"Back to the Steel Mills"

It was a joy being on the mountain, present for Christmas and New Years. We returned Saturday evening and are getting back into daily routines: 7:00 wake up call, breakfast, Anna and Frank scamper off to the bus stop, daddy and mommy go to work and James, John and I press onward to gain knowledge and wisdom, and strive to be productive.

Christmas morning at OP4

Credit to Sarah Grace for this picture

 Flashback- selfies on the way to girls' lunch at panera... Kennedys, Whites, Cockmans, Barrys! Total of 17 girls I think. Good food. Great fellowship.

 Flashback- Aunt Molly drove a van full of 7 girls and Silas down to Georgia to visit Anna and William Pinkerton. We had a great time!

In downtown Atlanta, Georgia

 Really neat structure... I am not quite sure of it's purpose, though. If you know please tell me.

We went to their farmer's market and walked the sidewalks. We saw some interesting modern art.

Charis' shadow is holding a lamp post!

Love Aunt Molly's smile :)

We met some really nice encouraging people that offered to take our picture.

Faith and me (ahem...and a leaf) 

 Got Side Bangs?

Mrs. Anna Pinkerton, the marvelous hair stylist. There were many consultants.

Thank you so much Anna and William Pinkerton for your generous hospitality!! It was really fun being with you! And thank you so much for the good food Anna! You are a wonderful cook! And thank you for the eggs that you made us for breakfast William! You are an expert! And thank you for taking us all to Krispie Kreme Doughnuts on my birthday! It was really special visiting you both. Many thanks!

 Before Christmas at OP1...

 There was a beautiful sunset enveloping our neighborhood

 Anna participated with classmates in a Christmas concert

Collected pictures...

 Road trip to the mountain

 Faith and me... So thankful to have been roommates with her and be reunited! 

So thankful for you Faith! 

I am greatly impressed with the huge trees on the mountain.

Our Creator is unfathomably creative and mighty.

"Settlers Of Catan" and "Spot it" are considerably favored games. 

We had fun game nights at OP3

And Andrew's head scratcher was often in someone's hand on Christmas day...

 Homemade Cinnamon rolls!

 Hudson fixing the excursion.

It was wonderful having Abi and her sister Rebekah around! They have beautiful singing voices.

It just about leaves me speechless.

Uncle Michael and Aunt Rebecca made this lovely house together

 Playmobile!

Piano!

Early morning I went to the hospital with Faith to visit grandfather...

 I went out on the Byrd's property with Uncle Frank and we repaired some fencing and did some scouting.

More "Settlers Of Catan"

Super fun cleaning party at the Frank Barrys!

 Chess with Faith New Year's night.

Grandfather mountain from Grandfather's favorite view- Rachel's bench.

Cleaning Phenomenons

Hmmm...  Why are the linens and bedding in there?                        In the freezer what will you find?

-cleaning with Sarah and Lucy.                                           Alien debris from Neptune I trow.

I think this was at Eagle's Nest...

Grandfather is home. We have much to be thankful for. Grandfather Thomas Barry is the best grandfather anyone could have. He is the wisest man I know. His love for the Lord and others is inspiring. The joy and thankful heart He has in the Lord is indescribable.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-24

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench not the Spirit.

Despise not prophesyings.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

On our way back to the Steel Mills...

Lunch

A couple days ago Anna and I enjoyed some hot cocoa together that a sweet lady, Miss MaryJoy (from church) gave us with marshmallows. I hope that some of you can meet Miss MaryJoy someday... especially you Kate!