Going Up!

The building is going up, up, up. They are starting to put some of the side supports up now. It seems like it took forever for the ground work to be done. But once the concrete was in place, it's growing by leaps and bounds.

You can see more pictures here.

Odds and Ends

This morning I had to take a walk across the compound to set out some things. Along the way, I passed under at least 6 pecan trees. I stopped and picked up a handful under the first tree. They were long and narrow and had thin shells.

When I stopped under the last tree and looked down, I was surprised to see how different the pecans under my feet were from the ones in my hand. I picked up a few of the tiny pecans (which I haven't been able to crack yet--I need tools!)


On my way back, I looked closely at the other pecans I passed. One tree produced fat, round pecans and another tree made something smaller.

I don't think I ever realized that there were so many different kinds of pecans. The trees themselves look very similar, yet the fruit is so different. But even in their differences they are all still pecans. We, as Christians, are called by the same name, but our fruit is all different. And if we bear no fruit, should we even be called Christians?

While I was out, I also took more building pictures. In the first one below, the white crane is lifting a steel beam. The last one gives us an idea of the shape of things.

What's Happening!

Building is happening.

Things are beginning to get vertical!!

Christmas preparation is happening!

This is our Angel Tree with kids from our community.
I'm passing out Christmas books at choir practice tonight. And we are working on stuff for our new Worship leader's appearance on Sunday. You can read about him here. Things are definitely happening here at ABC.

Camo Sunday

This past Sunday was Camo Sunday at ABC. Most of the congregation was wearing camouflage of some sort. Even the audio/visual booth resembled a duck blind. It had camo fabric draped over it. Mark took pictures all over the church that morning.

The day began with a breakfast for hunters in the fellowship hall. I am not a hunter, so I didn't go, but the decorations were still up Monday when I came in to work.

I found out that Trey Collins of The Nature Preserve Wildlife Studio (here in Agricola) had provided several pieces. These are so beautiful.

I love this pair in flight.

At first I didn't notice the female inside the box on this one.
Here's a close-up of Mr. Wood Duck...
And the Mrs....
Now, for those of you familiar with our fellowship hall: If you were wondering where all the usual equipment that inhabits the room had gone, can you find the library in this picture?

All Hallow's Eve

The girls wanted to carve pumpkins for the Fall festival tonight (praying the rain stops by then). Here are their results.

El wanted hers to have the stem as a nose since it was a great stem. I'd never done one that way. Looks pretty cool.

Em saw pictures that left some of the meat of the pumpkin after taking the skin off. That produces different lighting effects. Hers has pupils in its eyes and teeth in its mouth. (She wouldn't let me touch it because she knows I would take over.)

What's Been Happening

It's been a busy month here. I've been wondering where all my time went:


Several band competitions: These 2 pictures are from the one at Perk.


The following 3 pictures are from the competition at Theodore High. (That's Em in the black leather jacket and yellow bow!_




This is Em and her buddy getting ready for the Costume party at the band hall.

While Em was at the party, El was across campus at their last middle school game. She's playing the clarinet. Our middle school band went to every game: home and away. Way to GO (literally)
In case you were wondering how Keldon is doing, you have to look quickly to see him. He's the mascot for the Middle school, running up and down the track dressed up like a Seminole.
And, they are pouring concrete for our new building's foundation at ABC. (alas, it was being watched the whole time, so no opportunity to make handprints or scratch the date.)

It will take a few days to get the whole thing poured. It's Huge!!

Ozarks Trip 2

Yes, I know.

It's been a week and still no follow up on our trip.

Not to worry. Here it is.

On our way up to Harrison, we stopped off in Hot Springs (the childhood home of Bill Clinton)

The springs really are hot coming out of the ground. Mr. H read an exhibit that explained that the source of heat isn't volcanic but natural radiation. You can see the steam coming off the water in the picture above.

I have no idea why this giant grenade is outside the Ozark Bath House. But it's ... interesting.

There is a whole row of old bath houses along one street in Hot Springs. The Fordyce House is open for tours.
This looks more like a torture chamber than a place for a relaxing experience.

These are the controls for the above shower enclosure. Frightening!