Summer 2016

Although it seems like we are living in the fast lane of life, God is good. We are a little over halfway into our time in the USA and, although I am ready to not live out of a suitcase, I am hesitant to go back and jump back into school. You see, this has been a good summer. We have been able to see friends from many different circles. We have feasted on favorite fast food joints. We have driven all up and down the West Coast. We (and by that I mean Ed) have battled a few mouse nests in our car for said road trip... ok, maybe that wasn't so great, but it's a story!

Over all, God has shown us again and again how beautiful the Church is. We have been welcomed by new church groups and reconnected with former communities. We have enjoyed lunches and dinners and just hang outs with many people. And although it's been two years since we were both back, it feels as if we just left thanks to so many people's hospitality. We have been reminded how amazing our supporters are and that we CANNOT do what we do without their prayers, words of encouragement and friendship.

So, although life in the States does not feel normal, it has been beautiful!

And here are some highlights so far :)

Ed's farm house

Lighting paper lanterns

Sunset on the beach

Girls weekend with the Besties (and Quatchi)

Hiking at Lava beds with Sarah's parents

Celebrating Father's day with my grandpa

Redwoods

Alcatraz prison

San Fransisco

Summer update 2014

It amazes me that our time in the States is drawing to a close. We have been so blessed to share at churches, meet up with friends and family and enjoy the great beauty of the State of Oregon.

It is also overwhelming. Oregon is no longer our home. While here we live out of suit cases and our car constantly looks like we are moving. We gorge on delicious food, and yet still have to make sure to eat our vegetables. We have conversations with people but leave with a lingering "hope to see you next time we're around". Its a strange unsettled pace of life.

I ran across a blog post about 2 weeks ago that sums up the challenges living the missionary life. Here's a link. You can read it or not. Personally I have felt all of the points at one time or another. Communication with supporters is hard, but also a great way to constantly tell to the stories of God working. Asking for support is awkward, but a tangible way of seeing God work and provide. Loneliness is true and comes and goes in season.

That part though that hit me was:

7. “GOING HOME” IS A LOT OF WORK.

WHAT THEY SAY
It’s great to be back home.

WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY
Please understand, I now have two homes. When I’m at one, I’m away from the other, and there is a lot of emotion involved in that. On top of that, my life is absolutely crazy when I go “home.” I have to see relatives and friends, visit with partner churches, and take care of any number of issues that have arisen with my health, my electronic devices, and my government paperwork. Whether it’s a few weeks or a few months, I spend my time living out of suitcases and hustling from one appointment to the next. Is it good to be home? Sure. But when I get on that plane to go to my other home, I breathe a sigh of relief that life is almost back to “normal.”

My, oh, my- I know!

So, friends- our summer update is this: we love seeing you! We love that we live in a day and age where going "home" for just a month is possible. We love catching up on your life and seeing God work. We love visiting churches and worshiping in English. We are blessed. We are happy. AND we need grace extended upon us as it wears at our bodies and our minds. Understand it is good, but it is hard.

I will leave you with this: I am convinced Oregon is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world. Not sure you believe me... check these out! (plus be ready for a full blog post upon our return to Bogota)

Goodbye 2012

I’m sitting at the airport on new years eve. It’s fitting. I mean this is the 15th or so flight I have taken this year and being at airports is part of that process.

I have a love/hate relationship with airports. They are a convenient way to get from point A to point B. There are all sorts of interesting people to watch and the mix of vacationers, business men, and backpackers never is boring. But, I have missed a few flights, or had to travels on a whim and the stress of rapid departure is not so fun.

Our time in Oregon was great. We joined up with family over Christmas, and got a lot (almost too much) of shopping done. I got to have a fantastic weekend with my besties and Ed played a few hours of video games. It was rainy, cold, sunny, and inconsistently consistent weather-wise. I am glad we were able to come, relax and step away from the daily work-load of teaching.

Here are a few random pictures I remembered to take:

Geocaching at the coast

Elk at the Trussell farm

Sunrise our last frosty morning.