2026 continues at warp speed, supported by the fact that we’ve only been home 10 days since Dec. 28, and of those 10, three have been counseling days, two were marathon baking days for the HIM marriage retreat, and the rest were “turnover” days, consisting of unpacking, doing laundry, and repacking.
And truthfully, we’ve loved every minute of it. What joy is ours that we get to do what we love doing, knowing this is what God has purposed for us. Beyond blessed!
Back home from the HIM marriage retreat Feb. 2, five of those 10 days at home followed (with two dedicated to counseling). It was good to be home for a few days to catch up with ourselves. Winter continued in full force and we were truly delighted to have several inches of snow fall during those days, adding a layer of snow upon a base of over a foot of ice-topped snow. I realize that some find it irritating that I proclaim the joy of snow when we miss much of it in real time due to our travels (with no sympathy for my mourning that we missed a great storm while we’re off on a cruise or in Hawaii), but it’s true. After spending over half of our lives in California, where we were seriously deprived of the beauty of seasons, especially snowy winters, 35 years of living in the northeast has not balanced the scales still.
And so we walk and tube in the snow-covered landscapes as often as possible and try to repress our ecstasy when passing not-so-joyful neighbors.
Temps in NoVA stayed below 20 degrees for about 3 weeks so the snow didn’t go anywhere, It is beautiful!
That’s a genuine smile.
So is this, as I sport naturally “frosted” hair.
During those few days at home, we had the pleasure of hosting Joy Amini and her daughter Ava, who were passing through our area. We met Joy and her family at Forest Home’s Family Camp in 2023 and have developed a deep connection. Joy and Amir extended radical hospitality to a mother-daughter duo from Gabe and Kari’s church in Oakland two years ago, which enabled the daughter to compete in a sports tournament. The Aminis opened their home and their hearts to these friends, transported them around Oahu as needed, and showed the love of Christ in practical and life-giving ways. It was a joy for us to open our home to them for a brief overnight. It was really fun to reconnect and catch up with each other.
Joy Amini and her daughter Ava joined us for an overnight and the time was enjoyed by all.
We flew to Tampa Bay, FL, on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8, for our next ministry “gig,” but first we overnighted with our very dear friends, Chad and Cathy Robrock. We met the Robrocks on a Caribbean cruise in 2012 and became fast friends. Though our times of meeting up are infrequent, it always feels like no time has elapsed. We share so much in common, starting with our commitment to Jesus, that our times together are effortless and uplifting.
Cathy, whose creativity is displayed not only in her very successful business of sewing costumes for ballerinas and ice skaters (www.primafashions.com), but also in her ability to turn an ordinary meal into an over-the-top party. We had so much fun being feted with this private Super Bowl party, it took some of the sting away from the outcome of the game. Though disappointing, we are amazed that the Patriots went from the bottom of the football food chain to the top in one short season and we have great hopes for the future.
Chad and Cathy Robrock are top-shelf hosts and we had a very sweet, though short visit with them in Tampa.
This is just part of their party fare . . . and it was consumed with relish.
We flew to Tampa to help Sarasota Community Church (with whom we’ve partnered for the past five years) celebrate their church’s 75th anniversary on a cruise! Up until two months ago, we had only been on three cruises in our just under 50 years of marriage, and in the past two months, we’ve been on two!
This was our first experience teaching on a cruise!
And we liked it.
Planned and hosted by Liz Baker Lane (who was a student of ours at Gordon-Conwell theological Seminary back in the 90’s) and the interim senior pastor, Dennis Bontrager, this 5-day cruise to two Mexican ports was not just fun, but also provided many hours of connection and fellowship among the group of 65. We spoke three times: talk #1 focused on God’s faithfulness in the past to this gospel-centered church, talk #2 focused on His promises for the future, and talk #3 was about His faithfulness in the present. The third talk ended with an open-mic sharing time of how God’s faithfulness had been seen and experienced personally, and it was a rich and moving time.
