A Mason Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas...from our family to yours!!!!

Although we were officially in Mexico for Christmas this year, we did celebrate Christmas with our families before we left the States. With that thought in mind, and with the "fun" of cleaning our house that had been dormant for six months, unpacking our stuff, and fixing the water pump, refrigerator, and toilets upon our recent arrival to our house in MX... we decided to not put up a tree this year and just open a few gifts and that would be our Christmas.

Well...that thought only lasted until Christmas Eve. With the temps being hot and no decorations up, I was just having a hard time imagining it was Christmas! So, while Michael and some people from our city church when to a Christmas Eve service three hours away in the mountains, I decided to surprise him and set up the tree!

Maybe you'll notice in the picture that there's really not a lot of decorations on the tree...well that's just because some mice invaded my house while we were away and chewed some loveable snowmen, red berries, and garland. The rusty tin stars, burlap bows, and some tinsel really do look halfway pleasing at night with the other room lights off! (lol) No really, Michael was very surprised, and it made me happy and started to feel like Christmas might be here!

The table has the only other "Christmas" decorations in our house...

And since I was on a decorating roll, I decided to go ahead and put a few homey touches on top of our desk. Once I get some of my house fully decorated, I'll post some pics. I know my sister-in-law will want to see! ;-)

And that my friends, along with reading the Christmas story, opening gifts, talking to family, and some yummy food, is "A Mason Christmas 2010!"

Colorado: Part III

[10-03-10]

A Sunday spent in beautiful Colorado. Also an eventful day.

Sunday morning and afternoon were spent sharing and fellow-shipping with the dear people at Western Colorado Holiness Chapel. Afterwords, the pastor took us up on top of Grand Mesa.

Once again, very beautiful scenery. We took some time to take pictures and I also tried to get some of Parker since he had just turned six months old.

Meanwhile, back down at the pastors house, Taylor had stayed to play with the other kids. Apparently while jumping around, Taylor somehow hurt his arm and was crying and holding his arm by the time we walked in the door from our sight-seeing trip. So, we ended up visiting the ER in Delta, CO that night. Conclusion: according to xrays, there was no break, but the membranes between the two arm bones had been pulled or had come loose. The treatment was a hard splint with a sling to keep his arm immobilized and then after two weeks or so, we could see what he felt like he could do with his arm.

[waiting to see the ER doc]

[getting ready to leave Colorado the next morning]

But, all in all, we really enjoyed the time we were able to spend in Colorado. So happy we were able to go!

Colorado: Part II

The second full day we were in Colorado [10-02-10], we went to a little place called Telluride that is situated in a valley between tall mountains. And let me tell you, out of all the places Michael and I have visited, this probably was our favorite. The village was quaint and picturesque and the view was breathtaking!!!!!!! The golden aspens just shimmered against the evergreens. We were wishing we had a whole week to enjoy and explore!

We parked in town, then walked beside a creek until we got to a " gondola station." We boarded the gondola (similar to a ski lift), and took the ride up the side of the mountain. It was a very cool experience! There is a station located at the top of the mountain where you can get off and hike or bike on trails, or you can continue riding the gondola down the mountain on the other side where there is another small, more modern and high class town called Mountain Village.

Anyway, we absolutely loved this area! If anybody near there is looking to donate their ranch, we'd be happy to take if off your hands!!! ;-)

[Walking through town beside the creek]

[The gondola line]

[Parker]

[Looking down on the village of Telluride]
[Us]
[Looking down towards Mountain Village]
[Daddy and Taylor enjoying the walk]

Colorado: Part I

We recently had the pleasure of being in Colorado to hold a missions service. While there, we were able to spend two days sightseeing. The first day we went across the state line into Moab, Utah to the Arches National Park. It was a beautiful day and we had fun exploring the park.

I also really enjoy landscape photography, and am trying to learn more about it. These photos are definitely not pro status, but I hope you can glimpse some of the beauty I was able to see.

Arches National Park
Moab, Utah
10-01-10

[Overlooking the Petrified Dunes]
[The North Window]
[The Turret Arch]
[An AMAZING Sky!]
[The Balanced Rock]
[The Skyline Arch]
Stay tuned for more picture of where we went on our second day in Colorado.

