Two Fridays ago, the 24th, our Family set out on a long journey, in hazardous conditions, complete with strong winds, heaps of snow and perilous whiteouts. By the grace of God we made it to the Beatty's house and so began a great weekend.
As soon as we crossed the Ohio border, this amazing thing happened. The roads got better. There was less snow. The winds died down.
Around 8:30 we finally pulled up to the Beatty's house. After being in a cramped van with 10 other people for almost ten hours, it looked like the promised land. Pastor Stephen and Miss Rachel got home not long after we did with enough pizza for Jesus to feed the five thousand, cuz that was pretty much what it took.
Just kidding.
It was really good pizza though.
We stayed up late and visited and talked. Great time of fellowship as always.
Saturday morning the fun began.
Jared and Boaz
Notice the Ohio state and Michigan shirts.
Youth Rally time: the guys and girls listening to mom play the piano.
Jared, Boaz, Jackson, John and Doug singing.
Around noon we all piled into our vehicles and headed for sledding. In our van, we had 6 cook kids, doug beatty and a couple other boys. As we turned into the entrance of the lodge, Brother Stephen, who was driving in front of us, did an awesome fishtail, resulting in hoots and hollers from all the boys in our van. Dad, not to be outdone, followed suit to Brother Stephen. This pleased Doug immensley:
"That's RIGHT Mr. Cook! That's Just what I needed!!"
Some of the kids at the hill.
Great Hill. Long walk back up.
Tinker and Brittney. The people on the bottom were the ones who got sprayed in the face with the snow. Also the ones who got landed on by all the other people riding on top. Hence the girl covering her face. Hence the supportive fiance :)
"You better not be taking a picture of me."
Fast-forward to Sunday Night. This was Hanging out with Josh in the sound booth.
Doug with Lily during choir practice.
Sunday night we had a full concert and Dad preached. Great time of fellowship again, and then we were leaving the next morning.
Doug with Kathryn.
Brother Stephen shooting people with the nerf gun.
Boaz and James.
The ever present Cooper.
If you look close, you might see Doug and Boaz looking out the window.
So the journey home began, but it was far from over...
Part Two to follow soon.
