Just prior to getting back into the routine for school, Doug, Brandi, Claire, Carly and Jackson Lankford and James, Robin, Lauren, Witney and Jenna Flournoy had lots of fun at Disney World.

It seems no matter how many times kids go, it is never boring and always each day holds adventure galore.

Grandparents have been enjoying every minute that the grandchildren could visit before the new school year kicks off.

Richard and John Wilroy spent lots of time with La- Wanna Gainer and their parents JoAnne and Ben Wilroy had to be very firm about them going home.

MeLinda Harris and JoVina Harris were co-drivers to get Opalee Harris to Greenville, S.C. for a gospel singing convention.

There were many quartets and groups that performed. The Florida Boys, Melody Boys and the Travelers were just a few that provided great music and songs.

The Travelers announced they will retire after this year and many at the convention were sad about that.

Before she left, MeLinda had gathered ups several sewing projects to work on and, rather than be pessimistic, I said nothing.

It was no surprise when I asked if she got any sewing done and the needle could not be managed while the car was moving. I have never tried using a needle in a situation like that but I could never write on the road as long as the car was moving.

Sarah Harris and Adam Moore were off to Branson for a wedding for one of Adam's Army friends. Sarah had me laughing with things that happened to them while there and on the way back home.

She said that traffic was bumper to bumper on the main drag in Branson. It stays that way evidently all year round. They were just glad to get back to Texas.

Randy and Eileen cooked in McMinnville, Tenn. last weekend and Patty Schmidt of Atlanta drove up to see them there from Georgia.

Randy was interviewed by a television crew and a lady from the local radio station about the cookoff.

Randy and MeLinda Harris can talk to anybody, anywhere and about anything. They never meet a stranger. While Randy Talked, Eileen brought home a second place trophy with the pork she cooked.

When Billy Schmidt was here to meet Randy and Eileen, he had just returned from a mission trip to the Ukraine.

His church, Champions Baptist Church of Houston, had other members on the trip. Even though the country is no longer in Russian rule, the people there have a long way to go to be modern.

On the eastside of the country they stayed in Poltava and on the westside they were in the city of L'Viv.

For the most part the people are not very friendly and when you meet them they most likely will not make eye contact. That is quite possibly a holdover from the Communist times.

Over half of the people live in house much like our projects. Most of their buildings are very old.

Two years ago when Billy and the other members were over there, public water was only turned on from six in the morning to six in the evening.

This time it was on from six in the morning to midnight. Most folks have holding tanks in their houses.

Many of the government officials are corrupt and, in many places, people are not allowed to speak Russian but must speak Ukrainian.

Other than religion, Billy was instrumental in teaching the children from 5-17 year-old about soccer.

They are enthusiastic about the game. Youngsters begin to know about the game by the time they are 4-yearsold.

It was 75 degrees when the group was there in the first week of August. When they are out and about in the city, the people are always dressed and the women have skirts with blouses or dresses on. There are no slouchily dressed people.

Some people that Billy met were teachers, translators and one woman was a journalist for Field & Stream magazine. In L'Viv, the Texas folks found a McDonalds for fast food.

Marshall, Maci and Marlee Belk stayed to the last minute before their grandparents, Joe and Marie Belk, took them back to The Woodlands. The parents, Craig and Kim Belk, now have to get into a different routine and Joe and Marie will have to spend time in the city to help out with the baby sitting.