Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Silence, But Only For A Moment


Today, on the sixth anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11, don't forget to take a moment to remember those who's lives were taken during that terrible act of terrorism our great nation.

Remember the families who's lives have been empty due to the absence of a loved one. The children who lost a daddy, a spouse who lost their other half. But pause only for a moment. After the thoughts of this tragedy has reawakened the anger deep within, don't forget to pray and support our troops who are continually fighting for freedom and keeping the battle out of our backyard. Don't be swayed by the liberal, ungrateful, unthankful "whatever" who are quickly turning this war into another Vietnam. Their continual bashing of the war efforts make dads and moms all across this great country feel as their children are dying in vain. The soldiers who are daily fighting for right are slammed with hurt they are hearing from the ungrateful slanders that come from the mouths of those who know nothing, except what the lying liberal media prints. These morons make my American blood boil because after all has died down and the emotion has gone, I still have not forgotten what our country faced 6 years ago. If it weren't for our brave soldiers, we would have faced it even more in America. God bless those who are still suffering from the tragedy and God bless our country and troops. We still are the greatest nation there is and I am pround of it and the privilege to be an American.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Labor Day

Hamburgers over a charcol grill...TASTY.
Don getting the fire hot and ready.
Laura watching the comotion.
Justin, Stephanie and Rueben out fishing.
Nothing beats coffee over an open fire.

On Labor Day The Hallenbecks, Slavens, and Ellisons went on a picnic to Halfway Dam. It was a wonderful time to just relax and relax. There was no cell phone reception there so all was quiet. Lovely!


Saturday, September 01, 2007

Friday Night Lights



Friday evening we started something new at our church. Every 2ND and 4TH Friday of the month we are meeting at the parsonage for food and fellowship. We play volleyball, horseshoes, and hillbilly horseshoes. For our first night, we had 38 people show up. It was great. We played volleyball under the light and then had a big bonfire. People left around midnight. I am already looking forward to the next get together.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Is That PaPa from West Virginia?




These were the words from Justin when he saw the bottom picture on www.foxnews.com. The top picture is of my dad, the bottom is of a Sen., from Idaho that is in trouble from some bathroom scandal. They do look somewhat alike.

The Ellison's

I do not post this picture so that everyone can see it, but I am trying to use it elsewhere and to do so it needs to have a URL. In my illiterate way, this is the only way I know to do it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Joke of the Day

Chelsea asked her mom, "Do all fairy tales begin with once upon a time...?" Hillary Clinton replied, "No. Some begin with 'After I'm elected...'"

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Hallenbeck's





The view from Grandpa and Grandpa Hallenbeck's is amazing. It was such a beautiful day when we arrived. It was in the 70's and a small breeze was blowing. It was such a wonderful break from the 90 degree weather we had been experiencing in PA. It is so peaceful here in Duanesburg, NY.

Schenectady Pilgrim Holiness Church 50th Anniversary

Carol DeSorbo, Vonnie's Aunt.
Donna Peak back in her "home" church.
Cheri Spangler was another special speaker.
Homer, Vonnie's Uncle, Former Conference President
Bro. Whitney and Brian Spangler.
Cheese!
The Schenectady Church is a beautiful church.
Tents were in place for the festivities.
Two large cakes were devoured easiliy.
Four generations in Christian service.
Justin & Kayla.


The Schenectady church is pastored by two ladies, Pastors Wallick and Dickerson. They planned for a whole year to make this occassion special and you could tell. They did a great job. Friday evening we heard from 5 former pastors. On Saturday, there was "Reflections from the Pew". Over the past 50 years, nearly 100 people have left the church and went into ministry of some sort. Sunday morning they had a passing of the torch ceremony. My wife's two grandfather's, Don and Valerie Hallenbeck, Vonnie and Just represented 4 generations involved in Christian work. It was a neat time. Congratulations Schenectady church.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

New Email Address

I am so excited. I now have DSL internet. No more dial-up. I know this experience is probablly old hat to most of you, but it is great. It is so much faster I can hardly believe it.
Because I have switched, so has my email address. For those concerned it is: mattellison@windstream.net

Monday, August 13, 2007

I'm Moving

As many know, I have attempted to lose weight numerous times but I have failed just as many times. So I decided to move to Varallo, Italy. The mayor of this town, approx. 7,500 in population, started a campaign to help its overweight citizens. Any male can earn $70.00 a month for losing 9 lbs. each month. A female can earn the same amount for losing 7 lbs. The kicker is, that if they keep it off for 5 months, they will receive an aditional $280.00. I think I could dig that campain!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Attention Aaron McCarty!!!

