Hey relatives and friends! Bayley here to give you all the lowdown on what Brax and I have been up to recently. On Sunday, July 12th, Brax and I left the Mall of America parking lot on a beautiful coachbus to drive to the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, Tennessee for a covenant youth conference called CHIC (Covenant High In Christ) that happens only every 3 years. The bus took 23 hours to drive through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. We slept through Indiana, although hardly anyone actually slept. Braxton and I only got around 2-3 hours of sleep because of being uncomfortable, untimely pitstops, and a bumpy bus. But at long last, we arrived at UT around 11:00 a.m on Saturday morning (Tennessee time).
And what an amazing time we had: excursions, concerts, amazing/inspiring speakers, great calls to action. Braxton went white-water rafting and packed food for Feed My Starving Children (a ministry that brings food to starving families all over the world). I got to drive go-karts on the Nascar speedway and went shopping in a tiny town called Pideon Forge. Every night, there was an event called "Mainstage," where the entire CHIC community would hear famous Christian bands and speakers from all over the country, including a pastor from Minnesota! Brax and I saw live performances from David Crowder Band, Israel Howdin, FlyLeaf, Third Day, and the incredibly awesome CHIC band. We heard amazing sermons from pastors who build a church from the ground up or who have found the injustices of our country and came out successful. And lectures from men and woman who made it their passion to fight the injustice of slave and human trafficking.
I went to a lecture called "Slumdog Millionaire meets Slumdog Professor," and the man speaking told about his life growing up in the slums of India, and what he is doing now to help his country with his Ph. D. He told stories of childhood friends that would suddenly disappear from the slums, and never to be heard from until many years later where the child would return mentally damaged and physically weakened. He told us that children were, and still are, being kidnapped off of the streets or tricked into leaving their families for the promise of a better life and money to send home, but more often than not, the children are forced to work in some slave trade or human trafficking, never getting paid a penny. And they do not return home, until their master deems them "useless," where they are kicked out and left to find their own way home. After hearing all this, my blood was boiling, how can someone purchase a child of God? How can a human being treat a fellow human with so little...feeling?
But while this trip was extremely eye opening, it was also inspirational and hope lifting. Over 2,000 letters were written by CHIC students and leaders to their state senators about the importance of abolishing slavery and human trafficking. And in the span of 5 days, we prepared and packed 527, 896 meals for Feed My Starving Children! But what is even more amazing, is that in 1 single offering at Mainstage, the CHIC community donated $109, 327 for ministries in Thailand!!
About 6,000 high school students and their leaders came to CHIC this year from all the world: Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Sweden, etc.. The entire experience was unforgettable and I am VERY thankful that I was able to spend so much time with Braxton before I leave for school. We left CHIC on Friday, July 17th at 9:00 a.m (Tennessee time). We had lunch in Kentucky and dinner in Illinios (where I rode a carousel for the 1st time in FOREVER!!!!). We got back to that MOA parking lot at 2:45 a.m, that's right, A.M!!! Mom, David, and the puppies (I call them "puppies") where they were waiting when we arrived and we quickly went home so Brax and I could sleep in our own beds, which we did, until noon. =)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
mountains, mountains EVERYWHERE!!!!
When we drove into Tennessee, the mountain range was all around us, it was beautiful!!
RUN BRAXTON!!!
Yes, that is Braxton about to be eating by a gaint dog. The only things I'm confused about, is that he's smiling
Brax may be alittle too involved with football
the happy football guy and the "don't mess with me" mad hatterSunday, July 5, 2009
A Happy Holiday Weekend
We have been enjoying a great holiday weekend here in Minnesota, highlighted by the following:
- We were outdoors every day
- We were in the water every day
- Braxton did NOT break his arm
Paul & Gretchen came down on Friday morning to make it a full “Circus Weekend.” In the afternoon we packed up both cars with the entire family: Beth and I, four girls, two boys, and two dogs. We went out to the Clifton French Regional Park. This park has a tremendous playground with ropes, tunnels, cargo netting, and slides which all of the children enjoyed.
After spending time on the playground, we hiked across the park to the beach on Medicine Lake. This had not been part of the plan and we had not packed swim suits. But it was a hot day and the kids went and played in the water anyway.
Saturday was the Fourth of July and we went to my Parents’ house in the morning. They still live in the same neighborhood that David grew up in and there is a bike parade held every year on the Fourth. Emma decorated her bike, we dressed up the dogs, and we all participated in the big parade.
Saturday afternoon I went out for a long run and then we took the kids to the beach for some sun and swimming.
Saturday night was fireworks time and we went to our usual spot behind our old church to watch the display from Central Park in Roseville. This was a double celebration for our family this year. Last year Braxton had just finished his cancer treatment and was still weak where the biopsy had been done on his arm. He broke his arm right before fireworks while playing catch.
This year Braxton is a fully recovered cancer survivor. He is playing baseball again and is doing regular weight training in the hopes of playing football this fall. So returning to Roseville for fireworks, enjoying ourselves, and not having anyone get hurt was a major victory and brings us much joy!
Today, after taking Paul & Gretchen back home, David took Braxton, Zoe, and Emma to the outdoor pool at the Meanwhile, Beth took Bayley down to the Mall of America so she could meet her new college roommate. What a big day!!!
Sun, water, fireworks, health, safety, and new beginnings. All in all, a pretty good holiday weekend.
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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