Hola!!

Buenas días desde México!! I write today, on Mother’s Day, from a little plumbing-less cabin in Rancho Abierto, the YWAM Family DTS base in “Nowhere, Mexico.” Obviously, we are somewhere—somewhere where God is doing a great work—but this little base has no town name attached to it, hence, “Nowhere.” This is our second year in a row speaking here and since we’re here for two weeks this time, I’m finding “down time” on this Sabbath to log an update on our crazy good life, privileged to proclaim the hope of the gospel as seen in marriage and family.

But before we get to Mexico, we back up to our return from Kona on March 25th. We cut our time on that beautiful Hawaiian island short in order to attend the funeral of our dear friend Sally’s mother, Kathy Lewis, who was also a friend of ours. The older we get, the more we’re aware of the power of “showing up.” Though certainly not always possible, being in person at significant events/milestones/moments is so important and we were very thankful we could join Scott and Sally in honoring the life of this remarkable woman. It was a gospel-centered, God-honoring celebration of a life well lived, and the music (led by Dave Talbott on the keys), the remembrances, and the sermon by Ray Johnston were inspiring and inspired.

*Nancy Heath, Sally Lewis Shaull, and I grab a moment after the service.*

*A bonus of attending the memorial service was being able to hang out with Ray and Carol Johnston, lifelong friends.*

Because we had a couple of days before our flight back home, we were thrilled to catch up with our dear friends Randy and Joy Hitchcock, who have recently bought and settled on a vineyard in Windsor, CA. We loved touring their new “life” (which is vastly different from their old life in Truckee, where they left behind skis and snow shovels) and reconnecting with treasured friends.

*How fun to catch up with Randy and Joy Hitchcock after attending the memorial service.*

While we were in the neighborhood, we had the joy of taking Rosemary Dougan out for breakfast. Timeless, ageless Rosemary. She will be 98 on May 24 and you’d never know it. It was so sweet to catch up with her. After spending 17 summers together with her and Garth at CBS, we’ll never stop missing being with her. She is a faithful follower of Jesus, still “green with sap,” proclaiming the mercies of God (Psalm 92:14). What a gift to have her in our lives!!

*Rosemary Dougan is most definitely in a league of her own, a true bar setter.*

Before we traveled east, we spent a night with Gabe and Kari and kids and were delighted to see Gabe’s “new” office space completed and rolling. Their new house had an out building that begged to be refurbished into much needed office space, so for the first time in two years since their relocation to Oakland, Gabe has space in which to work, dream, and hang his books.

*Gabe and Kari in his new office, which is a refurbished building on their property. There are no words for Gabe’s joy in this development.*

We returned to Boston on March 29 and spent an unusual spread of two weeks at home.

Not surprisingly, we did not twiddle our thumbs.

Full days of counseling, dental appointments, catching up with friends, and producing a digital “book of affirmation” in honor of my sister’s 70th birthday occupied the days up ’til Friday night, April 8, when we spoke for Trinity Church of Nashua’s “Date Night.” Doug and Linda McKay and Matt and Beth Ide organized the event, which was attended by over 130 people. It was very energizing to be in the mix of couples eager for marital encouragement. We were all thankful for how the evening went.

*Date Night at Trinity Church of Nashua was a big success.*

The next morning was the start of Engagement Matters (EM), hosted by Matt and Beth Ide in their spacious home in Nashua. Though it was the smallest Spring EM group we’ve had, the eight couples we had were the most engaged we can remember (even though only one couple was engaged. :) ). We LOVED the great interaction spawned by thoughtful pondering and truly hated to see the weekend end. Ryan and Kelly Plosker once again did their “Top Ten Tips” talk and Matt and Beth Ide presented on Biblical financial principles. Richard Hendricks and Carl and Cathy Blatchley rounded out our team by serving meals and interacting with couples. We are so blessed to have such a great team around us.

*Most of the couples at the weekend are pictured here.*

In between the day long Saturday and Sunday sessions of EM, we managed to squeeze in a trip to downtown Boston to be the guests of Paul and Kate Wylie who were in town for the 50th annual “Evening With Champions,” a storied skating show/fund raiser for the Jimmy Fund. It was fitting that our reunion with them happened during an EM weekend, as Kate and Paul had attended EM in 1999. We’ve considered them dear friends since and take advantage of any opportunity to be with them, which is infrequent at best. That’s why we cast caution to the wind and shoe-horned this evening into our already stuffed-to-the-gills weekend.

