit) you should go to the one right before that because chances are you will run out of gas on the mouutian on the way up! Yeah, we added to our CIY expereince by running out of gas on our way home. It was a good expereince and everyone was a good sport about it.
Our girls are awesome the got their hands dirty and helped push the car to the gas station!


Bye!!!

Lots of catching up- Tri-State Camp

So much to blog about!! I am going to try to get everything up but I might cut it short. We have been very busy this last month and a half! WE went to Tri-State Christian Camp, CIY Move conference with our youth group, had our 5 year anniversary, Landon is 10 months old (and quickly approaching 11!)and went to Thailand for 2 weeks on a mission trip. First things first, Tri-State Christian Camp.

Josh and I were asked to be the sponsored missionaries for the whole summer of camp. The second week in June we went to the 2nd-3rd grader camp. We appreciate the support and love from everyone at Tri-State. Josh has spent many summers there as well as his younger siblings. They do a great job with the kids. This was my 2nd time there and Landon's 1st. Landon loved the kids and they certainly loved him back. Camp runs from Sunday to Friday, because of Josh's josh we didn't make it to Defuniak (ask me if you want to know how to pronounce it, it is not has silly sounding as you may think) until Wednesday afternoon. We were happy to see that many of the children we had gotten to know from last year were there and they all remembered us. They we so excited to see the person who was the big belly bump from last year.

Landon and I missed out on a lot of the lessons because they ran right during Landon's nap time. An upside to this was I got a lot of rest and relaxing. It was nice to not feel like I should run around and try to get work done while he is sleeping. I took a few short naps, read a lot, and caught up a little on my journaling for Landon and the journal that Josh and I share with each other (we started it when we were dating for 8 month and write each other notes, it is awesome to look back and read it). Landon and I did get to participate in the singing and some of the games and plays. Landon really loved the signing. He had already started clapping a while ago but he really got the clapping to a beat down at camp. I think all the kids clapping along with him helped reinforce that concept.

Camp seems too short this year since we only made it to half of camp but really are looking forward to next year and hope to see a few more weeks of camp with the different age groups.

Playing with the kids and family



Enjoying the outdoors and meeting new friends


Our family




"quiet" time in our room





Landon was really into the fruit, which is a little unlike him (He is a veggie and meat guy normally)




Listening to Josh (Daddy) speak about the mission and the work done in Thailand




Time to play- with dramas, silly tasks to get your mail and carpet ball






Singing





Landon defeating any who oppose him




Only Uncle Jeremiah was brave enough to attack back


Farewell Dinner- Hawaiian Lula

Dancing with Mom







Dancing with Aunt Jessica


Before we left Granddad Williams came to trade cars with us and Landon had a chance to play with him

Thailand Mission Trip 2009

Josh is leading his second mission trip to the hostel Chiangmai, Thailand.  The group is 13 including our 10 month old son.  We have people from Gainesville, which include Josh, Krystle, Landon Williams, Jessica Williams and Taylor Bainter.  Sally Sommerfelt from Tallahassee.  The rest of the group, Carter and Kaili Johnson, Coral McNabb, Mr and Mrs Marshall, and Jamiie Jo and Jeremiah Williams.We all arrived safely yesterday.  It was about 2.5 days of traveling so we were all very glad to arrive.  

We have settling in and adjusting to the time change (12-13 hours different for everyone).  This year we will be filming to make new videos to update the current supporters and hopefully gain some new supports.  The hostel is in desperate need of funds.  One of the main reasons the Mae Tange Hostel has been closed down due to lack of funds.  We will also be conducting a VBS for the children.  

Josh and Bobby are also planning for next years mission trips.  We are in pray to have 2 trips one at the end of May and one at the beginning of August, as well has leave a few team members during the two trip to teach the children English and computer skills (we already have 4 people interested in this!!).  Please be in pray with us.  If anyone is interested in joining us please let us know so we can start planning.  

We will try to update several times while in Thailand and have a recap and personal statements from all the team members once we return.

Please keep us in your prayers for our health, success and relationships for the mission trip.

Violated

Today we came home from Church to find our house was burglarized. Thankfully we weren't home and we are all safe. They used gloves so no fingerprints were found. They did find a glove in the back yard where they broke the privacy fence and we believe it belongs to them. We lost most of the items in our house worth money: electronics, jewelry, and cash. This includes money for our mission trip (~$500) and our mac computer we use for mission work. Please pray for us and the people who broke into our house.

We are very thankful to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family who came over and helped us with clean up and provided food and called and checked up on us. We love you all and feel so very blessed to know you. You have helped us deal with the upset in our lives.

Please help us with our Thailand mission fundraisers...

Thailand Ice Cream Social (GNV) - Monday, July 6th from 5pm - 9pm
Join the Thailand Mission Team at Sweet Dreams Ice Cream in the shopping plaza at the corner of SW 34th Street and University Avenue. pIck up some yummy ice cream for your tummy in the "Missions Cup" and 20% of your total will go to the Harvest Christian Church Thailand Mission Team! Make sure to bring your friends for a sweet treat, and lend the mission team your support.

Dance Fever (GNV) - Thursday, July 9th, 8:30pm - the last person stops dancing!
Christian Campus House - 16 NW 18th St / Gainesville, FL 32603-1835
Enjoy a night of dancing with the Gainesville Thailand Mission Team. Dance the night away at Campus House and you could win lots of prizes, even an iPod! We will be giving away door prizes and the Dance Champion will win a brand new iPod. For all ages!! $5 to enjoy a night of dancing, and you can help the mission team!