A Visit from the Jamesons

Last week, Nathan and I greatly enjoyed a holiday visit from our good friends, the Jamesons!  They came all the way up from Houston for the week to see us and help in the ministry.  We had a fun time together and were blessed by their presence in so many ways!

(All photos taken by the Jamesons during their stay.)

Spaghetti dinner together following their arrival on Monday afternoon.

After dinner, Nathan decided to whip up a batch of peanut butter fudge.

He had quite the excited audience!

Tuesday was our work day.  The older children, together with their dad and Nathan, painted the two church offices - including the ceiling!

Sarah Jane also did some trim painting in the hallway of the fellowship hall.

Meanwhile, Josiah, Jonathan, and Jeremiah took turns helping me in the kitchen as we baked yummy treats for Thanksgiving goody bags to deliver to neighbors and friends.  They were great chefs!

Jane helped the littlest ones decorate the bags with handprint turkeys.

Judah taking a break to play outside.

Jeremiah and Jubilee enjoying the beautiful, crisp weather!

Joy Elizabeth was a diligent painter!

She also helped later in the day to tie dozens of tags and ribbons on our various goody bag items.

Jane put the finishing touches on the bag decor and made them look so cute!

Jonathan and Josiah baking more cookies.  These boys worked hard ALL day!

Joseph painting Nathan's portion of the office.

After a full day of work, the Jamesons kindly treated us all to a delicious dinner out!

Back at home, it was time to stuff the bags!

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread, molasses ginger cookies, homemade hot cocoa mix, and a letter from Nathan including a Gospel message completed the packages.

On Wednesday, we went around town and delivered the bags to the police station, the fire station, the mail lady, our next door neighbors, church members and their neighbors, and others in the community to whom we wanted to be a blessing.  The bags were well received, and we pray that the message they contained planted seeds in people's hearts and lives.

Thursday was Thanksgiving, and we had a delightfully relaxing morning as we prepared food and played games together.

Kelly did a great job cooking and carving the turkey!

Our scrumptious spread: turkey and gravy, stuffing, corn casserole, broccoli rice casserole, mashed potatoes, and cranberry jello salad.

Josiah excited to get a turkey leg!

And let's not forget dessert!

Mmm...Jubilee helped bake the pumpkin pie and Nathan made the apple bars.

After lunch, while the little ones napped, Nathan gave a special, two-hour Bible study to the Jamesons at their request covering an overview of the story of Scripture as well as a chapter-by-chapter explanation of the book of Revelation.  We all enjoyed the teaching!

Then it was time for a hike!

Jubilee and Nathan, her hiking buddy.

The gang's all here!

Story time before bed.

The Jamesons left the following morning to return home.  We are so grateful for their visit and the blessing they were to us and so many others!