WHAT TO WRITE? WHAT TO WRITE?

Well, I lied.  I promised myself to get back to writing regularly, but it just didn't happen.  Now there is so much to share I don't even know where to begin!  It's going to be pretty random.
The biggest theme running through our lives is the wedding preparations.  We've bagged lavender to throw, picked out tablecloths, gathered vintage plates for the reception, made the table numbers, and the list goes on.  The major happening though was THE DRESS.  Al met Paul in NYC for the final try-on.  It is so beautiful.  She rode the train up to Penn Station and stayed at an old,old hotel.  I want to post the pics so badly, but alas, everyone is going to have to wait!

My Uncle Bill passed away early in the year, so we all gathered up in the mountains to celebrate his life.  Ben and Al stayed in Roanoke and I stayed with Susan.  I love the picture below of all of us gathered at the church.
                                                                                                                                     

There have been births and deaths.  We just attended a sorrowful graveside service at Blandford yesterday.  Katie Barksdales little 3 month old girl died unexpectedly from SIDS.  I drove to Warrenton to be with the Mills/LeFever kids....their mother passed away very unexpectedly.
There are SO many babies to be born:  Brad & Sarah are having a little girl, SADIE.....both of Al's friends in Richmond are having babies this summer, Ben's brother is expecting a little girl again around the end of the summer.  Cindy Hass is expecting in October.

We had a chance to visit Glenn and Sheila a couple of times.  Paige, Allie and I had lunch in Williamsburg....we hadn't seen her since over a year.  '

The gang from Palestine won't be coming to workcamp this summer because it is just too dangerous....ISIS is hunting Christians and killing them.
I had the chance to visit the Federal Prison and witness a program called Letters from DAD.  You can read about it on my facebook page.

See, I'm already tired of writing and I haven't even covered an iota of the things that have happened.  Oh well....more later

THANKSGIVING OVER, HERE COMES CHRISTMAS!

The house is abuzz, yet it's not hurried or rushed.  Thanksgiving was such a good day.  It was John, I, Al, Ben, Ellen, Kent, and their grandfolks.  As you can see by the pic, Ellen and her grandma Ellen cooked the turkey and some pies.  Al and I did the rest.  We had so much fun in the kitchen together, and I am definitely not one to linger in the kitchen!  We ate until
we were totally stuffed.  Then Allie and Ben headed to Richmond to see the Portyratas .  Jenn came over with Jackson so we lured him with toys into taking steps around the house.

John and I took a ride earlier in the week down to Toano to see Glenn & Sheila.  We shared Subway and lots of good conversation.  They are both in their 90s and still just as in touch with the goings on in the world as ever!

Last night Allie was making wedding favors.  I can't say too much about them because we don't want to give away the idea!  Let's just say it involved a beautiful "P" rubber stamp and a calligraphy pen.
The boys are anxious to cut wood, but the chain saw isn't cooperating.  It's off to the repair shop now and am thankful that it's still under warrenty!
Today is Sunday.  John is getting ready to visit another local church.  He's been going to a different church each Sunday....seeing old friends and getting inspiration.  Me...I'm still worship at the Church of the Inner Springs.  Oh, and I'll be heading to the grocery store soon before the after church rush for chicken!

THIS MONTH IS RACING BY

This past year has been one of many changes for the Petersburg Romaines.  Many of them major life experiences.  I guess that's why I'm up at 3am, having coffee and on Facebook.  Usually I sleep like nobody's business, but I'm up so I'll catch up.
Al and I went down to the Old Union Train Station in Petersburg to meet with "Patty", who will be

Old Union Train Station

Blandford Church 

catering Ben & Allie's wedding.  They will be married November 7, 2015 at historic Blandford Church and then ride down the hill to the old train station for the reception.  We are having so much fun planning and having a year to do the planning is a dream.
It's been a difficult year of job searching for Al, but if all goes well, she will have a job very soon.  I don't want to jinx it, so I won't say anymore.

Since John & I have left Tabernacle Church, it has been quite an adjustment for him.  It has been many years since he hasn't either had a church to pastor or a full time job with the government.  He is finding his niche though.  It's hard for him to just RELAX!
We absolutely LOVE following the VCU RAMS Men's Basketball team!  Tickets are way expensive, so we curl up in bed and yell at the television screen!  Coach Shaka Smart has quite a team this year.

Weber dunking

   It's been a year since my best friend, Alicia, passed away from breast cancer.  We have traveled a journey with her kids since her death.  Going  abandonment, eviction (well, you name it, their dad has done it!) has made this past year challenging.   It's all good now though.  They have a cute place to live, more extended family (from workcamp) and a bright future.
My Uncle Bill (mom's brother) passed away last month so we all gathered for a memorial service.  It was so good to see all the cousins and spend time with Susan in her home.  I sure hope we all can get together during the holidays!  

The grand ladies at Uncle Bill's memorial

Moving day for Kent & Ellen

   It is hard to believe that it has been one year since Allie & I were in Nablus, Palestine.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of all of them.  My life was profoundly changed by that trip.
Well, we'll be getting ready for Thanksgiving.  We will have John, Ben, Allie & I,  Ellen and her grandma are cooking the turkey and "fixings", so all of them will be joining us for the day.  We are planning a trip down to see the Plotts soon...very soon!  I have begun looking at houses and visiting families for next summer.  That in itself is a blog.  I will try to share more next posting.      

CATCHING UP WILL BE SLOW!

