Burnett Family

Just in case anyone is wondering, we didn’t fall off the face of the earth, but, we DID go all the way to the upper peninsula of Michigan and back, in our big green van! There’s our shadow in a corn field. =)

 

 

I love my family, and this was a trip of a life-time! All 10 of us were able to go together…something that doesn’t happen very often any more. The purpose of our trip was to coordinate and attend the Journey to the Heart Reunion.

Here’s how it started: Journey to the Heart is a 10-day retreat that 5 of us older kids have each been to. It’s a set-apart time to seek the Lord, and each of us has been very blessed to have had this opportunity. We enjoyed it so much, made some really close friends, and had a desire to go back to the Northwoods in Michigan where it is held. Back in December, we popped the idea to the Journey office about having a reunion for everyone who has attended Journey to the Heart. Long story made short, they loved the idea, but didn’t have the time to do it themselves, so they asked us if OUR family would like to coordinate it! After much thought and prayer, we excitedly took on the project and for the past 6 months or so, we’ve been planning, creating, organizing, designing, adjusting, promoting, recruiting, and praying!! It’s been a wonderful, HUGE, learning experience for us that we wouldn’t trade for anything, and now after months of preparations, it was finally here!! We can’t wait to tell you all about it, but we have sooooo many pictures, we are going to spread it out over several posts. This post is just to document our travels UP there. =) Ya ready?

Our first stop was in St. Louis, where we went to church with the Burns family (check out their exciting new film in the making!). We arrived early, so instead of sitting around, we stretched our legs and walked across this mile long bridge. There was a nice breeze, and the sun was shining which made it very refreshing. :)

 

This bridge used to be a part of Route 66.

Macho-man. ;)

After church, we went to the Burns’ house and ate lots of delicious nachos…

played foos-ball…(while eating cookies??? :)

enjoyed some very entertaining games of “occupation telephone”…

go Nick!…

…and played a late night game of Settlers of Catan…

 

and of course they played it, Burns’ STYLE! We’re convinced that’s the only way to play Settlers now.

Thanks guys, for your generous hospitality, a great time, and all the good laughs! Now YA’LL have got to come see us! =)

  

We didn’t get very far down the road, when we stopped and got some REAL apple cider at a quaint little shop, then continued on our way.

We were driving through Iowa and decided we couldn’t pass within 15 miles of the Bontragers’ house without stopping! So, we dropped by for about 30 minutes. They were having a huge Labor Day party, with tons of people, but they still showed us great hospitality, and served us ice cream! =) Next time we come through, we’ll definitely have to plan on staying longer!

Back on the road. Iowa was probably my favorite state that we drove through – all the rolling hills and picturesque farms were a sight to see!

 

Monday night, we arrived at the Dorninks’ house in Minnesota! (Dustin and Melody were on J-C and Hannah’s Journey teams in 2009.) We were definitely feeling a difference in the weather by this time…in a good way!  We had a great evening/late night/early morning (if ya know what I mean ;) filled with great food and fun fellowship.

 

Big game of 1-100! Grab the pen!!!

They endured our my pathetic volley ball skills. :) …but we’ll have to play again sometime, because I improved at least a little by playing so much last weekend! =)

 

Ya’ll are so much fun – thanks again for opening your home to us!

 

Check out all that corn! We decided that for every corn field up there, there is a pasture of cows down here. :)

On the 3rd day of travel, when we were about an hour or so from our destination, we stopped at Lake Superior and stretched our ‘tired of traveling’ bodies. :)

 

Gorgeous shot, Charity!

This is a great way to streeeeeeetch after a long van ride! =)

 

Enjoyin’ the fresh air!

 

That water felt good!

 

Final leg: I see 2 mischievous lookin’ guys in the back row, hmmm. ;)

*Ahem, after 24 hours, split up into 3 days in the van, the chances of getting a little goofy increase considerably. :)

almost. there.

 

You should’ve been there to see our excitement when we saw this sign and pulled into the long awaited drive-way of the NORTHWOODS CONFERENCE CENTER!!! We are so thankful for the Lord’s protection the whole way and for Him sustaining us…and our van! =) Lord-willing, in the following post we’ll share more pictures and tell you about the great time spent with the Lord and our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Until then, God bless you all!

Kids are great, and this summer the Lord opened the door for me to travel to 3 of the ATI regional home-school conferences and help out with the Children’s Institute (CI) -  a program for kids ages 4-7.

The first conference was in Nashville, TN. I was thrilled with the opportunity to go and help lead a team, but I had no idea that the Lord had a huge lesson for me on this trip!

10 days before the conference began, I was asked if I could or would want to play the piano for the CI. Now you need to understand something. I am not “the pianist” in our family – Hannah is, and she does a great job! =) I can play, but reading music isn’t my “forte”. ;) Well even in spite of that, I decided to give it a try…and back out if I couldn’t get the songs down good enough in time. =) …so I practiced and practiced the next week, and got really stressed about playing. So stressed, I even started losing my appetite, which by the way is VERY UNUSUAL! =) I was so consumed with trying to get these songs down.

One morning, 4 days before we were planning to leave for the conference, something really cool happened. I was still in bed, and felt prompted to go back and read Joshua 1 which I kind of set as ‘my chapter for the year’. So I did. Listen to this: “…I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: …Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever(even Nashville :) thou goest.” The verses spoke directly to me about my fear of playing! Isn’t God awesome!

