These strange balls of green in the trees, what is it? You don't see it in the summer with all the leaves on the trees, but it is very visible in the winter when the leaves are gone.
Technically it is a parasite that eventually kills the trees. One more factoid: it is illegal to pick this stuff off the trees for any purpose because of its parasitic nature and ease of spreading. This stuff can't be good for anything or anybody, can it? Leave a comment if you know what it is.
Debby and I are senior class sponsors this year which entitled us to go along on the senior class trip. What a privilege to not only travel with, but to get to know these kids on a deeper level outside of the classroom. A quality group they are. On our way to Rome we stopped in Florence and on the way home it was Venice. I think my class trip as a high schooler was downtown Philly to see the Liberty Bell. Enjoy the pictures.
This is the Victory Memorial in center city Rome.
This is Trevi Fountain in Rome.
This is Debby misbehaving in Rome.
Sunset on the coast in Santa Severa where the whole group stayed.
We have had some very interesting senior trips over the years, each with their own unique theme. For instance we've had the year of the stomach flu, the year of the tunnel fire, the year of the bus door accident. This year was the year of the sun. Six cloudless days of temperatures in the 80s. What a blessing.
Yes, that is a real castle behind Heather. Neu Schwanstein was built by mad Ludwig and it is in the Bavaria region of Germany. The castle in Disney World is patterned after this castle and it is just one of four that Ludwig had built before his suspicious death at age 41.
Scott and Shelly Leary came to visit for 10 days. Despite missing their dog, Winston, I think they had a pretty good time. They flew into Nice and joined us in Monaco for a few days as Bill wrapped up substitute preaching at Monaco Christian Fellowship for two weeks. Then we all drove up to Kandern to visit the school and answer the many questions they have regarding the possbility of their joining us on staff someday. Scott is the son of my twin sister, LouAnn. Pray for them as they yield to the leading of the Lord.
The whole Mellon clan for Tini's graduation
Mark & Heidi Berg June 23 - 26Heidi (Freisen) graduated from BFA 2001
Gordon & Cathy McNiel June 22 - July 2Cathy is Bill's cousin from Denver
More are coming in August - How about you ???
Our summer projects continue on the Janz building. The roof trusses are in place and the new floor has been laid. The outside will be finished by the start of school, Lord willing. Check out that project and its progress on our school website listed on the right.
Bill is preaching three times this summer, twice in the International Christian Fellowship of Monaco and once at our home church of Black Forest Christian Fellowship. Deb is in a van with three other BFA ladies somewhere in Poland at the time of this posting. I'm sure she's having too much fun!! Our nephew Scott Leary and Shelly, his wife, will fly into Monaco and ride back with us to visit the work at BFA. Our daughter, Heather, will also be here for a few weeks in August. Can't wait !!!!!!
Boy, did we get hammered. The heaviest snow in the eleven years we've been here. Perfect timing too, our High School is closed Monday because of their retreat this weekend.
Here they are:
Our sending agency:
