Greenbrier '08

Every two years, some of the staff of The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse meet at the Greenbrier in White Sulfer Springs, WV for a team and staff conference. It is always a nice time seeing old friends, hearing about all that goes on with these two ministries and doing it all in a beautiful, relaxing setting. This year was even more special because we were celebrating Daddy Bill's 90th birthday the opening night. My parents were our babysitters, but since they were invited to the party, we had to bring the kids for 1.5 days until they left to go back to Virginia. Yikes! If you've never been to the Greenbrier, just think bull+ china shop=kids at the Greenbrier.

Aunt Cissie was also at the Greenbrier and was a great help with the kids on Thursday. We went to the Christmas Depot to see all of the beautiful Christmas items for sale. Caroline loved it and I got some great ideas for decorating the house this season!

Then after the kids went down for their naps, we attended a culinary demonstration at one of the shops with Cathe and Lenya. Mrs. Pollard was also in on the fun:) We learned how to make teriyaki salmon with coleslaw and it was actually pretty good. By the looks of it, Cissie may be getting some good pointers to try on dinner for Corey!

The first night of the conference was the 90th birthday party celebration for Roy's grandfather. For some reason, this is the only picture I got of the event. I didn't get any of the birthday boy!! This is a picture of his friends, George Beverly Shea (age 99!!!), Cliff Barrows and Michael W. Smith (at the piano, of course) singing "Happy Birthday". It was a fun and very sweet evening.


Our table was a fun one. Roy, me, my parents, Dennis A, and the Falwell Family. It was fun to catch up with Becki and Shari. Cissie joined in during cake time.

Once those cameras came out, there was no stopping us. Here are Cissie, Roy and me.

After the party, we went back to the house where we were staying and we had our usual game night. Last time it was UNO, this time, Apples to Apples. This picture makes me laugh: Cissie and me--who are always up for a game, Felix with a gun (???), Roy having "fun", Jane (who was sick and so ready for bed), and Franklin who is wondering why we are taking a picture. I will let you know that the next night he was a participant in the game and won!

The next morning was the start of the staff conference. After breakfast, my parents came by to pick up the kids and take them back to Virginia. Here is Caroline letting loose on the croquet court:

Me and my two. I will say that they were pretty good while we were there....

...but I was on pins and needles the entire time:

They had a fun time, though, and I'm glad they were able to experience the Greenbrier.

These were the only pictures I managed to take all weekend! We had a great time, as always. We received some inspiring teaching from pastors, we heard wonderful updates of the ministry taking place throughout both organizations. I went on a nice walk with Glenda but we got rained on and it was very windy! It was funny!! So we ended up shopping around and then having tea in the lobby. We ate lots of good food, had wonderful fellowship with friends and family. Roy had to leave one day early to go on a trip. I contemplated leaving early, too, but then decided to stay for the remainder of the conference. Let's just say that I was able to get some wonderfully needed sleep in an amazing bed full of soft, plush pillows located in a pitch black room. Ahhhh.

It was good to pick up the kids today and see their happy faces. Thanks for a great time, BGEA/SP! And thanks to my parents for watching Caroline and Roy Austin. Now, it's back to reality!