So we went, and I played the piano. It wasn’t always ‘perfect’, but over-all it went well. And guess what? It was a blast! I loved it! Praise the Lord!

Now for some pictures. :D

This is Olivia, she was a very special girl in my group. :)

I helped lead a team of 16 kids (when they were all there) along with 2 other teachers. The Lord really blessed me with patience that week – it is fascinating how far your brain can stretch! =)  The theme we taught through the week was about The Armor of God, which is what I learned about 13 years ago when I first attended CI! :)

 

Getting ready to load the kids on a bus/van, to do a parent presentation.

Guess we worked her too hard. :)

Praise the Lord for an awesome week!

 

The next conference was in Sacramento, CA. Hannah and I both went, but were on different flights, as she had already booked hers when I found out I was going. Needless to say, I had some great opportunities to share with the people I sat by on the plane, going there and on the way home…but that is a whole other story. ;)

Helping with CI registration.

 

At this conference I helped do prep work for the CI, get together crafts for the teachers leading teams, helped with Scripture during large group, and helped with some kids who needed some “extra attention.”

Even though I didn’t actually lead a team here, I still made some great little friends. =)

 

  The little guy in the red shirt was so sweet! He would give me a great energy-giving smile! =)

 

And last but not least, was the conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mom and 3 of us girls drove out there and had a great time together! =)

 

This was my little buddy Matthew, and he has Down’s Syndrome. It was a new experience to work with him, but I am glad I got to. =) Doesn’t he have a great smile!?

 

I got to be the pianist again! It is so cool how the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to play the piano. It’s not like something I dreamed about doing, but God knew how much I would enjoy it. I count it as a special blessing from Him. =)

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9

Hey Ya’ll! Here are the promised Stratford rodeo pictures!!! I got a little carried away, so sit back and enjoy ‘em ALL! :)

2011 – Rodeo Queen with ol’ Glory.

This is one of the judges. Classic. :)

Pausing for prayer.

…We train ‘em young. :)

Ok! Let’s get this show on the road with Bronc Ridin’! This is one of my favorite parts! :)

“Team Roping”

“Steer wrestlin’”

“Mutton Bustin’”

“Barrel Racin’”

Charity and Caleb

Gloria Fagala, Carinna, and Abbie

Hannah and J-C

“Calf scramble” All these kids are tryin’ to chase down 3 calves and grab ribbons off their tails.

“Tie-down”

The best way to describe the Wild Cow Ride is to show you the video! =D This event is special to Stratford’s rodeo, from what we hear.
WILD is definitely the right description.

“Bull Riding”

“As long as there’s a sunset, there will always be a West.”

On Friday morning, Mom, Hannah, Charity, and I left to attend a wedding in Houston…and of course have some fun on the way! =) It was very special to have some Mommy/daughter time, I am so blessed!

It was a pretty odd sight to these Okies, to see so many palm trees everywhere down there!

Charity, holdin’ down the back seat.

 

Lunch time at a rest stop.

I LOVED the view of downtown Dallas. It looked so clean and professional!

 

HOUSTON!

 

Friday evening, after we unloaded our stuff at Pop and Nana’s house (they are our good friends’, grandparents), we drove down to Galveston, and saw these really cool buildings.

 
Moody Mansion.

 
A Catholic building.

 

We ate at a fun restaurant called “Fish Tales.” 

 

They served delicious seafood! =) We got to sit outside on the 2nd floor balcony, overlooking the beach. You can barely see it in the back ground.

 

After supper, we walked across the street to the beach, picked up seashells, and got our feet wet. :)

 
“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” Psalm 139:17-18

Mom just stayed on the sand. :)

 
When we got back to Houston, Pop and Nana treated us to Bluebell ice-cream. OH YUM!

 
A late night of Scrabble.

 
The wedding on Saturday was beautiful, and very God-honoring! It is so fun to see the joy that comes, when you wait for God’s best! Thanks to Ben Gribaudo for the pictures!

 
The kiss. ;)

Home again! I love to take trips! Hmmmmmm, where should we go next!?! =)

On Tuesday, as we were enjoying our afternoon, the town’s fire alarm sounded, and we started to smell something strange. Carinna went outside and announced that there was a fire!!!!! We went outside to see lots of black smoke. This building is about 2 blocks south of our house.

Burn ban in effect for Garvin county.

This gives me a greater appreciation for fire men! Thanks, guys.

The little red fire engine.  :)

Some spectators across the street at the Barber shop. Oh, see that man in the suit – he is our great uncle’s niece’s husband, aka the funeral home director. Oh, and see the man in the overalls – he is our great aunt’s ex-husband’s cousin, aka the barber. I told you this was a small town. :)

This is looking back up the street towards our house. Major smoke!

This is the view from our yard.

The firemen had to tear down that metal, so they could spray inside and put it out.

Then today, as we were enjoying our morning, the alarm went off again, and Hannah came in and said it looked like another building was on fire! This one is about 2 blocks from our house too, and on the other side of the block from the first fire! Wow!

This is was a little BBQ place.

On a lighter note, here is our cute dog. :)

On a serious note, we are in a record-breaking drought, which has been causing wild fires. Please pray with us for rain!