We released the Dad’s and Mom’s Corners Tuesday late morning. It is a joy to share with our readers each month! For those of you who may be new to the blog, you may visit our Corners page to read many past Corners, as well as sign up for the monthly e-mail.

November Corners

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people” ( 1 Chronicles 16:8).

This week has been full with being back to normal life again, with a few “un” normal things thrown in as well. Melanie is trying to stay down (bed rest), so we girls and Mom went over Friday morning and did a cleaning blitz of Nathan and Melanie’s house. During that hour, each of us had a turn to play with Abby.

Abby loves her grandma.

Monday was a gorgeous day, and Jesse washed the bus.

John spent some time this week trying to get the tag steering working on the bus. I don't know much about it, but that it would make the bus much easier to steer!

I'll let you guess on this one.

Joseph working on the back stairs. We will do a blog post on it when this project is finished.

Jesse and Joseph blessed us by stacking lots of wood to keep our basement warm this winter.

John and Christopher worked on a drainage project at Christopher's house today. It was a long, hard day, but they just finished the project!

Christopher

Nathan took Abby on a tractor ride. She loves tractors and lawnmowers ...

May you have a blessed Sunday and beginning of your week.

Until the next blog post!

Sarah for the family

“Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust…” (Psalms 40:4).

Every month, Dad and Mom write articles for parents, specific to whatever the Lord has laid on their hearts that month. The addresses on the list are kept completely private. If you’d like to sign up, please visit this page.

Dad's and Mom's Corners

BTW - watch for a blog post soon on the annual Maxwell Family Photo session (scheduled for tonight, with a bit of wind, so lots of hairspray is in order) … I’ll do my best to capture some “behind the scenes” photos!

Sarah for the rest

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24).

I was entering in MOTH (Managers of Their Homes) registrations, and the first testimony below caught my attention. My parents had not a clue how the Lord would use this book in the lives of so many families; they were simply obedient when the Lord said to write!

It’s a sunny, gorgeous autumn Monday here in Kansas.

Sarah

What a blessing the MOTH program has been to our family already, after only 1 week! We are, of course, still refining the schedule to better meet the needs of our family at this season of life, but what a difference already. Our 6 children are ages 9 ½ to 14 months, and we are expecting #7 in early March. Trying to homeschool the older ones while keeping order (let alone fun!) with the younger ones was just not happening, and I ended up most days very discouraged. My meek & quiet spirit had usually bitten the dust soon after breakfast, and my husband and I knew we needed to do something to bring peace, joy, and order to our home—especially with a new little blessing on the way. I’ve tried so many times to develop a schedule for our family, but this is the first time ever that is has really worked. We have been accomplishing so much: Bible study, school work, house work (ChorePacks are next on my list!), fun projects, reading stories, character training, and just enjoying one another. Many behavior problems are rapidly improving especially with the little ones, who weren’t getting enough attention or supervision before. This is truly an answer to prayer. We are praying for you ministry! Michelle

Oh, and here’s one more:

I’m thankful to have such a robust resource in my hands! Thanks for sharing your years of experience. I know God will bless our family through the MOTH book and Redeeming the Time book (my husband is REALLY enjoying that!). Continued blessings on your ministry. Heidi

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

Here they are! Thank you to all my brothers and sisters who made this possible. We hope you enjoy a little sampling of the music. We had Anna’s video camera in the balcony picking up ambient sound and so it isn’t high quality audio, but you will get the idea.

Maxwell Family Music Clips

(You’ll need to click the above link, and the sample is an MP3.)

Speaking of music, today I updated our speaking schedule to show a map of our next trip. We have quite a few evenings available, plus days available for concerts. Please contact us if you’re interested in coordinating something.

Thank you for your prayers and rejoicing with us over Baby Max.

Sarah for all the Maxwells

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psalms 28:7).

Someone asked in a comment who played what instrument and who sang:

Dad — Sings lead, also plays bass guitar
Mom — Guitar
Christopher — Sings bass sometimes, plays harmonica, mandolin, and occasionally bass guitar
Sarah — Plays backup banjo (and takes pictures )
Joseph — Sings lead in several songs and harmony, plays mandolin and guitar
John — Banjo, sings bass in a song or two
Anna — Sings lead and harmony, plays fiddle
Jesse — Sings in a few songs, plays dobro, guitar, and hammer dulcimer
Mary — Sings harmony in a few songs, plays guitar, bass guitar, and mountain dulcimer

As you can see on the overlap of instruments, they’re traded around for different songs!

