stimple.net

Feb 21, 2010 12:29am

This is a photo of my Everest. One fine feature of our otherwise perfect condo arrangement that wasn't mentioned and discussed prior to our odyssey is the approximately 100 foot descent/ascent every time we egress/ingress the condo. Of course, those in suitable human condition (skinny, young, and hormone-driven) don't have a problem with this super-max near-vertical set of stairs. On the other hand... And a correction - we hope to cast off in the morning at 7:30am Lord willing and assuming the drivers get some sleep. Now to sleep. An excellent day and wonderful kids.

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Feb 20, 2010 11:15pm

Aaannddd we are done! Absolutely fantastic. Singing. Speaking. Application. Head-on issues. Responsibilities. Choices. Our kids fully engaged. Great kids. Other than a few tiny teen things, these are the best kids ever. No kidding. We wil try to leave in the morning by 8:30am. Pray for us. And thank God for such an amazing weekend. God is good. Remove the veil! L1L2!

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Feb 20, 2010 11:07pm

Tech

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Feb 20, 2010 6:24pm

Breaking away from group with Dayna, Matt, and Maygan. Doing pitas. Man, have to be back in an hour! Ran into Dave, Megan, and Maddi. Off seeing some Nicaragua friends. Rest of kids back at condo. Haven't been there all day. Another long evening, I have a hunch. Very busy out on streets. It is my opinion that there are more teeth braces per square 100 meters here in Gatlinburg than in any other place during the Winterfest weekend.

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Feb 20, 2010 5:41pm

Matt is shopping here. Says there is quality product in here for a good price. Escorted by Dayna and Maygan. We are all very impressed with this store. Ears still ringing from concert.

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Feb 20, 2010 4:56pm

Building 429. These guys ROCK. Chest thumping kind of music. But some piano and strings - in a rocking way. Hard rock, ballad, anthem, love. Cool looking, too. (Dont judge me.)

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Feb 20, 2010 12:56pm

We are in! Loud. Lots of people. But feel safe - decent clean nice friendly people. Be back in a bit. No coverage in here. Maygan and Dayna arrived late last night safe. Maygan DID get her driver license. Maddi talks in her sleeps and talks when she is awake. Matt's back hurts. Wants Tylenol. Ben sharing music with Elan.

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Feb 20, 2010 12:24am

Brad demonstrating how quickly saliva decomposes an apple. Very sophisticated. Kids very impressed.

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Feb 20, 2010 12:04pm

Waiting in line in the tunnel.

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Feb 20, 2010 11:46am

Social commentary next door to Winterfest entrance. Lining up now.

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Feb 20, 2010 11:00am

Just finished a breakfast of pancakes and oatmeal at Gatlinburg's #1 pancake house, Flapjacks. It was good. Now wandering around. We line up for next session at 11:45. Cool and breezy out but sunny sunny. Kids all good. Still smiling.

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Feb 20, 2010 9:08am

From last night...

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Feb 20, 2010 8:50am

Slowly starting to move. Most got in and settled after devos by 2am. (I will admit that I am having a hard time keeping up. Schedules, hikes, and SO much talk! I went to bed at 12:30am. I am not a machine anymore. <pause> <sigh> Today will be long.) Sun is out. Supposed to be a really nice day. I'm sure everyone is recharged. I'm still thinking about the songs last night. "In Christ Alone" and "Stirring" were chilling with so many voices. We are meeting in a few minutes for breakfast. This "event" here in Gatlinburg is really special.

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Feb 19, 2010 11:51pm

Done. Over. Walking back to condo. Amazing! The singing is awesome. Powerful messages. 7,000 people just in this session. The other session has as many.

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Feb 19, 2010 11:09pm

II Corinthians 4:4 is the theme. The "blindness". The "veil". That which keeps us from seeing clearly. That which fools us. Powerful message.

Feb 19, 2010 9:30pm

Getting ready to start. Boys haven't showed up. Grrrrrrrrrr. Great looking stage. House is packed. Lots lots lots of A/V stuff. And loud.

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Feb 19, 2010 9:19pm

Still outside. Cold but warm with all the people. Should open in a few minutes. Some amazing and good looking kids. This is great!

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Feb 19, 2010 8:12pm

It is 36 deg out here. We are an hour early for the 9:30pm festivities. Have to be early to get good seats. So here we stand. And it's cold. Lots of kids. Loud. Happy. Fun. This is good.

Feb 19, 2010 6:15pm

Pre-convention planning and dis-organization.

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Feb 19, 2010 6:00pm

Feb 19, 2010 4:50pm

We have arrived and are getting into our four rooms. Food in girl room so guys don't eat it all. Joel at convention center making sure stuff ok. Phil "Flip" and daughter Sophia here. He just got here from Haiti. Nice back porch with warm sunshine and Brad playing banjo. Going to late session so several hours for hot dogs and stuff and piddling. Everyone happy.

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Feb 19, 2010 4:00pm

Busy, busy traffic into Gatlinburg. Are they all coming to see us?

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Feb 19, 2010 3:32pm

On TN66 to Pigeon Forge. Excited for fireworks stores.

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Feb 19, 2010 3:19pm

Getting on I40W to Knoxville. Matt is anticipating getting a Zippo. Kendall has to get gifts for her siblings. I think we are eating frozen pizzas in the rooms. Very excited. Average money with the kids is, we think, about $40. Megan has to stop more often now because of a recent trip to Chicago when no one would let her go to the bathroom for hours on end. She thinks she was permanently damaged. We continue to be spiritual. Two vans passed us from a church in Ohio. We all waved.

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Feb 19, 2010 1:51pm

Maddi's friends and pictures.

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Feb 19, 2010 1:42pm

Finishing the Bell. Lots of talk. Happy

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Feb 19, 2010 1:33pm

Health food. Dave telling an uninteresting and very long story. Laura's iPhone has died.

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Feb 19, 2010 1:16pm

Franchise stop. Abingdon. Delicious Taco Bell. It is good to get away from home and try new things.

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Feb 19, 2010 12:18pm

At Wytheville. Very sunny. Dave has surged ahead of us and Joel. Not sure where he is. He will get to Gatlinburg an hour before us us Joel has his cruise set on 64! Misty would be proud.

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Feb 19, 2010 10:32am

Another franchise stop in Buchanan, VA. How much junk food can we possibly eat. Group from Warrenton church here on way to Gatlinburg. Praise the Lord!

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