2014 Regional Convention: Keep seeking first God's Kingdom

We were assigned to attend the Milwaukee Wisconsin Regional Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses At Miller Park Stadium June 20-22, 2014. Planning for us started back in January at the announcement, but for others this convention was about 2 years in the planning. What a treat it was! I had attended in Milwaikee back in 1978 but this was a different stadium and a very different experience. Fun to be back at a large venue for such a special occasion! Spiritual food abounded and thousands of friends gathered. 3 days of talks, demos, interviews, dramas and special new releases and wonderful association. We were tied in through video to theInternational  Convention in NJ that weekend so it was a treat to hear members of the governing body and helpers give parts to all the facilities tied in together (10 conventions that weekend). Peak attendance was around 34,000 local and 120,00 combined locations.  No spoilers for any that have not yet attended this year, but just some highlight pics of special memories! 

Getting ready for it:

Driving to Milwaukee:

Our hotel in Waukesha:

Checking out the stadium Thursday to get a lay of the land before all the crowds (we were glad we did this!)

Getting all set:

Saw our friend Craig, he was part of the planning committees

Noah's big sis Steph

Goofing...

Us with Renos

Day 1, rainy start

Me and my BFF

Our spot on Day 1. Loved the huge screen so we could see the program so well. 

Brother Bloedorn being interviewed

Brother Splane in NJ

Roof opened during lunch after rain stopped

Lindsey and Kirsten demo

Afton's demo

After day 1 in our cleaning section we saw lots of familiar faces. Noah snd Keith

Coretta and Noah

Corettaand Jen

Waiting for dinner with friends at Hilton Garden

Day 1 collage

Day 2. We made the big sign outside the Stadium. Nice for all to know who the crowd was

Family shot

Noah and his 2nd cousin Montana

Baptism talk

Keith Sr getting baptized. 

Ben getting baptized

Panoramic of our view day 2 (out of the sun)

Our CO Brother Richards

Tyler and friends

Jen and Kristine

The international delegates attending in NJ

Family shot, day 3

Noah and David after the session

David came back with us to swim after Sunday's session. We stayed an extra night so didn't have to drive home after the long day. Nice time to unwind. They also met a new friend Nate at the pool that attends a congregation in the cities. Start of new friendships!

On drive home we stopped at WI Dells and had lunch at Marleys. Fun place we have been to before. 

Noah's new shades from Marleys 

Baxter was excited to see us all return home. What a wonderful weekend spend with thousands. Encouragement!!

Spring renewal

For our anniversary we bought ourselves a new grill and a new gazebo for our deck. Both the previous things had basically weathered badly or broke and since we want this summer to be able to be spent more outside seemed like a great idea for family projects/gifts. Purchased our anniversary weekend and then had to wait for long holiday weekend to get out of boxes and old stuff dismantled. Brent proved himself a good builder with all the myriads of pieces in the big boxes. We had perfect weather again (maybe warmer than could have been for building, but not complaining after harsh winter temps). 

We already had planted some flowers and now also updated the bench cushions for a fresh spring look. Our Azalea bush also in full bloom complets the look of spring renewal!!

Hoping for a fun outdoor season now. In MN it is short but packed!

time to take down old rusted & bent frame

 

In with the updates:

Trying to keep cool during building. 

Noah got to be grill master for our first supper from new grill while we were finishing the gazebo

And, done!

 

Time to enjoy!