Cameron

During Youth Camp, Cameron went to stay at Nate Jewett's house. According to Cameron, they just had a blast! Thank you so much, Randy and Michele, for having our son in your home for several days. Nate, Cameron considers you one of his best friends. We hope you and your family can come see us in Mexico soon!

I borrowed this picture off Michele's blog of Cameron and Nate swimming.

I love this photo of Jerry Snelling and Cameron that I took the last day of Youth Camp. There's a story here that's worth sharing. When Cameron was 19 months old and we were pastoring the Bible Methodist Church in Franklin, he somehow got away from the person holding his hand (not me) after church one night and when I went to look for him, he seemed to have disappeared. I was 9 months pregnant with Logan at the time.

So I walked around the front of the church to see if by chance he was headed for the busy Dixie Highway that runs in front of the church - the church sits back off the highway quite a ways. Sure enough, there he was....only way out of my reach. He was about 10 feet from the highway and running as fast as his little legs could carry him. I did the only thing I knew to do - I screamed "Cameron's in the road!" I knew I'd never get to him in time.

Marc was in a meeting inside the church and heard me scream - tells you how loud it was. He came bursting out of the church side door, but by that time Jerry Snelling was already at a dead run down that long driveway, cowboy boots, suit and all! Never have I seen a man run that fast.

There's basically a blind hill to the one side of the church - cars would come over that hill going 60 mph and are passing our church within seconds. I was so scared I couldn't breathe. I knew I'd never reach him in "my condition." I just stood there, whispering "Go Jerry...."He reached my little boy and scooped him off the double yellow line just as a car approached from the other direction. The driver saw what was happening and slowed down...thank the Lord. Jerry said that he was crying by the time he reached Cameron, scared of what he might see if he didn't get there soon enough, but Cameron seemed oblivious as he reached up his arms for Jerry to pick him up. Of course, the whole church was standing watching by this time.

When I saw that Jerry had Cameron in his arms and was headed off the road, I burst into tears. I felt like my legs wouldn't hold me. He put Cameron in my arms and I hugged and kissed him all the while saying "Cameron, no, baby...you cannot go in the road, never never go on the road" over and over....

Jerry, I thanked you then and have said it lots of times since, but again...."thank you for saving my baby. I could have so easily stood right there in that yard and watched my little boy get hit. Thank you so much. The Lord helped you run that day - I saw it. We love you!"

We've told Cameron the story many times so he doesn't forget - he and Jerry are buddies!

Heartland Youth Camp 2008

This year's Heartland Youth Camp was one of the best - and a very special one for me because I now have a youth camp age son!! When did this happen??

Jordan was a camper at Youth Camp this year and I was so proud of him. He thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the intense schedule, services and activities and was a great asset to his team - the Witnesses, led by Jessica and Jacinda Cravens. There were 13 members on his team. He did say he didn't enjoy the getting up early to "report" at the Flag Pole though. He had to be there at 7:10 am each day except Friday - that day he had to be present at 6:40 am!

We were so happy to have Jordan in this atmosphere: the atmosphere of teenagers having fun, playing and working hard, worshipping God, and so much more. We love you, son!

I took lots of pictures - there's many I could share. But here's just a few pictures of his week.

Jordan answering quiz questions on the book of Galatians with his team.

Jordan with one of his best friends, Caleb

This was one of my favorite moments - Jordan praying at the altar. This is worth it all. And having a dad to pray with you....thank you, Marc, for the incredible father you are to our boys.



It was so much fun to be with my cousin Sherilyn and her husband, Andrew at Youth Camp. We love you guys!

Marc and Andrew announcing the baseball games: All Stars and Stars vs. Stiffs

Marc was the referee for the Stars vs. Stiffs basketball game

The beautiful cabin where we stayed on the campground - thanks, Randy and Heather!

Mike Pennellatore and his helpers made their world-class, fabulous pizza for everyone at Youth Camp on Friday. Wow, is it delicious! Here we are sitting around the table in the dining hall enjoying it to the fullest!

Mike is in the white and yellow shirt in the back

One final note: a special thank you to the 2 churches we visited today to present our Share Support program: Faith Mission Church here in Bedford and the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Madison, IN. New share supporters joined our team in both churches, delicious meals were provided for us and we say thank you for it all!

Brett's Blog

My cousin, Merrilee, had her baby yesterday (on my sister's birthday, I might add) - he's a beautiful baby boy named Brett Allan Luther. You can check out his blog at www.brettluther.blogspot.com

Congratulations, Brant and Merrilee - we love you all!

"Catch Up" Post - Part Three

Remember Cameron's new guitar I told you about? Here it is - thanks, Uncle John, Pastor Budensiek and the Covington people!

We were privileged to minister as evangelist and singers for the Ono Campmeeting last week near Lebanon, PA. This was our third time to minister here - and we enjoyed our time so much! We were also invited to sing and preach in the Lebanon God's Missionary Church on Sunday morning and present our missionary work in the afternoon service. We are so thankful to the dear people at Ono for all their hospitality, love offerings and support. May God bless each one of you!

The lovely little cabin where we stayed

Another special thing about being at Ono was to be with one of my dearest friends, Wendy Spitler and her 3 boys: Ben, Christian and Bradley. Wendy and I became friends when we attended God's Bible School together. For reasons we will never understand on this earth, our Heavenly Father chose to take her wonderful husband Bradley home to be with Him just a few months ago. But Wendy is carrying on in God's strength and is an amazing example of sustaining grace. Thank you for sharing your time with us, Wendy and for all you did for us while we were in Pennsylvania. We love you and are praying for you and the boys.

