Haley Turns 9

September 25 - Our families converged again for a celebration! This time it was for Haley's 9th birthday. The actual day was Monday, but we all got together on Sunday at the Vande's home! As usual, the cake was a creative masterpiece! The theme of the party was puppies.

Haley and Hunter going along with the theme!

Shellie & Pam loved the opportunity to catch up!

Brothers embrace!

Haley opening her pressies!

Jasen & Haley having a round of checkers!

Jimmy, Stef & Hunter!

Hunter and Jonah texting one another!

Grandma enjoys these get togethers!

CONNECT 807

September 16 - The young adults of Compass converged at our place again. This time for Shellie's awesome tacos, amazing oatmeal chocolate chip (and some other yummy secret ingredients) cookies and hanging! Steve & Deron arrived late in costume coming from the Wesley Dinner. Oh yeah, by the way, Steve does clean up quite nicely!!! Here's Steve standing next to Seth.

Kicking back - Prestin & Andy on the hammock, Hope & Mitchell in chairs looking on, and Jasen...

Steve & Shellie... gotta love those sock!

Deron doing some texting, Megan, Jasen and Mitchell in chairs!

Caroline getting her goodies!

The guys...

Prestin, Andy, Deron & Seth... whatever!

Yes the party came inside!

Steve & Rodney Thrift (Pastor of Destination Church in Blackshear, GA)

Mitchell, Prestin, Andy, Deron, Seth and Hope!

Tres amigos - Mitchell, Prestin & Seth!

Hannah and her mom, Renee!

The Thrift family!!! - Rodney, Hannah and Renee!

All Dressed Up

September 16 - Some scary hombres! Could almost be characters from The Matrix... introducing Deo and the real Agent Smith. Steve & Deron got all dressed up for the big Wesley Dinner. By the way, they did take the glasses off for the dinner!

Joshua's Wall

September 13-15 - Compass has to vacate our building by end of October. At this point we don't know where God will have us. We just feel we are on the verge of God doing amazing things among us. So Shellie and some others declared the passage for this season on one of the walls in the main room. First Jasen and Shellie painted the marred up white wall with some funky gold/tan color!

If you didn't know, Shellie loves to paint!!! And she does an amazing job at it!

Mandy joined in with some of the letters. Jasen helped with the painting big time! Meanwhile, Shellie was up the ladder!

Shellie getting into the detail!

Amy (Compass Media & Production Coordinator) climbed up with a brush!

Even Sheryl (Compass Administrative Assistant) couldn't resist painting some letters!

Amy & Shellie stopping long enough for a photo!

Almost done!

Word proclaimed!!!

May the Lord do amazing things among us!!!

Belt Test Week

September 10-17 - Over the course of one intense week, Steve, Deron and Prestin were tested. All were testing for something different! First up on Saturday, Deron and Prestin were testing in Martial Arts with their special friends Matt & Luna.

Deron executing the pressure point escape from the guard position.

Though Deron is on top, Prestin will execute what is called the trap & roll.

Prestin pulling a straight arm lock on Deron. Erika enjoying the process!

Deron doing his forms.

Prestin sitting facing the wall, just waiting for his go at the forms!

Prestin's turn!

This part of the test complete... taking a few moments to reflect on the morning!

Deron received the third stripe on his blue belt - next test is for the green belt!!!

Prestin's test continued on Monday night in the intermediate class with sparring.

Prestin came out of his fierce three rounds with a swollen bloody nose. But he kept getting back up and finished strongly!

Presentation Day - Prestin showing his stuff to the rest of the class!

Breaking boards with a palm heel strike and a side kick!

Steve's turn... Well actually he took the test the week before. Here they are just giving a demonstration to the rest of the class. Steve just about ready to finish up a standing rear naked choke on German.

Arm bar coming out of a hip throw!

Steve received his blue belt in jiu-jitsu!!! Now he is allowed into the intermediate classes which include many more advanced techniques and fight flow!!!

Matt received the third stripe on his brown belt (MA). Next up is his black belt!!!

As is the tradition, folks receiving a new belt in jiu-jitsu also receive a jiu-jitsu hug from everyone in the class - a cross collar choke!!! Here's Erika sharing the love!

Jerry digging his hand deep for a good choke!

Lincoln getting his choke in!

Prestin enjoyed this too much!!! Notice he is using the new belt!

Matt has been so helpful in our advancement in both MA and JJ. So of course he didn't miss out in sharing the love! His mom and dad looking on with great excitement!

Prestin & Steve with their new ranking!

Keeping it real!

Prestin finishing up the day with doing a rear naked choke on Matt - thanking Matt for punching him in the nose! It's all good!!!