Zonnie and Gordon Visit June and Andy

It has been twelve years since Andy has seen Zonnie, his niece, and almost two years since Gordon came east from Arizona to visit him and his brother Art. How wonderful then to welcome Zonnie and Gordon to our home! Zonnie and Andy took a day trip to Adulusia, the historic home of Georgia's most famous writer, Flannery O'Connor. All of us went blueberry picking with Becky, and later most of us went to see The Martin Luther King Center, The Coca-Cola Museum, grab some hot dogs and a chicken burger at The Varsity, the world's largest drive-in resteraunt, and take a tour of the CNN Center. Gordon got in a good bit of metal-detecting (some at Bethlehem Baptist Church, some in the front yard, and some on a Jackson Lake beach), found a bunch of money and other invaluables. His fishing wasn't so good, but we did get to do some boating. One morning Gordon surprised us by sweeping the deck and the driveway! And Zonnie spent lots of time cooking with Andy. Both are wonderful guest!

Zonnie, Andy hopes you continue to like O'Connor. If so, he's got quite a few books in Kentucky that he'd love to send you. Stay in touch, Sweet Pea!

We hope Zonnie and Gordon come back to visit us again and soon!

New deck possibilities

Kurt, a few days June and you talked about building more deck on the west side of the house. Go to June's House Renovations to take a look at closer-up photographs. June and you may enter any number of comments, if you'd like, at House Renovations.

Adam doing fine after breaking arm while wake boarding

On our way home to the Ugandan Childrens Choir, Becky called to tell us that Adam, while wake boarding on Jackson Lake, broke his arm in two places. Later in the evening we found out that Adam underwent surgery that included the insertion of a plate and screws. This morning Becky says that Adam is doing well, not experiencing any pain. We're all grateful to God that things are turning out well. And to Adam, we all say, "Thank the Lord you're okay!"

Ugandan Childrens Choir

Last night we heard the wonderful Ugandan SUUBI Children's Choir at Rock Spring Church. It was the highlight of our weekend. Such animated, enthusiastic, beautifully choreographed, and worshipful singing and praise! These children--many of the orphans as a result of the AIDS epidemic in Uganda--are with us for a extended concert tour and represent the Royal Junior School and Orphanage which provides housing and education for well over 500 children. If you'd like to participate in some down-to-earth work of the Good News, consider supporting Royal Junior School and Orphanage.

Chelsea's Birthday--July 14

On Friday, Chelsea celebated her fourteenth birthday! Everyone in our big family wishes her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! In August, Chelsea begins her fall school days at Model High School, the same school that Kirk, Krister, Lisa, Amy & Kevin attended and from which they were graduated. Chelsea, we wish you a great new year! Love from everyone--Dad and June, Kirk and Lora, Lisa and Tim, Amy and Kevin, and from all your cousins, nephews, and nieces. Happy Birthday, girl!

A Weekend of Music

On Friday June and Andy spent the evening in Covington where we dined at the Real Louisiana Cuisine and later walked over to spend an hour listening to the Heather Hayes Band. This morning, after churching at First Baptist in Barnsville, we'll come home to some "r&r," and then drive over in the evening to hear the Uganda Children's Choir at Carole and Hugh's church. The choir is currently touring the United States. The choir consists of nine boys and nine girls ages 6-12 who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or conflict. The choir was started in 1994 by Canadian missionaries in Uganda and has been touring the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to raise money for housing for other orphans in Uganda.

June 10" Polly & Kurt celebrate thirty married years!

Thirty years ago today--way way back in 1976!--Polly and Kurt got married! And aren't they just about the most beautiful couple you know! Congratulations from all of us in your big family, P&K! Your children are proud of you! You're an inspiration to all of us. May you live and love each other for many many more years to come! God bless you and keep you in his great magnificent love.

Today is June's Birthday

At ten minutes before midnight last night, June came to bed and said, "O, Andy, I'm gonna be seventy-something in ten minutes!" Although I suggested that she fall asleep while still a youngster, she couldn't do it. Later on, she got so worried about being seventy-something that she got up and took a Sonata. That did it because right now it's nearly eight a.m., and she's upstairs in bed, blithly unware that she is seventy-whatever. O what fun it will be to wake her up! Later on in the day we're going over to the Blue Willow Inn at Social Circle for lunch together. Wish June a very happy birthday!

Abigail Takes Us Out for the Parade

After a terrific supper on July 4th, we loaded up June Bug and headed out on the lake, south to Martin's Marina for the big night parade. June Bug was filled to her legal capacity, just a little under 1450 pounds with Stan and Chris, Carole and Hugh, Becky and Wayne, June and Andy, Nick and Abigail; look at that girl concentrate on where she's going! (Nobody else is!)

Independence Night Boat Parade

On the evening of July 4, hundreds and hundreds of boats--all sizes, all kinds--gathered at Martin's Marina for the start of long and beautiful boat parade. Here's one pontoon, decorated to the hilt; the flag is backwards because we were anchored opposite the judges' stand on the other side of the marina. We decorated our boat a good bit, but it was nothing like this one! The ride back to our dock in the darkness with hundreds of boats, most lit only with running lights, was quite lovely, especially because fireworks, provided by people living around the lake, were going off in all directions.