Welcome June!

The days of May quite literally seemed to have evaporated. I wonder if anyone else feels that way. I’m writing from the boarding area of Dulles Airport as Lisa and I await our flight to Tanzania to check what has moved up to the number one spot on my bucket list.

Hiking Mt Kilimanjaro.

Inspired by the 3-D Imax Theater’s film featuring a National Geographic trek up this fabled mountain 15 years ago, it landed on my bucket list. The trekking group filmed included a 12-year-old boy and a 70-year-old woman, with the rest of the entourage scattered across the generations. At that time, I had no thought that this challenge would be attempted during my 70th year, but here we are.

More on this adventure later in the blog, but for now . . .

May began in Granite Bay, CA, with the annual Thrive Conference hosted by Bayside Church, but first—in the ongoing celebration of my 70th (who knew it would be so much fun to have a decade birthday !!), my dear friend Christina planned the perfect celebration: a 6-mile hike around Folsom Lake, surrounded by spring flowers in full bloom, followed by coffee and lunch at a favorite coffee shop, where we were joined by her post college daughter, Hannah. I felt so known and loved by this treasured friend of over 40 years. A great start to several days in California.

*Christina came to family camp over 40 years ago and we’ve been journeying together ever since.*

Thrive launched the following day, May 1, and it once again lived up to its billing. It’s always such an honor to be workshop presenters at this very alive, adrenaline-pumping, worship-inspiring conference. This event, which is the brainchild of Ray Johnston, a dear friend and ministry partner for over 40 years now, is replete with great teaching, fervent worship, and incredible networking. Now in its 20th year, it’s been a joy to be part of all of the Thrives and we never leave disappointed.

*Dinner with Ray and Carol was one of the highlights of our time at Thrive.*

*The plenary sessions were full of joy and life.*

*Always humbling, our two workshops were packed out.*

*Our dear friend, James Herzog, introduced us at our workshop on temperaments.*

Thrive ended the night of the May 2, and we drove to Oakland to attend New City Church Oakland’s all-day Saturday seminar featuring our dear friend and ministry partner, Becky Manley Pippert. Paul and Becky went on IVCF staff together in 1972 and have been fast friends ever since. She is still at the top of her game as a world class evangelist as she trains Christ-followers around the world how to naturally and effectively share the gospel. Her first book, Out of the Saltshaker, is a best seller and as relevant today as it was 40 years ago when it was first published. She is such a gifted communicator and so passionate about equipping people to spread the good news. It was pure joy to sit under her teaching once again and then to have dinner with her and Dick that evening. An added bonus was sharing the time with Lisa and the Garcias. Gabe and Kari were thrilled with the response of NCC Oakland to the event, which spilled over into Sunday with Becky speaking at their church. You can check out the sermon at nccoakland.com. Go to Sundays and scroll down to sermons, May 4th, you’ll be glad you did!

*Dick and Becky stand with us and daughters Lisa and Kari.*

An early morning flight from Oakland to San Diego ushered in the next week, which was spent at Rancho Abierto, the YWAM base southeast of Ensenada which is run by our dear friends, Brian and Sue McCoy. For the fifth year in a row, we spent a week teaching on marriage and family at their Family Discipleship Training School (DTS). We love the McCoys and we love how God is using their vision-driven base for His kingdom purposes.

Families from Singapore, Norway, Canada, Mexico, and Germany answered the call to give up everything to learn how to impact the world for Jesus through the 3-month DTS and 2-month “outreach,” during which teams of families will “go into the world” and share Jesus.

Our time at Rancho Abierto is always full and by God’s grace, fruitful. Besides teaching for three hours every morning, we lead family devotions one morning, speak to the jr/sr high group on relationships one afternoon, put on a game show, and meet with each couple two-on-two.

Every year we’re amazed by how quickly we’re able to assimilate into the community and connect with the families. We so enjoyed interacting with everyone and were so thankful for all of the opportunities to invest in these precious lives.

*The entrance to Rancho Abierto is very welcomed after traveling the final 9 miles on a very bumpy and uncomfortable dirt road.*

*We thoroughly enjoyed each of these couples.*

*Game show hosts . . . looking a bit familiar.*

*All set and ready for the competition!*

*Brian and Sue McCoy founded and direct Rancho Abierto.*

*The families working together on the devotions.*

Back to the USA on May 10th, where Lisa picked us up and we spent the next three days with her. Having breakfast with my sister Lucy, walking the beach at Coronado, hiking up Mt. Rubideau, celebrating Mother’s Day with Lisa, and spending an afternoon with our dear friends, Lorita and Jen Granger having tea at the Huntington Gardens all contributed to memorable and fun days. It would be hard to improve on the time spent.

*Walking the Coronado Beach is always a favorite. Here we stand in front of the Hotel del Coronado, where we spent the first night of our honeymoon. Very sweet memories.*

*Lisa made a “proper fuss” celebrating Mother's Day with great meals before and after church and a hike up Mt. Rubideau at sunset.*

A first for both Lisa and me, Lorita and Jen Granger took us for High Tea at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. The tea was fit for a queen and the fellowship was even better. We are so blessed to have this mother-daughter duo in our lives.

