Never a dull moment!

When I flew out to Dan and Bethany's I got a one-way airline ticket out, and a bus ticket back! My visit to D&B's overlapped with the Wissmanns, and they very graciously let me ride back with them! As much as I love plane rides, riding on the bus was WAY more exciting, and the company was better too:)

One of the highlights was being able to see some new sights, including a trip to the Amish Store.

A couple things I learned that week;

1. Ruth makes incredible breakfasts! (I got so addicted to yogurt and fruit)

2. Flexibility is a daily attribute that one must have...you never know what might happen in a morning.

Life on the bus is never dull!

3. Doing hair is so much fun, especially when you have such agreeable models:)

4. God is glorified when ordinary people surrender their lives to Him and obey His calling. He then uses them to do extraordinary things!

Believe it or not, I did get some school done...

...but it was way more fun to play cards!

Eating at one of the We Care banquets!

When browsing through a chocolate factory we came upon a wonderful sight! Jelly Bellys! All the pretty colors, new flavors that had never been tried, bags just waiting to be filled...who could resist? Certainly not me! *smile*

So many fun, exciting and interesting memories were made that week!

Thank you Wissmanns for letting me 'tag-along' with you! May the Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him.

What an incredible trip!

My trip out east was amazing! But what else could you expect when you are with such amazing people? I spent nearly a week with Dan & Bethany, and then another week traveling home with the Wissmann's!

My time with D&B went so fast! But it was jam-packed with fun.

Dan had been hearing about a PHC production called "Wait Until Dark" that the student drama club was putting on. The title made for some interesting dicussion, but we decided to give it a try! It was extremely well done, the actors were phenomenal, and the set was amazing! I am very glad I went, but it was like nothing I have ever seen before! I screamed three times, and jumped at least double that.

The main character was a lady that was blind, and the actress did a stunning job! I was very impressed!

When Dan heard that I had never been to Red Robin he put in on the calendar for Sunday afternoon! And it was excellent! It also had "bottomless fries", so I could have all the french fries I wanted...(dangerous I tell you *smile*)

Me and my burger:)

I have such an amazing brother! (Just ask Bethany, she'll back me up)

After our delicious lunch we debated on whether to go to DC right away or wait a couple days. It was very windy and slightly chilly...not exactly a perfect day for outdoor touristy stuff, but after a relatively quick discussion (none of us are very decisive) we decided to make a day of it! I had never been to DC and I am so glad that we went! To visit the Washington Monument, see the White House (in real life), and just be in our Nations Capital caused a lot of reflection. We were able to visit the Smithsonian museum as well. And walking through the "America at war" section was very sobering! It made me so very proud of our troops, those who laid down their lives, and the families that endure so much! I am so proud to be an American!

Dan and Bethany, how can I ever thank you? Love you both!!

Kitchen makeover!

For Mom and Dad's 26th Anniversary they decided to take a week long trip to VA. With Dad being George Washington in "Let Freedom Sing" he decided that that would be the perfect time to visit his gorgeous estate, Mt. Vernon, and the other historical monuments the DC area (hopefully more pictures on that soon).

The dream of painting the kitchen had been in the back of Mom's mind, for quite sometime...and so while they were gone, and with the help of many friends, we made that dream a reality! And we had SO much fun while doing it!

The first step was decided what we were going to do to "transform" our kitchen. We knew that Mom had been wanting to paint it red, so that was a start, but she hadn't said a whole lot moret...so we called up our favorite decorator (who happened to be skilled in just about every area that we needed: ) Abby, to help us!!! A whole day spent shopping...and we were ready to get started!!

We never knew quite how dirty the walls were, until we began to clean them...

We had lots of willing helpers...right John?

The painting process was so rewarding to watch! We have such wonderful friends that will come over and help! Luke N. came over and painted the red and cut in the white for us! He is a very skilled painter when it comes to red...after painting his grandma's bathroom in 7 coats of red, he found out the secret and did our red in only 2 coats!! He was so fast that we hardly got any pictures of him..but I did manage to find this one! Thank you, Luke!

Not sure how Noah U. fits into this...not sure why he was over...lol...but he did a very little bit of corner work...(did you, or were you just holding the brush while you paid someone to take your picture?)

Josh heard we were painting and came right over...well...not exactly, but we needed someone tall and he just happened to be in the right place at the right time! *smile*

While we were busy painting Abby and Anna N. were busy arranging the pictures that were to go on the big red wall!! And after a little arm twisting we got Caleb to screw in the pictures for us! He did a marvelous job!

Picture hanging is always a precarious job..."right, now left...no, too far now...up a little,...down just a bit, now to the right again." It was a happy thing when they were all hung and looking pretty!

Finally it was all done!! The "finished pictures" didn't turn out very well so feel free to come on over and see it for yourself!

Mom's reaction was just what we had hoped for! A lot of pleasant screams irrupted when she entered the kitchen!

A HUGE thank you for all of you who helped!!!

Lake Shetek

Our family reunion this year took us to Lake Shetek in MN. Both my Grandpa and my Grandma (my fathers parents) love to camp, and much prefer the "wilderness" to a regular campsite. Lake Shetek had the perfect spot -- a large group "wilderness" campsite that fit 6 tents quite spaciously. The showers were only a short drive away and cooking water was only a short walk away (they had a real hand pump that took some work to get the water out: )

Setting up camp

This tent has been with our family for over 20 years...and after a quite severe thunder storm it retired with honor...lol The boys had to sleep in the van the rest of the night to avoid floating right out the door (which didn't zip).

Swimming in the nearby lakes gave some a nice tan and others....well, we just won't go there: )

Taking walks...

...and just enjoying being together...

The whole Beasley family

A day at the lake...

..was on of my favorite things that we did! Justin took Alicia, Anna, the other Anna and myself out on the lake for an afternoon of boating and swimming (and a little sun bathing)!

It was so good to see Alicia again!!

What could be better then finishing a day at the lake, with a trip to Applebee's in our swimsuits: )

Thank you Justin & Alicia!

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Could it really have been two weeks....

..since we left for CYIA???

Well...we are home again!!! And I can't wait to (spend a whole day getting caught up on blogging) share about all the wonderful times we had!!!

A huge thank you to all of those who sent packages and letters!! (I even got some from people who I didn't even know!!! Thank you SO MUCH!!!!)

The LORD was definitely with us at camp and He taught me SO many things!! Thank you to everyone who prayed...they made a difference: )

Off Again....

I didn't do a lot of unpacking from my last trip because here I am leaving again: )  I am off to 2 weeks of CYIA with Esther and Phillip!!  We would definitely covet your prayers while we are there, as it is a fun, but also stretching experience!  

I really wanted to get more posted about my trip before I left..but that may, or may not happen:)  But I will definitely post when I return! But if you have any extra time on your hands...you could write me a letter!!!!  I really LOVE to get mail while I am there...and packages are wonderful too!

My address will be;

Anna Beasley

c/o Wesleyan Camp

87340 481st Ave

Atkinson, NE 68713

Thank you so much!!!  I look forward to sharing with you!

 

We miss you Joe: )

Joe is in Bolivia for 10 days...teaching kids how to play basketball... working on construction projects...and sharing his testimony and how the Lord is working!

We miss you: )  And we are praying for you!!

Love you lots!!!!