Virginia Friesen
Plan Fail: The Christmas Reunion That Wasn't

We were home the WHOLE month of December and it was good.

We continued walking five miles a day, praying for snow, and preparing for our family Christmas reunion: the first one in New England since 2015 and the first all being together for Christmas since 2019.

We had very high expectations.

Ministry events in December included Engagement Matters, the Patriots women’s study, and LOTS of counseling, but that left plenty of time for decorating the house inside and out, getting together with friends, wrapping and sending packages, sewing Christmas jammies, making gingerbread houses, and preparing for our long-awaited reunion which was to commence the 22nd of December.

Plan Fail: The Christmas Reunion That Wasn't
Virginia Friesen
Around the Country in 22 Days

Since my last post on Dec. 27, we’ve only been home eight days.

Maybe that contributes to me forgetting that when I last wrote, my reflections ended with Engagement Matters (EM), which was held Dec. 4–5, and not after Christmas, which the blog post date would indicate.
Whatever the reasons, before I write about our most recent last three weeks—which literally took us to the four corners of our great nation—we must finish December. Strangely, that seems SO long ago already. But what fun to sift back through my December photo library and have many sweet memories surface.

Around the Country in 22 Days
Virginia Friesen
A Bit of Heaven on Earth

It happened.

The “decades birthday-family reunion” celebration, postponed for a full year, is now in the books, but even more deeply, in our hearts.

It was uncertain until an hour before the six flying from Oakland were to depart due to two lost Covid tests, but mercifully, new tests were done at 6 am, the results of which were registered less than 60 minutes prior to boarding.

The trip was on.

A Bit of Heaven on Earth
Virginia Friesen
More Than a Cookbook

It was a sweltering summer day in Louisiana. My 8-year-old self stood in the kitchen of my paternal grandparents’ home in Shreveport, watching with fascination as Grandma Collins stirred the hot pot of boiling figs, on their way to becoming preserves. With sweat running down her brow, just beneath the thin brown elastic that kept her hair net in place over her thinning curly hair, she turned to me and said, “You know, Virginia, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” With that piece of wisdom pronounced, she simultaneously clicked her cheek and winked her eye at her wide-eyed granddaughter, leaving an unforgettable impression.

More Than a Cookbook
Paul and Virginia
On the Move (Part 2)

My plans to write “Part 2” have been derailed by the maelstrom of craziness driven by the Coronavirus Pandemic. I’m taking a break from all Coronavirus talk to take us back a month ago, when "Life as We Always Knew It” was all we really knew. What a difference a month has made!!

After speaking in Maine for the Valentine’s event, we flew to California for the annual ProAthletes Outreach “Increase” conference, which we fronted by spending two days with my dear mama. As per usual, I “made" her go on a field trip each day because getting out is good for everyone. Off to Coronado we went for Paul to get his every 4–6 week haircut by his favorite barber, and while he was getting shorn, my mom and I rolled through town. This photo was taken by accidental tourists, who just happened to be from Lexington, MA!! Small world moment. The time with my mom is never enough but we’re always so grateful for any time we have with her.

On the Move (Part 2)

Mostly Maintenance

Mostly Maintenance

The past six weeks have been unusually quiet on the ministry front “on purpose” as we have taken time to “be” grandparents as well as to take care of some neglected “physical” maintenance.

And it’s been good and productive on many levels.

But first: after our wonderful vacation in Ogunquit with our dear friends, John and Marilyn, we celebrated Paul’s birthday before the days of August expired. The Johnsons planned and prepared a delightul cook-out celebration in Virginia before Paul flew west for a second celebration with his birthday buddy and first grandson, Brandon (and his family).

Summer Highlights, Part Two

Summer Highlights, Part Two

The dust had barely settled on “Papa-Gigi Camp” when the date for Family Camp at The King’s Chapel (TKC) was upon us. Originally to be a Thursday–Saturday night camp at a local property, the lack of facilities prompted a switch to an “in-house camp” at TKC’s property in Chantilly on Friday night and all day Saturday, August 2–3.

It was our first introduction to a TKC event outside of church (where we attend, in tandem with Immanuel Bible Church) and we were blown away by the well thought out and executed weekend conference. Diana White and her sidekick Maria put so much in to making sure this was done with excellence and that people would leave having had a great experience, and they succeeded.

Summer Highlights

Summer Highlights

It’s been quite a month!!

And it’s very hard to believe we’re experiencing the waning days of summer. Didn’t summer always include August? Apparently no longer, as social media posts are flooded with “back to school” photos.

A glance back at a major part of our summer will reveal why we are filled with deep joy as well as a bit of tiredness. Fortunately, we still have a couple of weeks of summer to recharge before our fall ministry schedule launches.

