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posted by Jonathan on 11/30/06

This year The Buckhannon Chamber Orchestra invited me to play with them. This is the most advanced group I have played with since Esther started teaching me in 2004. 

I really liked the songs that they picked.  In the middle of the concert one of my strings got loose so I couldn’t play it, but at the end of the song I gave it to my fellow 2nd violinist and he fixed it in time to play the next song. I learned a whole lot about playing with others and blending for a fantastic sound. I hope that I can play with them again next year.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 11/28/06

This was truly one exhilarating, exhausting, yet encouraging weekend! From around 8:00 Saturday evening when the Wilkes Team pulled in until 2:00 Monday afternoon as they tooted at the end of the driveway, our adrenaline levels hardly gave us a chance to rest. Catching up on the events of the last few months and gathering in the Living Room for an inspiring church service took till noon Sunday. Afterwards, everyone (from Marky to Michael:)) participated in a thrilling game of Bible Runners (where Matthew, Michael and I were the KGB). After roasting marshmallows around the bonfire behind the barn and viewing a slide show of James’ pictures of the 7 weeks of Life Focus, everyone was ready to hit the sack.

The next morning we had several duels over the ping-pong table, ate a delectable breakfast, and played some exciting games of “Around the World”. Knowing they would need to leave around 1:00, we decided, since God had blessed us with such fine weather, to do something outside instead of our traditional Settler’s game. After a vote, we chose Capture The Flag. The sides were just too even. With Matthew and Daniel Wilkes on the opposing team, our defense was kept constantly on guard. Early in the game both flags were found, but stopped after only being carried a few feet away. For quite a while each side kept attempting raids, with no success. Then Daniel Wilkes managed to get up higher on the hill behind James and I. Suddenly, when both of us happened to look away at the same time for a split second, he darted in. Grabbing the flag, he attempted to change direction. But it was on one of the steepest parts of the hill and instead he just slid. James and I slid down on top of him in a second, but somehow managed not to touch him. Realizing too late our mistake, we watched him dash across the line only a few feet away. Everyone exploded in a victorious uproar and we could hardly believe it. That was one of the best games of Capture the Flag I’d ever played. 

Then watching them disappear down Buffalo Calf through the leafless tress, we all agreed this had been one of the best visits we’d had with the Wilkes. Distance dosn’t devide the fellowship of those who are of like faith!

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Robert on 11/28/06

Right now I’m in the Philippines with a Character First! ministry team headed up by David Waller. So far it has been quite the exciting adventure! We are teaching in quite a few different schools and ministering in several local churches. If you would like to receive periodic prayer updates or a link to the team website, please let me know. Thanks for your prayers!

1 Comment » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 11/25/06

The Thanksgiving season this year was full of celebrations for us. Because the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day Robert would leave for the Philippines on a mission trip, we decided to celebrate a few days early. Grandpa and Grandma Brannon came over to celebrate with us. Michael and I had just got in from Indianapolis a few days previous and this would be the last time our entire family would be together for a while. The meal Mom and Esther and David prepared was absolutely delicious. We were very thankful for what God had done to bring us all together as a family again. 

When real Thanksgiving Day rolled around, we had to have another celebration. We were thankful for the warm, sunny day it was so Grandma and Grandpa Brown could drive down from Morgantown. Uncle George and Aunt Joyce did not have any other plans for the day so they were also able to come. Again, Mom and Esther put their baking skills together and made a very filling meal which everyone enjoyed! Daniel and Jonathan also did something that made the mealtime very meaningful. At the last minute, he made little place tags that had the persons name, it’s meaning, and a corresponding scripture verse. Underneath the place tag was a piece a paper with a question on it that would prompt good table conversation. This turned out to be a real success! We had a very fun time remembering the past, discussing our favorite things, telling about what we did on our free time, and sharing testimonies. In the evening, after company had left, everyone went downstairs and finished off the day with a long game of Cities and Knights! Jonathan and Michael were the victors and we all went to bed thanking God for the blessings He had given us that day. 

We are looking forward to having the Wilkes come and visit us on Saturday! Though it is not technically a Thanksgiving celebration, we still consider it as being in the Thanksgiving season. It will help us to remember to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving all the year. 

4 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by David on 11/23/06

My brother Donald has been giving art lessons at weekly home school meetings. I have always wanted to be an artist, but I never really took it seriously until Mom bought art pencils and a kneaded eraser for me. I am a lot better than I used to be, but I am not the best yet. I especially love learning to draw animals.

 Right now he is teaching us to draw something alive and moving. However, he said it would be best if we did not draw our own pet. It has been hard to find something that is alive and stays still long enough to draw besides our dog Sentrina. Jonathan, Mom, and I went down to a lake where we saw ducks before, but we did not see anything. I think I will just have to draw some birds from our feeder. Josh (one of my friends at the meeting), brought his pet duck and we had to draw it. It was hard to draw. I did not do very good, but my brother Daniel did.

These are some of the pictures I have been drawing recently:

2 Comments » | posted in Art Work, Family News