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Repeated business reverses, failure after failure, had destroyed self-confidence.  I was broken in spirit.  The self in me didn't want to die.  It wanted to try to get up from ignominious defeat and try once again to tread the broad and popular way of vanity and of this world.  ........In final desperation, I threw myself on [God's] mercy.  If He could use my life, I would give it to Him - not in physical suicide, but as a living sacrifice, to use as He willed.  ---HWA, Autobiography Volume I

The AC Chartwell Gals Turnabout Brunch



A BIG THANKS to the AC Chartwell dorm ladies who hosted a lovely brunch for turnabout weekend in their dorm.  Their RA, Jamie, invited me to attend as a guest.  It was great seeing the gals all work together in harmony in one kitchen.  Everything tasted great!  At first, it felt a little awkward not being in the kitchen cooking since that is my usual comfort zone when people come over, but Jamie reminded me that it's serving to be served sometimes, so I got use to it and really enjoyed the girls hospitality.  Some great cooks in this bunch!  In the end, Jamie let me help wash some of the dishes so I wouldn't feel like I did nothing.  :-)  Those gals did such a fab job on brunch.  The food was great, but it's always nice to just have good fellowship together which is what it's really all about.  Thanks again to the Chartwell gals!  There is a very short VIDEO clip that I shot about halfway though this post of the food prepping action if you so desire to watch it. 



The VIDEO CLIP

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Game Night at the Vejil's

 A BIG THANKS to David and Jennifer Vejil for hosting a family building game night in their lovely home.  They've had these before, but it was the first time I had been to one.  The games and snacks were great, but what I really enjoyed was just a nice evening of spending time with some of the extended family in a relaxed environment.  Most of us are so blessed to work at HQ, so we see each other often, but when we're at work it's called "the Work" not "the fun", so it's nice to get together for relaxation after a work day.  We are so blessed to have a mix of married's with children, married couples, and singles all together.  These types of mixed get-togethers really help build the family.  Thanks again to the Vejil's!

ABOVE:  David V. and his super friendly son Heath

BELOW:  Philip N. and his super friendly daughter Nora

 ABOVE:  My favorite pic in the lot.  Alexander D, Alexis V. and Heath V. playing in the dirt.  Simple childhood fun like it use to be back in the good ole days.  :-)  It's always so refreshing to be around kids who are so happy and respectful b/c they are being raised God's way.

BELOW:  Our lovely hostess, Jennifer V, with the lovely Lisa H. and her son Tristan

 Trampoline Fun!  :-)

 BELOW:  Mike D. watches as his son plays outside.

 ABOVE:  Brent and Michelle smile for my camera before slaughtering me in a game.  :-)  Brent was the winner  He won after a long and semi intense two hour game we played.  Apparently, we played really slow, but it was a mind game, and most of us had never played it before, so we took our time.  I thought I had a great strategy to the game, but towards the end I was informed that I was accidentally cheating b/c I had missed one of wild card rules of the game, so after my not so brilliant game plan, pun intended; was stripped from under me, I sank hard without a life vest.  :-)!!!

BELOW:  Dan A., Gloria D, Aubrey, and Sarah playing another game.

 Patrick H.....like the hat BTW  :-)....Benjamin T, Josh S., and Tasha E. play another game.

 Adar N. and David with the game.

 BELOW:  While you were sleeping!  :-)  Hopefully Dan won't mind me posting this as he didn't have any idea I took this.  I think he is a good enough friend to not mind without me asking.  This pic was taken right before I left towards the end of game night.  If this is the last post that you ever get from me, then you'll know he minded.  LOL!  Dan is such a hard worker during the work day functioning as the Science Dept Head at Imperial Academy, and then he works in the Information Systems Dept in between classes at HQ, and also answers peoples phone calls with PCOG website questions out of kindness since he's that webmaster.  Busy man.  He deserved a nap!  :-)!

Fav Quote!

