(Cuz) Nate Featured at "The Bean Cup"...

We'd love to share a special event with you, which took place this past Friday evening. (Cuz) Nate performed at a local 'coffee spot', "The Bean Cup". CLICK HERE! for photos...
http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/NateAtTheBeanCup?feat=directlink
We have posted a brief video clip below for you to view. This was recorded from our digital camera and is not of the best quality, but we are so happy to have 'captured' the moment! (The sound is particularly bad with many sounds from the kitchen coming through. The picture is a bit snowy, too!) As you will also notice, Alyson truly enjoyed herself, didn't mind the crowd one bit and really just 'cut a rug'!
Nate, you did a fantastic job and we only wished we would have been able to video the entire concert (and that the quality would have been up to par)!!! We can't wait for your next 'gig'...

BELOW IS A BRIEF VIDEO CLIP:


We have spent much of this week at the Hospital with Mamaw S. with a little time here at the house... trying to get things back to what we call normal. Mamaw is doing well, although the next few months are bound to be a slow process, she has come through a very intense and tough surgery for someone her age! It's of no surprise, that she seems to have the 'grit' it will take, to make it on to the finish line of Therapy and Rehab! We are so proud of her!!! Please continue to keep her in your prayers!

It's Back to Business... With a Few Pix from Our 100th Celebration Service!

Here's a Photo Album link for you:)
http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/The100thNazareneCelebration#

Well, my dear and wonderful husband was able to figure out our silly computer and get it up and running again! Thank you Greg, once again you saved my life and the life of our computer!!! (BTW! Vonnie, the picture posted below, was obviously not of our computer, if it had've been Greg would have had an even BIGGER job saving THAT one!!!!! LOL)
We had a wonderful day together on Sunday... the International General Church of the Nazarene celebrated their 100th 'Birthday' and our local Church went all out for the occasion!
Along with many of the Church congregation, our family dressed in 'period' clothes from the 1908 era and had a ball doing so! Even little Alyson Dawn had an adorable smocked-dress with beautiful trim... she looked like an absolute doll!
On our stage, we had a modified replica of the original "Camp Meeting Tent" (along with the old-time 'Camp Meeting Fans'), which took place in Pilot Point, TX in 1908. At this Camp Meeting, the official beginning of the Church of the Nazarene, as a national denomination had a little over 200 churches and 10,500 members scattered across the U.S. The Church of the Nazarene, now as an international denomination and 100 years later, includes congregations in about 150 countries of the world. The 13,500 Nazarene churches around the world now have a total membership of about 1.5 million.
During our Morning service, the Choir performed several songs in honor of the era, Pastor Bailey took in several new members, preached a wonderful sermon on 'Heartfelt Holiness' and the congregation shared Communion together.
Following the service, we had an ALL-Church Balloon Launch with 'tagged' balloons commemorating this very special Event. Then, the NEW Church members, a few friends, family and the Church Staff enjoyed a delicious meal together!
That evening, a Concert by "Forgiven", was the perfect ending to a perfect day... We praise the Lord for His goodness, to our local Church family and for placing the desire in the hearts of our forefathers so long ago, to begin a denomination founded in true HEARTFELT HOLINESS!
As you can see, we're still experiencing trouble with our photos, but we trust ya'll enjoyed taking a peek into our 100th Celebration...

Our Weekend in Missiouri...

Well, the trip went very well and we had a TON of fun in the 'Show Me State'! We packed up on Thursday evening and arrived at Greg's parents around 11 pm.
On Friday, we relaxed, played games, ate together, made last minute party plans for Saturday, etc. Aly sure enjoyed being out of that car seat and able to 'roam about'!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/MissiouriBirthdayTrip#

(The 'link' above will direct you to our Photo Album, "Missiouri Birthday Trip".)

Around lunch time on Saturday, we had our BIG combined-Birthday Party with a ton of pizza and two... yes, I said 2 Ice Cream Cakes! One for each, being as this was such a big year for both, Wes (18) and Whit (16)!!!

That evening, Greg, Dad P., Aly and I drove to Columbia to see the Collingsworth's in concert and had a fine time! It was fun to finally get to introduce Aly to Phil, Kim and the kids... just sad that it has taken almost a year to do so!!!
Sunday, we went to Church with the family and were able to meet their new Pastor and his wife, had a yummy meal and another enjoyable day with the In-Laws and kids!
Monday found us back on the road toward home, arriving around 10 p.m. all worn out, but very happy to have had such a wonderful weekend together!

