LAST APRIL 2009 WEEKEND

Saturday two musical groups, one contemporary and the other southern gospel sang each for an hour at the church with refreshments in the middle. It was great and the little church was full to capacity with lots of energy. My oatmeal cookies and brownies vanished so that was good for us, ha! and the ladies out-did themselves with desserts. Young and old clapped and sang like we read about in days past.
Laughed at myself as I was sitting in church Sunday realizing I had my shoes on the wrong feet...now that was a first, but has brought giggles to me ever since.
Sunday at 2:00 the Benjie gang and two from the church, Rose and Ellen arrived. We had hamburgers/hot-dogs plus baked beans, fruit salad, cheezie potatoes, chips and birthday lemon cake with ice cream followed by a Happy Birthday chorus for Kathy and Shanda. Oh yes...presents. Then kick ball and woofle ball were on the agenda. It was a fun afternoon.
Talked to Paul and he had a great first week at the church in Anchorage. David is enjoying the church helping with music and youth. Hard to believe Jamie will be four Thursday. They are in their parsonage and thrilled.
Steve is busy studying for a test, eager to see the girls, and training Abe. That Abe is a full time job..adorable ears! Benjie is very busy with Real Estate and Mikey's sports. He is coaching his team which is fun for him. The girls are growing up so fast...Julie loves cheer leading/and dance,Jessie gymnastics...they are good.
Deb and Scott had a get-away bed and breakfast escape. Know they had a great time. Her blog gives great information.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19...

Yesterday the lawn received a new look from Benny as he cut, trimmed, and pampered it. Today God showered Seymour with beautiful rain so everything is shining and clean on the ranch. Church went well at Seymour Christian. It is small, friendly, and has provided us with new acquaintances in our area. This has been a blessing since we've been gone so much the last several years doing interim ministries. It is hard not being nurtured with a church family...a new experience for us. Therefore, Seymour Christian is a new blessing. We also enjoyed a beautiful fire as we ate dinner...even took a nap in front of the captivating fire. Benny and I played Scrabble (he beat me, barely) and we enjoyed several good phone calls. Yes, it has been a rather lazy but relaxing day...they don't come often do they? A new week has begun...I know it is going to be a great one for all of us.

EASTER 2009

Church today, for us, was at Seymour First Christian. We had a delightful, close knit service with Benny singing "The Holy City" which he did well. (It is always a challenge to accompany though, ha!) The afternoon was fun with Benjie's family and Steve and Catherine (Spencer had to work) coming for a ham dinner with all the extras including Kathy's green beans and Catherine's fruit salad. We also had Nana's Cheese Cake (it was her 110th birthday so we thought and talked about good memories). In the afternoon we enjoyed a wonderful fire, games, Liverpool Rummy, and lots of chatting plus eating chocolate (kids) of all ages. Our yearly scavenger hunt went well and was lots of fun. Those scrambled words can be a challenge. The weather was rainy and cold but Julie was in her spring outfit...shorts and Kathy wore her coat...Hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord, we did. A plus was talking to all 5 kids and families and what a joy to know all have a relationship with our Lord...Easter blessings couldn't be better, for parents, could it?

APRIL SURPRISES

Beautiful flowers and budding trees are here! Benny's chest cold and allergies have invaded his schedule and disposition, ha! However, life continues on the ranch with delightful birds at the feeder, horses wanting attention, carrots, and petting. Then those frisky squirrels who question those odd people as they look in the kitchen window from the deck. Between rain, snow, sun, and sleet...spring is here.
Benjie, Kathy, and kids were out last Friday...fun for all...especially Mikey and the Mud Pie. Jessie is back in gymnastics after an injury and Julie's cheer-leading group went to New Orleans during spring break. Steve and Catherine enjoyed a couple of relaxing days in Branson while Abe went to a Pet Resort. Paul, Emily, David, and the boys have moved into the parsonage. They are excited with their new adventure. Scott is home from the "far country...Jordan and Egypt" and the family is at the beach enjoying Deb's favorite place.
We are still working in YTB (Your Travel Biz). Have met a new group of friends. If you plan a trip check us out. Our site is: ytbtravel.com/bolingtravelcompany
Don't forget our birthday family in April: Danny, Kathy, Shanda, James, and Paul and Emily's anniversary. Busy month...Congratulations family on a good year...we are all still here to give thanks. SMILE (Nana would have been 110 on the 12th)

NEWS FROM THE RANCH

It is March 24th already...where has the month gone? Stormy weather today.
The weekend went well. Benny preached a great sermon with lots of audience response which is always fun. We went to a 80th birthday surprise dinner in a country setting. The food was out of this world...these farmer ladies can cook. Then we visited friends in Fordland which was delightful. They own a bed and breakfast that was originally the family dairy barn...what a transformation!
Yesterday we finished up a section outside...lots of work to be done. Could put a dozen people to work...today our bodies are screaming as a result of our play-day.
Must get on with the day...hope you have a super one. Happy Paul and Emily had such a great welcome Sunday at the church, concerned about the active volcano that is "showing its oats" as Nana would say. Abe Lincoln, Steve's dog, is resisting discipline...not easy for Steve, Dave continues to park cars and Sammy doesn't understand why he can't help, Benjie's family is enjoying Spring Break, and Debbie is eager for Scott's return from the far land. Oh yes, Paul and Steve are each dealing with a broken left foot. What a gang!

SPRING IS TOMORROW, YEAH!

Yellow daffodils are telling me spring is really here. The past two days 80 degree weather confirmed it. Have talked to all 5 kids today...that's a good day. Paul and Steve both are nursing their broken left foot, David is directing parking lot traffic in a sports arena, Benjie is selling houses, and Deb continues to find 23 homes for her Japanese foreign students coming in July. Wow...what energy. We have moved all the office to the main office...and now are busy trying to dispose of boxed items not needed (difficult for us).
YTB keeps us busy. Went to Wood River, IL, Tuesday to a big meeing...1,500 were there from all over. We celebrated St. Patrick's day with the food, dress, and jokes. It was fun but tiring so Wednesday didn't hold much productivity, ha!
Benny preaches Sunday at Seymour Christian. It will be fun hearing him again...I'm partial. I'll be playing the organ haven't done that for awhile. Would love to see the Springfield gang. Living 45 minutes away and busy schedules makes it difficult.
Hope you have a wonderful week...

New Week...What Will Happen Next?

March 8th what a day! Saturday night I called all 5 kids reminding them to "Spring Forward." Benny said, "I'll change the clocks." Good for him...he changed the Grandfather one and fiddled with the others but...they were not changed. Sun. he didn't feel well so stayed home, I went to church and witnessed the exodus. Church was over...I came home! The laugh was on me.
We walked the property, chatted with the new horse, Moose, and then decided to visit the Baptist Church. They were friendly. We enjoyed the singing, And then... the sermon...one hour and on HELL! We were glad Scott was not there, ha! Benny about died since he had to use the restroom and was afraid to exit for fear of being nailed. We created another memory.
Now we have a new week...wonder what will happen? Hope you all have a fabulous one.
Congratulations Paul on Sr. Minister of First Christian, Anchorage...we look forward to hearing you one of these days...no hour sermons, though, ok?