Church Picnic

This post is a week overdue, but better late than never! Last Friday night our church picnic was rained out. But that doesn't mean we didn't have a picnic - we just met inside instead! We had a lot of fun with the families that made it and feel bad for everyone who missed out! Our plans changed, too, when we realized that the families coming were the ones with younger children. So games of "Duck, Duck, Goose," "Red light, Green light," storytime, balloon games, stuffing stuffed animals, and a visit from someone special, made up the evening's entertainment. Here are just a few pics of the fun!

The History of the World

The second major event of our recent trip east was Vision Forum's History of the World Mega-Conference. It was truly a mega-conference and truly incredible! Every speaker was excellent, and the material covered was relevent and fascinating.

Thankfully, Josh was hired to record the conference so we can work our way through the 70 sessions and eventually hear everything! That's especially good, because we really only heard a handful of sessions during the conference! Josh, as mentioned, was in charge of the audio recording of the entire conference, with most of the family and Anna & Luke VonHolten assisting. Mom and I, and various other Erbers at various times, took care of catering the meals for the staff and speakers. Jonathan was also asked to exhibit his skills on the piano during the breaks between the evening sessions - which he did quite well. Despite the responsibilities, we managed to get into a few sessions, visit with numerous old and new friends, and enjoy ourselves immensely. Thanks to Vision Forum for their vision and work in putting on this conference - and their graciousness in inviting us to once again work along side them!

For more details and pictures of the conference itself, check out:
Doug's Blog
Matt Chancey's Blog


Visiting with the VonHolten ladies.


Some of the Resounding Voice crew enjoy dinner with the Torres men.


Some of the Vision Forum staff relax over lunch.


Josiah helps collect equipment at the end of the day.


CD's, CD's, and more CD's!!!!


Discussing a Peruvian burial stone with Mr. Zes, Mr. Brown and some Servens.


Jonathan performs during an intermission on the last day of the conference.


A picture of the back of the suburban after everything was over and packed up, and we're headed to dinner. And no, you can't see all the occupants of the back benches in this picture... memorable.

Evolution of a Laugh

A Weekend in North Carolina

As promised, here's the first of a couple of updates from our trip! After the fun, but very busy, week of the Faith & Freedom Tour, (check Jonathan's Blog, too), and before the fun, but very busy, week of the History of the World Conference, we were very grateful to the Brown family for opening their home to a van load of weary Erbers! The weekend at their home was a much needed respite between events. Their hospitality was refreshing, and their fellowship recharged us for the week ahead and sent us home grateful for various discussions on family and church issues and experiences that are close to the hearts of both of our families. We had a great time! Thanks much, Browns!

While no doubt we who were there enjoy these pics more than y'all, here's a peek at our visit:

Cousins!

William, Caroline, Corrine, Winston

Winston & William

Home again...

We're back! The past 12 days since our last post have been very full (which is the reason it has been 12 days since our last post). But now we're back home again, and having gotten the guys back out on the road again (within 12 hours of arriving home), survived yesterday's 20-hour power outtage (by escaping to Nathan & Jeanine's home for the day), and gotten our internet connection up and running again, we hope to have time to update y'all with news and pictures over the next few days!

Faith & Freedom

Greetings from ol' Virginia! As you may have surmised from the lack of updates on this blog, we've been out of town. The 2006 Faith & Freedom Tour in Virginia has had us occupied for the last couple of weeks - and what a glorious couple of weeks it has been.

The early morning hours of June 26 (the 30th anniversary of Dad & Mom's wedding!) saw us hurridly packing the final items into the van and trailer, and heading east. Aside from some incredible rain in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the DC area, the trip was made without incident.

After a day or so of shopping, unpacking and final preparations, the 2006 Virginia Faith & Freedom Tour began on Wednesday, June 28. The week that followed was one of work, fun, and inspiration! As we walked through Virginia's famous battlefields, homes, cemeteries and towns, we not only learned of the people and events that took place, but were constantly reminded of the providential work of God in our history. What a rich and blessed legacy! May God grant that we might be worthy stewards of this inheritance!

Much could be said, and more will be elsewhere - or here later. Time gives me but a moment now to leave you with but a few pictures from this past week.


Josh again recorded and amplified all the lectures for the tour.


Jonathan with young Providence Phillips.


On the bus


Mr. Phillips lecturing in front of the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia.


Our family with the guide who led us through the Governor's palace.


Josh & Brian


On Surrender Field in Yorktown, Virginia, we reenacted the surrender of Cornwallis to General Washington. Though, other pictures reveal that our "Red Coat" contingent had a hard time surprising their smiles as they surrendered! True patriots all!


Serving lunches at Scotchtown (Home of Patrick Henry)


Early morning food preparation (classy room, eh?)


Reenacting the patriot attack on Redoubt 10 on the Yorktown battlefield


On the banks of the Potomac at Mt. Vernon


Tour guide and historian Bill Potter


St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia where we were treated to a stirring reenactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention.


Jessica, Josiah, Joanna, Jonathan, and Joseph in St. John's Church


Jonathan with General Washington


At the Iwo Jima monument


Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington National Cemetary


Joanna & Josiah at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C.