Abby

The purpose of this post is to ask for prayer. Many of you graciously inquire as to how we are doing and what we are up to. Let’s jump right in …  A number of weeks ago we learned Melanie was pregnant!! We were both very excited. She quickly started weekly lab draws to monitor hormone levels. A few weeks passed and then some warning signs. On Monday we received word regarding the last lab draw - a key indicator of the pregnancy’s viability indicated very bad news. Based on these, Melanie’s doctor asked that she have an ultra-sound, to “check viability.”  That happened yesterday. We were fully prepared for the confirmation that indeed this pregnancy wasn’t going forward. Instead, we saw a tiny baby with a beating heart! What a shock! To go from a mind-set of a pending, unavoidable miscarriage to seeing a beating heart and little baby - wow!! Thank You Lord!! It was like a miracle, being given our child back!

The technician started the ultra-sound and said, “Here’s your baby.” Both Melanie and I looked intently as we knew that would be our only chance to see him/her. Next she said, “Let’s see what that heart-rate is … 150 bpm — that’s perfect.” It got quiet for a moment, and then Melanie almost sat up and said, “Excuse me, did you say heart-beat?” The tech repeated everything, working to convince us that things looked good! Both of our eyes quickly filled with tears as the reality of what she was saying sank in.

Yes, there are still many questions. But, for today, our baby is alive, and we hope well. However, we are once again in a pregnancy with a lot of unknowns and uncertainty - yet our God is fully in control. We’ve sure been here before.

We are excited and thrilled that Melanie is still pregnant. We are asking God to sustain this little life. Should He bring us to your mind, we would be grateful if you would remember us in prayer as well.

Last night, as is customary for us, we closed our family Bible time with a hymn. We have been singing through our hymn books (yes, we skip the ones we don’t know…) and last night’s song was “Take time to be Holy.” I’ll close this post with the fourth verse:

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Words: Will–iam D. Long–staff, 1882. Music: Ho–li–ness, George C. Stebbins

Nathan

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalms 139:13).

We were close to being able to put the post up with the music clips, but we would have to use an outside website to put the video clips on, and all the options weren’t good options. It would have had a clickable link to their site and we couldn’t in good conscience allow it. One was even a “Christian” video site, and it was filled with sensuality and worldliness. It was obvious we made a bad decision to offer a video.

If we were to post the video without an outside host website, it would be extremely expensive because of the amount of data it would download for each view, so that’s not an option either . We’re extremely sorry for the disappointment. We would have enjoyed posting it, but it just isn’t an option. We will have to start over and do audio only and that will take a bit more time. Thank you for understanding!

Enjoying home life again…

Sarah for the rest

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:24).

Yesterday was a quiet drive, although traffic wasn’t so quiet! We noticed fall foliage in many of the maple trees–which was a bit surprising since fall isn’t usually in full swing until the end of this month. Finally, we entered “home” territory! As we were within a few hours of home, it tickled me to see people wearing heavy coats and stocking caps–we went from 90 degrees in Columbus Friday, to winter weather! After having been in areas with warmer weather, it seems strange to see people all decked out for winter.

Fall is definitely here! We're already discussing locations for our family picture soon.

Since Abby hadn’t seen us for several weeks, we wondered how she would do–she sweetly gave hugs, and we were surprised to see her walking with such ease! She warmed up to us quickly, and it was obvious she was enjoying the attention of so many relatives again.

Hugs...

Mary

She looks tickled ...

Reading with Uncle Jesse.

Grandma and Abby

Abby and I

Nathan had picked up dinner (pizza to bake) the night before, and also brought Rice Krispy treats for dessert (one particular member of the family’s favorite). It was a sweet reunion! Then, we all gathered in the living room to read God’s Word together.

After everyone left at 8:30, we went out to unload the bus. With so many of us, we found it easier to unload from the back to the front, otherwise people were almost getting tripped over as they moved to the front! It took us less than an hour to get most of our main living items out of the bus. Some things will stay for our next trip (early January).

Mary

Carrying things in...

John

We have so many memories from the trip–and from the e-mails we’re receiving, testimonies from those who have been to a conference and their family will never be the same again, it makes our hearts overflow for what the Lord Jesus did.

