Trinity, Texas – July 24, 2009

Happy 17th Anniversary to my precious Mom and Dad! I love you both so very much.

I would also like to welcome Baby Eva Kate Creel into the world. Eva, you are so lucky to have such wonderful parents. Congrats to you both, Thom and Rachael!

Today we pulled in to Trinity, TX to be with Pastor Guy Hargrave and family. We are looking forward to great things!

After dinner at a nice little Mexican restaurant, Chad and Micah threw around the baseball.

Show ‘em how it’s done, Chad!

Niiiice, Micah. Very Nice.

My baby! I love McGregor.

Tyler, Texas – July 17-24, 2009

I love Tyler. What a nice town, I mean, city, right? The population is around 100,00. Exactly how many people does a town have to have before it’s a city? I mean, what justifies a city being a city and a town being a town? These are questions that I ponder. Now you have glanced into the window of my mind. Now you know what it’s like in my world. Scary, right?

No, seriously. Pastor Kevin Prince and his family have been wonderful to us. The First Apostolic Church of Tyler is definitely going places! Chad and I really enjoyed being with them.

On Monday, July 19th, we drove home to Euless and met my Mom and Dad to get my youngest brother, Micah. He will be traveling with us for a week or so. I love to have him with us.

Yesterday we went to Tyler State Park and rented a paddleboat. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work! Let’s just say I have a newfound respect for motors!

After paddling, we took some more pictures in front of some pretty lake scenery.

 

Look at that devil look in Micah’s eye. Don’t do it, Micah!

 

As you can see, we had a really great time. Good times. Good times.

We did time in Huntsville, TX

Huntsville, Texas

  Many of you know that Huntsville, TX is home to many Texas prisoners. Pastor Clenney told us that, ironically, the crime rate is extremely low in Huntsville. I guess that the prisoners, once they are released, don’t want to be reminded of the time they served every time they drive by the state prison. I’m thankful for the low crime rate since we parked our trailer across the street from one of the prisons. Additionally, Huntsville also houses the one of the biggest statues in the country. At least I THINK it’s one of the biggest statues. I would look it up, but I am currently without internet. Leanne, if you are reading this, I think this no internet/slow internet thing will NEVER die! It’s my destiny! LOL!   And last,but not least, Huntsville is a part-time home to many college students attending Sam Houston State University.  I love university campuses. I can’t believe that I actually miss the college classroom.

Ok, enough facts already, right? Well, we had a nice time in Huntsville with Pastor Clenney and his family. Chad was able to go fishing twice with Pastor Clenney. Yes, he caught some fish. I don’t know how many because it’s not really a subject that interests me. I do know that Chad just out-fished his Dad on Monday night, and won’t let Steve live it down. He’s pretty proud of himself.

Hmmm…. What else….Oh! I almost forgot! Chad took me to Houston to see “The Phantom of the Opera”. It was so wonderful. It was everything I imagined and more. One of the best birthday presents he’s ever given me. I know, I just got all gushy on you guys. Sorry. But it really was an experience of a lifetime. This is the only picture I got at Phantom before the attendant saw me. After a small discussion, I put the camera away.

Chad at the Hobby Center in Houston. I have no idea why this picture has a yellow tint to it.

Stephenville, TX - “Home is where the heart is”

Yay! Chad brought me to see my Dad, Mom, Micah, Skybo, and Nana! It was a very short trip, but when we left, I felt much better. I’ve been so homesick!!! :O)

We didn’t do much of anything while we were there. I did laundry and caught up on a few errands. Mom made homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas! MMMMMM – MMMMMM! Good stuff!

After dinner we all sat down and Skyler intertained us all. He LOVES music, and knows how to get down with his little toy guitar.

He also tunes his guitar.

He’s got music in his blood!!!!!!!!

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I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breckenridge, TX

Chad and I were able to spend the Fourth of July weekend with our great friends, Michael and Cori Roach. Before we left Iowa Park, Michael asked Chad to speak to the church in Breckenridge on Sunday night, July 5th. So, we decided to go ahead and leave Iowa Park, and drive to Breckenridge on Friday, July 3. We had such a great time with many, many laughs.  Thanks, Michael and Cori, for allowing us to crash your holiday weekend! We love you guys! 

Chad, Danelle, Cori, and Michael

Iowa Park, Texas

Whew! Youth camp is over! I have never been so tired in my life. Rebecca Ensey told me, "Just wait until you have children, THEN you will be TIRED." I know there's probably a lot of truth in that. Youth camps were really great. I believe that God did great things in the lives of many, many young people. It was great to be able to serve the wonderful teens of Texas District.

We preached for the Orange's in Deweyville on Wednesday night in exchange for a new trailer hitch. It's amazing how much better this one pulls our trailer. A great big THANK YOU to the Michael and Stephanie Orange. We love and appreciate you both.

We pulled into Iowa Park last night to be with Graves' until Wednesday. They were so hospitable and welcoming. I know that I will be sad to leave. Yesterday was a day, let me tell you. We pulled out of Lufkin about 11am and headed to Fort Worth. I had to stop in Dallas to buy some more flower pins that I sell at the churchs we go to. Then we decided to stop at Subway in NRH. While I was inside getting sandwiches for both of us, Chad comes in and tells me that we have a flat tire. I was thinking, "Eh, flat tire. No big deal, right?" So, I ate my sandwich and decided to wait for Chad outside. By the way, it was 105 degrees outside. About 45 minutes later, Chad brings McGregor to me. Gregor was very tired and hot and decided he wasn't walking anymore. He just sorta plopped down and looked at me as if to say, "Nope. Not moving an inch." (Chad and Gregor walked from Discount Tire to Subway. It's not that far, but it feels like 2 miles in that kind of heat.)
So, I stayed outside with McGregor. To make a long story short, we had to relace all four tire's valve stems. We finally got on the road at 6:30pm and ended up pulling into Iowa Park around 8:30pm. Long day.
Today, I decided to give Gregor a haircut myself. For all of you that know how a razor traumtizes my puppy, I'm sure that you know how that went. I accidently cut his ear, and he went berserk. I hope it's alright to put antibiotic ointment on dogs, because I did. Poor puppy.

We are looking forward to GREAT services tomorrow and Wednesday!

Truck Continued and our four-legged son, McGregor