Well, Billy is still in Georgia, doing very well and having a great time enjoying 'southern food'. No, that's not all he's doing there, but I bet he's still enjoying it just the same. (actually I think he's enjoying the fact that there is a Starbucks right next to his hotel, so he's got to enjoy that every morning, afternoon, and evening....)

Speaking at Calvary Baptist Church in Tifton, GA on Sunday morning.




It had been uneventful here at home until Chris decided to play with a broken CD on Sunday night around 10:00 and slice his finger open. So other than an unexpected trip to the E.R. (his FIRST time ever!), we've been doing pretty good on our own. Luckily he didn't need stitches.

Our church is seeking a new music minister, and this weekend he is coming in to 'visit' and talk with the congregation. He will lead the services on Sunday morning and evening as well. Our pastor is very excited about this possibly being the person for the job. The choir gets to meet him on Saturday morning for a 'get-to-know-you' brunch.

I guess that's about it for now....hope everybody is doing well!!

Some more pictures from the January 12-14th Ice Strom:

This past Monday the 12th, we had PIZZA for lunch at OTC that was provided by a local church. Usually the menu ranges anywhere from pizza to mom’s “homemade cooking”. No matter what’s on the menu though, the students love to come and fellowship. We had 75 which is 12 more than last week and 20 more than the first week of the semester. Here are some pictures from this past lunch:

The Sunday study group is still in full swing, and thanks to some students from India, (and especially Srikant!)Billy won the “Hottest Chili” award at our church’s annual Chili Cook-off this past Sunday evening. (This makes two in a row.) As an award he received a fireman’s hat, and a trophy that had been sitting in the church office for quite a few years. It’s from 1980 and is to someone named “Brian”. It was a fun time for all. Below are some pictures of the study group:


Pictures below are of some of the students involved in the Sunday night group:



Billy will be traveling to Georgia this Friday for a week; he will be speaking to groups about the work he does with the colleges.

We also enjoyed a concert by Chris’ High School band this past week; our international student from Jamaica went with us, as well as our daughter and granddaughter. I think she enjoyed sitting on her grandpa’s lap and eating goldfish crackers more than listening to the music though. Here is her Valentine’s Day picture her mom took:

Isn't she a cutie??

Gina’s Aunt and cousin are visiting here from Florida this week; and although it was rather cold when they got here, the weather this week is warming up nicely and almost feels like Spring.

Productive Weekend....

Friday night 9 students from the OTC Leadership group met at our house; all but 3 had already attended the leadership conference the past weekend, and were reviewing the workbook with the ones that could not go. I think they all had a good time together and look forward to what the future holds for that school.

Then on Saturday Billy took a group of students to play 'pick-up-sticks'...no, not the game, but actually to "pick up sticks"!! They went to 3 homes in the area that were in dire need of tree cleanup, and they also cut down a couple of trees on the BSU property and moved the debris to the front area of the property so that the city can pick it up. He had 5 students in all helping. They worked hard from around 9AM until about 4PM. One house had so much debris to cut and move that it would take working every Saturday between now and summer to finish. The weather was sunny and not as cold as it had been.

Some of the sticks that we picked up:

This week holds the normal lunches at OTC and MSU. Billy will also be promoting the Spring Break trip to Wyoming...OH, and don't forget your sweetheart (or future sweetheart) on Valentine's Day!!

We survived...

Well, since our last posting, we had a major ice storm hit our area from January 12 - 14. Although it was scary at times, we all made it through okay. Lots of tree damage, and power out for some as long as 2 weeks or more. We were 'lucky' in that our power was only out for 5 days from the 12th until the 17th. There are pictures posted below.


This is a view from the front entrance of MSU

This is a large tree on the front lawn of the
house next door to the BSU

This is a view of a large tree blocking a major street.













I think we have been spoiled by our past 'mild winters', with our last major ice storm hitting in 1987. Now the clean-up of brush begins, with many homeowners still waiting on help getting their damaged trees cut.

As far as the MSU campus, the BSU building was without power for 2 weeks. Although this storm hit the weekend before the spring semester was to begin, a lot of students were still on campus. Luckily most of the international students did not lose power at all or not for very long. However, we did know of one of our students from S. Korea who was by herself in her building with no heat, and had no way of getting ahold of us. Once school began and we were able to get with her, she said it was a very cold and terrible experience. I felt very bad that we did not know of her situation.

On Sunday the 28th, a group of 16 students from India continued a study from last fall when there were only 10 in the group. They begin around 10PM and end around midnight. On Monday the 29th, 55 students attended the first lunch of the spring semester at OTC. It's a good start considering last semester we started with 45 and ended the semester with just over 100 attending. No telling what will be in store for this semester! Hope to have pictures posted soon.

This weekend was the annual Leadership conference in central Missouri. The BSU takes a group of students who are in or want to be in a leadership capacity. It is an uplifting weekend with speakers and various activities. The students are going back to their campuses with an increased desire and passion to make a difference in their community.