Thank you for standing behind us in prayer. Truly, we felt them, we have heard of the fruit, and we are eternally grateful.

With love from the whole family,

Sarah

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zeph. 3:17).

Yes, it’s a joy to be home.

We arrived safely home to a happy Nathan, Melanie, and Abby … with Grandad and Grandma joining us shortly thereafter. More pictures from tonight will be posted tomorrow.

Good night!

Sarah for the rest

It can be a little tight, we found, to unpack with so many of us! We had to bring our bedding in, since most of used our things from home, and we all opted to sleep inside tonight!

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? . . .” (Romans 10:15)

Monday afternoon update We’ll be posting a video soon, hopefully late tonight or tomorrow. Anna did an incredible job putting it together! Sarah

We’re wondering if you would like to see us post a video
with clips from our music Friday evening?

Sarah for everyone

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation”
(Psalms 95:1).

We arrived in Columbus, Georgia early Friday afternoon. Our last set up went great, and there was time for music practice. One unusual aspect about our concert was quite a few elderly people showed up, along with the homeschool families. The elderly had heard about the music, and they wanted to come.

John, our all-around-good-natured banjo player, practicing up!

Mary, chatting with a lady before the music.

Christopher took this picture from the balcony during a song.

John and Anna talking with fellow Kansans.

Sarah and Anna chatting with a mom and her daughters.

More talking...

We love talking to those who come to each conference; this one was no exception. Although this weekend was a smaller group, it was clear the Lord was working in lives. We are grateful for each family who took the time to come, and we know several families drove a distance for it (including a family from near Orlando!). Out of the families who were there, one had hosted a conference in Savannah, Georgia, earlier this year. Another family had been to a conference five years ago, and they’ve been following our family via the blog.

I grabbed this picture Saturday morning before the conference started.

Dad, sharing with the dads and sons in the last session of the day, Preparing Sons.

Packing up Mom's computer.

Joseph is another wonderful helper.

Christopher is not in many of the conference photos, because he's often the one taking them. He has an incredible eye for a good picture, and we're grateful for his photography.

The Pack up Team: Anna and Mary had many helpers with packing up the book tables yesterday afternoon! :-)

Sarah for the family

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).

After a wonderful conference, we’re driving several hours to Chattanooga (or further!) to spend the night. Our hearts are full of what the Lord continues to do!

More later!

Sarah

We ordered pizza for dinner, our first time on this trip! :-)

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”
(1 Corinthians 1:9).

In a way, it’s hard to believe this road trip is almost over. But, it is, and I have another conference to report on.

It was shared earlier this week in a post how each person has their own job and fulfills it—we love working as a team. Our conference in Carrollton was another blessing! The church and homeschool group provided dinner for us beforehand last night. Nothing out-of-the-ordinary happened during the evening, and hearts were again receptive. Several families stayed around and talked, and truly, every city we go to, we see a distinct purpose for being there—even if it’s just one family out of the group who is in desperate need of what is shared.

Dad and Mom

Anna talking with some girls.

Our last music concert for this trip tonight was a blessing, but I won’t give you a full report until later …

Sarah

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness” (Psalms 48:1).

Here is my view Wednesday and Thursday mornings for my morning personal Bible time, as I sat on one of the multiple decks of the house where we were staying.

My view from the top deck.

In the midst of our busy travel and conference trips, the Lord often gives us an oasis providing rest for our bodies and refreshment for our hearts. That is what this house has been for an evening, two days, and a morning.

Joseph, practicing his mandolin.

While we have been in Carrollton, Ga, we have been blessed to be given a beautiful home, in which to stay, situated far into the woods between two creeks. We have eaten together around a table with just our family in a home for the first time in a month. We have slept in real beds. We have showered and washed dishes without being concerned about running out of water.  We have enjoyed the beauty of God’s magnificent creation.

Christopher, working on his computer

Anna doing school.

Bible time

What an appropriate verse I read yesterday morning: “Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together” (Psalms 98:8).

Tonight and tomorrow, we’re doing a final conference on this trip in Columbus, Georgia. (more…)

We enjoyed our first Wednesday evening concert last night! We give Friday evening concerts, but this was our first mid-week concert for a church, and we’ve been hoping to fill in our trips with the Wednesday night concerts.

We love playing music together!

