Heading North

We left Bastrop, TX and our first stop on the way to Madison, WI was Denver, CO. Although not the shortest route, it was a fun one! Main event we attended was the Furry Scurry - lots of people and LOTS of dogs!!

Carter got right into the spirit of the place. Checked out dogs
while the rest of us checked out the freebies at the booths!

Since all the walking around Washington Park for the Furry Scurry obviously wasn't enough,
our next stop was Chatfield Park where all the dogs could run free!

Chatfield is a great place to let the dogs play in the water
and interact with other dogs.

That same afternoon, we went
to the Denver Aquarium. 

The colors of the fish, coral and rocks were beautiful!
Of course, all four of us took LOTS of pictures.

Truitt, Stacy and Carter got to touch a sting ray.

Carter left on Sunday, but we stayed for a few more days. Enjoyed "glamping" with Stacy in her RV and us in motorhome. Before we left, we went to Rocky Mountain National Park for some photo ops.

Still snow on the ground in spots and the dogs enjoyed exploring that.
There's a lot of places they can't go in national parks, so this was a treat.

When we left Denver, we began our trek to Madison, WI. That took us through some of the worst winds we have had while driving.

Stayed one night in Cozad, NE. The town has a park where you can
park for $10 with electricity and water. It's a nice spot, but what a
night we had there! A storm came through with wind gusts over
60 mph as well as well as hail. Lucy was scared and so were we.
Did a lot of praying until it stopped after midnight.
Thankful we had no damage.

We arrived at the Madison KOA in DeForest, WI on Saturday, May 12. Since we've been in Wisconsin, we've stayed busy.  As we have since 2009, we have been working in the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association office in Madison with DOM/Church Planting Catalyst Mark Millman. Truitt had several computers that had been donated in Texas. He refurbished them and presented to pastors/church planters.

First one was to the pastor of the Antioch International (Ethiopian/Eretrean Church) in Madison.

Another laptop and desktop went to new Church Planter Jairo Martinez, his wife Maria and daughter Valentina. From Colombia, they will be planting a Hispanic church in Waterloo, WI.

We have visited quite a few churches so far this summer and, as usual, helped with the SWBA Block Party Trailer. It has been interesting attending services outside, in a movie theater, basement of a church and in more usual settings throughout the association. It's always a joy to worship and serve with each of them.

One of our more exciting moments came when Pastor Gonzalo came for a meeting at the office. While there, his Honda Pilot caught fire!! Thankfully, no one was injured, but it was really something to see.

Last week, a team from First Baptist Church of Charlestown, IN came for a Vision Tour to see how they might partner with the SWBA. They had one full day and Mark kept them busy as we went to see three Church Planters at different stages of the Church Planting process.

First was breakfast with Jairo and his family at Cornerstone Church in Waterloo. The Martinez family just arrived in Wisconsin in June.

Lunch with Peter Ko and his wife Rebecca. They brought their family to Madison from California last September to plant a Korean church.

Last stop was in the Wisconsin Dells where Aaron Ramquist (on right) with his wife Amanda (and four precious little girls) began Rock of Hope Church two years ago.

We will be in Wisconsin until August 9. Then we will begin the trip back to Texas! Thank you for your prayers and concern for us as we travel and serve.

January - April 2018

The first 5 months of 2018 have already come and gone (almost)! We are already in Madison, Wisconsin and plan to be here until August 9. Will hit the highlights of January-April for this post and May-June by the first of July.

January
Stacy traded her travel trailer in for a new one. Have to admit that this one is perfect for her. It's 21 feet long and has a Murphy bed that pulls down over the couch. Gives her much more floor space and, with three big dogs, that is a huge asset. She brought it to The Oaks RV Park in Bastrop (where we stay) for a week to check it out. While there, Truitt had it all under control - Lucy, Harper, Bentley & Samson!

February
Carter’s 13th birthday - where has the time gone???

Dinner at Olive Garden followed by a movie with Gran & PaPa

Sherry's brother Johnny and his wife Jean made a month long trip to Thailand (with a stopover in Japan).

Attended a wedding and reunions plus sightseeing in Thailand.

Saw Mount Fuji in Japan

March
Sherry has been serving this past year as Recording Secretary for the SBCAL (Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders) Study Team www.sbcassociations.org The Study Team met primarily through video meetings, but one meeting in Atlanta brought the whole team together. It was a fast but productive trip for all (arrived on one day and left the next). Their assignment ends with the presentation of their report in Dallas in June.

Stacy’s had her birthday celebration at the Melting Pot in San Antonio with lots of food, laughter, fun and love!

First time at the Melting Pot for Truitt, Carter, Melissa & Sean 

Glad Darlene & William Georgas could be with us!

We work with Mark Millman (Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association) each summer. This year, he was the Regional Director for the Midwest Associational Leadership. The Midwest Regional Conference was held at Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin. We drove up to video the sessions for future use/reference. It was a great time with excellent speakers and workshops. First time for us to be in Wisconsin when there was still ice on the water and snow on the ground!!

