After church today (great services, by the way) we headed South to Marion to attend this year’s ordination service – held at Lakeview Wesleyan. Our good friend Craig Helfrich went with us to join in the festivities – we haven’t been able to spend time with Craig since before Ella was born, so this was a GREAT opportunity to play “catch up”.

We got to Wabash, Indiana at around 1:30 and decided to stop quickly and eat some lunch. We stopped at a Pizza Hut buffet and quickly scarfed down some pizza when suddenly Ella awoke from her dream-like status and began to cry continuously. Apparently she wanted some of the pizza we were shoving into our mouths.

After a diaper change and a few walks around the parking lot, Ella would NOT settle down and when we looked at the time it had already passed the 2-o’clock hour. Ordination started at 2:30 and we were still about 45-minutes from our need-to-be-at destination.

Thus the flexibility. A quick phone call to Pastor J apologizing for my not-being-there and we headed back toward Warsaw.

After a meal, Ella’s attitude change and in order to salvage our time with Craig, we headed even further North to his place on Lake Wawasee where I enjoyed the jetski and we all enjoyed a cook-out dinner, some horseshoes and friendly company. It was a great “spontaneously planned” afternoon! Thanks to Craig for being spontaneous and for hosting us in his home this evening!

Pictures from today are here.

Some must-see photos of Ella:

Do you have any idea how blessed my family is?

I was reminded just now at just how God takes care of His children – in particular, Stevan, Jess & Ella.

Under my office door just now as I slipped out of 2nd service was a Wal-Mart gift certificate with “Thank You” written on it and addressed to “Pastor Sheets & Family”.

No name, no recognition, no “did you get your gift”, just the gift in an envelope sealed wtih love from someone in the church.

“Thank you” back to whomever sent this just doesn’t seem to mean enough.

Today was gorgeous. Finally had a break in the heat-wave here in Indiana and the sun was shining all day long.

This evening we headed to the VanKirk’s for a cookout with friends. The VanKirks, French’s, Ritter’s, Knepp’s and even Thomas & Bethany came out tonight for some fun and food.

The highlight of the evening was finally seeing Shawn’s new Baja Beetle in all its glory. It’s going to be an amazing addition to an already all-star lineup of vehicles that my buddies drive.

Update on Mom & Dad Sheets – they have arrived safe-and-sound in Pennsylvania with everything they own (minus a few non-essentials that were left behind for Good Will). Dad will preach tomorrow morning before his new congregation! It’s exciting to see their new lives up in Pennsylvania. We’re planning on heading there sometime around Christmas!

Update on Ella – she’s still absolutely amazingly beautiful:

Goodness gracious. I must be busy or something!

Hopefully you’re all visiting www.ellasheets.com for the daily Ella-update. If not – here’s what you’re missing: