Fall Fellowship 2010

It's that wonderful, crisp, cool time of the year! How I love fall...pumpkins and leaves, etc! And it's actually finally beginning to feel like fall here in Florida! Thank God!

Last Saturday we had the annual Fall Fellowship at church. We were here for it last year, only Russell and I weren't married at that point. My mother-in-law, who is also the pastor's wife, had all of us ladies make a bunch of food because this year we invited another church to join us for the fun. I made chili, ziti, coleslaw, 20+ grilled cheese, and a cake. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it. I sure missed my mom's dishwasher when it came time to wash all the dishes I got dirty. =D

As you can see, I got a TON of dishes dirty. Once clean, they were stacked rather haphazardly. I joked with Russell, "Don't slam the front door or walk heavily when passing by, and PLEASE don't turn on the washing machine!!!" It feels like we are experiencing an earthquake the way that thing bounces around while its spinning out. =D

The day of the Fall Fellowship dawned bright and clear with perfect temperatures! Russell and I did our best to dress up as cowboys (the costume theme was cowboys and Indians). We were going to buy maroon plaid shirts so we could match, but decided it wasn't a necessity in our budget. (Yes, this is the first picture since it happened. I cut my hair...personally!)

Over 60 people showed up from Old Paths Baptist Church.

Everyone brought a ton of food! I organized a craft with the little girls at church, and together we made paper wreaths and a paper chain to decorate the fellowship hall for the festivities.

This is mine!

Starting out the day, we signed up for the various contests, etc. Russell signed us up---the Russell Maynard family---to have our family picture taken on the hay bales with pumpkins. I haven't gotten those pictures yet. I was also signed up for the chili contest, the baking contest, and the sewing/craft contest.

Last year Russell almost got his head whacked off while holding the log for whoever was chopping during the log-splitting contest. I held my breath and offered silent prayers as I watched my husband this year as he helped while Aaron hacked away at the log. He was fine, thank God, and even entered the contest, getting 3rd place!

This little girl's grandma made her costume. Isn't it cute?

And here are the kids in their costumes. I'm pretty sure Rylee, the little girl in front and all the way to the right, won first place as a cowgirl.

There is my mother-in-law and several of the other adults entered in the costume contest.

We sure have a beautiful church building!

I enjoyed holding one of the little babies in our church.

Russell was one of the judges for the baking contest. With me not being able to eat sugar, Russell is used to basically having a sugar-free diet, so he had a splitting headache after consuming all those sweets. My poor boy! He told me he never wants to be a judge for the baking contest ever again. He sure changed his tune quickly! =D

Can you guess which cake is mine???

I entered this banana split cake into the contest and won 1st place for how it was decorated. I was told I would have won 2nd place for how it tasted, only they wouldn't give one cake two ribbons.

A dear friend sent me this seashell pattern as a wedding gift, and I recently finished making it and then framed it to enter into the craft contest. It won 1st place! Thank you, Naomi! It's beautiful!

My prizes! Thanks be to God, who gave me the ability and strength! If it wasn't for His grace, which allows me to awaken and get out of bed every morning and breathe His air in my lungs, I could never accomplish anything.

After all the contests were over, many games of volleyball had been played, and much fellowship was made, we closed off the night with a singing around the bonfire. It was a wonderful day!!!