Presbytery 2010

I cannot believe that Presbytery of 2010 has come and gone! What a splendid and well done weekend it was! I think most of the pictures speak for themselves and they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here it goes. :)

First up on Thursday afternoon we had some relay races. I guess you never thought you would see Peter doing the Hula did you?

Next up we have Victoria, Rebecca, and Jessica having to sing "Baa baa black sheep", "Twinkle little star", and the whole "ABC's". If you haven't noticed all three of those songs have the same tune. ;)

Another one of the relays was to jump rope. That is... if you can get it untangled first.

Some of the guys on our team had to carry Jess across the floor in a blanket. Now that one was funny to watch!!

After the relays people wanted to go over the dances we would be doing on Friday night. We Sanford's never give up a time to dance! Here Nathan and Adrianna are waiting for the music to start.

Mom seems to want whomever was behind the camera at this point...

Friends and sisters. In more ways than one!

Here the girls pause their playing for a picture.

Peter had no idea what he was getting into when he offered to go up and be a subject in this game. This picture is from the whole show of "CPC's Got Talent".

Jessica, Melissa, and I got the privilege to sing with the Winton's! We sang "There is a time" from the Andy Griffith show. It was pretty well done for only practicing once and that was right before the talent show started.

Another picture of us with our amazing (And that's putting it lightly) musicians.

Some people from the California church did a skit based off of youtube's "Phobias". They did a great job!

Oh boy... Some of the dad's got called up and they had no clue what they were about to do! They had about 15 minutes to come up with a skit using only the props Josh Erber gave them.

Here they come dragging their "water" with them.

Getting ready to start their skit... Take a look at what they are all wearing on their heads! :)

And here we go! They decided to sing the song "Row row row your boat" And what an amazing job they did! They even had a little harmony and hand motions to go with it!

That night some of us who were staying in the same hotel, stayed up talking and playing a bunch of mind games. Some of them made you really mad until you figured out what they were doing.

This one had to be the best! Here Mr. Schroeder is playing the game "Snaps" with us.

Mom and Dad had a lovely talk with Mr. Winton.

The next day was the ordination service. Here Mr. Erber is talking to us all.

All of the Elders welcoming the new Elders by praying for them.

Mom and dad enjoying some delicious pizza with the Bandy family.

The Winton's gave us a show after dinner. They played some really fun songs!

And finally the time most of us had been waiting for! Now we get to dance! I don't know what I am saying in this picture but no one seems to be believing me...

My adorable and wonderful parents!!! *love*

That night after dancing our hearts out and having some yummy ice cream we all headed back to the hotel and had another party!

Elaina, Melissa, and Adrianna posing for a picture. :D

Nathan, Casey, and Zach become fast friends over the weekend.

Some people had never played Mafia before... so the rest of us had to teach them how it's done.

Friends and sisters.

Next morning no one really had to get up as early except some of the Elders and fathers. The rest of us just hung out and goofed off together.

And I mean goofed off! lol This picture is definitely a keeper! :)

Nic decided that he wanted to dance while the rest of us sang "Hey Soul Sister". So he grabbed my mom and just swung her around a little. They look like they are having a good time. :)

That afternoon we all headed over to a park to finished out the weekends activities. First up was a game of Ultimate.

Mama and Mrs. Winton talking together.

Mr. Hector, Daddy, and Mommy had a great time together.

Then all the church's had a a volleyball tournament! It was loads of fun!! I didn't actually play though... cause every team needs a cheerleader. I was going for California all the while hoping Illinois wouldn't kill me. ;)

Saturday night ended with some of the older kids from a few families hanging out and talking together. Presbytery only comes once a year, so who needs sleep?

The next morning was Sunday. We went to Christ Church to worship our King with them. The service was lovely. Mr. Erber is an excellent preacher. I always enjoy going to other like minded churches because you get to see how they worship each Sunday. Here dad is going through the delicious food line after service...

All of the guys eating the yummy food.

Rebecca and Adrianna posing for a picture together.

Jess and I. Sisters at heart. <3

Zach got all of his and Nathan's friends from the weekend to get a picture together. And this is the last picture I will leave you with.

So if you ask me I would tell you that Presbytery 2010 was an absolute, smashing, success! All of Christ Church poured themselves out to make sure that it went according to plan and to make sure that everyone had something to do that was fun and memorable. I thank God for seeing old friends and for meeting new friends this time around. I pray that next year will go just as smooth and that people will see that CPC's Presbytery is just one big happy family reunion. :D

God bless!

~Melinda

Tiff and Ben's wedding.

