After my lunch with my cousin and his family, I walked back to the OC and got to work on my laundry. They had installed new machines since the last time I had been there.
While my clothes were in the dryer, my uncle called to tell me that his wife (Aunt Sondra) would be coming by to pick me up. Wether my clothes were completely dry or not, they were coming out immediately! Getting together with family takes a high priority over having dry clothes! I met her across the street, at the Fontana Truck Stop. Nobody approached me for favors this time. Ha ha.
After picking Uncle Galen up from their house, we made our way to my Uncle Roger's church. Uncle Galen was a guest speaker that evening for the missions banquet.
My cousin, Crystal, attended also. She brought her husband, Shawn, and her 2 precious little girls. I think my presence in town had something to do with her coming over that evening. Since she is on maternity leave, she is quickly aware of anything I post on Facebook. It had been too long since she and I had a meaningful visit. We have memories that go way back.
There were about 50 people, maybe more, attending the missions banquet. There was a variety of ethnic foods laid out on the buffet/potluck tables. We filled our plates, naturally. I was delighted to have some coffee. Unlike what you'd find in most churches, this coffee was actually delicious! I enjoyed being reintroduced to various members of both congregations. Members from Uncle Galen's church were also in attendance. And, it was so good to spend time with my Uncle Roger and Aunt Julie. I found myself really wishing that their kids, Melissa and Daniel, could have been there. They both attend, and live at, CBU - the same university my mom graduated from. There is actually a significant number of our family who have attended and graduated from California Baptist University.
Jennifer, Uncle Roger's oldest daughter (23), got to join us from the Asian country in which she is serving an an "M", via Skype. She gave the audience a glimpse into her life as an "M" overseas. Of course, Jennifer got the audience laughing, as she told the audience several humorous anecdotes. Her partner, Clair, also participated in the chat. Clair has a disability, but she doesn't let that stop her from engaging in life and passionately sharing the message of hope.
Uncle Galen spent a few minutes speaking about the history, spirit, and needs of modern Baptist missions. I learned a few things I didn't know about him before, such as his repeated and rejected attempts at being assigned to a foreign missions field worker. His children were either "too young" or "too old" to allow him to be an effective foreign missionary, according to the leaders.
After that we went to Chili's to eat dinner and Crystal and her family joined us. I then went to Uncle Galen and Aunt Sondra's house to stay in Uncle David's old room for the nigh. In the morning I skyped with Uncle David, who recently moved back to Mexico. When we were done chatting, Uncle Galen and I met Uncle Roger at Panera for breakfast. Uncle Roger was wearing a blue shirt with sailboats on it; I always enjoy hearing his sailing stories. After breakfast I said good-bye and Uncle Roger took me back to the OC. I was able to give him a quick tour of the truck and let him get a feel for sitting in it. It didn't take long for us to get an assignment and get back on the road.
While my clothes were in the dryer, my uncle called to tell me that his wife (Aunt Sondra) would be coming by to pick me up. Wether my clothes were completely dry or not, they were coming out immediately! Getting together with family takes a high priority over having dry clothes! I met her across the street, at the Fontana Truck Stop. Nobody approached me for favors this time. Ha ha.
After picking Uncle Galen up from their house, we made our way to my Uncle Roger's church. Uncle Galen was a guest speaker that evening for the missions banquet.
My cousin, Crystal, attended also. She brought her husband, Shawn, and her 2 precious little girls. I think my presence in town had something to do with her coming over that evening. Since she is on maternity leave, she is quickly aware of anything I post on Facebook. It had been too long since she and I had a meaningful visit. We have memories that go way back.
There were about 50 people, maybe more, attending the missions banquet. There was a variety of ethnic foods laid out on the buffet/potluck tables. We filled our plates, naturally. I was delighted to have some coffee. Unlike what you'd find in most churches, this coffee was actually delicious! I enjoyed being reintroduced to various members of both congregations. Members from Uncle Galen's church were also in attendance. And, it was so good to spend time with my Uncle Roger and Aunt Julie. I found myself really wishing that their kids, Melissa and Daniel, could have been there. They both attend, and live at, CBU - the same university my mom graduated from. There is actually a significant number of our family who have attended and graduated from California Baptist University.
Jennifer, Uncle Roger's oldest daughter (23), got to join us from the Asian country in which she is serving an an "M", via Skype. She gave the audience a glimpse into her life as an "M" overseas. Of course, Jennifer got the audience laughing, as she told the audience several humorous anecdotes. Her partner, Clair, also participated in the chat. Clair has a disability, but she doesn't let that stop her from engaging in life and passionately sharing the message of hope.
Uncle Galen spent a few minutes speaking about the history, spirit, and needs of modern Baptist missions. I learned a few things I didn't know about him before, such as his repeated and rejected attempts at being assigned to a foreign missions field worker. His children were either "too young" or "too old" to allow him to be an effective foreign missionary, according to the leaders.
After that we went to Chili's to eat dinner and Crystal and her family joined us. I then went to Uncle Galen and Aunt Sondra's house to stay in Uncle David's old room for the nigh. In the morning I skyped with Uncle David, who recently moved back to Mexico. When we were done chatting, Uncle Galen and I met Uncle Roger at Panera for breakfast. Uncle Roger was wearing a blue shirt with sailboats on it; I always enjoy hearing his sailing stories. After breakfast I said good-bye and Uncle Roger took me back to the OC. I was able to give him a quick tour of the truck and let him get a feel for sitting in it. It didn't take long for us to get an assignment and get back on the road.
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