Well, Allie & I just returned from a whirlwind trip to find her wedding gown.  We drove to Philadelphia, stayed in a hotel downtown, took a train into NYC the next morn, saw Paul B., went to the loft where she selected her handmade dress, looked around at Macy's, went to Penn station, rode the train back to Philly, slept and then drove home this morning.  WHEW!  

Visiting D.C. 

It was perfect and she will be a vision next November.  The dress is handmade by the designer and will be ready in about 5 months.  That's all I am allowed to say at this point!  LOL! 

 So much has happened since I wrote in July when Ben and Al were engaged.  A major happening is that John is no longer pastor at Tabernacle Methodist.  I am glad and will say no more. He is now chaplain for Prince George County's EMS and Carson Fire Department.  He took a class at SRMC and meets with the firehouse twice a month.  He's helped with several happenings including giving the benediction at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new firehouse.  So proud of him.  

Workcamp 2014 was of course incredible.  As you can see we were visited by quite a few special guests as well as the "pope".  Our theme this year was the song "BRAVE"  and we had fun with it!  
Our Palestinian friends were brave and tried everything from power tools to ice skating so that was much fun also!  

The Scudder "kids" were evicted and forced from their home as well as other atrocities by their father.  A wonderful workcamp staff family have helped set them up in their grandparents home and it's been an adventure getting the place ready.  It had been locked up for over ten years, so much had to be done to get it ready.  All is well now though, and everyone is moving ahead.  Especially little Jackson, who is on the move and will be walking any minute!  
We finally had the huge stump from the tree that fell behind out house during the last big storm taken care of.  It was hauled away into the woods and the deck repaired!  Ben replaced most of the aging parts on the pool this summer, so next year should be a breeze!

For now I'll just upload some pics of happenings and hope that this will justify catching up!  

Chicken & Waffles Drag Brunch

Grand ladies at Uncle Bill's memorial service 

Daniel & Sarah's wedding

The murdering in Gaza & the Pope visits THE WALL

My dear school friend Lydia passes away

A BEAUTIFUL THING!

In the middle of all of the heart-wrenching things going on here and with our friends in the Middle East, God has given the ROMAINES a beautiful thing....

ALLIE & BEN ARE ENGAGED!!!!!

 

'He proposed in the pecan acres of Richard Bland College where they first saw each other.  They are perfect match!  John and I couldn't love Ben more and we are so excited to begin calling him our son.  I can't even begin to say how good it feels to have him be part of our family!

 

Even though we are in the midst of workcamp preparations, Allie and I play in the evenings after the "boys" have gone to bed.  We curl up in the living room and make plans for the big day.  Dresses, candles, music, food....it's all so much fun! 

 

It looks like they have set a date, but I don't want to post it until they do:)  I am chomping at the bit to tell details because they are being so thoughtful in every detail of their plans.  Let me just say it is going to be an incredible day for everyone....and the beginning of an incredible life for our TWO children!! 



Much, Much, Much....

 Graduation from Columbia Theological Seminary was a road trip to ATL

 Grandpa Bing's 81st Birthday at El Caperal with sweetie pie Jackson Scudder

 Easter cookout....Ben & Ben solving the world's problems over a beer

 Special Aunt Allie loving on Jackson Liam Scudder

 Easter group photo 2014

Al's beautiful and well deserved diploma

 

The last time I wrote, it was the beginning of May.....and now it's almost June!  I can't even begin to remember all that has happened.  The ceremonies of Al's graduation were so inspiring....I was a proud MAMA.  Al had been sick the whole time we were down there, but we didn't realize how sick.  Upon returning from ATL, she was admitted to SRMC with excruciating stomach pain and her white count was up above 18,500.  All tests are normal though, and white count is normal....so, she opted to get OUT OF SRMC at we'll find a good doc outpatient. 

Our Ben P. just finished a week in Philadelphia taking a class for Ford.  The pool is almost ready for swimming and I had a relaxing time riding the John Deere yesterday cutting the grass. 

My dear high school friend, Lydia Sterling Hall is in ICU after surgery at UVA.  Praying for her recovery.....

BIG NEWS....John has joined the Carson Fire & EMS Department.  Looks like he will be acting as their chaplain.....Once I get a picture of him in all of his gear, I will post it!  He took a class in CPR at the hospital. He also joined American Family Fitness and goes there about 3 times a week.  What a husband I have!!

The weather is beautiful today....gonna get off this computer!

P.S.  I have a new hero.  Pope Francis prayed at the wall in Bethlehem today.....Oh, that the world will see!



IT'S BEEN A MONTH!

It's been a month since I even opened my blog.  So much can happen in a month...
We've had snow and ice multiple time.  It has been a dark, wintery period and I am so glad to have warmer weather, daylight savings time and the daffodils finally blooming!
I received the names of the Nablus teens coming to camp this summer and it's exciting to see so many young new names. The camp applications are coming in and even though at times it's mentally exhausting, it is very exciting!
Allie, Ellen, Ben and I went to the big cathedral by VCU this past Wednesday to get ashed and then stuffed ourselves at the Strawberry Street Café.  Good food, good evening!
The VCU Men's Basketball games have given us great evenings at home!  The playoffs are coming up....hope we can find them somewhere on Dish Network.
I've even had a chance to look at Ancestry a little bit...not much, but a little:) 
The Scudder atrocity just keeps growing, but I'm proud of the kids and the way they are walking through this tornado.
Really looking forward to May!  Foremost is our trip to Atlanta for ALLIE'S GRADUATION CEREMONY!!!!!  Marnie is getting married, the Koman Walk in Richmond and then Daniel and Sara are getting married the last weekend.  So, May will be full and fun!
I've got to get more in gear with the houses!!!