We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this week. So thankful for these past 16 years the Lord has given us. Things just keep getting better as we walk through life together as one. For our anniversary we went out to breakfast, then late afternoon we headed out for the night with Maria. We enjoyed gyros at a park and then walked around. Maria didn’t enjoy walking, as she wanted to go back and swing at the playground. She loves swinging and watching other people. Happy 16th Anniversary to Us!

We left Georgia on June 5th, stopping at Grandma Martin’s on the way for a quick lunch visit. We drove to Alabama and stayed with the Leitharts. They were very kind to receive us and house us for the night. It was a pleasure to spend time with this kind, humble, unassuming couple who has and is doing so much for the Kingdom. Dr. Leithart gave Becca two books he’s written on Jane Austin. She was thrilled.

Thursday, June 6th, we spent 12 hour in the van driving from Birmingham, AL to Plano, TX. Texas the birthday place of our two oldest children. It was a long day of driving, but everyone did really well with the trip. We were glad to arrive at the Countrymans for two nights. Friday lunch we met Dr. Pat Davis at a McDonalds. She thoughtfully brought activities for all the kids to do. I am always amazed by Dr. Davis – a 92 year old lady still doing literacy work and training with tribal groups in Peru.

Saturday we drove to spend the night with Bob and Martha Gamblin. They are a sweet couple and think of us as family. Sunday we attended Redeemer Prez in Arlington and Josh presented our ministry and preached. It was good to be with many of our friends from our years in Texas.

Sunday and Monday nights (June 9 & 10) we stayed with the Ishams. It was great to catch up with them. Monday we went to the Fort Worth Zoo – everyone enjoyed seeing the animals and riding the train. This zoo has special memories, since we used to take Becca there when we lived in Texas.

We left the on Tuesday and had lunch and a swim at the Woods. Tuesday to Friday we stayed at Ann’s. She kindly gave up her house and moved in with a friend so we could have her entire house to ourselves. It was a sweet gift for our family during a very busy time. Miss Ann was Becca’s SS teacher when Becca was 3. Tuesday (June 11th) evening we fellowshipped with our friend Kathy, one of Becca’s NICU nurses. She also invited Teresa, another one of Becca’s nurses. Wednesday (12th) we had lunch with the dear Olsons. They arranged for us to have a picnic lunch at their church, so there would be a place inside for the kids to play. Wednesday evening we met the Walters at a playground/spray park for a picnic.

Thursday (13th) we drove to GIAL and spent some time with Dr. Parker (a former professor of Josh’s) and Dr. Kroeger. It felt like a mini Grammar seminar reunion to spend time with Dr. Kroeger. He treated us to lunch and brought rice for the kids from an Asian store. On our way back, we stopped by at UTA to visit our old stomping ground and Becca’s tree. Friday we visited with the Rylands. It was fun to be with them and see their growing family. The kids did water play in the back yard.

Friday to Thursday (June 14th -20th) we moved in with our friends the Martins. They put our family in their gym building and it was a great space for us. We enjoyed swimming, playing kickball, nerf gun wars, eating, shooting guns, and playing together. So nice that our kids enjoyed playing together. We also celebrated Father’s Day with them.

Sunday we attended All Saints and had lunch with the Bennetts. Monday we visited with Vitaly and his family at a park. So nice to see them after 11 years. Monday evening we met Den and his wife at a park. Den is our Seed Company project manager. Tuesday we meet the Countryman’s for lunch at a CFA, so we could see Aaron (who was away in Europe when we stayed at his house). Thus ends our two weeks in Texas. It’s been a great time connecting with so many friends from our years (2008-2013) in Texas. Our kids enjoyed lots of extra activities and making new friends. Now on to Tennesee!

Going back a few weeks, we left SC on May 27th and drove to Forsyth, GA to spend a week staying at Eventide. Our friends to Gottwals generously allowed us to use Eventide and rest there. We enjoyed the beauty of the location and the extra time we got to visit with our friends during the week. The kids enjoyed fishing, walking around the property, and reading all the books from Gottwals Books.

One afternoon we visited the Museum of Aviation, 2nd largest museum in the US Air Force. The kids especially enjoyed the cockpits they were able to sit in. After sitting in a cockpit, Anna commented on how difficult it must be to be a pilot. The boys absolutely loved being in a helicopter.

Over the weekend we were with Central Fellowship Baptist Church. It was good to be with them the Wednesday before as well. We met a kind lady who offered to cut our hair at her salon – she wash, cut, and styled all the girls’ hair. We very much enjoyed our time at Eventide and the rest and fellowship that went along with the week. And we, of course, enjoyed visiting Gottwals Books. Thankful for our friends the Gottwals!

We had a great time celebrating Isaiah’s birthday at Eventide. The Gottwals joined us for a chili lunch and a pizza supper. After lunch, Shane set up a “water park” with water guns, water balloons, pools, a slippy-slide, and a bubble machine. It was a great time for everyone. There was a dads vs kids water gun war. After the water wars, we had cake. Thankfully Isaiah chose a simple cake design – a big 12.

Isaiah has been enjoying lots of things in the US – spending time with family, parks, museums, reading, etc. He’s been a great help during our travels and enjoys talking to others about Cambodia. He’s even allowed some elderly ladies to hug him – and that’s a big step in maturity for him. We’re delighted to have Isaiah as our son and look for to this year of being 12!