Pat and I started 2006 at home ....  January is always filled with Carolyn knee deep in year end financial reporting, giving statements, and of course IRS and sales tax reports.  Pat goes back to work ing 60 hours plus a week to support our time off the road.  As we have said before, the ministry usually pays for the travel expenses but does not pay us...  and we have bills just like anybody else, so Pat's job, at this point anyway, is essential.  Once the year end reporting is complete, Carolyn begins the task of booking the year's tours.  So our time at home is not as "relaxed" as some might think.  There is always work to be done!

Pat and I made the desicion to stay in the southeast so that we could be a part of our home churches anniversary celebration and pastoral search prep...  so in March Carolyn took a seasonal job with the IRS and Pat continued working.  

In May we celebrated Pat's birthday at home with firends and then May 13-14, Our home church, Christ Covenant MCC, Decatur, GA celebrated it's 13th Anniversary with founding pastor, Rev Elder Glenna Shepherd!  It was a wonderful weekend of history and growth.  Pat and I sang for the service and afterward everyone shared memories and dreams for the future.  We are SO glad we stayed home for this event!

After the anniversary celebration, Pat and I began preparing for our tour travel to begin in June.  We were still planning to take the van and travel trailer, but the trailer was now a year old and it was time to purchase the extended warrenty as well as do some major van maintenace...  so we decided, "Hey, let's look at RVs!"  We thought, "we might be able to put the money earmarked for the warrenty and maintnenace as downpayment!!"  So that's what we did!  There was some help from a contributor and MAJOR discussions with several banks.  But one week before we planned to leave on tour, we drove our new motorhome home!