The Big Apple

Last week we headed out to New Jersey for the wedding of Bert's best buddy, Terry. (I will post a couple from the wedding shortly).

As part of the perks of being out on the East Coast, we hit the City for a few hours. Aaron and Meg met us in NJ (he was a groomsman as well) and we had a great time! They drove out from Michigan durring the night on Thursday, we trotted into the city almost as soon as they arrived Friday morning, Friday night was the wedding rehearsal, and then Saturday after Terry and Martha's wedding, they jetted back to GR. Not bad.

At the train station , Meg hopped on the moped as a photo opp. But not before being assured the owner was saftly in New York City and would never know....:)

Just like in the movies...

We had four hours to hit the must sees. Great fun!

At Carnegie Hall...

We had next to no pictures of Meg and Aaron so we took advantage of Central Park.

Ooo, handsome man...

Why not?

I bet they make more an hour than they would flipping burgers...

Even the leaves are cool!

In the Big Apple....hahaha....

Even made it into one of the shops. If Aaron had been carring a bag that day, I would definatly have checked it over. He was covinting those copper pans pretty bad... :)

They only had an hour or two of sleep in the car on the way out.... it was worth letting them sleep at least long enough to take the picture!

We had a absolute blast. It is good to spend time with Ern and Meg.

The next chaper

Part of the reason I haven't been posting much of late is because we have spent the last few weeks sorting out the calls Bert received. We basically left Canada and spent two weeks camping in South Carolina, praying that the Lord would make it clear where He wanted us to be.

Bert had received three calls. The first one was from the congregation in Aultbea, Scotland. (where we had stayed in Dec. -Jan.) The next one was from the congregation in Yellville, Arkansas. (my home church before we were married) And then the final one was from the congregation in Smiths Falls, Ontario. (from whom we had just come.)

It was the hardest decision we have ever had to make. How can you 'choose' one, when you love and care deeply for each of them?

In the end, it seems that the Lord is leading Bert to minister in Canada. He declined the calls to Aultbea and Yellville and has tentatively accepted the unofficial call to Canada. Please continue to remember Yellville and Aultbea with us in prayer .

We thank God for His goodness to us in so many things....His upholding in the years of studies, His mercy in the many travels, His guiding hand in the call decisions, and so much more. His provisions are truly innumerable.

Did you even want to know?

After forever of not posting, it can be hard to get back into it again!

So what are three things you probably didn't know about me? It is pretty hard to tell, cause I am me and don't know what you know but....

1. I have never had a broken bone.

2. I can't figure out how to walk in heels.

3. My dad was a race car driver.

It is always fun to hear a unique fact about people. Do you have one? Do tell...

The meaning of it all

General Assembly is upon us. The grand-daddy of all church meetings in the FCC.

I have to give a message to all the ministers and elders that have come. No problem, I can handle this.....but I must first find my notes. There is fifteen minutes to spare so it won't be a problem. Just flag the Moderator.

Oh no, he thinks that means I am ready and is announcing, "And now Bert Pohl......"!

No, no, with a few more waves he figures it out and delays things for a bit.

I am franticly searching for the notes by this time. Now I remember too that I really haven't gone over them at all. And where did my suit go?!?!?!?? Eyes darting in every direction, I at last find a pair of black trousers. Left leg in, right leg in......aw man they are up to my knees....defiantly not going to look good with my knee high white socks I am wearing. Where did the come from anyway? Hmmm. Now I am only 45 minutes late. Still no notes to be seen!

Ok, that is not a true story, thankfully! But it was the dream Bert had last night. It comes in endless versions, but with striking similarity.....

Anybody have an interpretation? :)

From the 'home front'

This is 'our' little dog for the next couple of weeks. (or we can kinda not really claim him anyway. He is the dog of the people we are staying with.) His name is Jack. His best buddy died a couple of weeks before we came and he seems to love coming with us everywhere. He is first in line for walks and runs and even for a swim. One evening, Bert and I headed out in the canoe and here comes Jack. Paddle, paddle, around the canoe and back again, begging to be let in. He thanked us by shaking off all his river water. We like him.

Work hard, sleep hard.

These are a couple of pictures of the house we are staying in. It is a large log home. Beautiful.


I love to lay in bed at night with the windows open and listen to the frogs in the swamp. It is a rolling drone. Back and forth. I love it! Sounds of summer.

Hitting the city

Yesterday we went into Ottawa. It is the capitol of Canada, a fact I sadly didn’t know before we came this time. But then, I don’t remember half of the State’s capitols either. Ah well! It was a great day out.

The parliament building in the background.

