AFM in Cape Town...

The Africa Mercy was berthed at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, for the first half of October. They have since departed and sailed to Toamasina, Madagascar, where they are currently docked for an eight-month Field Service. This photo is of the AFM docked in Cape Town earlier this month. Photo thanks to Jodie Rothwell.

It was bitter-sweet for Candace and I to have missed the ship being in my hometown of Cape Town, but we were very happy that my family and our ship family were able to connect while the ship was in port.

It was also special for me to see my ship model on display at the Mercy Ships exhibit at the Waterfront. I'm glad that it's being put to good use generating publicity and interest for Mercy Ships Southern Africa. Photo here also thanks to Jodie.

I am so glad that my hometown gave you so many good memories, ship family! May the Lord bless you richly as you begin your Field Service to the people of Madagascar! Much love!

 The Mercy Ships display at the Waterfront. Photo thanks to Jen Peterschmidt.

Mercy Ships family with my model behind. Photo again thanks to Jen.

 My nephew Jesse enjoys tea in the Starbucks cafe of the AFM. :-) Photo thanks to Debbie Crawford.

 My parents and nephew Rhyenn enjoy supper with our friend Akbar on the ship. Photo thanks to Akbar Kamara.

 My parents with Akbar outside the ship. Photo again thanks to Akbar.

 My brother Lindsay and his girlfriend Nina with the AFM behind. Photo thanks to Nina Grobler.

Apple cider evening...

It's an annual Miller family tradition to make fresh apple cider (juice) during the first few weeks of Autumn. The antique cider press is loaded with apples and they are then crushed to make the apple juice. I really enjoyed it this evening - especially since I've been missing 100% pure (NOT from concentrate) fruit juice! :-)

 The antique cider press.

 The apples go in there and are then crushed.

 I have my turn to crush the apples.

After being crushed, the apples are pressed with this contraption.

 The juice flows out into the waiting container.

 Dried out apples.

 Bonfire by the apple press.

The family who took part in the evening's fun. :-)

Laundry Day...

The local community here have a rather ingenious way of hanging their washing. They have a pulley and winch system which enables the clothes to be hoisted really high up to catch the breeze. :-)

It's a brilliant way to dry wet clothing! :-)

Autumn colours...

These photos don't do justice to the amazing colours of Autumn. It certainly is beautiful!

Toyota Tacoma...

Candace and I recently drove to Illinois to find this 2001 Toyota Tacoma. It met all the requirements for a vehicle that I had been praying about: manual transmission (stick shift), 4x4, and orange blinkers at the back! It also has low mileage too. A 4x4 is essential for the winter here, so it was a necessary purchase. I'm very happy - and I'm patriotic too!

Great Pumpkin Metric 2014...

Candace and I cycled in our first organised cycle ride in Indiana last Sunday. (5th October.) It was the Great Pumpkin Metric and was organised by the Evansville Bicycle Club. There were three routes to choose from - 100 kms/62 miles, 50 kms/31 miles or 25 kms/15.5 miles. Candace and I did the medium route and really enjoyed cycling through beautiful scenery in chilly 7 deg C or 45 deg F weather!

It was interesting to note that the roads weren't closed, there wasn't an official start time - just any time between 8am and 10am - and there were no point marshals. Instead, we followed painted markers on the road. Definitely a change from what I'm used to in South Africa. It was definitely a fun ride and the emphasis was on enjoying the scenery and the atmosphere as opposed to racing. There was free food and drink at the water stops and even live jazz music too!

We cycled through lovely scenery including corn fields and soy bean fields, and some dense forests too. It was quite an undulating course with lots of rolling hills through the countryside. When we reached the finish all riders enjoyed a free pasta bar with chilli and spaghetti on offer. It was a lovely day's outing in Evansville!

 Sunrise before we left home for Evansville.

 Candace and I before we started.

 The first water stop - complete with corn hole games.

 Nifty Schwinn bike.

 Jazz band at one of the water stops.

 Another refreshment station.

 Lots of snacks to eat. :-)

 This water stop was sponsored by a skiing company.

 Candace on the home stretch!

Indiana Wilds...

We went for a walk in the wilds north of Odon the other day. We came across a very old cemetery as well as an overgrown road. Here are some photos.

 The old cemetery contains graves from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

 Another view of the graveyard.

 An overgrown road.

 The road barrier is clearly visible here.

Pretty view.

 Thick wooded areas.

 Another view in the forest.

 Deer tracks.

Overflow from the lake on the other side of the road.

Bethel Church Camp...

The annual Bethel Church Camp was held at Lincoln State Park, about an hour and a half south of Odon, on the weekend of 19th to 21st September, 2014. Lincoln State Park is located in the vicinity of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, where the young Abraham Lincoln and his family farmed the land.

Candace and I joined the church family in spending a relaxing weekend together. Most of the other campers were in large caravans or campers, but Candace and I roughed it in our new tent. :-) It didn't even leak when a thunderstorm rolled through during the second night!

We did many fun activities including hiking, volleyball, riding bikes, playing games, and sharing in devotions together. We also visited the Nature Centre and the nearby Lincoln Living Historical Farm. On the drive home we also stopped at St. Meinrad Archabbey. It's a beautiful monastery and seminary in southern Indiana. I enjoy history and being outside in creation, and I was so thankful for a lovely weekend away!

 Making French toast for breakfast.

 Candace cycling around the campsite.

 Volleyball fun on the shores of Lake Lincoln.

 Playing bocce ball (or boules) in the woods.

 Candace's sister and friends enjoy paddle-boating on the calm waters.

 Hiking around the lake.

 Beautiful forests.

 The really tall Fire Tower.

 Interesting little caterpillar.

 This is Chicken of the Woods, an edible mushroom.

Fire Tower visible above the trees.

 The Lincoln family farm.

 The site where the original log cabin was located. It is now a memorial.

The replica working farm nearby.

 The interior of the log cabin.

 Skins of various animals.

 Sheep.

 Lincoln makes a new friend.

 The barn.

 Gourds against the fence.

 Pretty flowers.

 The Nature Centre.

 Deer and other animals common to the area.

 The exhibits inside.

 Cool little chair alongside a working bee hive.

 The adults who went on the camping trip.

 St. Meinrad Archabbey.

Candace and I in front of the large church.