It was so worth it. The skating show was great, but much greater was having dinner with the Wylies prior. So thankful for opportunities as such.

*Paul Wylie emceed the “Evening With Champions”—his 35th appearance at this great event.*

*Dinner before the show with Kate, Hannah, and Paul Wylie. Sweet fellowship.*

Hardly catching our breath from that packed weekend, we boarded a plane bound for San Diego on April 12. This trip was two-fold in purpose: to celebrate my sister Sue’s 70th birthday (which happened Feb 3) and to lay to rest my mother’s ashes.

First, the fun. Sue was totally surprised to show up at The Shakespeare Tea House and have her six siblings, bedecked in proper tea hats and attire, gathered to celebrate her. The loveliest time was had over a high tea and lots of talk. It was a first for our only brother—the high tea part, not the lots of talk. :) We are very aware of how blessed we are that all 7 of us are still healthy and alive. #blessed.

“Six gulls and a buoy” was the caption on the birth announcement our daddy, the Naval officer, designed when #7, Frank the Third, arrived. And here we are, 61 years later, celebrating #2 sister, Sue, standing in the center.

The next day, April 14, marked the 2nd anniversary of our amazing mother’s death, and with Rosecrans Military Cemetery finally open “for business,” we were able to honor her life with a brief ceremony accompanying the internment of her remains which were placed with our father’s. Our brother-in-law David Leach did a spot-on sermonette amplifying her life verse, Phil 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” A brief time of sharing followed during which tears, laughter, and memories linked hands, affirming the incredible life she lived and her ongoing impact on each of us. It was good to bring closure to this unfinished business resulting from “death during covid.”

*Our brother-in-law David Leach delivered a very fitting sermonette at our mother’s internment.*

*It was sweet to have Kari and Lisa at their grandmother’s internment.*

*The “hatless” siblings pose for one last photo before flying or driving off in multiple directions.*

*We did manage to get a few walks in on our favorite beach in Coronado while in San Diego.*

*We even managed to sneak a walk in after Mama’s service and before Kari and Lisa flew to Oakland that night. We all share a deep love for beach walking.*

We flew up to Oakland on Saturday, in time to celebrate Easter Sunday with the Garcias and Lisa and the church body at New City Church Oakland. Instead of their usual 4 pm service held in Jack London Square, they met at Fremont High School (several miles from where they live) at 10:30 am, and after a gospel-centered service proclaiming the great news of the resurrection of Jesus, lunch was served and games were played. Over 250 came to the service, and up to 300 were there for the after party. It was a grand celebration, made even grander by 7 people making first time commitments to follow Christ!! We were SO thankful to be a small part of the volunteer crew who made it happen.

*Gabe and Kari have gathered a great team around them and all together pulled off a fabulous Easter celebration.*

*150 chairs rented and set up at Fremont High School...*

*Over 250 came!! Worship led by Asaya Tamani and team was inspired.*

*Fun and games and Easter egg hunts followed the service and lunch.*

Though exhausted by all the prep for the service, a few traditions were carried out…including frosted sugar cookies which served as name cards for the ham and Mom’s rolls dinner that evening.

*Brandon helps Gigi frost the traditional cookies.*

Easter Monday night, Lisa, Paul, and I flew to Ontario, California, for the next week, during which we hung out at Lisa’s house. While she taught at Cal Baptist University, we caught up with a few important people in our lives. Being able to use the “dash” time as such is always such a joy.

It’s always good to spend time with Carol Kraning, whose husband, Bob, died one week before my mom passed. Though it’s still hard to grasp that Carol is without Bob, we love catching up with her whenever we can.

Dennis White, another over-three-decades friend, served us a lunch fit for a king as we reconnected with him. Dennis was widowed just over two years ago and will soon be moving on to property now jointly owned with his son, Aaron, and his family. It was so good to be with Dennis, a faithful, trusting man of God.

We spent the weekend of April 22–24 at Forest Home Christian Conference Center in Forest Falls, CA, so Paul and Lisa could speak at a Father-Daughter conference for Trinity Church of Santa Ana. I tagged along to sell books and add illustrations when asked.

