new reasons to give thanks

The day came all too soon.

The day to pack up their belongings, and to drive Amy and Elise off to college.

 Last Friday, through a few tears, we loaded a friend's truck

and drove to campus where we joined the lines at the dorm.

 Student volunteers with big rolling carts

were poised to help the freshmen unload, and to move into their rooms.

This door (above) had Elise's and Amy's names on it;

the spot reserved for two sisters to make a new home together.

God provided them (thanks to scholarships!) with an beautiful dorm suite,

including a kitchen and their own bathroom.

They even have their own bedrooms...for the very first time in their lives!

 We had just enough time to help them move furniture around, 

eat lunch together, 

pray, 

and give some long hugs.

Then us3 turned and walked out.

As I looked back with tears, 

I wondered why every other person I passed wasn't crying too.

And then I remembered that I've been blessed 

with something in these daughters of ours

that I can never take for granted.

I've been blessed with two sweet, loving relationships,

a family with countless, precious shared memories.

And it's because it's been so good

that it's so hard to be apart.

But Elise and Amy,

though home is just not the same without you,

I wouldn't want it any other way.

I thank God that you have the minds and strength,

the courage and the maturity

to open this new wonderful chapter of college!

As you tell us about new friends made, new ideas learned, new campus ministries enjoyed, I find new reasons to give thanks to God, as He proves Himself faithful to you.  It's my prayer that in this new place you will grow to know and trust Him like never before.  And we'll do the same here back at home, learning of His goodness in every new circumstance of life.

Your sheets are washed, and I'm already looking forward to your first visit back home, you2! 

As my friend J wondered, I also wonder if God the Father isn't equally eager for the day when His beloved children will be all together, at Home in His house.

Giving thanks,by grace alone...

great is Thy faithfulness

My silence here at our blog has been only in order to quietly enjoy these last few days 

before Amy and Elise leave for college.

Tomorrow we'll load up their things and say goodbye to this sweet season of life,

beginning a new, very different chapter for all of us.

But we've been savoring this time,

so Tuesday we loaded up a borrowed truck (thank you, J and T!)

with borrowed bicycles (thank you, N and R!)

and headed for a day trip to one of our very favorite places, Jekyll Island.

 This quiet little island off the coast of Georgia is amazing in its diversity.

In our three-hour bike ride we enjoyed the rocky Driftwood Beach,

...the stately Historic District,

(yes, Joan, Spanish Moss drips elegantly on Jekyll, too!)

 ... mysterious marshes filled with marsh birds and zillions of dragonflies,

...sun speckled forest with shy deer, and sandy beaches rolling in dunes.

 It's a place full of wonderful memories for us5, so appropriate for this bittersweet time.

Recreating a favorite laugh from 2004 at J.I.

We're giving thanks for God's profound goodness over the years,

in all the diverse places and things He's brought us through as a family.

Barbara, Amy and Elise 10 years ago at Jekyll Island

Though it will be dreadfully painful to say goodbye to you, Elise and Amy,

as you leave gaping holes in our home,

we're grateful for the memories.

 

And we are tremendously excited for you, 

 delighted at the opportunities God will give to you,

and confident that our faithful God will go with you!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

 excerpt from the hymn by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

 

crossing paths

Our trip across the country included a stop in Dallas

for meetings at our organization's headquarters.

In addition, we had the added delight of a short reunion with co-workers

whom we had learned to know and love in Davao

but who we hadn't seen for the past year.

 It was a very sweet time to catch up with these brothers and sisters of ours,

to reminisce, and to hear how God is leading in each family.

 The kids picked right up where they'd left off...

all ages enjoying being part of that familiar missionary community again.

As is so typical of my friend Leanne,

she opened her home to us, even though her husband was out of town,

and she suggested a time of prayer for us girls in the back room.

 Yes, I took a selfie to capture the moment.

Veronica, you may have never TAKEN a selfie, but you're in one now!

:grin:

The time was bitter sweet, as we all went our ways, 

not knowing when our paths may cross again.

But we know Who guides our paths,

and we thank Him for allowing us to walk alongside these precious people

at least for a little while.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

in our new nest

Do you remember the little bird

who built her nest outside our kitchen window in May,

just as we were vacating our home and preparing to move back to the US?

The day before we returned our house keys to the landlord,

I peeked inside her nest, and this is what I saw:

She had found a place to stay.

And now we, after what seems like a very long time,

also have a place to stay,

a home for this year; 

a place composed of bits and pieces lovingly gathered together

by dear friends and church family members who prepared this 'nest' 

as a warm welcome for our family.

We were overwhelmed and blessed by their care for us,

and reminded all over again of our Heavenly Father's provision

of exactly what we need to make a home.

Just like He provided the twigs and feathers, grass and vines for the olive-backed sunbird,

 so He has, through His people and their kindness,

supplied just about all we need for this new nest.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:26 

We hope you'll stop by for a visit!

Amy and Elise Skype with 3 friends at once in their new room

 Now that we're back, we'd love to spend some time with you.

You've heard all about us5 through our newsletters and blog,

now we'd love to hear about you, 

and how God has demonstrated His goodness in your lives!

 

hard rock

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, 

and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation...

2 Samuel 22:47

When Mark suggested a stop at the Carlsbad Caverns in NM,

I was delighted.

It's always seemed to me a beckoning, mysterious sort of place.

