Thankful...

On Thanksgiving evening, we sat around the table with Elizabeth to compile a “thankful” list...

Here’s what she came up with (and in this order):

• MegaBloks
• my brother
• Thanksgiving
  – and specifically turkey
• PaPa and Grandma
  [Yes, the above two are linked!]
• my cousins – all 8 of them!
• Uruguay
  – specifically pretty flowers and boniato-zanahoria
• the United States and Canada
  states and provinces – i.e. places where we’ve traveled
• Krispy Kreme
• Christmas – i.e. the special day when Jesus was born
• Easter

As JM wrote down what she said, I was remembering the 2009 and 2010 lists...

Picnic in the Park

We continued the birthday celebration with a “Picnic in the Park” at PaPa and Grandma’s house...

It was a great excuse to get together and have a hotdog roast – definitely a favorite activity for the boys.

DJM showed great leadership skills, getting into the bags of apples (his favorite!) on the porch and then getting at least two older cousins to do the same. (At last count about two dozen apples had bites taken out of them!)

We continued the soccer theme...

It did a Grandma’s heart good to see a grandson “getting into” his first birthday cake!

Look at that face!

He again enjoyed untying the ribbon on his present – a special gift of love from Elizabeth after the inspiration of the previous evening’s celebration. (She was sweet, choosing and wrapping it.)

Believe it or not, Elizabeth really was very happy about the gift!

Happy 1st B-Day, DJM!

DJM turned one in late October while we were traveling in Utah.

The folks at PBC were very gracious to our family...

Elizabeth chose the cupcake with chocolate frosting for DJM!

We took DJM’s 12M milestone pictures – with JellyCat – at Bridal Veil Falls near Provo.

We celebrated two more times – first with a “Stadium-Style Supper” and then with a “Picnic in the Park” – when we returned to the Upstate.

I’ll start with the “Stadium-Style Supper” story (with the Torres Family and SJS):

Elizabeth was very excited about the Uruguayan soccer theme!

DJM was excited about everything!

He made us laugh as we sang the birthday songs to him:

And he really “got into” eating his piece of cake!

Yum! Yum!

He entertained us all as he opened his gifts...

...untying the ribbon...

...trying to put on his new shirts...

...showing interest in everything...

...seeming very appreciative...

...and interacting with Tia Esther over a very special photo book.

(Thank-you so much, Miss Sarah Joy!)

[“Picnic in the Park” post pending...]

Remembering: Quintessential Jona

Seeing the following conversation on a Facebook page, dedicated to remembering Jona, made me smile:

Charlene wrote:

I never met Jona, but I’ve been telling everyone that he’s my friend. I can’t wait to meet him someday.

Several of Jona’s friends commented:

Jaime:

Jona would not have needed long to become your friend. He was a very friendly guy and would probably have introduced himself before you had a chance to!

Willy:

Not to mention telling a blond joke!

Chelsea:

And by the time you were leaving teasing you about something.

What a blessing to read your descriptions of him – even through tears... Thank-you! In just a few short phrases, you all captured the essence of his personality!

Mid-Western Autumn & 11M Milestone

This is the first in a series of catch-up posts on our Autumn 2011 Travels:

We paused to enjoy the beauty of autum in the Mid-West...

(Location? Just a random but beautiful rest area in Iowa!)

...get some much-needed exercise...

...and take DJM's eleven months milestone pictures!

He thoroughly enjoyed the leaves.

Wanna bite, too?!

Beginning Year Two

Mid-May of last year was a time of great emotion, reminiscent of high school or college commencement; we stood at a defining moment made up of an end as well as a beginning. We were leaving the predictability of life as we had known it in the Upstate to begin full-time travel, preparing for full-time ministry in Uruguay. Originally, our goal was to be in Uruguay in April 2011. We continue to trust God for His perfect timing...

In mid-May of this year, we were preparing to fly to Uruguay as short-term “furlough replacements” for my dad and stepmom. We returned from Uruguay in late August and began Year Two of full-time travel in September. We are currently at 43% of our targeted support level and prayerfully plan to be in Uruguay in mid-2012.

Year One was undoubtedly filled with “stretching” and learning opportunities. Our experiences have been – for the most part! – encouraging and enjoyable. I say “for the most part” because traveling with a four-year-old (now five) and newborn (now one) has certainly provided an array of often unexpected challenges. We continually find our Good Shepherd to be faithful for each step of the way; He is blessing us and providing our every need. His people have been very good to us, and we have enjoyed reconnecting with friends as well as forming new friendships with like-minded brothers and sisters who now pray specifically for us and for the ministry in Uruguay.

Our most recent travels took us from SC through the Mid-West to churches in CO, UT, ID, Alberta, and back through MT, UT, CO, and IA. After that last week of thirty hours in the car, we’re especially thankful for God’s grace and protection. And we’re content to be “sojourning” in South Carolina once again!

Elizabeth gets excited about real-life geography lessons!

(I do plan to post pictures of our trip – as time and the demands of getting resettled allow!)

As we continue this stage of our ministry, we recognize more than ever our need for God’s grace. Each day on the road offers new challenges, new opportunities for growth, and new mercies – all from the hand of our perfect and loving Shepherd. We’re thankful for His promises!

Will you pray for us?