It's the People

It's the People

Our love for family camp found its second outlet this summer at Alliance Redwood Conference Grounds in Occidental, CA (just north or San Francisco). Though our concerns driven by a very late start (promotion for it commenced at the beginning of May) and it being over the 4th of July that it would result in a very small turnout were realized, the staff at Alliance Redwoods chose to press on so family camp would get out of the gate at this beautiful property.

And so we went for it and were reminded that it’s not the size or the location as much as it is the people.

And the 35 campers who gathered were delightful and all agreed that it was a wonderful experience.

All praise is His!!

Sweet Summertime

Sweet Summertime

We’ve enjoyed a somewhat slower pace since returning from our two-month ministry tour, which ended May 20 when we re-settled in Fairfax. In fact we’ve racked up 21 days out of the past 42 sleeping in our own bed! That’s some kind of a record!!

During the first few days we were home, we had a day of counseling and we did a podcast with Jim Ramos of “Men in the Arena.” It can be found here. We also walked the kids to or from school as often as possible and kept them overnight while their parents snuck away. These are the joys of living only 2 miles apart. We’re loving it!

Seven and a Half Weeks Later . . .

Seven and a Half Weeks Later . . .

After 2 1/2 weeks in Kona, we flew to Sacramento on May 1. An unusual delay caused us to barely make our first workshop at the Bayside-hosted Thrive Conference, but thankfully we made it after landing in Oakland (instead of Sacramento) at 10:30 pm, renting a car and driving to Roseville to crash at the home of our dear friends, Scott and Sally Shaull. 6 am came too soon after a 2 am bedtime, but God gave us exactly what we needed to present at our first two workshops that day. It also helped that Thrive is so alive and energizing and that in between workshops, the plenary sessions were full of action and very motivating.

From Easter to Ohana Life

From Easter to Ohana Life

A delayed flight out of Kona provides the perfect window for reflecting on the past month here in our blog. We’re in the middle of a seven-week trip, which kicked off in Oakland, CA, on March 28 and will end May 20 with a marriage conference in Phoenix, AZ.

From Element to Engagement: Five Wonderful Weeks of Ministry

From Element to Engagement: Five Wonderful Weeks of Ministry

Our very full speaking schedule picked up after having one weekend “home” in February (the 16-18th), and the past month has seen us in North Carolina, Oahu, Pennsylvania, and Boston. Whew! We’re thankful for so many great opportunities and continue to be so grateful for good health and an ever deepening passion to continue encouraging marriages and families.

Capture His Joy!

Capture His Joy!

“Rejoice always!” (I Thessalonians 5:16)

Always? Wow! That’s a lot!!

Some days that’s harder than others.

Like after returning from our ministry tour in the frigid Pacific NW in January, we tried to coax our hot water heater to come off vacation but to no avail. Apparently being on vacation was to be a permanent destination, so three days later, after no hot water (which greatly impacted our plans to begin our baking marathon in anticipation of the HIM marriage conference the following weekend), and $3500 less in our till, the new water heater was installed and we were back in business.

But that was followed by spending 5 hours the next day at the SS Administration (and leaving with the job not finished) and 2 hours at the DMV getting new licenses and registering our cars.

Some days it’s harder to rejoice than others.

It's a New Year

It's a New Year

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof . . .” —Psalm 24:1

This glorious sunset welcomed us home last night as we returned from spending most of the first month of 2024 in the west. New year, old truths. The earth is the Lord’s . . . and though there are many discouraging realities of life on earth, our hope continues to be in Him: creator, sovereign, faithful, good God. How reassuring that is!!

How Is it December Already?

How Is it December Already?

I don’t know if anyone else is reeling from the calendar date and wondering how we got here so quickly, but I am. The past six weeks are a bit of a blur so the expectation of being home the next three weeks (the longest stretch since we moved to Fairfax in August) brings great comfort.

When the present busyness of the holidays seems like a restful, slow-down-and-smell-the-roses period of time, you know you’ve been on a tear.

So in the dark early morning on this 32-degree day in northern Virginia, it’s good to sit by candlelight and reflect on what has filled the days since Nov. 1.

Wherever you are, be all there

Wherever you are, be all there

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” —Jim Elliot

These wise words from Jim Elliot have taken on an even deeper meaning over these past two months as we’ve transitioned from a 32-year history of living in the Boston area to our new address in Fairfax, VA. Since making the move on August 20, we’ve actually spent less than 4 weeks in Fairfax and those days have been largely dedicated to unpacking and settling in. We don’t yet have a good answer to “how do you like living in Fairfax?” . . . but we are “living to the hilt, believing we’re absolutely in the will of God.

