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Just thinking you all might want to check here... you probably already heard, but I just had to make sure!

Daily Funny

I saw this over at Trixie's place.

It cracked me up! I will have to have a special segment from deputation... "Signs we See". I think it will be a hilight and super fun to keep our eyes peeled!

A More Beautiful Day there Could Not Have Been!

Our family received a graduation gift from Gramma Jane... a day in Niagara Falls! As a person who has lived in Rochester my entire life, sans two years when I lived in Buffalo (... even closer to the Falls!) I had never before experienced it with such grandeur!

Truth be told, the American side had in passed years been less than exciting. The Rainbow Mall... a sorry excuse for a mall... was the only state side attraction. And it was not very attractive either!

Another reason Canada was the choice is because the view of the American side of the falls is better from the Canadian side. Because our falls are bigger. And prettier. And more. Though I may be partial...being an American and all...

Anyhow, on Wednesday we went to the falls. The whole Jalowiec Clan. And what a day! The weather could not have been better had we custom ordered it. Everyone was healthy and in good moods. Any one with a larger-ish family understands that statement!

We had only a few objectives on the agenda.

See the falls. And we did! The sun was beautiful as it peeked through the clouds, lighting the water into different shades and shadows. Dan waited no less than 15 minutes to get this picture. We were on the observation deck and the clouds had formed a massive covering over the sun. They finally cleared enough for it to peek through. It was worth the wait.

Tour "Cave of the Winds" Very Cool! I decided it was mis named. It really could have been called "Hurricane Experience, and no one would have questioned it! There are rickety-ish wooden stairs that are built and disassembled each year, and I am not sure how they stay through the force of the water, but they do. At least they did while we were there.

There is one landing called the "hurricane deck" and though you are not directly under the fall of the water, the winds that regularly blow cause a great portion of it to pummel you. It took my breath away. Literally! Loved the yellow capes!

They lasted long enough for some pretty great photos and some fun entertainment!

They did not last long enough to keep us dry. :)

Via technology, we had several guests along Despite the potential damage to said technology, texting and pixing continued. FB Mobile and Twitter were updated regularly, and few had any questions as to where we were!

The final objective, ride the "Maid of the Mist".

Donning lovely blue ponchos this time, the children were now well skilled in "Cape Art" and found ways to make cellophane even more beautiful than nature intended! The ship ride was incredible though. Everyone enjoyed it, and the scenery from the river looking up at the falls was incredible!

Si and Dad and Mic tried their skill with trick photography. For their first attempt it was pretty good !
The "lean" is quite believable, don't you think?

It was a great gift, and a great day! We concluded with another graduation gift redemption and enjoyed a de*li*ci*ous dinner at Fedele's. Thank You Gramma Jane for the day, and Thank You Lord for the Beautiful Scenery, safety, and life to enjoy it all!

A Graduates Bouquet

Daddy loved on his little girl...

The one that in truth is not little at all...

But will somehow always be tucked away in his heart.

(and the blue cup will be photo shopped out... soon!)

A Week or so in Pictures

Summit Team 2 on the Way to NYC

In front of Manhattan... I think!

How Micah spent his week while we were in NYC!

The front of the NYSE Building... at least the outside is beautiful!

The Graduates of Honor with their cake... YuM!

Playing Volleyball... Olivia is, well, sort of playing! The grass was So Wet and the mud just kept getting more and more prevalent as the plays went on... more on that in a minute !

Many of my side of the family! An eclectic bunch to be sure !

My sister gave this to Liv... a Custom Body Pillow and Case that was personalized by all at the party. Sure to be a source of comfort while at college!

Boys on the slide, and girls in the mud. What is so unusual about that?!

" LOOK! A MUD SPA!!"

All in all it was a fast paced event filled few weeks! We pray God was honored in all things, and we truly have started the summer off with a bang!

Go! Go! Go! Studio Go!!!!

For our upcoming trip to NYC with the teens, we are bringing the show! (in a new tab) Click for the full effect, and then return here to read the rest of the post. I will apologize in advance as I know you will be singing the song from now until ... well for a long time!

The teens are providing the man power for a 3 day VBS to be held at a church in Queens, NY. This church was less than thriving with a handful of members. Praise God under Pastor Ron Taylor's leadership, it has grown to around 40. The missions trip will focus on street ministry as well as link arms with this pastor to evangelize as much of the surrounding area for Jesus Christ! Our students will lead a Friday night Bible study with drama, worship and music, and a message from the Word, in hopes of this becoming a regular event for teens. The 29, 30 of June and 1st of July we will be doing the Studio GO! VBS at his church for potentially 50 children each day. What a way to reach that area! The next generation is where it is all going to happen- good or bad- and we are praying the Lord will raise up strong leaders for the Glory of God our Savior to change the face of NY!

Pastor Tumia and our teens have collectively put hundreds of hours into being as prepared as possible for the demands of this trip. It is no light task these teens have signed up for! They will be doing street evangelizing, one-2-one conversations, tracting, as well as hosting children's ministry meetings in the projects. Hours of video training, memorizing scripture and references and the ten commandments, as well as learning the beliefs of other religions are just some of the areas of preparation. They are excited, and we are too knowing the Lord has great things in store for us all!

So, here is the project that I have been busy at. (Aside from a billion other things that is! Did I mention to you that Olivia is graduating from high school? On Saturday?!?! ) (More on that later!)

Part of the VBS is a lesson where each of three days a teen will be dressed in biblical period clothing, and will teach the children a story about their character. This is a backdrop that will serve as the "room" they will stand in front of. It is painted on a queen sized sheet, and the table, fireplace and curtains are separate elements that are removable to change the "room" for each day. The curtains are actually reversible- you can see the other side from the folded over valance. Paint, an overhead projector, transparencies, and a really big table are all that is needed! Well that and a little time!

More to come on the trip- pictures and testimonies of the Greatness of God to be sure!

Please pray for us as we travel, for the teens to have boldness to proclaim the Gospel, for their health and safety, and for the hearts of those we will come in contact with. We have been praying for people we do not know for months now- and we cannot wait to meet those God has prepared!

Can you tell?

I know, you are thinking Can I tell what?!

That I got a new lap top computer of course! Does this post look fresh? Up to Date and ever so technologically savvy?

Well it should! Thank you Puppies (they are all sold!) and what did not go to debt relief went to my new Mac! And I got the free iTouch with it... delayed gratification certainly paid off this time! I have been saving little by little for a new one, but with 5 kids and cars and dental issues to name a few of the obstacles, the reality of getting one was long off in the future. Enter Molly and her four adorable little puppies, and Apple running a great promo... today is the day!

I love the feel and the speed of it. What a treat! It will certainly be used while on deputation, that is for sure ! I am looking for a scanner gizmo that hooks up and allows us to input all receipts etc while traveling to prevent loss of them, as well as instant retrieval. We need to minimize the potential tax time nightmare now! We have always been a little "paper organizationally challenged", so we are trying to get ahead of the game!

So this mission monday is all about thanking God for his provision- even for something that may be a little more than was necessary if not thoroughly appreciated. I will give you updates tomorrow or the next day on what has been keeping me occupied the past several days. Painting backdrops for our NYC missions trip with the teens. They look oh so cool- I hope I can get some good pictures!