I see that you have read my blog recently. Since you are looking at my sight more than you are your own, I leave this comment...Please tell me that the Weiner-mobile has not been the most exciting things in your life as of late. Please at least Post a comment on your own blog!!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

New Atheletic Event in 2007

If you have followed the news lately, you will find this picture entertaining. I am glad to see that Nike, Reebok, Upperdeck and other have dropped him as a sponsor. He has lost millions from endorsements. Not that I relish in his downfall, but there are consequences for such unruly behavior. But a better punishment yet would be to let Mr. Vick in a ring with the very dogs he abused and raised to fight. That would be cure all for sure.

And To All, A Good Night


Tuesday, August 07, 2007

"Don't chew with your mouth full."

Every-so-often you hear a phrase that just sticks out. This is one of them. Campmeeting is great because of the spiritual emphasis, but also because you meet up with friends. The McCarty's and the Ellison's met at O.I.P. (Original Italian Pizza) one afternoon for lunch. This was the advice Melissa McCarty was giving her son, Ean, at the table.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Chatterbox Cafe

The Chatterbox Cafe Crew: from left to right -
Gwen, Randy,Vonnie,Wes,Dwight,Lois,
Sarah, Steve, Matt, Laura

Fruit cups were the hot item this year. We sold

nearly 50 cups a night.

The crew at work.

The lines were long.

Wes working the salads, wraps and Cheesestix.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Disgrace

I rarely post anything from the sports world. But this I must get off my chest. I am greatly disappointed to see many of today's athletes disgracing the sports world. Sports carries with it a sense of respect, dignity, and honesty, but today that seemingly is being destroyed by money hungry, selfish pigs. For example, the referee that has been implicated in a gambling fiasco that included his betting on games he officiated. But my biggest aggrivation is with Barry Bonds. Bonds is at the center of a huge invistigation involving steroid usage. What makes this doubly frustrating is that he is only three home runs away from breaking the long standing home run record held by Hank Aaron. It is usually awesome to watch an individual in the chase of breaking such records, but today I'm aggravated through-and-through. Hank Aaron set his record honestly, but Bonds has had to use steroids. To me, he will never rightly own the home run title. I have a great suggestion that would keep him from obtaining the title. This controversy has left Bonds almost freindless in the NBL. I think all of the pitchers should join together and intentionally walk Bonds every time he steps into the batter's box. Even if it cost them the game...Bonds should never be able to hit another home run again. It would be great to see him three home runs away, but never hit another. A cheater doesn't deserve to hold the title that someone else has earned honestly. This is my humble opinion...Bonds has disgraced baseball.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Golfin'

Dad putting up his driver on hole number 16
on the Vintage Course at the White Deer
Golf Course.

Ready for another great shot.

Justin getting ready for the golf course.

Teeing it up at the driving range.

Another bucket of balls finished.

One of the fun things that the men in our family enjoy is golf. It is a great sport. You play only as good as you are. Dad and I have had some great times on the golf course. We look forward to playing everytime we can. In a couple of years Justin will be able to join the fun.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Mt. of Blessings Camp '07

The campers are here. All but one spot was
taken this year.
The kids. They ake up a large part of this camp.
Over 70 kids stayed the grounds.

A morning service, Attendance was up this year.

The Tabernacle!

The crowd.

Vice President Van Dorman acting intelligent! The servers.
Some of the best volleyball games are found on the mountain top!
Forth of July celebration.

Mt. of Blessings has become a bright spot in our families life. We look foward to it every year. Mt. of Blessings is different in many ways, but the main difference is that it is a family camp. It is very laid back. There is a great mixture of activity and spiritual emphasis. This year our attendance was up on an average of 30 people per day. God's presence was there and people found help...that's what it is all about.