My handsome hubby

Ottawa is kind of half in Ontario, half in Quebec. I am just glad that most French words have accent marks in them. This one is self explanatory, but.... :)

Our fearless leader

This is a loch system they have worked out to get boats up to Ottawa from Kingston. It is fun to watch. The gates open up, releasing water or adding water depending on which way the boat is going. Each loch shifts the boat a good 20-30 feet up or down.

This is in the National Art Gallery. They do not allow photographs of most of the pieces, but hey we had to take a picture while we there none the less. They had a big mix from photos to paintings and sculptures. Bert was into art in school. I like it too, but got the biggest kick out of the big names things.

Fun, Fun!

I still have not taken any good pictures around the place here. All is well though. We are getting to know the people in the church much better and are settling into a routine of sorts.

Smith's Falls

We are now around Smith's Falls, Ontario, Canada. It is a beautiful little town not much smaller than Harrison (10,000 population) with its claim to fame being that it is Hershey's Capitol of Canada.

Have to get some picture around the place here!

A little survey

CandyLand.....

What does this mean to you? The first memory that comes to mind, come on!

All work.....err I mean all play!

We have been having a great time in Arkansas. The boys (Dad, Bert and Tim) have all been working, but us girls and James get to mix things up a bit. We have been doing all sorts of things from painting Net's house, to shopping, garden planting, and having a blast at Silver Dollar City (a theme park not too far from Mom and Dad's). Silver Dollar City was having its World Fest. James and I couldn't resist getting our picture taken by the Scottish couple.
My sister Lanette's (Net) little boy James just turned 8 months today. He love the petting zoo. I am working on him like crazy to say my name before we leave next week. He says Momma, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma so it can't be far behind!
We're gonna die, we're gonna die!!! Mom and I on the swing ride. It was great.
This is one of his favorite goofie faces. He does this and then shakes his head a bit and leans all the way back.

Smiles are free anytime.
This is Mom and Dad's workshop. It is quite a ways away, but there is some of their product hanging in the fence line rusting out back.
Mom and I making Sunday School craft demos.
A warm glow...
Dad getting ready for Adult Sunday School.

Poor Bert doesn't have any pictures. He is always behind the camera....we gotta fix that!

This is what the brain keeps telling me...

We were okay driving on the right side of the road the first week and half we were back in the US, but in the past three days I have messed up as many times. And yesterday I didn't drive. Twice Mom told me I was on the wrong side. The other time was about to pull out from the gas station alone and was pulling onto the road before I realized the cars in the distance were head for me. Then I got pretty nervous wondering if it was actually clear in the lane I was supposed to be in. Mom was behind me in the truck watching it all...sorry Mom!

Net called bright and early this morning to see if Mom and I would go garage sailing with her and James. I don’t think our toothbrushes even made an appearance before we headed out to check out the deals. Net found lots of great bargains. James scored, what can we say. We had to drop loot off at her house a time or two before it was all over. I, on the other hand got good deals….but paid more than the price tags said. Every time I bought something that happened.

What do you do when they mess up by a dollar or two when adding up your things in their head? There are only so many things you can do. (1)Politely mention the mistake and ask for the proper price. (2) Begin to wonder about your math skills. Or (3) Just quit being such a cheap-skate and pay up cause its worth it anyway. Aric, you would have been proud of me.

And I played Peek-A-Boo with my nephew James today. It was his first time for the game and he was almost as thrilled as I was!

It has been so long I have forgotten how to post. I have been sitting here for way too long thinking of blog worthy things. There are lots of things that would fit into that category. But I can not choose among them so nix I will.

Tomorrow will be a fresh start.

Nighty night.

The jobs...

We have been filling out forms for visa applications for way too many hours now...and it asked what jobs we have had in the past. Poor Bert has no pictures, so this one is all about me here. First job was at Baskets....all around peaon (Bert says that's not a word, help me out here)

Second job was at the metal shop...kind like the above, hehehe!
Third at IHOP....server, "would you like some bacon on the side?"
Fourth. That fashy top comes from Bratano Footware......sales associate

Fifth at Mr. Sighn's India....drink pourer (authentic Indian food...turbans and kitls were worn in this establishment, but not by me!)

Sixth at Devoncove Hotel....dining staff, housekeeper, and receptionist.

At the moment, I get to bum it! Mom says to enjoy it while it last, no problem!

Do we win, do we win?!?

Just for kicks, what are the gas prices are in your area?

We were just at the pump this afternoon and it was 99.9 pence a liter. That would be about $7.58 a gallon USD and $2.50 a liter Australian dollar.

But then I can get haggis anytime I want... :)

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit around it and pluck blackberries.
-EBB

What's your interpretation?

Study Break

James...don't try this by yourself...call Uncle Bert, he would love to teach you.


Singed hair, but he doesn't seem to mind.

Boys will be boys...