It was great also to be with Dwight and Lois Rine and their family - associate pastor at Lebanon God's Missionary Church. Thank you, Rines, for the wonderful meal in your home, sharing your kids and their 3 and 4-wheelers, dirtbikes, etc...(not to mention washer and dryer!) We love you guys!

The first few days of this week I got to be with my sister, Missy and her family. We had so much fun. Thanks for letting Logan and me come, Missy and Gerald!

Call me crazy but I love putting up fresh vegetables! Missy's mother in law, Judy, came over on Tuesday and we all snapped beans together - it was a first for Logan and brought back many memories for me.

Braxton and I had fun working together

Logan, Braxton, and Caden

After the bean snapping was done, we went over to my parents' house for an early birthday supper for my dad and to have a cookout together. Our kids had a blast on the trampoline...our boys' old trampoline from Franklin days!

Whew...I think I am caught up to the big event of this week - Youth Camp. Hopefully I will find time to post about this tomorrow then I'll be truly caught up! We'll see.....

"Catch Up" Post - Part Two

Here's a few pics of our time in Idaho and Washington.

Our Family at Cabela's

Beautiful countryside

Our hosts, the Hynes and their lovely home pictured below

Here we are at the Lewis and Clark Expedition Museum

Boys fishing in Idaho

Marc thoroughly enjoying his chocolatey campfire S'more

Beautiful scenery in Spokane, Washington

Thank you, Pastor and Mrs. Hynes and your wonderful church people for inviting us to come to Idaho and share with you about our missionary work and for your prayers and support!

"Catch Up" Post - Part One

Where do I begin? Well, let me start with some pictures I want to share and just work my way over the last few weeks of "pictureless" posting (how boring!)

Don't you just love the looks on both faces? Grandma Ferguson is giving it straight to her grandson (and Grandpa Ferguson look-alike) Marc. Just love her hanging onto his suit...

We took a little time off to visit Spring Mill State Park and stay in the Spring Mill Inn....just beautiful.

Marc and me in front of the Spring Mill Inn

Having fun with friends, Micah and Josh Barrett and kids at Holiday World!

Our kids with the fabulous diving team - they were amazing!

Having fun splashing in the water - it was a hot day!

We were privileged to be with 2 of my sisters and their families one of the Sundays we were in Indiana. What fun we had....I won't post the "crazy" picture we did after the normal one was taken!

3 sisters....yes, one of us was missing - love you Mandy!

We enjoyed seeing my parents at Alabama Bible Methodist Camp - they were the song evangelists.

Here's a couple shots of our Missions Service there in Alabama. Jordan is translating Marc's Spanish greetings to the people into English, and then Stetlers are singing with our family on the special song, "Father, I Adore You".

Ok, gotta take a break....watch for Part Two coming soon!

In response to all the "pleas" for the crazy picture, here it is! What a loony bunch!

Sunday Update....posted on Wednesday

Sunday morning news:

Just a quick note to say we've arrived safely back East and specifically have arrived here at Rock Lake Camp in Michigan. This is our first time to be here and it's a really beautiful campground.

We arrived, found our room, set up our Missions display, and were taken to the dining hall for nachos and about an hour of impromptu Q & A with the conference young people, pastors, etc. It was interesting to say the least. Of course we had no idea what was coming next, but it turned out really great - the Lord helped us "think on our feet" and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We have a nice dorm room to stay in - very clean and air conditioned. Outside of some jet lag from the Idaho trip, we're doing fine.

It's nice to be with "Uncle John" Parker again. He brought Cameron his new guitar - an LXM Little Martin - that Pastor Phil Budenseik and the Covington Bible Methodist Church bought for Cameron. So neat! He's loving it already. I'll put a picture on my blog when I get them uploaded.

Our Missions Presentation is this afternoon and after service we're packing up and heading for PA. We need to get at least part of the way today. We start Ono Camp (singers and evangelist) tomorrow evening through Sunday.

Thank you for praying for us - we've traveled a lot of miles already but the Lord's kept us safe. Thanks so much to Steve, Beth and kids for keeping the missionary work going in Mexico while we're gone. We love and miss you, Stetlers! Can't wait to be in Mexico together!

Love to all,

Melodie and family

Getting Behind

I knew this would happen...I'm getting behind on my blog - seriously behind. 

So much has happened since I last posted and get this, I can't post photos today since I'm using a borrowed computer. I will post them soon - promise. 

We were privileged to attend the Alabama Bible Methodist Camp in Pell City again this year - it's always a highlight! My parents were the singers this year, so that was an extra incentive to attend. We participated in the Thursday night Missions Service by presenting our Share Support program. We were so blessed to receive a very generous offering - thank you, people in Alabama - we love you all!

We spent Friday, July 4 traveling back to Indianapolis so that we could fly out to Idaho early on Saturday morning. We arrived in Spokane, Washington Saturday afternoon, and were met by Pastor and Mrs Randy Hynes, taken to their beautiful home in Lewiston, Idaho. We had the privilege of singing and preaching in their church yesterday morning and presenting our Share Support Program and Bible Methodist Missions last night. Again, a very generous offering and several new share supporters joined our ministry. Thank you, Pastor Hynes and people! 

The Hynes have invited us to stay a few days here in Idaho to do some sightseeing and just relax. We have enjoyed ourselves already. We are to fly back into Indianapolis on Friday and so the busy schedule continues! 

As soon as I'm able, I will post photos of our time here in Idaho. Just let me say - beautiful!! Our boys had never been this far west, so they are getting to add 3 new states to their "lists" this week: Colorado, Washington, and Idaho. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Thank you for praying for us during our Share Support Tour!