Hispanic Campmeeting

This past weekend we were privileged to sing/speak at the H.I.M. Hispanic Campmeeting in Thomasville, NC. It was good to see friends and to make new acquaintances. The Lord really helped Michael with his Spanish and also helped him to minister through the Word. I think a good weekend was had by all!

Kyle's First Day of Kindergarten

Wow! So hard to believe how time does fly! Our oldest boy, Kyle, is 5 and ready for school!

Since we are home on deputation until December, we are privileged to allow Kyle to go to Kindergarten at Penn View for one semester. This will allow him to interact with other students/friends and also give Mommy and Daddy some time to get used to this new stage of life. Homeschooling during this important learning time in a child's life seems kind of scary for us!

Here are a few pictures to commemorate this exciting day in Kyle's life!

Penns Creek Camp 2010

We were so happy to be able to attend Penns Creek Camp this year. Excellent sermons on holiness were given by Bro. Darrell Stetler, Bro. Noel Scott, and Bro. Barry Arnold.

Good singing by the Durkee family!

Sunday night orchestra.

The Barry Mason Family singing "Heritage of Holiness."

Last Sunday night crowd.

And let's not forget the CHATTERBOX CAFE!
I had a blast helping there this year.

Kyle Turns "5"

Happy 5th Birthday to Kyle!!!!

Since we're in the middle of Penns Creek Camp, we decided just to have a little birthday celebration with family in the cafeteria after service tonight. But come to think of it, it's kind of fitting! Five years and one night ago, my water broke while eating in the cafeteria after service. It was slightly embarrassing, but ultimately exciting, as we knew our firstborn would soon be making his appearance. And sure enough, he did! July 30th, 2005 @ 5:29 p.m., 8 lbs. 2oz. and 20" long. We're so thankful that God chose to bless us with Kyle!

We love you, buddy, and can't wait to see what all God has planned for you!

(Continue reading previous birthday posts...)

Playing "Catch-Up"

So, I guess it's no secret that I'm terribly behind on this blog. Now the only problem that remains is catching up on the past two months...

We've been enjoying the addition of Baby Parker in our lives! He just turned three months old and is starting to give us a glimpse of his personality. He has slept through the night since he was 2-3 days old, he likes to smile as long as his belly is full :-) and he prefers to stick two or three of his fingers in his mouth instead of using a pacifier. He's a very good baby, and we all (including his big brothers) love him very much!

10 weeks

Too cute @ 3 months!

As far as ministry related items...

1) We have held 13 deputation services already and have quite a few scheduled for this fall. We've enjoyed seeing familiar faces and making new acquaintances and sharing how the Lord has been helping in Southern Mexico.

2) We have also been doing a lot of "fill-in" work while here at home (Central PA).

: : Michael helped train the instrumental group from Penn View the last few weeks of May due to the injury of Mr. Lucas Shrout's daughter.: : Our home church (New Columbia GMC) had a cancellation for their VBS, so we "filled-in." Thanks to Michael's family, we had props, songs, verses, and ideas all ready to go! We had excellent attendance with an average of 90-100 kids nightly. Our theme was "Set Free" and Michael did a wonderful job doing all the up front stuff. Since I'm not an "up front" kind of person, I played the piano and did the "behind the scenes" work.


: : We ended the VBS on a Friday night, and then started singing at Mt. of Blessings Camp Meeting on Saturday...(yep, due to a few cancellations!) Although it was physically tiring, our souls were refreshed sitting under the ministry of Bro. Leonard Sankey and Bro. Rick Maloyed. We are so thankful for the presence of the Lord meeting with us at camp.

After camp meeting, we decided the kids (and ourselves) could use a small break from the norm, so we headed to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. It was SUPER HOT that day, but we all had a fun time anyway.

Neither Parker nor the alpaca were too impressed with this photo op. :-)

Well, that pretty much brings us up-to-date. We are looking forward to being able to attend Penns Creek Camp Meeting starting a week from today. After that, we have a family vacation planned, and then we start into our fall deputation schedule in late August.

And hopefully, I'll try to keep this poor blog a little more updated.......!

Baby Pictures

Baby Parker is a little over a week old now. He is a very good baby and sleeps through the night already! Mommy and Daddy love him to pieces and I think his big brothers do too!!!!! Here are a few of my favorite pics of the little guy.

1 day old

4 days old

6 days old
Parker enjoying some "quality time" with his big brothers!