In fact, we’re working on our trip for January/February, and if we’re going to be near your area, please contact us if your church is interested in a concert for Sunday or Wednesday evenings. We also would like to fill in our open weekdays with evening conferences.

John, packing up

Mom and baby

Okay, back to the subject at hand. The reception was wonderful for the concert. It was such a blessing, and our hearts are again filled with the goodness of the Lord. We enjoyed a quiet day at the house we’ve been staying at; we’re ready for tonight’s conference!

Blessings,
Sarah

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands” (Psalms 66:1).

It’s a quiet day, and the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. I can hear the rushing of a nearby creek, and the family is scattered around the house and surrounding areas. A house? Yes, a family graciously loaned us the use of their house for three nights here in Georgia. It was wonderful to sit around a table together last night and spread out in the living room for family Bible time.

We’ve had quite a few rainy days over the last week. Monday was no exception, with rain lightly falling throughout much of the day. A large crowd showed up for that night’s conference, and we’re grateful to Holly for all the work she did in publicity.

The coordinator provided a dinner of eastern North Carolina BBQ for us, and we enjoyed the different style of BBQ from the Kansas City style. Eastern BBQ has a slight vinegar taste, and Kansas City BBQ is sweet n’ tangy.

Hearts again seemed open to the message that was shared, and we pray the Lord Jesus will bring lasting fruit in the generations to come.

Dad and Mom sharing during the Hearts session.

We'll often do a few songs after the last session, and here are the five youngest waiting to go up front.

Listening to the music... (the children and young people come in to the back of the session from the Evangelism session for the music)

Two young ladies who enjoy the Moody books, and their mom is also a blog reader!

Maxwell Girls with our Conference Coordinator

We’re now in an unofficial countdown until we start the journey home. Tonight, we’ll be doing a gospel bluegrass concert here in Carrollton, Georgia, and tomorrow night, we’ll be doing our normal, evening homeschool conference at the same church. Then, our last weekend conference will be in Columbus, Georgia. We plan to drive several hours Saturday night to get a head-start on Sunday’s long drive home.

Thank you for all your prayers! —- Sarah

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Each day on the road involves a lot of team work! Below you will find a glimpse into the jobs that each person has as we set up/arrive at the conference. There are also many things that also go unmentioned, like the countless things that Mom does to keep the bus tidy!

Joseph packing up!

Joseph’s job is to set up the audio! He works through each room (during the first time block there is four sessions going on at once) and figures out if they need speakers, how to hook into the church’s sound system. He then sets up the needed equipment and makes sure that they are working okay.

Christopher taking one of the half "bus" photos

Christopher is kind of the all-around-guy! He helps make sure all the rooms are set up with the proper amount of chairs in them and that they are facing the correct direction.

Mom packing up her notes after the session!

Mom is very sweet to help with the pack up of her things! Her back bothers her a lot, and so it makes it difficult for her to help us, because she saves her back energy for the sessions that she gives most evenings! After the sessions, she talks with different ladies who have counseling questions.

Mary setting up the book tables.

Mary helps with the “top” table setup. She always works very hard to get the books in their proper order and right sequence. She also is available to people if they have question regarding different products at the book tables!

Jesse packing up the PowerPoint.

Jesse is head of “trucking” - as in the hand truck! He brings all of the books in and then back out. He sets up the visual part of the evening, and that involves setting up the power point, figuring out what to project on, and then tearing it down again. Jesse is also cash register “certified”!

Here Jesse is unloading!

Anna helping during setup.

Anna is “head” of the book tables. She was given that job so that Sarah would be able to focus on other things and not have to worry about the book tables on top of it. Her “job” involves helping with the set up, tear down, making decisions as to where they are placed, and making sure everything is set up and running properly. She also is lead cashier.

Dad helping with unloading!

Dad is our main bus driver!! He does a great job at getting into parking lots and places that were really not meant for the bus. He, of course, is the main “person” making decisions during the setup. He is always busy with his many responsibilities as he gets ready for his sessions.

Sarah with the cash register.

Sarah is the backbone for a lot of the conferences! She works hard to help the coordinators with their publicity and then all of the correspondence that is involved with the ministry. She applies for sales tax licenses and files the forms after a conference. She works hard also to keep the blog updated!! She also helps with the set up and tear down - not to mention she runs the cash register when needed.

John unloading.

