CDC and Other Stuff

Isaiah's First Fish....We tried to "release" him but it took too long....poor guy...

An "Amazing Race Challenge" with the Youth Group....Ike is a Chubby Bunny, Helen from Russia is the "stuffer" and Gary is the judge...

On the Pond with Dad.....Josiah and Gary

More Fun at Home School Youth Group.....THE MINE FIELD!!! Watch were you step Josiah....those are HOMINY MINES...

Hello Again,
Just a short update to share some happenings here....

We went to the CDC, Center for Disease Control, on a field trip. It was quite interesting. There are many jobs there that do not require a medical background. We watched several video presentations and then walked through the displays. It was interesting to see the math, science, social sciences all working together to help people become healthier. Not only do they discover and find cures for diseases but they try and help people fight obesity, cigarettes, and other social problems. But again I forgot my camera.....Sorry.

Gary has joined an ALTA Tennis League. He practices on week nights when he is home and some Saturdays. They had their first tourney this past week and it was not too pretty. He and his partner lost 6-2, 6-3. They will do better next time.

Joel, Ike, and Siah enjoyed a weekend retreat at church with Discipleship Now. They enjoyed a concert, lots of junk food, Bible studies, bounce activities, and ministry. They helped clean up a house that got flooded. Gary, Isaiah and I had a quiet weekend eating out and going to the movies.

Lacrosse practice continues but we have yet to have a game. The flooding has effected many of the fields here and we are hoping to dry out soon.

The Great Georgia Floods of 2009 did have a huge impact on our area but we were blessed to be in a high and dry area. Even with the pond behind our house we were still safe. It is hard to see the devastation around the area but it is neat to see people step out and help their friends and neighbors.

Keep your eyes on Christ...He will take you awesome places....

Joy in this Journey!
Close Family

September Fun

Gary, Josiah, and Joel on Lake Lanier on a Seado.....vroom vroom

Watching and Learning.....Ike #74....Joel # 60

Anacalala Falls after 600+ steps....Beautiful and HOT!

THE Appalachian Trail....or a few feet of it at least...

Stone Mountain masterpiece

Hello Again,

Well we have been staying busy here in Georgia. It sure makes time fly when you are having FUN....Sports are underway and so is school.

We toured the house where Theodore Roosevelt's mother was born, Bulloch Hall. It was a great tour with lots of history and amazing architecture. Unfortunately there are not many old homes that survived the Civil War because General Sherman pretty much destroyed the South on his conquest. So this home is a treasure. I forgot my camera, sorry.

We toured Stone Mountain. It is an amusement park/national monument type place. It has the Confederate Leaders engraved in the huge granite rock. Like Mt Rushmore it is an amazing art piece. It puts us in awe to know they did this huge project with less technology then we have now. Amazing.

We drove up to North Georgia and saw the Amicalala Falls. We hiked up over 600 steps to the top of the falls. The only thing that made it harder than Half Dome was the humidity. The Blue Ridge Mountains are gorgeous and we realized that they are "Blue" because of the haze of looking at them through the humidity. From the falls we drove to the Appalachian Trail. Gary wanted to see the trail so we drove on a very curvy road for too long. Josiah and Isaiah both left a "barf deposit" along the road side after getting car sick. It was not pretty. But Gary got to see the Trail...

Football is in full swing. Joel, #60, and Ike, #74, are learning the plays and getting in each game. Gary and I are the Halftime Hydration team. It is a neat job. We get to hear the coaches and kids give their pep talks to one another. Being in a Christian league is a new experience for us as well as the boys. The coaches and boys are so God-fearing. At the last game they were losing and one young boy was encouraging his team mates by reminding them how Christ endured the cross and fought hard for them. He pointed out that football is just a game but that they could fight to win this small victory. Then another boy humbly apologized for his bad behavior and asked for forgiveness. Then the coach reminded the boys that being humble and learning life lessons is more important than any score. It was awesome.

Lacrosse practices started and games start this weekend. Josiah and Isaiah seem to understand and enjoy the game. They look like little droids out there. I will take photos at the game this weekend.

We went to Lake Lanier for Labor Day with 3 families from our Sunday School. It was fun. We road a Seado, a pontoon boat, and jumped off the two story dock. It was a nice day making new friends.

Last weekend we went to a Youth Group gathering. We played "Amazing Race". The kids were teamed up in groups of 2. Each team had to do various challenges; eat a plate of veggies, name all the Presidents from 1960-2009, walk blind folded threw a "mind field", find a buried fork with red tines. It was a creative and fun night. They made some good friends and we hope to get together again for more adventures.

Enjoy the photos.

Love from Gary, Sammie, Joel, Isaac, Josiah and Isaiah