The Boys are Back

After Christmas Bryan and Michelle came to visit and introduce Titus to the West Coast contingent. Strenuous exercise in the park was followed by hamburgers at Dicks Drive In. Then while the ladies watched Titus, the boys had another outing at a local eatery!

Eve Walk

We've been doing Christmas Eve walks for a long time. It helps with the excitement and the preparation. This year we walked downtown and told a story or two before returning to Andy's house for the big event, opening stockings!

Happy Birthday to Barbie Roo

Even at a distance here is a birthday greeting for you Barbie Roo

Stopped by the Storm

Cessna Flight to Decatur

Decatur Barn

Dad and Greg in Santa Beards

The first winter storm of the season gounded my departure last Thursday. I flew in on Monday and was supposed to fly out Thursday night but the front of a winter storm blew through with a fury. So my two flights were grounded and I spent a lot of time on the telephone trying to reschedule for Sunday. It gave me a few more days with my parents, which is a bonus, and much better than two days stuck in O'Hare International Airport!

Sitting in the Airport

Well I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my gate to open, listening to "Ring Silver Bells" being played by a talented lady on the grand piano, and thinking fondly of yesterday at the Wargo Sunday Feast. Family makes the difference during this time of year and the Wargos know how to do family!

Family Resemblance

 Last weekend we took family photos and I must say there is a striking family resemblance. Don't you agree?

even the books in the house have a resemblance

First Snow of the Winter

Back Garden

Our Jazz in the Snow

We woke up this morning to the first snow of winter! No one predicted it but there it was, a light cover in the early morning. Barbara walked to and from the Oasis Center in her blue Wellies while I waited for a special package to be delivered...

My November Small Group

Andrew, Larry, and Samih on Debrief Day

Six students just finished their 4 week course designed for discipleship. This is the third module we have completed this year and each one has been uniquely special because the students are uniquely special. Pictured here are the two young men who were a part of my small group. I am very happy to hear of their experiences and growth. May they be blessed to pass on the blessing!

Thanksgiving Feast

Our Thanksgiving was more like the original feast of the Pilgrims. We had over 60 invited guests and many brought their own style food. We read the Thanksgiving story and read out notes of thanks which the guests placed into hats. After dinner a few from one of my guitar classes played "For the beauty of the earth" while Barb and several ladies sang. The Chaplain said it reminded him of the wedding feast in the Bible. Thank the Lord for His blessings.

November Notes

Lighting Rosiella

A Bright Day

Cotswold Alley

Alathea's Rainbow

Ring that Bell!

Where has it gone? A half term visit from the girls, then Kaleb came from Sweden for a weekend, then the Bridge School, finishing two guitar classes and starting two more, a visit to the Cotswolds, a visit to Bromley for a family Thanksgiving and then back to Luton for another Thanksgiving feast at the University. So busy that I didn't have much time for pictures, but here are a few from earlier in the month.

A Day in the Barn

Notice the tree jumper on the left

Bulus in the Clock Tower

 Our team wanted a fun day together and it was school break for Betsy's girls so we all went to a local barn that has been remodeled into a small get away place for student groups and the like. The pool was one of the main attractions, but the horses pulled their weight also.

Should I use this one?

Pool Side

Shirley and Paul

Men's Adventure

  The last Saturday of each month we have scheduled a Men's Adventure Club day. The weather was off and on but the men still seemed to have a great time. Aiman (in the middle) jumped off the branch and broke a bone in his foot so after the long hike back to the train station we went for a long visit to the hospital!

On with October

It's hard to resist blackberrys

The bushes turn first

The busy introduction weeks are over at the University and now it's on with October. Bryan has a birthday today, Barb has started a new Bible Study on Fridays, I'm teaching two guitar classes for beginners, my British drivers test comes up Oct 22 (I'm a little nervous about tests), and half term is at the end of the month (this means Betsy and the girls will come visit). I'm now thinking "what am I forgetting?" as the damp Autumn air gives you the feeling of wanting to enjoy those few remaining sunny afternoons.

New Term at the Tree House

Guitar Students

The Chaplain's space at the University of Bedfordshire is called the Tree House, a place where students can hang out in a welcoming environment and make friends.  Our first welcoming social was packed with over 20 students from Bangladesh, a dozen or so from Vietnam and many Chinese and Indian students also.  We offer all sorts of activities at the Tree House such as game nights, education about our faith, outings, and this term I am going to offer guitar lessons for beginners. There are many students interested and I have my lesson plans completed, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Looks to be an exciting year!

Labor Day

Baby Betsy

Thirty one years ago today Barbara was in another kind of labor and we were pleasantly surprised to find that we had a baby girl! This was after the ultrasound pictures seemed to indicate a boy. (They were not very clear back then) At any rate Betsy has been one of the best surprises we've had, and she continues to put a smile on our faces. Happy Birthday!

Back to Buzzard

Boats passing the Lock

The Globe Inn

A very pleasant way to get away on a sunny day is to go to Leighton Buzzard and take a hike along the Grand Union Canal up to the Old Globe Inn for a bite on the terrace. Today, the last day in August, we brought the boys.

Typical Canal Boat

Six boys on a Lock Lever

Barbara and Jackie

Ayman and Ashraf

Jolly Holiday

Sophia on Woody

 One week on the beach in Devon and we are spoiled. The weather cooperated and we spent time in the heated pool, building castles and a BBQ on the beach, playing in the parks, and when it rained the last day we went to the Library and watched Chuggington Videos. One highlight was our steam train ride to Dartmouth where the Mayflower set sail in 1620. For a little port it has quite the history. One night Barb and I had a seafood evening overlooking the harbor which reinvigorated my love for the sea. The only drawback was the Medieval couch we used as a bed. :-)

Harbor View

Yea for heated pools!

Low Tide

Beach Beauty

Dartmouth History

Scenic Walk

All Aboard!

Engineer

Park on the Sea

Steam Engine