"If we want friends, we can’t go around feeling superior to them.  On the contrary, we should work to make all people feel like royalty." -- G.F.---How to Be an Overcomer



Holding Down the Fort During Robbers Cave--Chili Cook-Off, ETC! :-)

 Above:  This is what the parking lot of HQ looked like after 4PM the Friday during Robbers Cave.  There is the security car in the mid-right, my car, my brother's truck, and Ms Dawson's car.  Classic pic.  :-)

I have to say that for those of us who stayed and "held down the fort," that HQ was busier than the years past while many are away at RC, at least for me as I can't speak for everyone.  In the past, it's been pretty quiet and dead, but this year more staff stayed behind then ever I think anyway, and one day it was busier than a normal day.  I guess it's proof of the Work growing which is exciting.  I can't say I had a big break with most gone to Robber's Cave like I had been use to in years past, but working in a partially empty office was a different kind of fun.  :-)  I hope that everyone who went to RC had a well deserved break though which is what it is really all about.

Below:  While everyone was gone we had a Chili Cook-off at the field house thanks to Dave and Shandise Brown and Ramona Larsen who hosted it.  I didn't make any chili to enter into the cook-off, but I opted to bake a cake and bring it to use up leavening agents.  Many people did make amazing chili though.  In the end, Deepika A. won first place for her Indian Chili, and Brandon and Ivory N. won 2nd place for their chili cooked in wine.  No one knew who had made each chili until the results were read.  Originally it was a tie, and a tie breaker had to be done.  Ironically, Ivory said she voted for Deepika's chili which gave Deepika the lead over hers and Brandon's though she didn't know whose chili she was voting for.  We teased her about that!  :-)  It was a great extended family filled evening!  :-)  Below are pics from it.

 Above:  Ramona and Shandise.  Our hostess with the mostess  :-)

Below:  Ivory smiles right after the results are announced.  :-)

 Above:  Alec smiles.  Love this kid!  :-)

 Above:  Loving how the newly wed Brandon's were dressed alike.  :-)

Below:  Luke H. told me he had photo bombed my pic with the Jacques and Mark J. like any little bro would do, but he didn't know I was trying to get him in the pic, so it was a win/win situation.  :-) 

 Above:  I guess Melinda B. and Paulette C. got the wear purple memo.  :-)

Below:  Mr. Burks, Philip, and Dave chatting

 Above:  Deepika shooting a pic of Danielle

Below:  Bailey is gesturing b/c a few of us made a big deal over his coming out for the cook-off.  I tease and call Bailey home boy b/c he is originally from the same congregation as me back in East Texas, and he prefers not to venture out much, so when we see him out at something, it's big.  LOL!  Pete and James are his body guards it seems.  :-)

 Above:  It was so nice having the Anderson's in town.  Sweet family!

Below:  Dave right after announcing the two winners and Deepika with her gift bag.

 The teens/pre-teens and the chili!  :-)

Below:  Switching gears.....Friday night after B.S. Deepika and I decided to have dinner in which we had both missed beforehand; at IHOP.  It is difficult to find places open around here after 10PM, but IHOP is old faithful.  :-)  We both look tired, but consider the time frame.  Breakfast late at night.  Nourishment came before sleep.  :-)  I love spending time with Deepika.  She is a friend that you can have deep conversations with.

Below:  Swithing gears!  Sunday life was cleaning and getting my house ready for the upcoming HD's from top to bottom from morning until night!  Hard work, but half of my house is now finished!  I usually try to keep a neat house, but when cleaning this time of year everything gets pulled out.  Below is how the house is looking right now.  No guests are allowed until the other half of the house gets finished.  :-)  This is one of those pics in which I debated to post b/c I always try to make posts with a serving and sharing attitude rather than the typical "look at me" social media attitude as best as I can knowing I'm far from perfect which is the whole physical parallel to having to clean the place, but I try.  In the end I thought it would be fun to share the house is a mess pic. 

Busy past week on into the weekend, but fun was had as well.  Work hard, and I don't say play hard, but say play some to stay sane, and then back to work!  :-)