December 09th, 2012

    I thoroughly enjoyed the Sanders' Hayride get-together! I got to bond with cows and chickens, but more importantly, I got to bond with members of the congregation. I learned that Cindy Sanders is also from North Carolina! The hayride was the first time I really got a chance to talk to Pastor Danielle one on one. I found out she's also a fellow North Carolinian. She told the story of how her children got their names, which was pretty interesting. I think Pastor Chris really enjoyed taking the tractor for a spin. Sitting by the fire and making s'mores was a great way to spend the evening. The hayride down and back up was half the fun! I learned the art of toasting a perfect marshmallow is patience. While we were down by the fire, the second youngest Shealy, Caroline, and I took "an adventure" by the creek. She's quite a handful! It took a lot of convincing to get her to not use a downed tree as a way to cross the creek. I thought the story of William Halsey walking on the tree, the limb snapping underneath his foot, and him almost falling in the creek would make her change her mind. Instead she came back with, "But I weigh less than him!" Kids are too smart these days. If the Sanders' Hayride were to have a campaign slogan, the slogan would be "food, fun, and fellowship." The Sanders' Hayride is a great combination of all three.

    -Allie Dickens

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