All aboard!! Standing with Steve and Liz Lane (Liz serves as the pastor of discipleship for Sarasota Community Church), we’re ready for the cruise.
Set sail!
The height of this bridge limits the size of vessels which can pass under. We were on Royal Caribbean’s “Enchantment of the Sea” which held 2500 passengers. Though “small” for modern cruise ships, it felt very large relative to the Viking Mars we were on for our cruise to Panama, which held 900 passengers. The sun set as we sailed out of Tampa Bay.
Our three congregational meetings were held on board in a designated conference room.
All dressed up and to dinner we go with Dennis and Alice Bontrager, who have been part of Sarasota Community Church for over 50 years. These past four years, Dennis has served as interim pastor and done a wonderful job. He has a true shepherd’s heart, and as they pull up stakes to move to Harrisonburg, VA, to live near their children and grandchildren, the congregation is mourning their departure.
Steve and Liz Lane shared an evening dinner table with the Bontragers, Daryl and Maxine Zook, and us. The eight of us laughed our way through each evening around the table.
Our first port of call was Costa Maya, Mexico, and it was the only day of the trip that we had cloudy—at times, rainy—weather. That did lessen the enjoyment of the beach, but not of the overall experience. Continuing our commitment to walk twice our normal mileage (due to our increased indulgence during meals), we ended getting most of the 10 miles on the deck of the ship, after the rain had chased us off the beach.
Proof of the stormy weather in Costa Maya.
Beautiful flamingos welcomed us to Costa Maya.
The beach, “Crazy Lobster,” in Costa Maya on a very un-beachy day.
On to Cozumel we went for our second port of call and the highlight here was getting in a pool with dolphins. A definite bucket list item, we got to be kissed by the dolphins, shake hands with them, pet them, and watch them perform. Such beautiful, happy mammals, we were momentarily thrust back in time to visions generated by watching “Flipper” as children. It was pure delight.
Welcome back to Cozumel We were here three weeks earlier on the Viking cruise, and we had another spectacular day on this beautiful island.
We got to be in the pool with these two friendly dolphins, a definite highlight of our adventures.
After our dolphin encounter, we walked our miles and were happy to spy this very large iguana.
He was happily sunning his very large body and was completely unfazed by us.
An impromptu photo op of those hanging around after our final meeting.
Our last dinner on board.
The sunrise as we pulled in to Tampa Bay Saturday, February 14th. And thus endeth the cruise. It was a great experience.
And the sunset, as we walked through the Lane’s neighborhood as Saturday came to a close.
We overnighted with the Lanes and spent Sunday serving at the church. We taught a Sunday School class, attended by over 100, and then taught at the worship service to a packed auditorium. We love partnering with this gospel-centered church. The worship—a blend of new and old—was robust and the engagement of the congregation was palpable.
The worship service was followed by their once-a-month “Carry-In”: their term for “potluck.” We especially enjoyed fellowship with Dave and Cynthia Tipton, longtime friends and ministry partners from New England, who partially snowbird just south of Sarasota. It was great to catch up with them.
Liz introduced us before we taught.
Sunday morning church service
We packed up and headed to the airport for a 5 pm flight, which after many delays was canceled due to weather, so we overnighted close to the airport and caught a 6 am flight out Monday morning. Though it was fraught with flight interruptions, we eventually made it home that day, thankfully.
As soon as we got home, we were greeted by winter and yes, we still thought it was beautiful.
After only two days at home, one of them full of counseling, we’re now flying to Kona to fulfill our two-week, twice-a-year commitment to Living Stones Church. We’re so looking forward to being with our “Ohana” in this place and have a full schedule: teaching both Sundays, doing a marriage conference one weekend, and counseling about 40 hours. In between, we’ll connect with many we’ve grown to deeply love during our many years now of serving this congregation.
The snow will most likely be gone when we return (March 4) and we'll look forward to welcoming spring. Two days after returning home, we’ll head to Boston to speak at a conference, so the beat goes on.
Thank you for your prayers for and support of us. Regardless of the weather or the season, we want to be faithful to His call.
