We stayed in a cabin provided to us by the Galloway family (then of Hattiesburg, MS, but now on their way to Nashville, TN). It was neat to have two of Brad and Melinda Harrub's boys stay the night with us one night during PTP.
This is a truly special moment. Our boys pose with brother and sister Bailey. George Bailey is one of our great preachers of the last 100 years.
A time of sadness and joy came about during this time. Kathy's wonderful grandfather, Dale Gillaspie (yes, our Dale is named for him and shares his birthday), passed from this life. Here's Kathy saying goodbye to Dale as she gets ready to leave for the airport.
While it was sad saying goodbye to grandpa, Kathy was able to see family including her dad and sister both of whom she doesn't get to see nearly often enough.
Here are all the Gillaspie cousins (Kristy, Alan, Kathy, and Tina), all now married with children and all faithful members of the church in OK, OH, CO and OH.
Lee was able to attend the funeral, too. What a special young man and awesome nephew.
On September 1, Gary and I left for our first bowhunt for elk. We got up at 3 AM and left around 4 AM (when this pic was taken; notice the den clock).
The first evening hunt featured rain, wind, hail, lightning, thick fog, and cool temps, but no elk (or deer). We had tags for both sexes, both animals. We hiked about 3 miles up to about 11,000 feet. We had a great spot and the group of us (see below) hunted hard.
Day two was sunny and warm. Our group wasn't big on morning hunts, so we just went in the evenings. Most of the guys got there on Saturday and so the elk were tracked for four days.
We hunted for them higher up (elevation), because it was unseasonably warm and the season started so early. We saw one bull and one cow at dusk on our way out of the woods on the last night, so nobody even drew their bow. We had a great time of fellowship and father/son time. Gary and I leave tomorrow for Saguache to rifle hunt with a landowner permit. We are cautiously optimistic. The group included (L-R) me, Steve Compton, Dean Murphy, Gary, Scott and Austin Balbin. The other three guys are deacons at Bear Valley plus the two teen boys.
We had our annual teen and family cookout at one of our deacon's (Scott Phillips) family ranch. Our youth deacons do a great job of keeping our youth active. This was the devo portion. Gary was one of the speakers.
I was blessed to speak in two gospel meetings this fall (Hopkinsville, KY, and Vinton, VA). While in Kentucky, I was able to spend a little time with Gary and Sandy Sole (since it was only about an hour north of the Nashville area). It's always great to see them. We also were able to see the Mitchells, friends from LaVergne, TN, who were up for the day, too.
The boys started school a little late (first week in September). They are doing very well and Kathy does such a great job with them. Cool dude Carl is in 5th grade, Dale is in 7th, and Gary is in 9th grade. Gary and Dale are in the Singing Youth of Denver group. Dale's basketball plans have been tabled as we could not work out a practice schedule that allows him to do the other things he's involved in.
The Pollard girls keep the rest of us in line.
We're going hiking and enjoying the outdoors every chance we get. These last few pictures are from a recent trip to admire the leaves just west of Idaho Springs at a neat place called St. Marys Glacier. It has the largest snowfield in Colorado.
Have a great month and we'll check back in with you soon! One more St. Marys pic, though...
