Our Weekend

     In one of my recent posts, I mentioned that Caroline had just started volunteering at Voice of the Martyrs for a while.  She is really enjoying her time, and we are all looking forward to having her back with us soon. :)  This past weekend Mom, Laura, Amelia and I made the drive over to see her and do a little sight-seeing. We had a great time.

     Forty minutes North of Bartlesville - just over the border in Kansas - is the Little House on the Prairie Museum. There is a replica cabin sitting on the spot where Laura Ingalls lived in the early 1870's. The well that Pa dug is still there - fascinating! Also on site are a local one-room schoolhouse (1890's) and a local Post Office (1870's).

Little House on the Prairie

The Post Office

One-room Schoolhouse

Amelia enjoyed the livestock

     After touring the site we made our way back to Bartlesville for lunch at a local tea room.  On our way into town I noticed an iteresting building about two blocks off the main drag and told mom we should turn around and look at it up close. When we did, we noticed that it was an old hotel - and open for tours. :) We made our way back to tour it after lunch.

Lunch

 

The Dewey Hotel

On the third floor

Gorgeous Wrap-around Porch

     Afterwards, we made our way to the Frank Phillips Home and took an hour-long tour there. Very informative and interesting. We then made one last stop at the Nellie Johnstone oil well - the first commercial oil well dug in Oklahoma.

Amelia made friends with "Miss Callie" the calico cat

The "Nellie Johnstone"

100 Days and Counting....

     The countdown has begun - just 100 days 'til departure for Ecuador. I am already so excited! I've recently been studying about Ecuador and it's people. Here are some interesting facts I have discovered so far....

* The entire country of Ecuador is about the size of the state of Colorado
* The so-called "Valley of Volcanoes" runs through the middle of the country (and yes, they are still active)
* About 95% of Ecuador identifies itself as Catholic
* Ecuador is home to the Amazon Jungle
* Ecuador is the main source of Bananas in the USA
* Ecuador also exports coffee, cocoa, petroleum and cut flowers

     Jim Elliot, missionary to Ecuador and martyr for Christ once said: "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." My feelings exactly.

Family Photos 2013

 

 

      O how I love my family! :)  We took these pictures in early December last year to send with our Christmas cards, but that didn't happen. We sent the cards, just not with pictures in them.  And of course not everyone is in these pics - just those of us who still live in Enid.  The location is our wonderful country church. Some are in the sanctuary and some in the basement.  Enjoy!

 

The Fam

 

Sisters

 

Brothers

 

A different angle

 

 

 

O how adored she is by her brothers ;)

 

 As evidenced by this

 

I liked the B&W setting on these:

 

 

My wonderful parents - it all started with them. I so appreciate all they've given - and still give - for each of us. I can't imagine having any other.

 

We did it!

Dear Family & Friends,

The last four days were quite the ride, but we did win the photo contest - securing a $300 scholarship towards my mission trip to Ecuador. Thank-you all so much! I never wanted to be a politician, and now I know for sure I don't. Pushing for all those votes is hard work. :) I am so thankful to have the extra amount for my trip, but mostly my heart is warmed by the love expressed by all of you through your tireless efforts on my behalf.

Staff and volunteers at Voice of the Martyrs took time out of their busy day to vote for me (my sister Caroline is volunteering there right now). Countless people solicited friends to vote through facebook & email. Two different people in two different states walked around the ball games they were attending asking friends and strangers alike to vote for me. My aunt walked the neighborhoods of Conway, Arkansas getting as many votes as she could. My brother got votes from our local YMCA where he is head swim coach. My parents spent lots of time on the phone & in person talking to people & giving out info. The girls that I disciple at church got votes from their friends at school. I could go on and on. I am sure there are many stories I don't even know yet. So many of you helped, and I am so thankful.

Many have asked and I wanted to let you know the results. And also how very blessed we are to have friends and family like you. I know God is going to do great things in Ecuador and you are all going to be a part of that.

Love and blessings,

~Rachel

Help me, Help me, Help me!

     As you can see from my previous post, I am trying to earn a $300 scholarship for my missions trip to Ecuador. If I win, I get $300 - 2nd place is $200 and 3rd place is $100. While leading in the early voting, I am now in third place. Please recruit everyone you know and get me more votes! And hurry, voting ends at midnight tonight....

 

You can vote once on each of the following:

My picture is titled "The Children's Home" ‪

‬Twitter: http://bit.ly/1h25Xmx

FB: http://bit.ly/1hRqOMb

GE Website: http://globalencounter.com/vote14-photo-contest

 



Help me earn a Scholarship for my Trip to Ecuador :)

 

     Last month I was accepted for a Global Encounters missions trip to Ecuador. I am so excited about what the Lord is doing! Preparations have begun and the clock is ticking to departure day. I will be posting more on my prep in the coming months - and of course I will post about my time in Ecuador.  I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare, prayers for our team and the people of Ecuador.

     As you can see by my header, I have entered a picture in a contest where I can win as much as a $300 scholarship for my trip. Please take a moment to vote - the picture with the most votes wins! You can vote once each on facebook, twitter, or the GE website. If you have more than one email in your family, use them all - every vote counts!

 

Here are links to my picture:

Website: http://globalencounter.com/vote14-photo-contest/

Vote on Twitter - http://bit.ly/1h25Xmx
Vote on Facebook - http://bit.ly/1hRqOMb

     As most of you know, Caroline, Laura & I finished our house which allows us to now pursue some missions/service trips that we have wanted to do for some time. Right now, Caroline is in Bartlesville at the national headquarters for VOM. She did an orientation day a few weeks ago and really feels she will enjoy her time there. Pray for her. Since 2011 I've had a desire to go to South America as a short-term missionary and in July, I will be able to fulfill that dream.

Please share this, recruit friends to vote, etc! Thanks so much.....

 

Portraits: Wilkins Family

     Last fall I had a great time taking pictures of my uncle's family. Uncle Tommy is my mom's brother. Wow - great memories with him over the years. Camping, Christmas, and lots of fun. We got some excellent shots on the campus of Hendrix College. For one shot we even "readjusted" a sprinkler so it would look better. ;) (I also took pictures of Alex & senior pictures of Cameron.) Thanks for a great shoot - love you guys!