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!!