Abi and Gaby Montero were with us for a few days over Christmas break. On New Years' Day, they and Elizabeth and I slaved away in the kitchen for many hours and made a lot of tamales. We made red sauce for the chicken, and green sauce for the pork. We also made a small batch of sweet raisin tamales. Everything was made from scratch, the hard way!
These girls were so sweet and dedicated and patient to teach us how to do this!
So many ingredients goes into tamales; things we never knew were involved.
We finally got done many hours, dishes, and tamales later.
I got my afghan completed over Christmas break! I started it after we moved to Kentucky over 3 years ago, but have only worked on it during breaks from work or school. I bought the yarn for this project from a gift card from my high school graduation.
On Sunday, January 5, we were invited over to eat with Gary and Denise Mitchell. It was a very sweet time together. Erica Biggers, a GBS student they have "adopted" was there too.
On January 7th, I got to go skiing with my friends, the Harms, at a place in Indiana called Perfect Nor
th Slopes. They go there often, but it was my first time. We were all pretty excited as we drove there!
Steve took this picture when we were on the lift.
Break time for supper!! Korin brought along yummy chili and hot chocolate!
Full from the yummy supper, we were ready to go out again!
Out on the slope with a few of the kiddos!
The last hour of our time there, we did tubing.
January 10th was a game night at Burlington Bible Church.
The kids had their own games going...
The littlest girls were playing "Jr. Church" and singing the songs that we have been singing in Jr. Church lately.
January 12th, our Sunday dinner guests were Kashleigh, Caleb, Jimmy, Danette, and Rebecca.
January 17th,
Elizabeth was able to take time to go to the latest adoption of our church family. Tim and Patty Stamper, amazing foster and adoptive parents, added Lilyanna in their family of six. They have raised Lilyanna from when she was a few weeks old as a foster child.
The judge with all the Stamper family who could be there.
The Burlington Bible Church family that could be there for the adoption.
We love and appreciate this family!!
January 19th, Sunday dinner with Caleb, Jimmy, Danette, and the Witt family!
January 21st
, there was a special String Concert at GBS that I was privileged to play in. Here's my friend Kimberly and I before the concert started.
Our friend Rachelle Ferguson and I before the concert.
Rachelle is a very talented violinist, but also writes amazing plays and vignettes for church youth groups, homeschoolers, and ACE students who need drama material. Kittywham Productions is the name of her business. We highly recommend and endorse her product!!
Her mother, Laura Ferguson, directs a string ensemble in Salem, Illinois and brought her group to join with GBS string players and guests to give us that delightful evening of music. Laura arranged the three hymn selections that were played.
Dr. Vincent Phalen was the guest conductor for the String event.
January 23rd was our friend Gaby's birthday. A few friends of hers gave her a surprise birthday party that evening. Waiting for Gaby to arrive...
Singing to Gaby
Abi and Gaby
Gaby with friends Luz and Leah
Playing Head's Up together. Much laughter happened.
Before class time with a few classmates. . .
Beware when you leave your phone in the cafeteria!!
January 23-26 was Revival at GBS.
Daniel Edwards was the speaker. The music and messages were all very good and a blessing to the students, staff, and faculty.
One evening siblings Cale and Clarissa sang the special song.
Sunday morning, ready for revival service!
Another evening, 3 of Bro. Edward's sons sang the special song.
The Loper family singing a special song.
Sharree, Meagan, and Ms. V singing a special...
Bro. Edwards played his saw one evening before the message!
And then he used his saw as an illustration for being usable in God's hands.
January 26th, we went to Sunday dinner at the Sankey's home. We had a blue sky that day! It was so nice.
Our time with the Sankeys was so special! We love these dear people!
Some other random pictures from January. . .
Spending time with my friend Brittany, working in her Sunday School classroom . . .
Spending time with friends at GBS one evening . . .
Studying with friends in the library . . .
Lily and I at our ASL class at Cincinnati State College.
January 25th, we had to say goodbye to our coworker, Yani. We were blessed to have him work with us for as long as he was able to, and we will miss him!
January 31st, we got a pretty snowstorm!
We haven't gotten much snow this winter, but mainly rain.
My friend Jenny and I out in the snow at GBS. Rachel Pohl took this and the next picture.
Leaving you with a winter/spring photo! These daffodils are bravely pushing through the cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy weather!