The time had finally come. After all the planning, after all the work behind the scenes, after having two rehearsals, Tiffany and Ben's big day had finally come. Looking back on it now that it has been a few weeks, I could not imagine a more beautiful or well done wedding if I tried. Everyone put so much into it because we all love Ben and Tiff and we wanted this day to be very special for them.

The happy day started out with me heading over to the McDonald's house so all of us girls could get our hair done together. We had a blast! Even though the rain threatened to ruin all of the hair salon's hard work. No worries though cause we had paper bags to put over our hair. Don't ask... ;) After picking up a few last minute things we made our way over to the church to get ready. My dad was waiting for us and snuck us all inside. After getting ready the time came for us to start the procession down the isle. Lily was first and then me...

The wedding went absolutely beautiful! I don't think there was a dry eye in the room... Some of my siblings had the pleasure of singing for Ben and Tiff. They sang a song called, "Claire Benediction". It was very well done I think the choir should be proud of their work.

My Mama, Dad, and I also got the privilege to sing for the wedding! We sang a song called, "As the Bride Groom". It went very well if I do say so myself. :)

Then the final words came, "Now presenting to you Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hector".

A beautiful reception followed the service. I think everyone had fun and teared up again at some of the stories that were told. From hearing Pastor tell how Tiffany had saved her heart, to a well done slide show, to doing the chicken dance... I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did!

And that brings to a close this post about my beloved friends wedding. I love them both very much and I wish them the best that this temporary world has to offer. I pray that they grow closer to the Lord and that He will be their light and their shield in all the years that God blesses them with marriage.

Happy 10th Adoption Day!

ADOPTION CREED

Not flesh of my flesh

Nor bone of my bone,

But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute

You didn't grow under my heart,

But in it.

It was 10 years ago today that our family gathered in the court-house and church-house to adopt Rebecca, Victoria, Susanna, and Cassandra.

The evening before the big day our family including grandparents, great-aunts and an uncle set up for the covenant ceremony and reception to followed.

Here are the two cuties of that special time in our lives: Rebecca had just turned 3 and Victoria was 3 1/2. As you can see they were having a discussion about which hymn to play on the piano.

Things got a little out of hand and the two new sisters had to sit in time-out while big brother Garrison sat guard.



The next morning we arose early to dress in our like-colors! After a few photos we headed to Mclean County Law and Justice Center in downtown Bloomington.

Waiting for the court proceedings to begin.

A friend wrote in the girls scrapbook:

At 10:00 Judge Dozier called his courtroom to order. It was filled with family and friends, excited to witness this blessed event - the adoption of Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca in to the Sanford Family.

Bob was called to the witness stand first and questioned about their home situation, their support network, homeschooling, and just about anything else you could think of! Despite being under tremendous pressure, he was able to correctly quote each child's full name and birthdate, and even had the courtroom laughing. When asked how all the children got along he said "They treat each other like siblings!"

Katherine was also called to testify, but fortunately escaped relatively unscathed.

Just before Judge Dozier granted the adoption he confided that he, too, was on of 7 children, and that Josh probably didn't stand much of a chance of getting in the bathroom!

When the adoption was complete, the courtroom burst into applause. Everyone was in awe of the way god had worked in the lives of everyone involved to bring this family together.

After 7 (Rebecca) and 6 (Cass, Sus, and Victoria) months of waiting, we were now legally a family of 9! Judge Dozier gave us permission to take a photo with him.

After hugs and pats on the back from family and friends as well as our social workers, we drove to the church. As Bob put it, "We have rendered unto Caesar what is Caesar's now it is time to render unto God what is God's!"

We knew as a family that our four daughters were given to us by God; therefore we wanted to have a ceremony which would bind us together in a covenantal manner. We did this by re-working our wedding liturgy into adoption liturgy.

While the Carmen song Meant For This Moment played, we walked in each carrying a candle to represent how we were individuals before God. The center candle was unlit.

We also re-worded our wedding vows into adoption vows. Pastor Rick Wagner of E-Free is reading them to us asking for our response.

Reading of Vows

Dear Family and Friends, We are gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join these four beautiful girls with this family and commit this union to Him. Adoption is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, soberly, and in the fear of god. It is a union whereby parents commit themselves to the nurturing, well-being, and love of children not born to them. This union illustrates the holy relationship between Christ and man. therefore, Bob and Katherine desire to vow and covenant before God, a forever adoption in the same manner that our Lord and Savior has adopted us, as expressly stated in Ephesians 1:5, confirming before God that Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca were predestined to be adopted by them in accordance with our Lord's pleasure and will.

