Middle Ocoee Whitewater Rafting!!

Our Lilburn Ward YM spent a morning on the middle Ocoee river in let September. It was a super outing. We had about 20 young men (over 14) and 5 s. Friday night we held a campfire and a few stories from the Bishop. It was one of those events they will remember for years to come. There are about 20 rapids on this stretch with 5 or 6 of them class 4 rapids and multiple class 3. On one we went sideways over a 4 foot shelf, nice. At the bottom of the shelf was a protruding rock. Our raft was wedged between the rock on the bottom and the top. Then the boat began to slip slowly under water. Within minutes water began to fill up the boat, we're still sitting. Then the boat is full, we're still sitting. I could see it was about over so I stood up and began to fend for myself . I was told to stay in the boat and sit down. The boat has now settled nicely down under the flow of water and we are sitting in the boat with water flowing past us up to our armpits. The river is full of other boats. We are now the main attraction. Boats are coming right over the bow of our boat. In fact, I can reach out and touch them as they pass, over my boat and over my legs as I am in the front of the boat. This is very nice. 'Stay in the boat!', right....Miraculously, the boat is dislodged and we are lifted out of the current and back on top of the water. It was awesome. I was especially grateful to have Jono and Mark in the boat with me. Aight this is Mark. And this is the funny part. We got lodged under the waterfall and good ol' Dad tries to take charge and starts to get out of the boat. Our guide was like, "sit down, hit the deck!" It was hilarious, because Dad was headed for shore, and it took a lot to stop him. The ship was down and he was out. Aight dad writes the next part.
We had a youth fireside in our home again tonight, Sunday October 19th, 2008. We hold them once each month. We had 46 youth and 10 leaders in our house with two elders speaking. One of the elders is from Ghana, South Africa. He gave a wonderful talk. I just love working with these great youth.

September 23rd, 2008

What a whirlwind we are in around here. Mom has been called as a new ward missionary along with Sister Weiler. They are a powerful pair. Part of our ward mission goal is to have investigators and new members in members homes at least 3 times. This allows strong links with new members with the ward. Here is a picture of what has been going on at our house. This family has many members. Two sisters (literally) and a brother and their children all from Cambodia. They have been over to the house several times for various reasons. They just love Karre! (Mom). Two of them have been baptized and another one is scheduled in a few weeks. Last Sunday we had 4 elders and 7 members of this family over for dinner. Here is Mom's table before they all arrived. Chuck and Ed were at another member's house for the annual youth missionary dinner/message.

Fellow Ferris Wheeler!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA!!
Whoo-hoo! I hope today is a great day for you. I wanted to post this on your blog, but seeing as this is my first time on the bog, besides just looking at other people's blogs, I'm not too good at it. So, here we go.
Thanks for all of the many laughs we have had together! You are a fantastic sister! I know for a fact that I would not have gotten on that dang ferris wheel if it weren't for you. If you weren't there to ride with me?! O heavens, I probably would have gone all rigid (wait, I did that...) and sweated so much (did that too) that I would have slid off the ricketty old seat, bounced off the Merry-Go-Round I had my eyes so tightly fixed on, and free-falled only to land in the handsome ONE-EYED Carnie's arms. yikes...glad you were there. Oh and the time when we were completely surrounded by a thousand blood thirsty bats. That was a time to remember. Wow, through sheer insanity, you claim survival skills, you bailed on me and scampered up that hill so fast, shoot -- I didn't know what to do myself. :D Haha, and that same night when I got my thigh stuck on the deck?! I'd still be there if you didn't give me that little kick!
Oh my, thanks for all of the superb memories. There have been so many times where you have been there for me, for the good and the bad. Thanks for all of the advice and support. I love you Sha-sha. Can't wait to see you again and embark on another great adventure!
If you can't tell yet,
ash

p.s. Maybe next time we go out to eat and have an attractive waiter serve us, I might reconsider leaving my number - just for you though ;) Happy B-day

Mountain Bike Videos!!

Hello again! Instead of going to White Water we (Dad, Mark, Jonathon and me) went mountain biking at yellow river park. We made a few videos and took some pictures. Just so you know, it was the most excruciatingly hot and humid day I have ever personally experienced. So please excuse our sweaty faces, dripping pits and glistening arms (as well as Jonathons greasy wet hair). Honestly though, I started sweating as soon as I stepped out of the Suburban. Please enjoy this feature presentation entitiled "PROS UNLEASHED!!" pictures and videos will come later - I'm tired and the computer isn't cooperating. It is now several weeks later and the computer still isn't cooperating... sorry.

Family Boating Trip

What's Up my devoted readers?! We went on a blazin' fun boating trip tonight! Mom skiied (or however you spell that) and she wakeboarded. Then the professor took over. I wakeboarded and skiied. Then we had lunch and skipped rocks or played in the mud. Mom and Ashley tubed a little (actually only one run, but that run ended in a doozy. They took quite a spill) Ashley hasn't talked since and will only consume ibuprofen. Anyway the pictures tell the story.