April
Left Bastrop with the motorhome to visit friends and family in the Silsbee and Longview areas. It was so good to see everyone!

Bonnie Walters (Charles too); Huck & Cookie Carter; Don, Wanda & Charlotte Mitchell; Jack & Donna Flower; Sherilyn Johnston (Ben too); George Green (Truitt's cousin); Pam Turner; Connie Dickinson; Marilyn Ayres, Suzanne Best & Linda McLemore (Sherry's cousins); Joe Smith (Sherry's uncle); Elaine Lout; Carolyn Anderson; Sandie & Ben Clayton

Finally “pulled the trigger” on our Alaska trip set for this September. Stacy will be joining us as we spend 10 days in Seward, Anchorage, Fairbanks & Talkeetna. This will be our early (2 years) 50th Anniversary trip! Have our flights and rooms reserved!!

Celebrated Truitt’s 72nd birthday at Sean & Melissa's home with Carter & Stacy. Had a great time, as always!

During these months, we’ve continued to work on websites, videos, newsletters, Mapping Center requests, etc. for several associations and ministries. As we've looked back over the first four months in 2018, they have been busy but joyful times with friends and family. We are so very blessed!!

From Minnesota to Texas

Obviously, our plan to do a blog on a monthly basis has not come to pass! So once again, here’s a three month overview of what we’ve been doing from the first of August until now.

August

We left the Madison KOA in Wisconsin on the morning of the first and arrived at the Rochester KOA in Minnesota that afternoon. This would be our home until October 1 while we volunteered with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention.

Took the next few days to get acclimated to the area. Went to church that Sunday at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Leo Endel, pastor, is also the Executive Director of the MWBC. Since there are other members of the MWBC staff that attend there, it was nice to know a few folks when we arrived.

On our first Monday in Rochester, our granddaughter Carter flew into the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. As always, it was great to see her! Seems like she grows so much in the time we’re gone. As always, we had a terrific time with her and was sorry to see her go the following Saturday.

One of our first outings was to Niagara Cave in Harmony, MN.
Carter always enjoys "panning" for stones!

The tour through the cave was tiring but
we all enjoyed it !

We made two trips to Mall of the Americas for
shopping, Legos, amusement park, aquarium & more!

Monday of the next week was our first day in the MWBC office. It was such a joy to work with Leo Endel, Clint Calvert, Steve Dyess, Steve Melvin, David & Jeanne Wedekind and Peter Michaelson.

Around the table, starting on the left:  Jeanne, Truitt, Clint,
Leo, Peter, Steve M, David

During the remaining six weeks of our stay, Truitt would redo the MWBC website www.mwbc.org. It was the biggest one he had ever done, but it turned out great. Although they have a quarterly newspaper that goes out, the staff was wanting a monthly electronic newsletter. That was Sherry’s assignment with Steve Dyess. Along with that, we did about four videos (which Truitt did a great job editing) – State Missions Offering, Baptist History, Cooperative Program and the Biblical Role of the Pastor - https://vimeo.com/mwbc/videos

 Attended the Annuaul Church Planter Forum in Minneapolis. Several of the videos Truitt had done were shown. Sherry had a chance to share with some of the Directors of Missions about the Mapping Center. It’s a service provided for those in the MWBC.

September

We stayed busy during the month of September, but also made a weekend trip to Fargo, ND. North Dakota was the only state in the continental U.S. we had missed since Truitt retired in 2006. Finally got that one!!

On our trip to ND, we went to Lake Itasca. Truitt & Lucy are
standing where the Mississippi River begins.

As many times as we've crossed the
Mississippi River in the south, it was
neat to see where it began!

On that trip, we loved seeing the beautiful fall foliage
 that had already began.

By the time we left on October 1, Truitt had completed the MWBC website and it had gone live. In addition, the first monthly electronic newsletter for MWBC was sent out.

October

Our plan was to be back at The Oaks RV Park in Bastrop on October 23. Between the time we left on the 1st until then, we made several stops:  Raymond Gary State Park at Hugo, OK to visit with friends; a week at Stacy's while the RV's roof was being repaired; and a week at Highland Lakes Camp & Conference Center in Spicewood, TX.

Our friends Willard & Saundra Francis
They were directors of a Baptist Camp near Kalispel, MT
when we first met them. This was our first
volunteer assignment after retirement and they
taught us so much. What a blessing they have been,
and continue to be, to so many!!

Beautiful sunset at Raymond Gary State Park

Had a fun day checking out history with Willard & Saundra.
We discovered Hugo, OK was winter quarters for three
circuses. The cemetery was very interesting. Also saw remains
of Fort Towson and the old Hugo train depot (including an
attached Harvey House restaurant)

Had a great time "camping" next door to Stacy
and her two pups at Highland Lakes.
 Even made a day trip to Pedernales Falls

Another beautiful sunset, but this one was at Spicewood, TX

We have several “winter projects” we hope to complete before we leave out in the spring. Of course, we continue working on websites, newsletters, etc. during that time as well. Already enjoying our time with friends and family and look forward to more of that in the coming months.

