NY Youth Conference

Geoff was asked to lead the worship for 400 students at a youth conference in New York (near Buffalo) this past weekend. So, Connor join him along with the great team of Mike, Devon, Kari and Josiah. It was an extraordinarily good weekend with the messages from God coming through Mark Shaw (from Michigan).

Another Milestone - License Plates

Last week we reached another milestone here in PA - the removal of our California license plates from our vehicles. It was an exciting and melancholic moment all at the same time.
Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Our Sports Kids

This week was significant in the world of sports. BayLynn went to the first day of tryouts yesterday for the track team at the local Jr. High (public). She's aloud to do that because we live in the district. She has a great friend on the team who's been a great encourager (thanks Jen!) since this is something BayLynn's never done. Her first two races were 200 meters and she won them both! Pretty cool!

Then today, Connor found out he made the tennis team at Abington. Quite a feat considering there’s only one team (Varsity only) and many of the kids take private lessons. One even has his own tennis court at his house :-) Fun days ahead!

Teenager #2 in the House

Well, BayLynn turned 13 today. Wow! She had a great day having a bunch of college students sing "Happy Birthday" to her, a fancy dinner at Red Lobster and the progressive opening of 13 gifts throughout the day. Yes, we're grateful for the young lady she is growing up to be.

Frankenmuth, MI

I (Geoff) had a little extra time today so I stopped by the Snowfest in Frankenmuth AND at Bronner's - the Largest Christmas Store in the World (www.bronners.com ). No pics of Bronners but here are a few snow and ice sculptures from the festival that's ending today.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ellsworthg/FrankenmuthMI?authkey=sZ0oDxGOG0U#

I have more and will be putting more up after I get home.

Thanks for your prayers. 3 schools, 1 youth group and a handful of individual meetings the next 3 days.

Geoff's Michigan Schedule

For those of you who'd like to know where Geoff will be these two weeks.......

January
18 Sunday – Faith Baptist Church – Streetsboro, OH – Pastor Don Workman – 10:45am service
18 – First Baptist Church College Fair – Lancaster, OH – Youth Pastor Jason Hilliker – 6:30pm

19 Monday – travel and drive by’s

20 Tuesday – Riverdale Baptist Church – basketball – 7pm – Youth Pastor Tim Snyder

21 Wednesday – Washtenaw Christian Academy chapel – Saline, MI – John Zylka – 2:20pm
21 – Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth Group – Flint, MI – Youth Pastor Dan Thorpe – 7pm?

22 Thursday – Genesee Christian School chapel – Flint, MI – 10:05am

23 Friday – Calvary Christian Academy – Ypsilanti, MI – Michelle Getchell - 10:15am

24 Saturday – Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth Service – Flint, MI – Youth Pastor Dan Thorpe - ?pm

25 Sunday – Riverdale Baptist Church Morning Worship Service – Flint, MI – Pastor Cory Snyder, Youth Pastor Tim Snyder
25 – Cornerstone Baptist Church Youth Group – Roseville, MI – Youth Pastor Patrick McGoldrick – 5pm

27 Tuesday – Oakland Christian School chapel – Auburn Hills, MI – Dr. Randy Johnson – 10:40am

28 – Wednesday – Berry County Christian School chapel – Hastings, MI – 9am
28 – Freedom Baptist Schools lunch – Hudsonville, MI – Principal Scott Huckaby – 12:39pm
28 – Riverdale Baptist Church Youth Group – Flint, MI – Youth Pastor Tim Snyder – 7pm

29 – Plymouth Christian Academy chapel – Plymouth, MI – Youth Pastor Larry Machonga – 10:45am

Ice Skating!!!

That's right. Today we went on our first ice-skating excursion out at the college lake. We cleared a little snow off of a few spots and went for it (click on the video above to see some of the fun). Then we did some exploring to the far side of the lake plowing through the 2-3 inches of snow that was on the lake from the small storm yesterday (this is the same lake, by the way, that's in the "Connor and Cousin Alec" video in the "Happy New Year" post below. Beautiful change of scenery, huh!?). Susan was the cameraman. She didn't lace up this time but we'll get her next time. We were all "on the ice" though. Good times! And oh the glorious God-painted beauty.