Another youth rally..
March 28,29,&30- A few weeks back we felt privileged to receive an invitation to Ballico congregation for a youth rally the 28th to the 30th of March. We ran it by the boys and of course the vote was unanimous that we should accept. So this last Friday being the 28th of March, the guys took off work and did their chores in the morning, laundry and packing happened, and I unsuccessfully attempted to complete a Sunday dress last minute. Mid afternoon we all piled into the big white van with much luggage and snacks and enthusiasm and headed south to Ballico. The other youth groups invited were Winton, Livingston, Bradley AR, Greensburg KS, Swalwell AB, Phoenix AZ, New Plymouth ID, Texline TX, and the LA unit. We pulled up to Ballico church right on time. The parking lot was absolutely packed and people were just streaming in. I think we all felt a bit nervous heading into that crowd. But actually the nerves didn’t last too long. The first person I talked to when I stepped in the door was Randy’s Tammy who hales from United Center and then more people that we knew and lots that we didn’t…they filed us all into the sanctuary to get everyone organized and hosts read off. Jake and I were keeping an eye on the door because we were waiting for Swalwell youth to show up. Former unit guy Dallas Toews is from Swalwell, and when we saw folks filtering in that we knew must be from up north, we headed out to find him. Truly it was the best to see him again!! M & G thought so too. For sure since he brought them each a red coated Canadian Mountie stuffed bear and moose:) Had a yummy supper of street tacos out in the tent. For those who have not been to Ballico, their fellowship hall is small so they have a huge white tent that they use for overflow. We ate all our meals out there. I thought it was cool and aesthetic. Eating outside in a tent with string lights and candles burning on the tables.. lots more character than a florescent lit fellowship hall. The evening was spent visiting and mingling, with volleyball for the youth. We were invited to Dallas and Kristen Peaster for nights. She served us up yummy breakfasts both mornings, quiche in a cast iron skillet and raspberry white chocolate scones, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh raw milk…they were fabulous hosts and made our stay enjoyable:) Back to Saturday tho. It was a long day, but so very interesting! We took a little break after lunch to go and hang out with unit boy Dallas a bit, good to catch up! For those interested, the speakers over the weekend were Benny Friesen, Bill Ezell, John Luke Toews, Carl Giesbrecht and Ken Millsap. I’m not going to attempt to report on the talks, maybe some of you tuned in. They were so captivating and unique, I don’t think the youth could have had any problem keeping their attention on the speakers. And the singing. I’ve probably said this every time I’ve been at a youth rally, but I do think the singing was exceptional. Bill Ezell and Michael Dyck did the leading. One thing I noticed at the youth rally was how the youth boys were so in charge, like with the announcing and just keeping things going smoothly. Shelby did make the comment that, “the rally schedule seems to be only a suggestion”, but no one seemed to mind that at all! We enjoyed the laid back vibe. Saturday evening after supper was a ballgame. We went for a bit and observed the circus. (It looked fun! just lots of people for 2 ball courts) then we went back to Dallas and Kristen’s to relax… Abe and Kelli Koehn came over and hang out too. He’s an old class buddy of Jake’s. Sunday morning session was good once again and more amazing singing. Truly to hear that crowd singing, “In my robe of white, I will fly away to that land so fair, meet my Jesus there..” It was amazing and a good note to end on. After lunch the youth played ball yet one more time. The guys informed us they were in no hurry to leave. So we went back to Dallas’s and packed up, Max got to milk Kristen’s cow..he was delighted! Then headed to the ballgame where we picked up the guys to start the 3.5 hour drive back to Paradise. I listened with interest to the steady flow of conversation from the back on the way home. Most entertaining to hear their observations and opinions of everything and everyone. Wishing I could remember specific comments that I could throw in here, but I’m drawing a blank right now. I asked them what the best part of the weekend had been. One answer I got was, “talking to girls and the singing. But if I had to take one of those away it would be talking to girls. Because the singing was just amazing”. Lol. It seemed they all felt like the weekend was a smashing success. We stopped at Five Guys for supper and made it back to Paradise around 10!
Monday- Started the day out slow. I did piles of weekend laundry and tried to right the messy house! We had a supper invitation here in town to a couple by the name of Lee and April. The guys have done work on their house and yard and she is very appreciative plus she loves to cook, so she wanted to have us for a meal. She is around 40 with 2 daughters and lost her house in the fire…Lee is 25 and moved here from England several years back after meeting April online (while gaming), and now they are married. It was a pleasant evening. She served copy cat olive garden salad and breadsticks, delicious chicken alfredo and meatballs…smores for dessert. After supper she told us a very detailed account of what happened to her on the “day of the fire”. She and her 2 daughters spent hours in their car that day stuck in the darkness and smoke, (I don’t think they were ever directly by the fire, but definitely close enough that they were unsure if they would make it out alive…) It was special to be there and hear their story. I feel like those situations bring out the best in these guys. They do so well being friendly and social and making themselves at home, complimenting April on the good food and helping with cleaning up supper. I was proud of them.
Tuesday- Soft baked eggs from Hopes table + very mediocre banana muffins for breakfast this morning. The guys worked across the way in view of the house again today. Kinda cool seeing the progress on the house out my kitchen window. It’s rapidly taking shape. I made lunch for them, tacos, fruit, chips n salsa, and bars. It was Ryan’s turn to be in charge of supper tonight. He decided to have steaks and breadsticks out of Hopes Table(I’ve noticed when it’s his turn to cook he pulls out that particular cookbook for inspiration, can’t go wrong with it I guess) also they made fried mushrooms. A spectacular meal! :)
Wednesday- George and I went out for lunch with Bethany and August to Stoble. Ate out on the rooftop patio…:) Max got to go with Jake and the guys for the afternoon and he came home happy! Anthony ordered a bow and it arrived today so after work he and Max shot bows til supper. I am truly grateful to these guys for their kindness and patience with our little boys. George and I went to the store today and he spied the ears of sweet corn and was sure we needed to have corn on the cob for supper. Chicken enchiladas was also on the menu so I thought Mexican street corn would be fun to try with it. I found a random recipe or 2 online and winged it and it turned out good I thought! John had bought stuff the other day to make salsa, his mom’s recipe, so he made it tonight to go with supper. He lightly roasted/charred the tomatoes and jalepenos on the grill before blending them. It was so good. We sat around the table for a while and had an interesting conversation. Tonight they wanted to know if I’d have married Jake if he was shorter than me. The males of the household headed to the gym to get some exercise after supper.
And now it’s Thursday morning and I’m thinking I will just get this sent off in a timely manner for once. We are all excited because Clay and Shayla arrive today!..they’re staying until Sunday afternoon sometime. So I’m off to get the house a little bit cleaner, make some food, and things like that! Wishing y’all a happy sunny day!