Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Highland Church Family Camp

Since the 1970's Highland has been going to the HEB encampment for family camp twice a year (Fall and Spring). Our family was able to attend for the first time this past weekend. What a joy it was! There was no real schedule...lots of time to relax, read, meditate, pray, play, canoe, swim (if you're crazy), and eat. The only real structured time was Saturday night. There was a really fun and hilarious talent show that many adults and kids participated in. And then Sunday morning, we had communion together in the amphitheater which looked out over the Frio River. It was beautiful!

Here are some fun pictures of our time at HEB.

Gotta love the Texas hill country!


Sam found a new passion in fishing. He is officially addicted!



Sheryl bravely rode and let the girls paddle

My college roommate, Craig Fisher

Maddie tried fishing too

It's not called the Frio River for nothing! It's fr-fr-freeeezing! Loved catching this of Clark Sullivan on his way in.


Owen Fisher, Brighton and Katie Blair

Maddie and friends

Ella, Brighton and Katie were most pleased with themselves for getting to ring the breakfast bell one morning.

Maddie and Ella and some of their bff's


Camille Dickson spent some time grading French exams...she's so on top of things!

The Monarchs fly through on their migration pattern. It was almost infested with Monarchs...very beautiful


Katie listens intently to Gable Heflin

Sam and Brighton disappeared to hang out with these girls a lot. I wonder why? :)

Craig zzzzzzzzzz Fisher

Kyle Dickson---I don't think your eyes absorb words that way, Kyle.


Sam fishing...alone...without distraction...and very happy.


Maddie and Jennifer Gorham

The meals were AWESOME!

Jennifer (Money) Crisp and Sheryl

Mattalee Heflin, Maddie and Caroline Siburt

Talent show time!

Ethan Fuqua and other kids got the crowd rowdy with their scooter pre-show

Ella and Katie


Clark Sullivan sang beautifully

When Ava Walters read from 1 Cor. 13 there was not a dry eye in the house

Houston and Emery Heflin show their basketball tricks

Sheryl and I did our bagpipes and banjo impressions


One of our praise team guys, Bret Pinson, showed off his new accordion 


Thank you to all who made Family Camp so incredible! We can't wait til next time! In closing...I'd like to leave you with this HILARIOUS video from the talent show. My old college roommate, Craig Fisher, showed his true skills. The boy has moves...always has. And here's another reason why I LOVE this...some of the folks from one of our satellite outreach churches invited people out on the dance floor during an instrumental part of their song and kids and adults came. It honored them and lessened the gap. Love that. Enjoy...


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Happy Birthday, Sheryl!

Well, it's official...my wife is cough-cough-40-cough. Tuesday night I threw a surprise birthday party for Sheryl at one of Abilene's cooler venues, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. The NCCIL is a national museum where artists who illustrate popular children's books display their illustrations and art work. My mom was key in bringing it to Abilene and the NCCIL produces tours of these art shows that travel all over the US. It's a cool place! But, not as cool as my beautiful wife who has only gotten more lovely with age. She was truly surprised too! THAT was an accomplishment!

Here are some pictures of our fun evening together with great friends...

Brad and Jennifer Crisp, Mike Cope and Brooke Nichols

Diane Cope, Kent Bogle and Camile Dickson


Sheryl and me...Kyle in the background #photobomb

Angie Martin and Jennifer Crisp

Camille Dickson---being her crazy self

Jason and Stephanie Blair

Sally Gary and David Gililland (Thank you to my little brother David for driving in from the Metroplex)

Elizabeth and Greg Wilson, Angie Martin and Amy Boone

Laura Carroll, Sheryl and Karen Heflin


The picture back there is one of Sheryl dressed as Lucy last Halloween

Sheryl...she hasn't aged much at all since our wedding day!

Houston Heflin serving cake

Mike Cope and Elizabeth Wilson enjoy catching up

Karen Heflin and Dava Lynn Sullivan

Laura Carroll, Karen Heflin and Dava Lynn Sullivan--we love these three!

These amazing women have been such great friends to Sheryl.
Laura Carroll, Camille Dickson, Sheryl, Karen Heflin and Dava Lynn Sullivan

fake laugh!

Kyle Dickson and I have been friends since we were 5. He's been a brother to me. Love him!

Ronda Hillis, Angie Martin, Beth Ann Fisher

Mom and Diane enjoyed catching up

Allison Rberts, Jennifer Crisp, Sheryl and Beth Ann Fisher--Allison and BA are in our life group

Ben Siburt, Brad and Jennifer Crisp

Marshall Bradley and Sheryl

Beth Ann, Sheryl and Emme Siburt--Marshall was the photobomber in the background
Happy birthday, Sheryl! Here's to 40 more wonderful years! We praise God for His provision in our lives in the way of friendships and family. We are blessed beyond measure!