One of the best parts of our summer

We had such a full summer, full of learning and work and meeting people from all over the place!

At first, we were a little wary of west coasters....and also their shoes.

But actually we had lots in common.

We all like eating.

We all wash dishes.

We all love singing about the Lord!

(Daddy plays bass.)

And now we feel just like family....and we are!

Daniel met the grandbaby of the folks who arranged the first creation science conference our family ever attended...back in Sacramento in the '90s!  But he was unable to get her autograph.

Another sweet family from the land of our ancestral heritage, excited about the Lord, his Word and his wondrous works!

We met these sweet sisters at the local laundromat.  They live in town but had never known much about the 7Wonders Museum until we showed up on their laundry day with 7 full hampers, and 5 full laundry baskets.  It just demanded an explanation.

This great Canadian family came for a tour and gladly obliged our requests for them to say "again" again and again!  More power to them!

Another family from the pacific northwest, but new to Mount St Helens.

We were happy to meet in person this local, young family who came for a tour and stayed for dinner and devotions.

We all found it fantastic to know that even though we live thousands of miles apart, with different circumstances and struggles, the Lord is showing us many of the same things in His Word.

We are thankful for the wonderful blessings the Lord gave us through fellowship with His people who crossed our path this summer! 

Happy 22nd Birthday, Abigail Michelle!

Baby Abi with Grandma Jemelie,
who is spoken of in the letter below

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

If Heaven was a Paradise 

of sweetness and delight

With every want I’ve ever had 

and not a care in sight

With mountains high, clear sunny skies, 

and sandy ocean shore

All natures beauty pure anew, 

as Eden was before

My favorite food, my favorite drink, 

and comforts there for me

No sickness, pain or sorrow, 

no death I’d ever see

If all my friends I missed so much 

were with me once again

To join me in a life of bliss 

that wouldn’t ever end

I wonder - in a place like this, 

a Paradise so fair

Could I be satisfied in Heaven 

if the Savior wasn’t there?

- Abigail Michelle Klein

CHEA 2012: More driving, and bus trouble (May 23)

And so we continue our tale of the Wisconsin CHEA conference trip.

After our evening fellowship bash, we enjoyed a nice breakfast and prepared to pack up camp.

Besides the conference, seeing friends and camping, another reason for going to Wisconsin was that the Menards in Wisconsin carry roaster over liners for just $1.99 a box! (We may have purchased the last 40 boxes, so call before you go!) This enables us to use our roaster oven at camp, without expending hours of scrubbing!

So we enjoyed yummy steel-cut oats, with the exhilaration of throwing away the mess afterward!


We did have to elevate the roaster, to avoid having a racoon jump in.


And yogurt.


And a final round of volleyball, before putting it away.


And some time with local friends.


And watermelon. The watermelons survived pretty well, with only a few lost from rolling hither and yon down the aisle of the 35 foot bus.


And cheese crackers.


And pretzels. Looks like we are morphing into lunch here.


Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but picnic tables.


The Lindvalls had a desire to experience authentic Wisconsin river transportation, so here we are on the Wisconsin River.


In a bus.


Just like Lewis & Clark.


Daniel says, "I thought we were taking the ferry."

All ashore, and soon stopped safely at our favorite Wisconsin establishment of finer diesel, with a snapped belt. I forget which type it was. Looks like a big vacuum cleaner belt with teeth to me.


For you laymen, I'll explain: Buses are kind of like vacuum cleaners. They both make a lot of noise, but when the belt breaks you can't use them.

Fortunately, unlike vacuum cleaners, a bus can double as a waiting room.

While a party embarks in the Lindvalls' vehicle, looking for parts, we explore the area.

The guys locate the belt, bring it back, but have no clue as to how to install it, because there is no belt diagram (sometimes they post diagrams for these things under the hood). After consulting Uncle Danny, who cautions that we need a belt diagram, we track down a shop that is just about to close and the guy says he can install it for us if we get it there. Hmmm...

So, they put the belt on in the only way they can, so they can drive the bus to the shop. Then, they head out in the bus by faith, hoping to get there before the shop closes.


One adventure after another…


No lack of laps for sweet Daniel Amos.


Once the guys leave in the bus, just heading over the freeway to the shop, our waiting room is gone, so we play outside on the grass next to the parking lot.

After waiting at the shop for the mechanic to come out, the guys realize they must have all left for the night. So, they head back to meet up with the rest of us. The bus has run fine since then (still is) with the belt configuration we made up off the top of our heads.

We meet up at McDonalds for a thanksgiving feast before heading to the conference venue.

CHEA 2012: Camping (May 22-23)

Here are some more photos of our wonderful pre-CHEA camping at Devil's Lake State Park.

Mary and daughter, Moriah. Moriah became a big sister on June 18!! Welcome baby Josiah!!

Josiah's dad, Casey, and big brother, Micah.

Getting ready for a hike!

It was a great hike! We learned the engineering limits of Crocs!

We had awecious weather!

Made it to the bluff.

God's Lake.

At the shore.

Some of our blessings...

It was really wonderful weather. That worked out really nice.

Joel got a kick out of the flatlanders. He is used to much more challenging trails.

Our wonderful evening of fellowship with friends old and new! It was great to just mill around and share what is on your heart with fellow pilgrims.

Just all seeking the Lord's direction for leading our families.

One of these babies is not like the others.

Socializing with the siblings.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:15-19

We give thanks to God always for you all,

making mention of you in our prayers;

1 Thessalonians 1:2