Winter Furlough -- Oregon or Bust!

We made it to Oregon with no incident. I like trips like that!

We lived in the Roseburg area for almost 10 years, so you can imagine that we have quite a few friends and family members that we needed to spend time with. Our home church threw a big "Mexican Potluck" the Sunday that we were there. What a blast...and yummy! We hadn't had enchiladas in ages! (Enchiladas are not part of the regular menu in this part of Mexico!)

This is Christian, the sound tech, at New Hope. He and I fought with Powerpoint for the better part of an hour Sunday morning, but we won!!!

It was great to be worshipping with our old friends...and some new ones, too. I do miss the old piano, though. Keyboards are nice, but there's just a special "feeling" to good old piano keys. I think that it is especially true when it's a piano you've played a lot. Every keyboard feels different and playing one you're accustomed to is like "coming home". Sentimental fool, I know.
Here's Andrew roasting hotdogs in the fireplace at Pastor Dave and Julia's house.

Doug and our friend John talking about who-knows-what while the kids and Jennifer, his wife, were down at the stable riding. Doug and I were totally wiped out at this point in our trip, so we kicked it at the house while the kids rode.
When you're gone for a while, you miss some things! This little one is the new daughter of one of the young ladies who used to be in our youth group...way back when. Sigh. I feel kind of like a grandma! Kind of. Sort of. Maybe not. Anyway, we got to see several of our youth group kids and meet their children. Another sigh. There were some we didn't get to see and that made us sad, but I hope they know they are in our prayers!

We had a chance to get together with our friends who came down here in December. That was really cool. Here we are praying together before everyone headed home.

We just had a wonderful, although too short, time in Winston. We saw a ton of people, ate way too much -- including some yummy homemade ice cream at Shari's house -- and basically enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

The high point for the kids during our time in the Roseburg area? You'll have to wait for the next episode for the answer to that question! Hint: It made being cold worth it.