After being on the road for two weeks, we were happy to fly home on the 13th. We had a full day of counseling on the 14th and on the 15th, we put Derek and Julie on a plane destined for Spain, where they would spend the next 12 days celebrating their milestone birthdays.

Back to the airport hours later, Paul picked up Lisa and she joined the “Childcare Team” with Papa and Gigi.

We all had a great time for the next 12 days. Nathan and Rachel were delightful and cooperative and when they weren’t in school, we were jumping at the trampoline park, thrifting at “Savers,” walking the dog, going to the zoo, swimming in our pool, siting in our hot tub, or playing games. We happily went to Rachel’s 3rd grade class “recorder” concert and to several of Nathan’s sporting events.

These times affirm our move to the state of Virginia. We’re truly so thankful for the increased time we have with these not-so-Littles.

*We celebrated Rachel’s recorder performance.*

*We cheered Nathan’s football team to victory.*

*We spent three mornings at “Skyzone” jumping and then jumping more.*

*When the pool’s temp dropped, the hot tub was everyone’s favorite place.*

Over Memorial Day weekend, we left the party briefly to attend two very special weddings of kids who grew up attending family camp with us in NE. Sadly, we had to divide and conquer in order to honor two families we love dearly, as one wedding was in MA and the other in PA.

Paul went north to celebrate the nuptials of Zach and Phoebe Brown and he was deeply moved by their God-honoring, Christ-centered ceremony. We’ve known Zach most of his life and have always been impressed with his servant-heartedness and his genuine pursuit of the Lord. Paul said it was obvious he had found a wife of like character, so the joy of the union was palpable.

*Zach and Phoebe Brown were thrilled that Paul made it to their wedding.*

I drove to the wedding of Logan Plosker and Matt Kraft, which was held just outside of Philadelphia. Logan’s parents, Ryan and Kelly Plosker, whose premarital counseling we did 26 years ago, are on our HIM board and are very dear friends. We’ve known Logan since her birth and it’s been such a joy to watch her grow into a woman with a deep heart for the Lord and character shaped by her convictions. Her now husband, Matt, is a strong man of God, and their friendship, which began when they served together at a children’s church camp when they were in middle school, has culminated in marriage. Their wedding was also very Christ-centered and beautiful and I was so happy to be there.

*Logan and Matt Kraft at their beautiful reception.*

*Ryan and Kelly Plosker kindly invited us to their family “morning after” brunch*

Paul flew into Philly after the Brown wedding to join me for the night, enabling us to attend the “morning after” family brunch with Kelly and Ryan and the rest of their families. We were so happy that worked out!

We drove from Philly to DC to meet up with Lisa and the kids at the National Zoo, and though it was very crowded on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend Sunday, we were entertained by many of the animals and all agreed it was well worth the effort.

Derek and Julie returned from Spain on May 26, refreshed and rejuvenated, and we celebrated their return with a Memorial Day cookout. It was a perfect ending to a fun and thankfully injury-free time with the Grands.

*Perfect BBQ weather on Memorial Day, so we took advantage and welcomed the Johnsons home with a true summer meal.*

Lisa and I then focused on final preparations for our trip to Tanzania in the moments we weren’t counseling or doing HIM business. We’ve leaned heavily on her past experience, packing and preparing, and that’s raised the comfort and confidence level for both of us. We’re booked on a 7-day trek which will be led by the same tour guide she had in 2023. The company, Altezza, is the most highly-rated tour company in Tanzania and they place a very high value on keeping people healthy on the trip.

Now all that remains is actually hiking. I’d be less than honest if I didn’t admit that even as we fly to Tanzania, I’m 60% excited that this long-awaited plan has come to fruition, and still 40% terrified, most of that focused on the summit night. The plan is to hike the last four miles (which are the steepest and most rugged) starting at 10 pm (and under an almost full moon) and hopefully summiting at sunrise. This should happen June 7th-8th. The seven-day hike is 5 days up and 2 days down. We fly home the 12th.

All prayers will be appreciated. Seriously. For good, non-rainy weather. For no altitude sickness. For good health. For special strength on summit night.

Although I am experiencing a gamut of emotions regarding this adventure, from “I can’t believe we’re getting to do this!” to “Why did I ever think I could do this?” and everything in between, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I have a fully supportive husband who has spent hours booking flights, doing research, and helping us gather everything needed and an amazing daughter who is not just willing, but truly joyful to do this with me.

Though I don’t really know what to expect, I have confidence that God will use this as much more than a challenging physical endeavor. I suspect it will have a lasting spiritual impact on me.

This trip reflects one of my life rules: “As you age, keep doing things that are beyond your comfort level to keep life from down-sizing around you.” I am so blessed to be healthy and active enough to even attempt this, and I’m absolutely sure this will stretch me and be uncomfortable at times. By His grace, I will march on.

All praise is His!