Mom and Dad's Trip to Australia

Dad was asked to speak in Sydney, Australia for a week and a half. They had an 18 hour flight to get there. 

Mom and Dad when they first arrived there.

The Hall Family

My parents stayed with them and were able to catch up on some old memories from their times at Fairhaven. Mom and Dad thoroughly enjoyed their time with the Hall Family.

David Hall

What a cutie! :) He was Dad's soulwinning parnter.

Daniel Hall (the youngest)

They took Mom and Dad to a petting zoo where they saw kangaroos, koalas and all sorts of Australian animals.

First Baptist Church where the Halls are at right now. Dad preached here the first Sunday that they were there.

They had a conference which Mom was able to speak to the ladies. They are very sweet and Godly ladies.

All the pastors and their wives that attended the conference. Most of these pastors are in the Sydney area.

Dad with the teen guys...typical teenagers! :)

Dad was able to preach 13 times in 10 days. On Friday after the conference was over the church sent him and mom on a tour. They took a train into the rainforest and then a boat back to Sydney. They had a great time and loved seeing the beautiful sights of Australia.

I love this picture. Mom must have been shopping :) Read the bench!

The famous Opera House

Dad was brave enough to eat these things!!

This is their mall. Three floors and carpeted! They had this huge tree and all kinds of huge beautiful clocks with nice art work.

Dad got to do some street preaching. When they walked out of the mall there was a guy preaching and asked my dad if he wanted to give a few minute sermon. 

This is the pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Sydney. They are the ones who hosted the conference and also flew my parents over for the reason of my dad preaching their college graduation. They have a great college starting and growing. Dad said that the people there are just on fire for the Lord and some great people of God.

I cannot comment on this picture to only say that my dad got a official Aussie hat.

Dad and Mom were flown down to the southern part to preach for Chris Eckels' church. He and his wife also went to Fairhaven and were able to catch up on old times with my parents. This ended their trip and Mom and Dad flew another 18 hours home the next day! What a great opportunity!

We miss you, Buddy!

Andrew Wayne Smith

April 21, 2001 ~ December 4, 2009

One year ago today a little boy went home to see his Heavenly Father!

After two years of battling a brain tumor... Super Andrew is Home!

We are so thankful for the time the Lord gave us with him! It is amazing how God can use a little 7 year old boy to make an impact in a church, a community, and all over the world. He was one special boy!

We miss you, Buddy!

"God's Little Angel"

A little "angel" came to earth one day.

He gave only love and then went away.

Don't ever forget the love that he brought ~

his bright happy smile and the lessons he taught.

It's hard losing someone who gives only love

and goes back to Heaven to his Father above.

Remember his always; there's no other way.

Then know in your heart you will be with him one day,

but for now share the love and continue to say,

"Thank you, God for my angel who has gone away.

~Carlson

The University of Michigan game!

Two weeks ago my brother treated me to a University of Michigan game! He got awesome seats for a great deal! 

Warming up!

Wisconsin warming up!

What a great sight!! :)

You couldn't ask for better seats!

The Big House!

The marching band

Tate Forcier

Vincent Smith (great player) 

Coach Rod...yes he needs to stay!!

Junior Hemingway...another great player

It was a great day and great time to spend with my brother! You can never beat a game at the Big House! Go Ann Arbor...Go BLUE!!!

A Untraditional Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We hope that everyone has had a wonderful day thanking the Lord for what He has graciously given us. Our thanksgiving is usually combined with Christmas. We call it...Christgiving. (my grandparents go away for Christmas so we have it early) This year it was completely different. My parents went away! As our thanksgiving meal usually looks similar to this...

....we ate it here instead with my aunt, cousins, and grandparents. It was very delicious and alot cheaper than preparing one! :)

My parents are in route to Australia. Dad has been asked to speak at a college and then several churches while they are there. This is him in line waiting to go through security!:)

They had a lay over in L.A. and were able to meet up with my Big Brother!! They are now getting ready for their 16 hour flight to Australia. Pray for my dad as Im sure most know how calm and patient he is! :) Also, that he would have a clear mind as he preaches 3 hours after arriving. Jet lag can kill ya!! :) 

We miss you and love you, mom and dad!!

The New Roof!

Our church is pretty old and the roof has needed to be redone for awhile now. So, we started a building fund back at the beginning of the summer. We needed to raise $15,000 to cover the cost of getting a new roof. 

We all prayed and gave towards the fund. Pastor thought it would take us at least a year to come up with the money. For a small church that is a lot. Within a few months we already had $10,000. Three Sunday mornings ago we received a check for $8,000. The Lord gave above and beyond what we needed!! 

This past Monday they started on it and were finished by Friday! 

And on top of that the company fixed the newer side of our buildings for free!! The Lord is so good!

The New Roof!

We are so thankful for what the Lord has been doing in our church. This is just one of the many things He has provided. He has blessed above and beyond!

Michigan is Beautiful in the Fall!

Some people are already posting pictures of snow at their house! So, I thought I better put some fall pictures up before we get all the snow. 

Our street we live on in DeWitt

Our house that needs to be raked! :) 

Better view of our house! Michigan is the best place to live in the world! It has the perfect changes of seasons and as some are getting snow in Indiana we are still enjoying our beautiful Fall weather! :) And of course, Ann Arbor is in Michigan. (for those who don't know...that is where the University of Michigan is.:) 

Just a beautiful and wonderful place to live!