Happy First Day of Fall, Ya'll!

I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a very Happy Fall! It's difficult to believe it's already this time of year, again! However, it's not difficult to believe that we are more busy now, than we were during the Summer months!
We're in the middle of the Sunday School Fall Drive at Church, we're helping plan a HUGE Celebration Service at Church (to be held on October 5th for the general Church of the Nazarene's 100th 'Birthday'), we're in the beginning stages of Christmas practices with the Adult Choir / Children's Choir and the list goes on and on!

Well, we took Aly to her 2nd wedding this past Saturday and she did a fine job... with the exception that she began to 'sing' so loud, her Daddy had to take her out for a bit, so she wouldn't take attention away from the bride and groom! LOL
We'll be heading toward Missouri this coming weekend to visit with family, celebrate a couple of Birthdays, see the Collingsworth Family in concert, etc. We're really looking forward to an awesome weekend filled with fun, family and of course... FOOD!
Please continue to pray for our Nation and the outcome of the Presidential Elections! There are rumors that something BIG is about to take place on the Democratic ticket. If indeed this 'rumor' (the dismissal of Biden) does take place, we could be involved in yet an even worse situation as a Country (the addition of Clinton), than we ever imagined... Pray people PRAY!!!
Please take a moment to read over our 'Older Posts' via the link near the bottom of our BLOGS. Any time we change backgrounds we lose the previously written BLOGS. However, they still can be found in our archives! (Thanks for the many wonderful email comments VIA 'Yahoo', as well!)
That's all the time we have now for BLOGGING, but we look forward to next week, another BLOG to write, the posting of more pictures and to the many wonderful scents that "Fall" brings with it... spicy pumpkins, baked apples dipped in caramel, etc.

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

May the Summer Fun Continue!

July 4th weekend was a very exciting time around our part of the fair city...
Greg's parents arrived on Thursday evening (the 3rd), just in time to head to "Chicago's", for a little of their tasty pizza!
We spent the morning of the 4th relaxing with the 'in-laws', Wes and (friend) Devin. This, after a week in our wild, wooly, wonderful "Boys Dorm" and what fun that has been!!! It's always great to have the chance to spend time with Greg's family!
Around 1:30 p.m., on the 4th, we drove to (our Church's) "The Hope Shelter" to meet the rest of the family for an afternoon Picnic... everyone pitched in on the menu and it was to DIE FOR!!! Pork Chops on the grill, Corn on the Cob, Italian Bread, Ceasar Salad, 5-Cheese (homemade) Macaroni Casserole, Multi-Bean-Baked-Beans, Homemade Cheeseball-n-Crackers, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Strawberry Cake, Texas Sheet Cake, and SOOOO much more!!! There were even Hot Dogs on the grill, Chips-n-Dip, P.B. Brownies and other snacks... just for THE KIDS!!!
Speaking of kids, here is a photo of our Alyson with her Mamaw "Who" (S.) taken at our 4th Family Picnic. The two of them always have a great time together! We've been too busy with company to try and keep up with picture taking... (guess we need to take a lesson from dear Ronda and Danny, huh?) Maybe it'll get better when we're out of the 'baby stages' and there's not so much to remember every time we walk out the door? (Like 'Did we bring the camera?!?!? LOL)
Due to little rain and clouds, we had our meal in "The Dwelling" (the Church Youth Center) and when the sun came out a bit, we headed out to the Shelter for even more fun!
That evening, we drove downtown for the blast of Indy's famous Fireworks, they were great BUT the Finale' was AWESOME! Once again, (much like our day at the Zoo), Aly wasn't all that interested in the fireworks, but she enjoyed looking at all the people! LOL
Our guests went to Church with us on Sunday morning, then for the evening service, "The Perry's" were in Concert (also at our Church) and God came in a very special way.
As you can tell, we had a wonderful weekend, trust ya'll did as well and we just want to say how thankful we are for the family God has granted us! "Thank You, Jesus... You've been better to us than we ever deserved!!!"
We'd also request special prayer for our Nation, not only during this Patriotic season but for the upcoming Election season, as well?!?! Without the much needed prayer of Christians around the Country, there is NO hope!!! Our plea is that God will continue to BLESS America!!!