John is our crew-chief! He helps with parking the bus, keeping it running, and all of the other issues that go on with those kind of logistics. He also unloads and then carefully repacks the bus each conference, which is a big job getting it all to fit in and not be damaged while we drive. John usually has some little helpers from families that attend the conference that chatter as they put things where he tells them.

John - our crew chief!!

The boys are quick to jump out of the bus and make sure that there are no branches in the way or for example here Joseph is watching to make sure the bus does not high center on the railroad tracks!

“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl 4:1)

Come on in — be a little careful, though, on the steps, because it is a tall step up. First, you see Dad’s driver’s seat right in front of you, where he spends many hours each trip (for this 7,000+ mile trip it means 115+ hours). Often, someone will sit in the jump seat right above the stairs to keep him company.

Dad's spot

This is where we spend most of our time. The recliner chair on the left (with the pillow) is Mom’s spot. Right behind her, Mary sits on the love-seat, and sometimes John will sit there too. Christopher’s area is the recliner right behind them. Parallel to Mom, I sit in a side-ways facing small chair, that was given to us when we purchased the bus. Anna sits to my right, on the couch, with Jesse, sitting in the middle, and Joseph on his right.

Here’s Mom’s kitchen, which she carefully designed, and Joseph built! The storage space in the cabinets has been wonderful. To the left of the sink, the tall cabinet houses the pantry.

As you pass the kitchen, you are entering the bunk area. The first set of bunks is the girls’. The next set is the boys’, with one more boy on the right, underneath the clothes area.

Oh wait, before you go further, don’t forget to check in this room, directly to your right. It’s the shower room, and it also doubles as a changing room. We also have a small, toilet room on board.

We’re glad to have the bus functional, even though it’s just roughed in.

As you continue down the small hall (watch for anyone wanting to pass, you’ll probably need to step aside to allow the person to squeeze through), you’ll see our clothes storage right above the bunk on the right. You might want to watch for someone de-bunking from the top bunk (thankfully, there’s normally a warning before they come down).

You’ve come to the end of the bus. This back room, Dad and Mom’s room, is a cozy little room, just big enough for their bed. Joseph built the cabinets under their bed, and it makes great storage.

Thanks for stopping by our “home away from home.”

Sarah for the rest

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? . . .” (Romans 10:1)

Gadsden was a small, cute town, nestled among the hills of Alabama. We had a scenic (and twisty!) drive from the Huntsville area to Gadsden Thursday afternoon. I didn’t realize Alabama could be so pretty!

The coordinator and several other ladies made dinner for us before the conference. One of the ladies’ father made quite a few pies for dessert; he owns a bakery. It was a delicious taste of hometown Alabama!

The Lord brought a nice-sized group of people to the conference. My group of girls was on the younger side, but the Lord always gives ways to tailor each’s night talk to that specific group. Christopher also had a younger group.

We also met a family who plays gospel bluegrass, and several family members enjoyed chatting with them.

Sarah

Several of the ladies, with a daughter, who made dinner (and thanks to the others who helped).

Dad and Mom

Daddy and another dad talking.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psalms 28:7).

at “Home Sweet Wal-Mart” in the foothills of Asheville, North Carolina. We stopped an hour and a half ago in a small town in Tennessee for the night, but we observed quite a bit of activity in the parking lot, and it was obvious it was quite the hangout for teenagers. So, after Bible time, we opted to move on. We would all sleep better without lots of outside noise.

Dad did great driving through the curvy, smoky mountains, and the moon stood out brightly in the dark sky. We enjoyed a night view of the thickly wooded mountains. It’s a crisp, autumn evening, and some are heading for bed, several are in shopping, and I can hear John out chatting with a “neighbor.” This Wal-Mart has quite a few RVs parked for the night.

John talking

I know we’re overdue on some blogging, but in the next day or two, we’ll be posting conferences reports for Alabama and Tennessee, plus a long-awaited bus tour . We are SO very grateful for all your prayers. We’re on the homeward stretch–one week to go until we’re Kansas-bound.

Sarah for the rest

Uriah

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler” (Psalms 91:3-4).

The weather has cooled off, and we’re enjoying a beautiful, sunny day, with the wind whistling through several open windows.

We finished the Tampa area conference last night, and we began our drive to Alabama this morning, after a good night’s rest. We are currently driving just past Atlanta. Our conference coordinator and her friend provided dinner beforehand last night. The Lord’s blessing was again evident throughout the evening!

