Blue Ridge Adventure

Here I am with Bill Chestnut (Red Paddle) who just completed his 2nd anniversary as president of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the FCF ministry of Royal Rangers. About 260 men and boys attended this year's event. Bill and his team did an excellent job. It was a real honor to be able serve alongside this team during this year's Fall Trace.
Pastor P

The encampment was wonderfully laid out, all kinds of activities such as Hawk and Knife throw, archery, black powder, horn blowing and other things. This is a photo of an auction that netted almost $3,000 for missions.

I preached to the Old Timers and the Young Bucks each night as well as each morning. Night meetings including a spectacular Council Fire.

Potomac District Royal Ranger Commander, Ron Davis, also teams up to run the Weary Traveller Inn at the FCF Trace in Fredericksburg, VA. His son, Tim, is also a real help and a hard worker when it comes to serving meals to the guests.

No Triskaidekaphobia here!

Triskaidekaphobia-Fear of the Number 13

I was looking through some old photos and came across this one. It is hard to believe that next month Kristi and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary.

We were as happy as clams on that day. Though there have been changes and struggles and challenges and surprises over those 13 years, I would do it all over again.

I couldn't imagine my life or ministry without her. Not only have we had fun and many adventures, we have been blessed with a great family.
I know I'm not always the best husband and father, but I am sure glad that God is always by my side, especially when I am lacking or fall short.

Marriage is a great thing and even better when God is at the center.

PB

Get out of jail pass

Poor Pastor Ben-nothing!

How 'bout this?

My youngest kid goes to jail for two hours yesterday.

Saturday morning 3 New Castle County Cops show up at my door, wave a search warrant in my face, wake my son, arrest him and drag him off to the county jail. 3 hours later, oops-wrong guy, mistaken identity. As a Pastor and having raised 3 God fearing children who really love the Lord I am appalled at the carelessness of our "finest" and the cold uncaring attitude that was displayed by all officers involved. I have always urged my children to respect law enforcement as well as the laws of the land. More than this I have taught them to respect the Word of God and they have done their best to live by it. And honestly, reflecting on yesterday morning, I have come to the conclusion that one can be guilty until proven innocent. It saddens me that law enforcement could be so careless and cold. And in the end offer only the slightest of apologies. I have traveled througout the Soviet Union (now CIS) and this was quite similar to how things are done there. At this time I am going to do all that I can to find advocacy for this injustice and see that this situation be reviewed by State level law enforcement. I admit I am a novice in all of this, but I am willing to be patient and willing to learn.

Pastor P

Pastor Ben is in Court

Poor Pastor Ben

He is being obligated this week to fulfill his civic duty

He has jury duty and I have no idea of when he will be finished

We will probably find out this weekend

I believe that he has youth group tonight so the kids will find out first

Oh well...

Pastor P

Last Day on the Cape

Ed and Esther Powell looking out at the Atlantic Ocean from the Provincelands
Last stop before Ireland
Some folks saw whales spouting

One more stop at Cracker Barrel before heading home

Three days of togetherness while on vacation on Cape Cod
brought out a lot of love between these two lovebirds,
Gaetano and Vera Brancaleone

Day 2 of Cape Cod trip-What a Great Day

Plimouth Plantation
The Wampanoag Indian village
Mother and 6 month old baby girl

Plimouth Plantation
The English Settlement

I just know I am going to get in trouble for posting this one.
Sorry Teresa!

Mayflower 2
This replica of the original Mayflower (which sailed to Plimouth in 1620) was sailed
from England to Plimouth in 1957.

This is why they call it the JOY Group
Terry Williams bought himself a chicken hat
We just don't know why?!

Just in time for the beginning of Cranberry Harvest

Here we are at the Cranberry Bogs in Plimouth, Massachusetts. They had just flooded the field and were preparing to harvest the berries that were floated. These are being bought by Ocean Spray from a local farmer and will become Cranberry Juice for you!

LOOK AT ALL OF THIS FOOD!

Joy Group Trip to Cape Cod

Here are a bunch of photos from the first day of this year's Joy Group Trip to Cape Cod. Here I am getting brutally beaten in checkers at Cracker Barrel in Milford, CT by Claudette Richardson. Other photos show us stopping in to the Christmas Tree Shop in Sagamore-just over the bridge and on the Cape. And then a few photos of wonderful fresh seafood at Seafood Sams. So far so good, everyone seems to be having a really good time. Weather is excellent and our bus driver did a great job getting us here.

Christmas Tree Shop in Sagamore, looks like a gigantic Hobbit house

Robert and Jean Boyer share a BIG seafood platter

Look at this unique pager at Seafood Sams, in the shape of a lobster

Jim Leslie preparing to enjoy his first lobster

The Century Club

As a Pastor, I believe missions is vital.
As a Christian, I feel I have a personal responsibility to support missions any way that I can.
I have been a part of missions teams, I have lead teams, and I have given so that others can go.

The theme for Speed the light this year is Everywhere.
The teens of Praise Assembly work hard every year to raise funds for Speed the Light, because they want to see the Gospel go Everywhere.

Our goal this year is $27,000. We are well on our way.

As one final push we have formed
The Century Club.

We need 100 People to give $100 in 100 days

The challenge began on September 1, 2007 and ends December 9, 2007
Several of our leaders and students have already joined the club.
Will you join them as well?

Check can be made out to Praise Assembly and write STL in the memo

PB