Harvest Festival, baptism, praise service - a good weekend

I was so torn about what to do on Saturday.  For quite a while I have been looking forward to attending a reunion of girls who attended the church I did as a child and teenager.   But having just returned from our vacation and with so much to catch up on, both at work and at home, I just couldn't imagine taking the time to make the trip to Lancaster County.  Neither could I imagine missing it.  Lori called Friday evening and invited me to go with them to a harvest festival at a local fruit farm.  She said Austin had been asking and asking to see us.  Well, that tipped the scales! 

Saturday morning started out nice and sunny, though chilly.  Here's a picture I took soon after we arrived at the festival.

Next we went to the rabbit-petting station, but as we were there the sun disappeared, a brisk breeze picked up, and we were miserable!  Does this melt your heart like it does mine?

Thankfully there was a nice indoor area to get coffee, hot chocolate, and goodies.  

Sunday morning was really special at Houserville House of Hope.  The two special needs ladies, Fran and Juanita,  who attend our church, as well as my guitar player Kael, violin player Ashley, and female vocalist Vanessa officially became members of the church.  Kael was baptized as well.  Afterward, during the offering, Ashley sang Kari Jobe's song No Sweeter Name so beautifully.  It was a very emotional time for me.  I have come to love each one of these dear people so much.  None of their lives are easy, but I've watched them hang onto and personalize the promises in the lyrics of our songs, and I've seen the church love them to pieces no matter what until it has truly become their family. 

Fran and Juanita.

Kael, Vanessa, and Ashley with Pastor Renee.  (I wish this picture were as clear as the one above.)

 

On Sunday afternoon Austin came here for his nap, and I got a good nap too.  

In the evening we had our monthly praise service at the Fillmore church.  Pastor Calvin (new to Fillmore since July) played drums with our team, a talent we did not know he had!  His wife Trina shared her personal testimony, which was tremendously touching and powerful.  Guitar player Ross, who is a professor at Penn State, had invited one of his students (who is from India) to come to the service, and she did, bringing one of her friends, also from India, with her.  So that was really cool.

It was a really good day.