The little girl is looking at the tracts Christopher gave out.

Anna helping at the book tables

Talking...

Two children who enjoy the Moody books. The little girl purchased the newest Moody book with her birthday money.

Watch for another post or two soon!

Blessings,
Sarah for the rest

“The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined” (Psalms 50:1-2).

Anna sharing her testimony

The conference was held at a beautiful, old church.

Another weekend conference is completed, and our hearts are again full of what the Lord Jesus has done. Remember how I said in a recent blog post about sometimes seeing families we haven’t seen for awhile suddenly appear at a conference? Well, Friday, before the conference, Dad was walking down the hallway and a dear family we had met in North Carolina was just stepping out of the fellowship hall! Dad was very surprised and delighted!

We are grateful to the Burke County Homeschool Care Group and Hebron Baptist church for hosting the conference and all they did for it. They provided a meal before the conference Friday evening as well.

Hearts seemed open and receptive to what was shared, and we pray the Lord will bring lasting fruit in the lives of those who attended.

Another first for Uriah--we parked in a funeral home parking lot Friday evening. Someone at the conference owned the home, and let us park there.

Mom, sharing Saturday

Mom talking with several ladies after a session.

This little girl is only 4, and she can read the Moody books herself! Pretty amazing!

Anna with Maddie (btw - happy birthday, Maddie!)

Mr. Layne and Dad (brothers in the Lord!)

A family who had come to our Shelby, North Carolina conference last year.

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it”
(Proverbs 10:22).

We’re looking forward to the Melbourne area conference Monday night, and then on to Wesley Chapel (Tampa area) Tuesday night!

Sarah

(PS - Remember you can click into each picture to view a larger image. We’re not doing full-size pictures due to how long this blog page would take to load if we did!)

A true sign we’re in the south: we saw our first lizard on this trip.

Set up for the conference went well last night: each of us pitching in with our normal responsibilities. One neat thing on these trips is that occasionally a family we haven’t seen for a long time will surprise us and show up at a conference. Last night, a family we haven’t seen in 5 years came! What a delight to be able to fellowship for a little while.

Before the conference, the coordinator and several other ladies provided a meal for us. We’re asking for a few of the recipes, so it’ll make A Taste Away from Home for sure!

We’re looking forward to our third weekend conference (out of five) this weekend in Waynesboro, Georgia. Please be in prayer that the Lord Jesus will work in all of our hearts.

Sarah

Several of the ladies who made dinner

These children enjoy the Moody books, and their family also follows the blog. They drove an hour and a half to come last night.

Book tables

Mary and one of the daughters in the family we hadn't seen for 5 years.

Mom and the mom of the other family

“For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5).

We’re thoroughly enjoying living on the bus. This morning was one of our first “free” mornings; we’re here in Sumter, South Carolina. We made a quick trip in to WalMart (where we parked), and schoolwork is being done, computer work, music practice, and even a little wiring work.

Mom, making lunch today.

Anna, practicing her fiddle in the hall next to a set of bunks...

Mary, in her bunk, doing school

Practicing

Joseph

John

Mom

We’re grateful for those who are praying for us! Yesterday afternoon, we were winding our way throughout West Virginia–I don’t think they have a stretch of straight road! Dad did a wonderful job driving Uriah. We’re looking forward to the conference tonight in Sumter, and then on to Augusta area, Georgia tomorrow.

Sarah

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1).

Monday evening, we did a conference in Wilder, Kentucky (right outside of Cincinnati). We’re grateful for the coordinators providing dinner for us beforehand. We had a last-minute change of rooms, and people pitched in to help move things around. Several friends came to the conference, and it was a delight to see them. We’re looking forward to going back for a weekend conference November 6th and 7th.

Last night’s conference in Cleveland had been scheduled only about two weeks ago, yet they had worked hard to get the word out, and we had a nice attendance. Six families from the Deuteronomy 6 group and our coordinator blessed us with dinner–a big “thank you.”

John, talking to a friend and his little boy Monday night.

Mom

Group of girls

Sweet friends we met last year in Somerset, Kentucky

We stopped at a friend’s house Tuesday, on our way to Cleveland. John changed the oil in our generator while we were there. The family shared lunch with us, and we had great fellowship.

Washing Uriah!

I thought this was a cute dessert!

Dad

The family doing music last night...

“The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. . .” (Hab 3:19).