Echo Lake State Park
A view from Cathedral Rock, overlooking the valley.
Echo Lake State PArk
Some of the guys camping at
Brian's Retreat Cabin.
(left to right, me, David, Brian, Chris and Jeff)
This guy is ready for winter...
Monday, November 3, 2008
September and October Pictures
A view from Cathedral Rock, overlooking the valley.
Echo Lake State PArk
Some of the guys camping at
This guy is ready for winter...
September and October Thoughts
Greetings to our supporters.
This blog update will cover both September and October. The month of September was really chopped up. Linda and I had to take an unexpected visit out of town for two weeks to deal with a personal family situation. My in-laws came for a visit for the rest of the month into October. It was good for Russ and Jean (Linda’s parents) to be up, since they are originally from New England. We were able to share with them good New England experiences like going to the Fryeburg Fair, apple picking, going to the ocean, eating seafood, and looking at the fall colors. I believe this year has been the best autumn I have ever seen living here in New England for the foliage. I have put a few of my favorites on the blog for you to see.
The summer has gone by so quickly. We wake up now with frost on the car windows every morning. The leaves are just about gone. The tourists have returned to Tennessee and Texas. Mount Washington has a beautiful cover of snow. It won’t be long till the snow will make it down into the valley. I still need to get my snowblower tuned up, since they are talking as if we will have another big snow year. While the air gets chillier, I am looking forward to the holiday season. Even though the stores jump right over Thanksgiving and start putting their Christmas displays up in September, I personally like Thanksgiving. It will be nice, especially since we will have our daughter back from college for the week.
As things wind down and settle back to normal here in the valley, the church continues to grow spiritually, and we are seeing increased commitment and dedication to the work. One of our members recently had a weekend retreat for the men. Several of us went to his hunting cabin in the woods and enjoyed some good bonding and fellowship. The congregation is gearing up for our annual youth rally at the end of February. The ladies are now meeting on Tuesday mornings for a Bible Study. We are having our weekly Wednesday Bible study downstairs in the fellowship room, pulling up chairs around the fireplace. Our Wednesday class will focus on answering various questions the congregation has about the Bible, spiritual life, etc. We are first tackling the topic of eldership qualities and leadership of men and women in the church. On Sunday mornings we are going through a sermon series on the book of Galatians. I am excited about the joyful freedom that Galatians exalts, and believe this is one lesson the people in Conway really need to embrace.
As far as other weekly activities, Linda and I continue to have a few of our younger families over to our house every Friday night to eat and talk informally about spiritual things. Some of the ones who we have invited are not yet Christians, so we are encouraged that they come with their Christian spouses to talk about the Bible. I am also really enjoying my participation in the Community Choral Group. It is a good way for me to get into the community and meet people. Linda is also volunteering at a food pantry on Monday evenings, feeding many folks who don’t have much in their cupboards.
This month I have been trying to get the word out to many congregations of the continuing financial needs of my family as we seek support until the congregation here is self supporting again. Perhaps you have received one of those letters. I want to once again thank each of you who have participated financially in our work here. Some of you I know have made a one year commitment. Others of you might be willing to continue with support on into the next year. We are grateful for whatever you have done and for whatever you will continue to do, especially if it is faithful prayer support. I hope you will continue to check in on the blog page, even though you might not be able to continue your financial support.
I hope you have a wonderful fall season. Enjoy the turkey and I hope you are surrounded by family and friends for your Thanksgiving holiday.
God bless…
Leland and Linda
This blog update will cover both September and October. The month of September was really chopped up. Linda and I had to take an unexpected visit out of town for two weeks to deal with a personal family situation. My in-laws came for a visit for the rest of the month into October. It was good for Russ and Jean (Linda’s parents) to be up, since they are originally from New England. We were able to share with them good New England experiences like going to the Fryeburg Fair, apple picking, going to the ocean, eating seafood, and looking at the fall colors. I believe this year has been the best autumn I have ever seen living here in New England for the foliage. I have put a few of my favorites on the blog for you to see.
The summer has gone by so quickly. We wake up now with frost on the car windows every morning. The leaves are just about gone. The tourists have returned to Tennessee and Texas. Mount Washington has a beautiful cover of snow. It won’t be long till the snow will make it down into the valley. I still need to get my snowblower tuned up, since they are talking as if we will have another big snow year. While the air gets chillier, I am looking forward to the holiday season. Even though the stores jump right over Thanksgiving and start putting their Christmas displays up in September, I personally like Thanksgiving. It will be nice, especially since we will have our daughter back from college for the week.
As things wind down and settle back to normal here in the valley, the church continues to grow spiritually, and we are seeing increased commitment and dedication to the work. One of our members recently had a weekend retreat for the men. Several of us went to his hunting cabin in the woods and enjoyed some good bonding and fellowship. The congregation is gearing up for our annual youth rally at the end of February. The ladies are now meeting on Tuesday mornings for a Bible Study. We are having our weekly Wednesday Bible study downstairs in the fellowship room, pulling up chairs around the fireplace. Our Wednesday class will focus on answering various questions the congregation has about the Bible, spiritual life, etc. We are first tackling the topic of eldership qualities and leadership of men and women in the church. On Sunday mornings we are going through a sermon series on the book of Galatians. I am excited about the joyful freedom that Galatians exalts, and believe this is one lesson the people in Conway really need to embrace.
As far as other weekly activities, Linda and I continue to have a few of our younger families over to our house every Friday night to eat and talk informally about spiritual things. Some of the ones who we have invited are not yet Christians, so we are encouraged that they come with their Christian spouses to talk about the Bible. I am also really enjoying my participation in the Community Choral Group. It is a good way for me to get into the community and meet people. Linda is also volunteering at a food pantry on Monday evenings, feeding many folks who don’t have much in their cupboards.
This month I have been trying to get the word out to many congregations of the continuing financial needs of my family as we seek support until the congregation here is self supporting again. Perhaps you have received one of those letters. I want to once again thank each of you who have participated financially in our work here. Some of you I know have made a one year commitment. Others of you might be willing to continue with support on into the next year. We are grateful for whatever you have done and for whatever you will continue to do, especially if it is faithful prayer support. I hope you will continue to check in on the blog page, even though you might not be able to continue your financial support.
I hope you have a wonderful fall season. Enjoy the turkey and I hope you are surrounded by family and friends for your Thanksgiving holiday.
God bless…
Leland and Linda
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