Sarah and Robert are getting married!

A few weeks ago, I got to spend some time running around town with some really fun people, Robert and Sarah.  I have known Sarah since she was a freshman involved with Cru almost eight years ago, and she has become such a good friend!  I still remember one of our first good conversations as we sat on the hallway floor outside her classroom.  I am amazed when I think about all that God has done in and through her life since then.  She has traveled the world serving him, and she interned with us last year.  She is currently in Alaska on a summer project with Cru in a small, remote village.  Please pray for her and the rest of the staff and students who are serving the people of Kake and sharing and demonstrating the good news of the gospel.

You can read more of their cute story here.

You can learn more about Sarah's ministry here. 

Sarah and Robert, thanks for letting me do this.  I love you guys!

Our Cozumel Vacation

Our time in Mexico was so good...

and so very much needed.

We thoroughly enjoyed the days spent by the sea.
We snorkeled every day...
observing french angel fish, yellow sting rays, spotted eels, cowfish,
black sea urchins, sea anemones, jellyfish, and countless other underwater creatures.
We read. We slept. We rested.

Because we loved our condo's location so very much,
we didn't leave it often during the day.

A few times, we left and had some fun experiences.
I swam with dolphins...which I was obsessed with as a child.

We got off the island to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum,

enjoying memorable experiences on the Mexican transportation system.
We later rented a scooter and explored Cozumel's beaches.

We explored Mexico at night.

We ate tacos al pastor, pozole, and churros.

We had fajitas, fish tacos, pizza, and pasta.

We drank limonadas and rusas.

We watched Mexican soccer and listened to Mexican music.

We even watched a little of a Mexican wedding.

We were even able to speak so much Spanish

that I began to start thinking in that beloved language again.

We LOVE that country...and the people in it.

I was too busy playing during the day to get my camera out much.

When I did get it out, it fogged up due to the humidity.

But, I did play with some nighttime long-exposure photography that mostly failed.

But, it was a learning experience. 

Brandon decided to shave his facial hair for the week...

partly because it was better for suction on his snorkeling mask

and partly because he wouldn't be seeing anyone for a while.

It is almost grown back.

 

This vacation was so very good for our marriage.

We had so much fun together,

and we will forever thank God for this unbelievable gift!

Back from Mexico

Our vacation was 

Amazing.

Unforgettable. Wonderful.

Beautiful.

It was such a sweet blessing...

so good for our hearts and our marriage.

More photos to come.

:-)

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Help the Ronald McDonald House!

 Our life with Jude in Albuquerque last fall would have been significantly

more challenging without the Ronald McDonald House,

and we will forever thank God for that place.

While there, we were so grateful to have our car to allow us to travel

back and forth from the hospital whenever we wanted.

We didn't have to plan our visits around shuttle times.

Many families don't have that luxury. 

Some parents have to leave their cars back at home with the rest of the family.

Others had to fly to the hospital with their child in an emergency situation.

We would often see people waiting outside the house for the shuttle,

and sometimes we had the opportunity to give rides.

The RMH has the opportunity to win a car to help shuttle families!
Please take a minute and vote for them today.

And, would you please consider sharing the website on Facebook as well?

 From Melissa, the director at the Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque:

The Ronald McDonald House has an opportunity to win

a new Sienna Toyota this Sunday in the 100 Cars for Good Contest!

We are going up against four other charities (all from out of state),

the charity with the most votes on Sunday on Facebook wins a car.

Please vote on Sunday at www.100carsforgood.com

and share with your friends, family, co-workers or post on your Facebook.

A new vehicle would allow us to ensure that families are where they are needed most:

at their child’s bedside in the hospital.

Thanks for your help!

From Kristen, the director of the Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque:

 Everyone at Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico is thrilled
to have been selected as a finalist for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program.
We’re grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase our mission
of providing a home away from home for families whose children are in medical treatment
and hopefully win a car to help us increase our impact in New Mexico.
We hope everyone will help us spread the word now and
will make time to visit www.100carsforgood.com on Sunday, June 10 to vote for us. 

A new vehicle would really be a game changer for our program,

allowing us to ensure that families are where they are needed most:

at their child’s bedside in the hospital.

Click here to vote!

In Cozumel...

 #ourfriendsareamazing    

More adventures...

Our car stopped working when we were twenty miles from our destination.

Not long after, we realized that there was something strange about the fact

that we had to look at receipts to remember when we had lost gotten gas.

So, a newly broken gas gauge added just one more point of interest to a very eventful trip.

       In just a few short days, Brandon and I will be in the Caribbean.      

  Crazy. 

Until then, we are loving being with family.

Almost there...

We are at the half way point of a two-day drive.

Day 1 involved:

our usual start-of-the-trip tension,

horrific thunderstorms,

a "check engine" light scare,

a sweet visit with a loved friend and her family,

lots of nuts and Legos spilled all over the car,

spectacular sunsets,

singing worship songs in the dark,

and a very sleepy little guy giving his daddy a kiss on his head

as he carried him into our hotel room.

Day 2 will hopefully involve:

lots more time spent with two people I love so much,

checking out parts of Route 66 I have never seen,

lots of hugs when we see family,

and even meeting this precious little one

for the very first time.