Mark, Amy, Elise and Michael enter at the Natural Entrance

...from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. 

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I...

Psalm 61:2

Mysterious, yes.

Other-worldly, worship-inspiring.

Almost everyone inside spoke in whispers, and I'm not convinced that it was just out of obedience to the park ranger at the entrance who encouraged us to talk softly. 

 The sheer magnitude of this subterranean world is truly awesome.

Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:4

No lens could do it justice.

Even in our God-less age,

His handiwork is still reminding people everywhere of His eternal might and glory!

I won't be down in those caverns again...

at least not anytime soon.

But  His handiwork is all around me,

every day,

if I'll only notice.

declaring His praise

"Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

The wild beasts will honor Me,

the jackals 

and the ostriches,
 

for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

the people whom I formed for Myself

that they might declare my praise."
Isaiah 43:19-21 

Declaring His praise as we see the wonders of His hand across our nation,
and as we wait to see the new things He will do...

All photos above from Joshua Tree State Park, CA, and the Desert Museum of Tucson, AZ

(btw: yes, I do realize that those are NOT jackals and ostriches!  but they're close enough!)

on the road

We finished up our time in Seattle with more good byes,

thankful for the opportunity to spend time with so many we love.

Then on July 31st we began our journey south.

We experienced just a little bit of adventure in northern California

as our alternator gave up the ghost on a barren stretch,

but with the help of a good Samaritan

and a convenient garage, we were quickly on the road again.

 Near Sacramento we attended a baseball game for the college team of Barbara's nephew.

It was a perfect slice of Americana...an high scoring game with amazing fireworks at the end.

Proud of you, B!

We also spent a night with Barbara's eldest brother who taught us how to eat artichokes.

 We had so much fun looking at old photos, we totally forgot to take any new ones with you guys!

But we left with great memories...thank you, C and D!

Then we trekked on further south where we spent the fourth of July weekend

with more family, more fireworks, and more great memories.

For pictures of some of the crazy fireworks Barbara's brother helped Michael to set off in his driveway on the 4th, check out Elise's newest photos here.

THANKS, S, B and W, for a great time with you guys!

We also had some special fellowship with a local supporting church here in town yesterday; 

we are encouraged by such love among the people of God.

Today we turn eastward, continuing our cross-country journey,

looking forward to how God will continue to lead in the days ahead...

one month ago

One month ago today we arrived back in our home country.

It's been a month of good things - of reasons to give thanks!

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; 

His love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

We've basked in the loveliness of the Northwest,

especially as we traipse through local trails.

We've treasured time with our families,

celebrating birthdays, early and late

(above, 5 family members share the candles on one cake!)

and catching up with one another.

There's nothing like family!

We love you all, and are deeply grateful for this time with you.

“There is no doubt that it is around the family 

and the home 

that all the greatest virtues, 

the most dominating virtues of human society,

 are created, strengthened and maintained.”
― Winston Churchill

18 x's 2

Yesterday we celebrated Amy and Elise's 18th birthday.

 After a yummy breakfast Mark whisked them off 

to the DMV where they each obtained a driver's permit.  

Such an easy process once you're 18.

 Then the rest of us met up to hike down to the base of Snoqualmie Falls,

a majestic spot here in the Northwest.

together with Barbara's sister and nephew at the falls

 God gave us the gift of gorgeous sunshine,

and precious time with loved ones as we hiked,

picnicked together at the top,

and  later shared a delicious birthday dinner and cake.

(Thank you, Judy, for all your love to make it such a special day!)

♥♥♥
We thank God for His gift to us of Amy and Elise.
You two have blessed our lives in countless ways.
We're delighted in each of you, 
and so thankful for every day of every year we've had with you!
The Lord bless and keep you in all the days ahead...
♥♥♥
 

It was also the anniversary of the day Mark asked me to marry him...
21 years ago!

Yes, Mark - I'd say YES all over again!

 ♥

yes, we're here!

Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon and the orchards will be in blossom, and the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And the whistle in the summer barley in the Lower fields. And eating the first of the strawberries with cream. 

Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
-Tolkien

It's been over two weeks now since we landed in Seattle

and tasted strawberries again.

Jet lag, a tough trip, sickness, and exhausted minds and bodies from all that went before

left us very thankful for the loving welcome of family and for time to rest and be quiet.

Mark and his sister on a hike at Wallace Falls

Amy pulls out her watercolors

We've enjoyed time outdoors in some beautiful Seattle sunshine

breathing deeply of the cool, dry air.

Mark found and bought a car which we plan to drive cross-country in coming weeks

while Elise and Amy are studying a drivers manual in anticipation of learning to drive.

We've made intrepid forays into American grocery stores, 

stocked with more food options than seems believable.

Mark and Michael doing minor repairs to our 'new' Taurus

 Amy and Elise (below) flew to the east coast days after landing here,

where sweet friends cared for them,

(THANK YOU, G family!!)

and took them to the Student Orientation and Registration session

at the university they will attend this fall.

(They were gone just 5 days, and are back in Seattle again with us now!)

Thanks for the photo of Amy and Elise at Orientation, MEG! 

And Michael's been enjoying good cousin-time.

They've done some r/c building together, and went for a maiden flight this afternoon.

 Now that we've had time to rest, and to acclimatize back into American culture,

we're looking forward to spending time with more family and friends here in the NW.  

For any of you in the area who would like to get together, let's do it soon!