The Answers in Genesis Conference

After a rather exhausting drive, we made it to our lovely bed and breakfast at around 2 AM. (Allow me to assure you, you did not want to be in that vehicle with 7 car-cramped, hyper, travel weary kids who had stayed up too long to be sleepy!) (Poor Papa and Mama!) However, except for the above TICBT (Temporary Insanity Caused By Trips,) we were all in excellent health. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness and travelling mercies!

The next day, we went to our first session at "The Conference." It was wonderful! Definitely fulfilling all our long-awaited expectations. It was filled with "ammunition" for all those hard questions we often stutter around on.

• Mr. Phillips instructed us how not to think like the Greeks; Why the 5th Commandment is so important; and overall inspired us once again to reclaim the culture for Christ.
• Mr. Baucham thoroughly drilled it into our heads how to answer those first year philosophy students when they ask their "unanswerable" questions. (All without the help of "Bad Voddie!")
• Mr. Ham showed us how important foundations are, and of course, he asked the ever relevant question... Spoken in an Aussie accent (essential)...

"Were you there?"

Of course, one of the best parts of the conference was being able to fellowship with "like-minded" people. We enjoyed making new friends, and talking to old ones. ("Old" being defined as our acquaintance being traceable to a previous meeting.) There were a couple families we had just met at the Brown's church, as well as some families we met in Jamestown last year.

Here are some pictures.
(Although I don't understand why "bloggers" always insist upon stating the obvious... Oh well.) Enjoy!

The Thomasess with ...Thomas (Pollock)

Someone looking at this picture might begin to ponder what Thomas is concentrating so hard upon. They might think that he is calculating how many feet of rope it would take to swing from one end of the auditorium to the other, all the while holding a small alligator, and singing, at the top of his lungs "John Jacob Jingle Heimer Schmit," when in all probability, he is merely paying attention to the speaker. People shouldn't allow their imaginations to run away with them like that...

Awww...... What a lovely couple!

Awww... What a lovely - huh?

"Where'd you learn to take pictures? Walmart?"

"Uncle Robert...smile, P-leeez?"

There we are.

Awww.... What a lovely couple.

One of Sarah's well-beloved flower pictures.

(Pointless, but pretty.)

Amanda's favorite "picture face."
Brothers in Christ

A family photo. (Including a small part of Emmie's "doddie." See below.)

Emma loved her "doddie"; don't be surprised, however, that you don't see it hanging around in many of the other pics.. Teeth met balloon in one fraction of eternity... pop! No more doggie!

Amanda's turn for a picture. Smile! (See? "The Face!")

I love these dresses that Sarah made for them! They look so cute!

"Here, kitty kitty kitty. Here kitty kitty."

Buddy Davis supplied us with a unique alternative to bawling out, "Mama wants you!" (Kitty, as a side note, is not fond of her new song.)

Daniel is desperately trying to give us a smile. It appears to pain him.

Wee Hamish sits upon Kitty's lap... and refuses to smile. (Sorry Liv. couldn't help it. :) Gabriel and Liv give us their usual bright smiles.

Sarah, Callie, and Ariana. Apparantly they all have both the ability and the inclination to smile. Good work, y'all!

The "Little People"

(No disparagement upon those of you who are growing up far too rapidly to suit me. It's a term of endearment, not a fact.)
We caught Christi in mid-clap. Talented girl. Clap and smile at the same time? She should help poor Dan'l out.

"It's not in there..really!" Boy what those older cousins put up with!

--Grace--