Winter Quarters at The Oak RV Park in Bastrop, TX

" So encourage each other and build each other up," I Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

From Texas to Wisconsin

The plan was to post a new blog entry before now, but here we are nearly three months later! However, it will be posted from Madison, Wisconsin, so that did happen as planned.

May

Before leaving Texas, we drove with Stacy to Denver to attend the Furry Scurry. Sponsored by the Dumb Friends League of Denver, we had attended once before, but this was the first time with our pup Lucy. Making the time extra special, Truitt's brother Mark came from Santa Fe with his new rescue Jack to attend with us! We had a great time at the event and all of us spending time together. Happily, all the furry kids got along just fine!

Stacy's Samson & Harper, our Lucy and Mark's Jack

Mother's Day was spent with Sean. He and Melissa had decided each would spend the day with his/her Mom. We thought that was a great idea! Sherry was given the choice of what to do and she couldn't think of anything better than lunch at Cherry Creek Catfish and then the rest of the day at Sean's visiting together. It was great and Melissa arrived before we left, so had the opportunity to be with her too!


Our first stop after leaving Bastrop was Silsbee. This would be our last time to take the videos/photos at the Wildwood Sports Day. Although Truitt will continue to do the websites, we won't plan to be the ones that actually do the photography. That will enable us to head out from Texas earlier next year.

Following a visit with friends in the Longview area, we headed for Wisconsin. Did get to have dinner with my cousin Laurie and her husband Jim in St. Louis, so that was a treat!


June

Arrived at the Madison KOA on Thursday, June 1, and got settled in.

On Friday afternoon, we went to the home of Mark Millman, the Director of Missions/Church Planting Catalyst for Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association. Met Kimberly McDurmond from Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Georgia. She was there on a Vision Tour for her church and we would be spending the weekend taking her around the association to meet with SWBA church planters.

Kimberly meeting in local coffee shop with Pastor Meskerem Thomas,
Rehoboth Madison Evangelical Church (Ethiopians & Eritreans)

After meeting with Pastor Thomas on Saturday morning, we took Kimberly to Wisconsin Rapids to meet with two pastors before returning to Madison.

Sunday was a big day! We attended three worship services with Kimberly and met with three SWBA church planters. Morning was with Pastor Aaron Ramquist, Rock of Hope in Wisconsin Dells. Since these pictures were made, the Ramquists have added a fourth little girl to their family!

Pastor Aaron Ramquist, Rock of Hope, reading scriptures and holding
one of his little girls. Below is the rest of the family with Kimberly.

Sunday afternoon was with Pastor Gonzalo Quesada from Torreon, Mexico. He and his wife Marie are planting a Hispanic church in Madison.

A little dark, but that's Pastor Gonzalo & Maria in the middle.

The evening service was in Janesville, about 35 miles south of Madison. Pastor Jesse Beernink is planting Resonate Church. The church will have their official launch in September. By the way, Jesse's wife just had twin boys to add to their five! Sherry even got to hold one of the twins.

Director of Missions Mark Millman with Kimberly &
 Pastor Jesse in Janesville

Sherry having her moment with one of the twins.
It had been a while!

The rest of June has been busy in the SWBA office plus Sherry is taking a Spanish class on Friday mornings. Not sure how much will be retained, but it's been a joy. It's interesting that the teacher (photo on left), who is great, is Italian!

Last week in June was Hands of Hope in Janesville, WI. The group, from churches in Wisconsin and Minnesota, came to serve at Resonate Church with Pastor Jesse. This is a new church plant that will be using a leased church. Lots of work was done refurbishing plus a block party. We went a couple of days to do photos/videos.

July

Among other tasks, we attended four different block parties. The Block Party Trailer is being well used this summer! Besides taking pictures, we help keep the trailer stocked and answer questions for groups new to using it.

Team from Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria, IL did two block
parties, as well as construction. The one above is for Rehoboth.
They brought a big slide with them and it was VERY popular!!

Team came once again from FBC Hartsville, IN and did a block party
with Pastor Gonzalo in a community park. Kids are gathered
round for prize drawing.

Had two special Sundays during July - baptism at Red Village Church in Madison and a trip to Whitehall WI with Gonzalo & Maria plus translator and friend Greivin for service at Mision Bautista Hispana de Arcadia.

While we've been in the SWBA office in June and July, it has been busy. We have enjoyed working with Mark since 2009 and this summer was no exception. Among other tasks, Truitt brought laptops to refurbish for some of the pastors here. It's always difficult to answer when someone asks "What do you do?" We help with flyers, websites, updating, encouraging, cleaning & sorting, purchasing supplies, whatever is needed. It's always a blessing for us. We always meet and work with wonderful people who desire is to serve the Lord. This year has been no exception.

The next blog should be from Minnesota. We leave August 1 for Rochester, Minnesota to work with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. But first, we're looking forward to our sweet Carter coming to spend a week with us there! Still have plenty to do before we head back to Texas in October.

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT)