C A M P I N G
We left Chicago after picking up Samuel from his school (first grade) and found a campground near Ottawa, IL. This was the first time we had spent the night in a tent as a family and we had a lot of fun and realized we were not fully prepared for camping. Now we know that having a working flashlight is very handy. We also learned that when you bring a stove and propane, its also good to bring matches. The best part was looking up at the stars as we lay on our sleeping bags in the tent where 80% is net (we didn't put on the rain/wind cover). The next morning, Rebeca and Matthew were the first to get up so they took a walk and got this picture.
Then Samuel went for a bike ride and we got this one.
P E O R I A
Stayed with our friends Jeff and Kristine Davidson for a few days while we visited their church and shared with them about Mexico. We also had opportunity to briefly share at a "mommy" group that Kristine is involved with as she is looking to broaden their focus on missions both local and global. On other big news, God's timing would have it so that our van would completely become unsafe for driving, right when we were there. Through a set of circumstances, we were able to trade it in and get a seven-year upgrade on our Dodge Caravan. The new 2005 van is a safer and sturdier vehicle for our trip to Mexico and for ministry use while we are down there. Praise God for His generous provision!
C O L U M B I A
After picking up my mom at my grandmother's place near Atlanta, we drove to Columbia where we stayed with John and Bethany Reed, my younger brother. That night we put up the tent again in John's back yard and my older brother Jamie brought his two oldest kids and the two of us spent the night in the tent with the four kids. Fun memory-building times with the cousins.
We had an opportunity to share about Mexico with a few of John's friends in an informal setting right in their living room. We were also able to see my mom sing with the Columbia International University 60th anniversary Ambassador's choir, where she had been the pianist during college days in the late 60's, early 70's. My brother Tim and Craig and their families got together with us for supper and then the next day we had a picnic with Fran (my dad's sister) and Judy (my dad's brother's wife) who were in town.
A T L A N T A
The group who had gone to Ecuador in July had a picture party and we were able to join them on Saturday to reminisce. It was great to see over half of the 23 who went and great to introduce them to Lina and the kids. They also were gracious to let us share our vision and heart about Mexico and an opportunity to invite them to join our support team. We stayed with Kirk and Connie Johnson (she's running a marathon in November, so the next morning ran 12 miles!!). We then went to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, which had sponsored the Ecuador trip and met my aunt Joan and Chuck and the family for a quick lunch before heading on our trip to Chicago.
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