The Vows

Bob and Katherine, will you promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be loving, and nurturing parents to Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca, sharing all the Lord has planned for your family, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, using scripture as your guide to educate and train them, and in all circumstances of your life together, to be faithful parents, just as the Lord has adopted you, and been faithful to you?

We answered: We do!

Will you Josh, Taylor (Garrison), and Melinda covenant before God to accept Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca to be your sisters, sharing without reservation your parents, your home, and your life, loving and accepting them in your family as Christ has accepted you into His?

They answered: We do.

Will you Cassandra (11 years old), Susanna (8 years old), Victoria, and Rebecca covenant before God to accept Bob and Katherine as your parents, and Josh, Taylor, and Melinda as your siblings, sharing your heart, your love, and your future, fully believing that this is ordained and blessed by God as His plan for your life?

They answered: We do.

We then gave the girls heart-lockets to wear as a reminder of this special day and convenant.

Daddy steps down, lights the center candle and blows out all of the individual candles signifying we are now one family in the Lord.

Then Daddy prayed a prayer committing the children to the Lord followed by the Pastor's prayer of committing this family to the keeping of the Lord.

More hugs and pats on the backs then time for food and fellowship.

The cake says...Happy Adoption Day! Cassandra, Susanna, Victoria, and Rebecca.

The day drew to a close with us back home enjoying the grandparents and extended family. Here is Papa (K. Dad) with the "twins".

From left to right Aunt Lee, Gramma (K. Mom), Aunt Liz, Cass., Meme (B. Mom) and Daddy! Lots of present opening was enjoyed that evening.

A couple weeks later we received in the mail a gift from Lisa English, a scrapbook of the adoption. It is a wonderful keepsake!


The Lord truly blessed us that day with giving us forever our four daughters. Though the journey has not been easy these past 10 years, we can honestly say we are very thankful for our daughters and the many things we have learned from the Lord by having them in our family.


Happy 10th Adoption Day, girls! Love, Dad and Mom

Painting and gardening... how FUN!

This is just going to be a fun post highlighting the past few days in my life.

First off, bright and early on Tuesday morning my mom walks into the room and says, "Meli, how about we paint your room today?" I was like, "Sure!" We had been talking about it for awhile now and had been planning to do it this Spring/Summer but the day had come where mom just felt like we needed to get it done. So we started by moving all the the furniture that was in my room, out.

Here is a 'before' shot. Don't you just love the color schemes?

Beginning our work. It's already starting to look better!

Mom had the job of going around the edge of the whole ceiling. She did fantastic!

The last little bit of green is almost GONE! For good! Yippy! :)

And now the last little bit of pink is almost gone for good as well!

Okay, so sometimes music just gets to me. It's either that or the smelling of paint all day long... you decide. :)

Almost done with the whole room.

My happy little painters were amazing! And I could not have done this without them.

The next morning all the paint had dried so we started to clean my room before redecorating it.

My bed frame, Hope Chest, night stand, and vanity shown here.

Moving box springs is not always very easy. But my brothers did an amazing job and didn't break anything!

It helps to have brothers who can lift all the heavy stuff.

This piece of furniture, that my mom and sister are lifting, and the rocking chair are the only two things that don't belong to me. Everything else is mine as an heirloom from my great-grandmother.

The finished product!!! I am SOOOOoooo very happy with how it all turned out!

*sigh* Isn't it just lovely? :) A HUGE 'thank you' to my family for helping me!!

Now these shots are from today. Daddy decided he wanted to start planting the garden before it gets too hot out here. Here are a few pictures to see what they were doing today...

The man who can do it all: My daddy! :D

It's starting to look really nice. Now all they have to do is put down the seeds.

I love jumping shots. So here I will leave you with a quick peek into what the girls were doing all day while the boys worked in the garden.

Answer: PLAYING!!!!! :)

God bless each and everyone one of y'all! Have a wonderful rest of your week!

~Meli

Happy birthday to the Man of the house

This past Sunday was the birthday of our amazing father! He isn't perfect but he is the perfect daddy to all of us kids and he is the perfect husband for our mother. Our Dad has had to put up with a lot because of having 14 children. But through it all he has stayed faithful to his Father in heaven and he has loved us all even though at times we didn't deserve it. He is an amazing man of God and we are all so very thankful to have him in our lives.

Happy 49th birthday, Daddy!!!

May God continue to shine His face upon you, my amazing daddy! And my you always seek His will in your life.

Love you so very much!!!
~Meli