Riders Youth Camp

Last year we had an incredible trip to Kona serving with the Circuit Riders for their 10 day youth camp, but this year was even more spectacular. With 8 students from our youth group plus our 4 children with us, we were a fun and boisterous bunch, and I did a lot of head counting to make sure we didn’t lost anyone through the 15+ hour trek in the airport! These students who are now so dear to us were so much fun and so eager for an encounter with Jesus, healing and teaching, as well as direction for their lives. 

While at the camp, Geoff and I partnered together to provide first aid for the 230 students and 70 staff. We also fell into the mom/dad role as the old people of the group and loved caring for everyone physically, spiritually and emotionally. We were busy from sun-up til lights out, and we really enjoyed serving together. While Leila was a camper the younger 3 tagged along with us, enjoyed playing camp games and throughout the YWAM campus, as well as just being a part of the camp worship and teaching sessions. 

Highlights from our 10 days: seeing genuine transformation in the life of a student we brought who decided to commit her life to Jesus, serving as a family, seeing KJ and Chip (our friends who lead the camp) thrive and lead the camp so well, bonding with our students and being a part of such a life-changing, God-glorifying camp. 

A Visit to The Big Apple

What a joy it was to accompany Brandi and Addison on their important trip to the NYC area for an appointment with a neurosurgeon for Addison. I loved being the driver and trip navigator during our 2 days in the city, and thanks to my dear college friend, Faith, we knew where to go and when to do all the things Addison hoped to do on our visit. Mary-Michael served as the cheerleader and Queen of Fun wherever we went, and she kept all of us laughing. Highlights of the trip were the neurosurgeon saying yes to taking Addison on as a patient, visits to the 9-11 Memorial, the Freedom Tower, Ellen's Stardust Diner and the Lion King on Broadway. It was a trip to remember!

Summer 2022 So Far

So far, we’ve had a rich, relaxing and fun summer. Well, Leila might not fully agree as she’s been working about 4 days a week with Daddy…

There have been get togethers with friends, a few camps, a few short trips and time enjoying our new property in Mechanicsville. A Science Museum membership, family in DC and exploring as we go has made learning fun, too. I’m so thankful I get to be home with my children in the summer and so blessed by a husband that supports that.

I have LOVED leading this ladies small group with my dear friend and mentor, Mrs. Juda, this summer. They have encouraged me, and I love learning and growing together with them.

Mary-Michael made a great group of friends during her first year of middle school, and they have fun every time they’re together.

We made a day trip to Northern Virginia, and Grandma accompanied us to many sites in DC - National Archives, National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Benaiah’s favorite part was the “train ride” (aka the Metro).

We wrapped up our DC day with a fun dinner with the cousins, Aunt Keesha and Uncle Brian. What a great day!

I am so thankful to be married to a family man who made a way for me to take a solo trip down to Charleston, South Carolina, so I could meet our new nephew and visit our sweet niece, Emerson.

Welcome to the world, Luca Benicio Conrad Burrell! 

While I was away in Charleston, the girls joined in on a local mission trip with RVA Hope Center. They served in some underserved and high need areas of our city. They brought fun and educational opportunities to dozens of children.

They served at a local shelter and brought a Vacation Bible School program to the children staying there.

Frazier enjoyed Camp Wakefield while I was away, and had load of fun learning about Jesus, making new friends and doing crazy things like this massive slip and slide. 

We have three cows on the farm with us after Geoff and I spent a good hard week putting up fencing. This is Agnes, our blind calf the kids are bottlefeeding twice a day. And behind her is Rosie and her baby. 

The Science Museum had a membership swap with the Norfolk Zoo, so we took a day trip to explore the creatures there.

This was the only snake Mary-Michael was excited to see.

While Frazier was mowing the fields, he encountered lots of baby bunnies. Here is one we rescued from the whirling blades. 

We love our tradition of going to Lake Anna with some our favorite families. Geoff really enjoys driving these kids on the tubes.

Sweet Stella and Benaiah watching the 4th of July fireworks.

I love all of these kids and the memories they are making together. The Bells are so gracious to host this rowdy bunch each year!

K-Love Fan Awards

What a fabulous trip we girls had to Nashville over Memorial Day weekend! It was a trip to remember staying at the Gaylord hotel and seeing so many of our favorite Christian music artists perform throughout the weekend for the K-LOVE Fan Awards. The weekend culminated with the awards show at the Grand Old Opry. Wow wow wow! We had great fun with one another dressing up, putting on some press on nails and singing our heads off!

Frazier's 2022 Baseball Season

Frazier and Daddy had a great baseball season - our first at Mechanicsville Little League (the same place I played my one and only year of softball). He played on the Brewers team and walked away with a black eye, great memories with Daddy as an assistant coach, one home run, a whole lot of growth and a winning record. Great job, bud!