Thursday, November 30, 2006

Goodbye to the '73 Eagle?

Since we are now settled into our 1993 Eagle, we are attempting to sell the "old" bus. It'll be sad to see our home-away-from-home drive away in someone else's care, but we're also looking for it to be a blessing for someone else for many more years. We have many memories in that bus!
P.S. If anyone is interested in purchasing the bus, you can call Dad at (402)432-3812 or look at it on ebay by going to www.ebay.com and searching for "1973 Silver Eagle." The auction ends on December 6th so we hope to have it sold then. We appreciate your prayers in this matter!

Monday, November 27, 2006

Thanksgiving Review

With the Thanksgiving holiday over, we thought we'd post a few pictures to give you an idea of the way we celebrate Thanksgiving...with lots family (and a little food!). We are so thankful for a close extended family!

Just a few of the treats that showed up at Grandpa and Grandma's house on Thursday

Grandpa, cousin Hope and Havilah discussing horses

Baby Tobey Roberts is the youngest member of the Vagts family (Mom's side)
Some of the older girl cousins. L-R: Sonya, Lacey, Stephanie, Megan and Avery

Grandma LaVina
Grandpa and Sterling
6-year-old cousin Madison Mae
We took a long walk (just over the next hill, right Mom?!?) after the big dinner, and Grandpa followed in his truckster to help the little ones home. The little girls ended up walking and the truckster was full of boys and the puppy, Kenna!

The group who went to the lake. L-R (are you ready for this?): Back: Cousin Stephanie, Uncle Darryl, Grandpa, Aunt Sue, Uncle Dale, Aunt Cindi, Nick, Lucas, Jamie, Cousin Sarah, Sterling & Blake. Middle: Cousin Ashton, Kathy (Mom), Cousin Matthew, Avery, Havilah & Lacey. Front: Cousin Paul, Bristol, Cousin Nathaniel, Cousin Hope, Cousin Madison and Cousin Sonya. Phew!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Thanksgiving

Lord,
I'm thankful for YOU! For how You keep me growing, through Your word, your still soft voice, your servants and leaders, through teachers and brothers and sisters in Your family, through my family and life's experiences.
I'm thankful for the incredible family You have given to me. There is no possible way I can express my pleasure in each child You created and gave me the privilege to enjoy. The miracle of life, and all its inexpressible depth of interaction and emotion and bonding is a mystery and amazement to me. Somehow Your love trancends the love I feel for my family, and I can scarcely imagine the magnitude of Your love for me! You have illustrated Your eternal love through the wonderful husband you gave me, who loves me dearly and gives his life to care for me and shares my life so intimately. I am profoundly grateful for Jim, Lord.
I am thankful that each child calls you "Lord," and has come to know You personally.
I am thankful for Simple Grace Ministries, Lord. I am glad for the privilege of sharing You through the music You give to us. I am thankful to serve Your family in whatever ways You ordain. I am thankful for TRUTH to share. I am thankful for Your power that changes and heals hearts even through broken vessels. Thank You for honoring our family by sending us. We are truly thrilled to go in Your lofty name.
Thank You for growth and change and challenges enough to keep us at Your feet. Thank You for life's basics of food and home and health and love and friends. Thank You for peace in our land and godly leadership. Thank You for freedom to worship and educate our children according to Your principles. Thank You for still giving miracles, and giving us faith to believe in them. Thank You for being Father and Saviour and Spirit eternally, Lord of life abundantly, my Ancient of all my days! I love You with all my heart.
~Kathy

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Florida

To the southerners in Alabama and Florida, November is a time to stay off of the "cold" beach and start hitting the tanning salons. However, to us northerners, November down south is an opportunity to...

...play in the "warm" water...


...watch the sun rise...

...and set...
...and turn white skin red!!!

We also got to sing for many Florida and Alabama congregations...

...And Kenna got in a little sleepy time in Avery's bunk.

Mom's sister Cindi traveled with us on the southern tour! Aunt Cindi stayed surprisingly cheerful for being stuck on a bus with nine other people and a dog, and we came home with a few inside jokes and a whole load of memories. Thanks for sticking it out with us, Aunt Cindi!

Blue Angels

We have been traveling in Florida this November and while we were down there, we had the awesome opportunity to sail in Pensacola Bay with a friend, Jim Britnell. He took us out in his sail boat one afternoon and we watched the US Navy Blue Angels perform their air show!

The Blue Angels show was performed right above us

Avery relaxing on the boat

The boys learned a thing or two as they helped Jim put the sails up and down

Thank you, Jim, for taking time out with us!

Introducing Kenna

As if nine people weren't enough in a little farmhouse and on a 45-foot bus, we have recently added a new member...a puppy! Avery was very excited to get an eight-week old puppy at the beginning of November and Kenna has been traveling with us for almost two weeks now. She adds a lot of life to the bus!

Kenna is a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix

She is very patient...even when taking a bath!

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Hello Again

We have lately disappeared from the blogging world because our Internet service on the road has been too weak to post pictures! So, here we are again...we hope to post more pictures and updates very soon.