NC comes to VT

Can you feel the excitement...

This past week, we have had such fun with our friends from NC! We started the weekend just before they came with the annual town festival and a parade! It really felt like NC here with the heat and humidity we had all last week (or maybe it was just me b/c I'm pregnant!) They came on Saturday night and Nathanael was so excited! I think he was a bit overwhelmed at first, but shortly warmed up to everyone!

Barre Heritage Festival Parade

Faith Community's Float in the Parade

Nathanael's favorite part!

Sunday after church we went to Boulder Beach for the annual church picnic and outdoor baptism. Brian got to baptize one of my SS girl's grammy! What beautiful scenery to couple with beautiful obedience to the Lord. Our "Grace cookers," Rags and Bobby helped our FCC cookers, Roy and Dwain fix up all the food. It was a great time of fellowship for all!

Church Picnic

Nathanael was spoiled all week long!

Monday, it was back to work for Allison and off to explore VT for the team. Monday they travelled to Brattleboro and Windsor in the southeastern part of the state. Brattleboro, they found is one of the most liberal towns in the state. There are quite a few churches in town and most people expressed that there were alot of homeless with needs and nothing for the youth to do in town. In Windsor, they learned that most people drive to NH for work, there are hardly any more jobs left in town. There is a healthy evangelical church in that town, too.

Visiting the Fire Station with Gary

Longest Covered Bridge in the US. Windsor, VT

Ludlow, Londonderry and Cavendish were on the list for Tuesday. Ludlow is home to Okemo ski resort and they found the townspeople a bit hostile to the transient winter population. There are alot of vacant homes in the summer as many out-of-staters own houses in the town and rent them out during ski season. Our team also learned that much of the money that is paid in taxes goes to other towns in the state.

Porchin' it at the VT Country Store in Weston, VT

The team, minus Debbie and Nathanael travelled to St. Johnsbury on Wednesday. This is a town Brian and I visited for quite some time earlier this summer. They met a gentleman who runs a thrift shop and is looking for a church to partner with in the community. He is not able to meet all the needs of the many people who come to him. People reported that there has been cooperation of churches in town, but the evangelical presence is lacking. Debbie and Nathanael stayed home on Wednesday and went to the doctor's with me in the afternoon. Everything was normal on the ultrasound and they think it's going to be a girl. They won't say 100% girl, but they could not find boy parts on the u/s. Nathanael got a picture of his baby sister doing a thumbs up for him! He did great the whole time! It was also really special to me to have Debbie there!

North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury

I love this full spine shot!

Looking at Debbie and Nathanael

On Thursday, they headed to Waterbury and Morrisville. What beautiful scenery. Both towns have potential for growth and need evangelical churches that are involved in the community. Both are about within 30 minutes of Stowe ski resort, which makes property a little more expensive, but Stowe does provide alot of jobs for these two towns. Please continue to pray for us as we want to be in the place God can use us to reach people for the gospel.

Test ride in the store

Entertainment!

Stopping for a little whiffle ball lesson in Morrisville

We had a wonderful time of fellowship with our friends and were encouraged by their presence. The exciting thing is that we get to see them again in two weeks! We will be traveling to VA, NC and SC in the next few weeks to visit our families and vacation , too! Thank you so much, Grace for taking time to explore Vermont with us! We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Maple Creemees with Shay and Christine

We also listened to a concert from Nathanael

We're going to get him used to this suit! He'll wear it in my cousin's wedding in September.

The corner statue in town

The whole group before leaving on Friday

I heard someone tried to kidnap my child! He loves you all!!