Here and There...

We've officially began our month long deputation tour through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana! Tonight we stopped at a "La Quinta" near Columbus, OH. We are on our way to Youth Challenge where we will be setting up our missions display board and hopefully making more contacts. I'll try to post pics of our trip along the way!


In other news...we are the proud new owners of an APPLE!!!!!!!! We absolutely love it!!




Also, don't forget to enter the quilt naming contest [see previous post]. Thanks to the ones who've already e-mailed their entries!


editor's note :) sorry I didn't post this sooner, but with the new computer, it took awhile to figure out the photo upload thing...

Attention Bloggers! Check Out The Contest!!!

Ok...here's the scoop. My latest quilting project was a baby quilt for my friend Alanna. I designed it and hand quilted it (see pics below). Someday, if I ever get ambitious enough, I would like to create a pattern for it...and then sell it... So, this is where I need your help. I need a name for the quilt. The contest will be open until October 31. Please submit all name entries to my e-mail address crystalmason@juno.com The prize for this grand contest will be your choice of quilted hot pads or our newly released CD (more on this later...!) Have fun!

The back.


The design around the border is variegated thread (hard to see in this picture).

Alanna and baby Dalyn.

Misc. Notes

My grandfather's house sits right along the Susquehanna River. This picture was taken just a few feet from his house.


I also wanted to post this picture...it was taken at the Lebanon GMC Church while we were there on deputation. Bro. Hery Santiago (who was saved out of the Lebanon Bus Ministry) has mentored a man who is from Santo Domingo, Mexico...the place where we are going to plant a church. It is exciting to meet different people who know the place & people where we will be going. [For more on this story - visit one of our missions services!]

Bro. Hery Santiago, Michael & I

Ok-I'm Back!

Here are seven random things about me...

1. I would like to go to Hawaii for our 10th wedding anniversary.
2. I had scoliosis (curvature of the spine) when I was a teenager and had to wear a back brace for 2 years.
3. My favorite form of relaxation is a good, hot bubble bath and a good book!
4. My dream career as a child was to become a surgeon or doctor. (I'd still love it!)
5. I am an EMT, but have let my certification expire.
6. I have changed light fixtures (you know, messing with wires) and forgotten to turn off the electric!
7. (If you're a guy-don't feel obligated to read this...and don't say I didn't warn you.) Once on my way home from work, being in a hurry, I used a "nursing breast pump" while driving!

Oh yeah, I love to eat if that counts for anything!!!
So there you have it!

I also wanted to show you a picture of a quilt I made to give to my best friend for her wedding. The only problem is that I'm just now giving it to her - on their 3rd anniversary! The quilt turned out to be bigger than my good intentions were of hand quilting. Thanks to my Mom and her new snazzy quilting machine, we cheated and finally got it done!

Tagged!!

Thanks to my sister, I now have been tagged!! But...due to my busy life, that will have to wait until another day.....so sorry...!!!!

Family Pictures

We recently got our family pictures done so we could have updated prayer cards for our missions display.




Check out our prayer card also.

Finally - Kyle's Birthday Party!!

In my post from Washington, I mentioned Kyle had his 2 yr. old birthday, but that we wouldn't be able to have his party until later. Well...due to wacky family schedules, that didn't happen until last Monday!

Kyle really enjoyed his "Thomas the Train" Cake. I must confess that I made it. Due to my wonderful procrastination...I didn't start it until the day of...and therefore I have a less than perfect cake. But hey, Kyle liked it and that's all that mattered!! I was having problems with my icing not being thick enough, but being in a hurry, I just kept right on decorating! (I'll make sure the pictures aren't close up, that way all you "professionals" can't critique too much)!!!



Watch out! A gun from Aunt Brenda and Kyle thinks he's a big hunter shooting buck, or so he says!


And then, my Mom took great delight in buying this wooden train for Kyle. It has quite a few detachable pieces...she says that people bought many piece toys for her kids and now it's payback time. Thanks Mom!

Happy Belated Birthday, Kyle!!!