Uganda - Congregation Share Meeting

Our mission team had the opportunity to share our experience with our congregation. 

We each had a chance to get up and tell something about our role on the trip or a meaningful experience.

We had a wonderful turn out of about 125 people who came to hear our stories.  

It was wonderful to get a chance to share our experiences with the very folks 

who had spent time praying for us during our trip.

Heidi talked about her experiences including her time in triage.

Brenda talked primarily about her time working in evangelism.

Patricia talked about worship with the Africans and evangelism.

Mary and I talked about the medical aspects of the trip.

We each had about 5 minutes to talk.  

Considering that talking before crowds is not anywhere near my comfort zone, 

the time went really fast.  

In fact when I was done and had returned to my seat I had several things that 

I wished I had time to talk about.  

Like the African fossil.

Like the disfigured girl.

Like how we ended clinic.

We have felt so supported by this sweet congregation.  

Their prayers really helped us stay well, safe, and focused on our trip.

I can't wait to go back!  

Pill Packing Party!

Today our mission team had our second pill-packing party to get all of the medications 

that have been donated and purchased ready for distribution in Uganda.  

All hands were on deck to pack pills.  

Even my sweet momma came to join in the fun.  

There were lots of strategies for getting 30 pills into a little ziploc bag.  

There were those that counted to 10 three times.

There were those that counted by 3's.

Those that counted by 2's.

Those that counted by 5's. 

Anything worked as long as there were 30 tablets in the bag in the end.

The conversation was good, the music was pretty good too.  

John Denver Greatest Hits compliments of our fearless leader.

(Two hours of John Denver people!  Wow.)

But by the end of the morning all of the meds had been counted out and bagged.  

With all of the meds counted we realized that we still need about 

1000 patient packs of vitamins - so we will be pill-packing partying again really soon.  

Maybe we will play Michael Buble next time?

The Christmas Eve services at our church last night were really special.

Beautiful message, beautiful music, candlelight, 

and the most beautifully decorated church.

Once again the flower guild outdid themselves.  

The church has been beautiful all of December but they stepped up 

the arrangements for Christmas Eve.

The Amaryllis that were just buds on stalks a few weeks ago are now in full bloom.

All of the arrangements were enhanced for Christmas Eve with the addition of red roses.

The apple wreaths had sprays of red berries added to them too.  

It was a lovely night in a most beautiful setting.

Any Excuse for a Party!

We here at the Peter's Ranch look for any excuse to throw a party.

This year's Christmas party was an open house - we started early and ended late 

so that folks could come and stay as long as they liked 

and still make their other Christmas obligations.  

Tis the season for holiday parties.

I wanted our guests to bring medications for our upcoming Uganda mission trip 

so I didn't ask anyone to bring goodies to share.  

We had plenty of food.

Plenty!

On the breakfast table we had buffalo chicken dip, artichoke dip, pico de gallo, 

guacamole, bleu cheese tartlets, two different cheeseballs, bacon-wrapped dates 

(oh my goodness, these are good) and ham rolls.

On the dining room table there was veggies and dip, barbeque meatballs, 

relish tray, three kinds of cookies, fudge, pralines, Mom's pumpkin bread 

and fruitcake, fresh apple cake, and cheesecake with sweet cranberry topping.

In the decanter is friend Chantell's fresh-squeezed Presbyterian Punch.

Yep, that's the name.

It is to die for!

(especially with a splash of vodka - Presbyterians don't mind.)

Speaking of adult beverages, we went through many bottles of wine.

Many.  Lots.  I got many new labels and corks from this party.

BTW, this is the family room Christmas tree.  

I love the old fashioned tinsel.  It makes the tree sparkle and it reminds 

me of my childhood Christmas trees.  

And as usual, there were friends congregating in the kitchen.

Friends in the dining room.

Friends in the family room. 

Even friends in the laundry room!  

To be honest, the bar was set up in this room.  

There was a steady flow through this room.  Just saying.  

I also had some Apparent Project jewelry for sale in here.

For those last minute gift needs. 

Hey, I am a full-service party hostess.

All of the girlfriends were under one roof!  

This is quite an accomplishment these days.  

We are all so busy.  

Now we have photographic evidence that this actually happened.

As much fun as the evening was, this was the best part!  

My generous friends brought so much acetaminophen, ibuprophen, 

and Tums, and vitamins for our Uganda trip.  

This was a huge help.  

Partying is always more fun when there is a good cause to support.  

Thanks friends!

Spirit Come

Once a month our church has a contemporary service known as "Spirit Come".  

There is a small group of musicians who lead the music in this service.

I am privileged to be one of these musicians.  

Katy is the bubbly one in the group - even though she is sporting an orthopedic boot for a broken foot.

Gann runs the sound system and plays drums for the group.

Toby takes a moment to get her guitar in tune before our rehearsal.  

Jeff and Frances on the left fill out the current group. 

Tonight's service was our Christmas service.  

We sang some favorite Christmas songs and a few folks shared their 

favorite Christmas memories. 

It was a wonderful service to get us all in the Christmas spirit.  

Uganda Prep Underway!

I am going to the Gulu Region of Uganda the end of January with a mission team from 

my church and a couple from Mobile from our pastor's previous church.

We have been talking about it for months now, but it has just begun to feel real.

Our trunks for the trip have arrived!  

We each get a black one in which to pack our personal gear.

That would be all of our clothing, toiletries, bedding, towels, lights, and a chair.

(Yep, we are going so far off the grid that there will not only be 

no internet or cell service, there won't be electricity.)

The red trunks are for medications and other supplies that we will take.

Mary, my friend and nurse partner, and I placed our medication order for the trip today.  

Our friends and church families are bringing in 

Tylenol, Ibuprophen and vitamins by the bucket loads.

Airline tickets have been purchased.

Yep, this trip is quickly becoming a reality.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Here in Huntsville we do Veteran's Day up right. 

We have Redstone Arsenal - so - we got stuff.  

We have an Army garrison so we have soldiers.

We have families of fallen veterans.

We have old firetrucks carrying our mayor.

We have very large military vehicles.

We have lots of high school JROTC students.

More vehicles carrying veterans.

Did I tell you we have large military vehicles?

What's a parade without Shriners in little cars?

Several scout troops.

Future soldiers.

Old cars.

High school and college marching bands.

And of course more veterans.  

After the parade our church members were treated to very special entertainment 

during lunch,

the Army Materiel Band.  

They were talented and very funny as they played oldies for us,

lots of songs to sing along with. 

Allison seemed to be a magnet for flags during the course of the parade.  

I told her she looked like a patriotic peacock.  

It was a wonderful way to spend a very special 11/11/11.  

Makes me proud to be a Huntsvillian, Alabamian, and American.

Dinner Party!

I am really stoked!

Bruce and I are hosting a dinner party tonight with our new pastor and his wife

and our minister of music and her husband. 

We have been looking forward to this evening. 

But I gotta tell you - I am really excited to get to use all of the china that I acquired

during my foot surgery recovery.

Isn't it pretty! I love the china that my grandmother picked out 70ish years ago. 

Great choice Nannie!