. . . and then we work

. . . and then we work

Each sunset and sunrise is unique and, like fingerprints, snowflakes, and humans, no two are ever exactly alike. This beauty captivated us as the sun set behind our home in Fairfax. God of all creation!! How majestic are your works in all the earth!!

We were thankful for this sky show seen during our four days of being home after moving here and before departing on a month-long speaking tour. We were also grateful to have the opportunity to walk the Littles to school on one of those four days . . . since they are the main reason we made this move. Joy!

First We Play . . .

First We Play . . .

Had we known prior to June what we’d be doing by the end of August, our plans would’ve looked different.

However, the summer of '23 was well planned prior to our long-percolating, prayerful consideration of making a move to a whiplash-producing purchase of a home decision in a matter of five days back in early June…and so we forged ahead with a summer full of play and joy-filled celebrations. Though opposite my temperament, play preceded work this summer and it was good. (If you missed the “why and how” of our decision to move please refer to the previous post.)

On the move

On the move

After returning from our friend’s retirement from the US Navy in early June, we happily attended another dear friend’s wedding. I don’t know what’s more thrilling than mentoring an eager young Christ follower whose love for Jesus compels her to truly walk her talk, but that’s been my joy for the past 7 years with Lauren Olson. We’ve walked through thick and thin together as I’ve witnessed her growth in Christlikeness, so it was a privilege to celebrate with her and Dan Elliott as they covenanted before the Lord to have a marriage that honors Him. Everything about their day was beautifully appointed, from the gospel-centered service, to the incredible ambience of the reception held at Wentworth by the Sea. The surprise in the middle was an appearance by “Wally" the Red Sox mascot who entertained the guests by dancing with Lauren to “Sweet Caroline” as well as a number from the Dropkick Murphys. It was a joy-filled, honoring day and we were so happy to be part of the well-wishers.

Roses, Rancho, Rosemary, Retirement

Roses, Rancho, Rosemary, Retirement

Roses, Rancho, Rosemary, Retirement . . .

That’s a lot of “R’s”!

It’s been quite a month as we’ve trekked from Massachusetts to California to Mexico to Massachusetts to California to Virginia to Massachusetts.

We’ve been on the move and are catching up with ourselves as we spend a few days in Bedford before we return to California next week. 

The beginning of this trip found us in Granite Bay, California, presenting a workshop for Bayside’s Thrive Conference. After having missed three Thrives due to covid restrictions (2020 and 2021) and a scheduling conflict (2022), it was a delight to be back at that very energetic, alive conference where we were feted with great teaching, inspiring worship, and encouraging fellowship. A bonus was getting to spend time with a number of very dear friends and we left after three days with full hearts and tired bodies.

There's no place like home . . . but Kauai comes in second

There's no place like home . . . but Kauai comes in second

Though usually dashing to and from airports, we had an usually quiet traveling month after Sarasota and before Kauai, so we found ourselves filling the “dash” with counseling (over 25 appointments), making a site visit to next year’s HIM marriage conference venue (since our usual hotel will be closed due to renovations), attending church 3 weeks in a row (!), doing two podcasts, going to 2 movies (“80 for Brady” and “The Jesus Revolution”—loved them both!), visiting friends who are challenged with medical issues, celebrating with others, and attending a funeral. Besides all of these relational interactions, we had some medical appointments and tended to some housekeeping needs.

It was a very good month. There’s no place like home.

Florida Bound

Florida Bound

With the 2023 HIM Marriage Conference in our rear view mirror, and Sarasota, Florida, up next, we sandwiched in a day of counseling as well as a quick trip to Gordon College to watch Isaac Jarvis play basketball. We’ve know Isaac since he was a very little (chronologically as well as physically) through Family Camp at Berea. We had planned to join his parents, Skip and Avonne Jarvis, to watch Isaac play back in December, but a broken elbow in early November sidelined this very gifted freshman, so we were delighted when our schedule and his lined up. It was so exciting to be sitting in the stands, rooting for a young man we know and love. And a “W” put an exclamation point on the evening.

HIM Marriage Conference 2023: Cold outside but warm inside (mostly)

HIM Marriage Conference 2023: Cold outside but warm inside (mostly)

As the “tropospheric polar vortex” descended on New England February 3-–5, 2023, resulting in single digit below 0 temps on the mercury and up to -30 with the wind chill, just under 400 determined souls invaded the Newport Island Harbor Resort (formerly Guerney’s Resort) on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island, for the HIM annual marriage conference.

Besides some relatively minor inconveniences (which I’ll talk about later), the weekend was an off-the-charts success and we have nothing but praise to Jesus for being so very present in every aspect of the conference.