It was a great weekend. Paul did his “magic” connecting the generations through devotions and it was fun to see the dads and daughters interacting on puzzles and questions, as well as being part of skits. He’s not lost his touch. He and Lisa taught together doing a session on parenting, with Paul teaching the principles and Lisa fleshing them out with life stories. If I must say so myself, they were very powerful together and it was an unusual delight to get to be in the audience and listen.

*It was snowy and cold when we arrived at Forest Home, Friday afternoon, April 22nd.*

In spite of the weather, we hiked…of course!! This hike ended with us being caught in a downpour, so we returned to our cabin looking (and feeling) like drowned rats. Fortunately the gas fireplace aided in drying out our only warm clothes!

Gene Longobardi introduced Paul, giving a huge shout out for “Letters to my Daughters” as his go-to book for every young man (or woman) he comes in close contact with. It was Gene’s idea to invite Paul to speak for this weekend, having heard him 15 years ago at a Forest-Home-sponsored Father-Daughter weekend.

*Paul and Lisa were a very natural speaking team.*

*Gene’s daughter Eryn is married to Carol Kraning’s grandson, Kraig, and brought Kraig and Eryn’s three daughters to the weekend, along with his son-in-law Patrick and his daughter Emma.*

The conference ended on Sunday, April 24, which also happened to be our 46th wedding anniversary. Another one of those “all-inclusive resort” experiences at which to celebrate our special day!! Lisa made sure we “made a proper fuss” by hiking us up Mt. Rubideau late that afternoon and then taking us out for sushi. It was a great way to end the weekend and to mark the day.

*We love to hike Mt. Rubideau and considered this a fitting way to help celebrate our 46th anniversary.*

We flew home the 27th, counseled a couple of days, then drove to Connecticut to speak for a date night for Valley Community Baptist Church on Friday, April 29. We’ve had a long relationship with this church and we so appreciate their commitment to building in to healthy marriages. It’s always an honor to partner with them.

*Date Night at Valley Community Baptist Church was so well done. A great dinner, childcare, and a room full of eager marrieds. Hard to improve on!*

*All ages and stages of marriage were present at date night which was so encouraging.*

Back up to Bedford, MA, that night so we could pack Saturday and leave Sunday, May 1, for Mexico!

And here we are.

Back at Rancho Abierto a year later. Founded and directed by Brian and Sue McCoy, long time family camper/friends, this Family DTS is like 12 weeks of family camp. Using CBS as a model, they’ve replicated so many features of our most beloved place on earth so it’s quite nostalgic to be here.

Much more than recreating buildings very reflective of those at CBS, Brian and Sue have replicated the ethos of family camp. The community which develops from shared meals, inter-generational worship, meaningful times of teaching, programming for kids by solid mentors, doing life together on a level playing field (read: no one has indoor plumbing or clean feet). Though we’ve only completed our first of two weeks here, we have connected deeply with this community of almost 90 in seven short days.

Brian and Sue keep reminding us that “legacy” is not first a place, but an ethos. “Rancho Abierto is part of your legacy” they insist. “We learned this from you, from 17 consecutive years at family camp.” Legacy. A spiritual mantle. A passing of the torch to our children, and their children, and their children. The act of leaving fingerprints on a life which can’t be dusted away.

Only by His grace.

*Brian and Sue McCoy, founders and directors of Rancho Abierto, enjoy a few of Paul’s famous cookies while we catch up with one another upon our arrival. These are great people.*

Our first week of teaching focused on marriage and we thoroughly enjoyed interacting with couples from Singapore, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and America. Married from 5 weeks (yes!) to more than 30 years, each couple is at a different place in their marital journey, but all are seeking to grow from wherever they are.

*The adults meet in the Coffee House for 3 hours of listening to us teach each morning. Bless them!*

*Family worship: on this morning, we were invited to teach “The Butterfly Song.” Twist our arms!*

*What would family camp be without the Game Show?? These two were flown in for the fabled family fun fest.*

This coming week we’ll be teaching on parenting and on Christian worldview. We’re prepared for lively discussions knowing we come from different cultures and different life experiences, but our prayer is that scripture will be the lens through which we teach and understand worldview. As unpopular as many Biblical truths are in the current atmosphere of secular humanism and outright nonsensical “beliefs” which are being injected into our culture, we’re reminded that “The wisdom of this world is folly to God." (1 Cor 3:19) May we be faithful to His wisdom alone.

For now, adiós! And thank you for your prayer and support. We are grateful.