Thursday morning our family left for the Peoria area. We had decided to take 2 vehicles so that neither of us would be relying on someone else to transport us everywhere. Daniel left in the van to go get gas and I took the car and ran to the bank. The plan was then to meet at the gas station in Mazon, IL. So we are on the road and I realize that I am not wearing shoes! I have my slippers on. So back home we quickly go. Thankfully we were only 15 minutes from home. That did put us a bit behind out time schedule, but not too much. We made it to just outside of Bloomington/Normal before we had to make our next stop to feed Sara.
Relaxing at the rest area while Sara eats.
Finally we made it to the Evans' home where they had a delicious meal waiting for us. During the afternoon Daniel and Bryan Evans went and picked up our camper from the McDonald's home. After that we set up camp and got ready for the Peoria Chiefs baseball game. About 90 people from our group were there. We had tons of fun despite the fact the Chiefs lost.
Sara sleeps through her first baseball game.
One of our group wins a t-shirt in the t-shirt toss.
(l-r) David, Jeremy, Garrison, Justin
My Beloved and I
Running the bases after the game. On Friday morning the ladies and children packed lunches and headed over to Wildlife Prairie Park. We had never been there, so this was a treat for us.
(l-r) Jesi, Susanna, Melinda, Sierra, Adriana, Ashly
Cara on the Gullywhopper slide
Sweet Hannah
Train ride
(l-r) Jean (CA), Stacy (IL), Heather (CA), Heather (AZ), Sheri and Sara (IL)
For the dance, a local home school family provided the music and the calling. This was our first time attending a dance like this and we had to much fun. Josiah, Mathias, Sara, and I did not dance, but it was so much fun watching those who were!
Jesica with Garrison and Ashly with Nathan square dancing
Justin with Susanna and Daniel and Cara sashaying during the Virginia Reel
Some of the Providence young adults and children singing "Shalom" to all the visitors
Saturday was a day of relaxing....In the afternoon several families got together and the Evans'. Good food, fellowship, blue grass music, and dancing were enjoyed by all!
All weekend we had been camping in our camper. The first night was a bit cold. The second night was warmer and we were exhausted! Saturday night was an adventure. The Evan's home gets a fair amount of wind, but Saturday night the wind was so fierce we thought we were going to be blown away. I just couldn't take anymore of it and began to be worried for our safety. So into the house we went, sleeping bags and all. Everything else was put into the van and car and the camper taken down. All this was accomplished in less than 30 minutes.
Sunday morning was worship at Providence. Dr. RC Sproul Jr. gave the message. We had never heard him in person, only on CD, and we were blessed. He has such a gift for speaking the truth of the Gospel. After the service I had the opportunity to meet another PW, Jane.
What a blessing this whole weekend was for our family. We were able to spend the time with like-minded families. These families share not only our doctrinal beliefs but also share in our family's generational vision. We felt part of a sommunity with families from California to Connecticut. Lord Willing we plan to attend next year's Presbytery in Tennessee.
