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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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!!
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. 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.
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 . . .
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.
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.
Home sweet home after five weeks of travel, which took us from Massachusetts to California to Hawaii to California to Massachusetts.
We returned this week to a house adorned with fall decor and with calendars turned to the month of October, reminding us that we’ve been gone a long time! After flying to Northern California on Oct. 25 and spending five days with Windsor Christian Church speaking at a myriad of events, we landed in Kona on Halloween and began a three-week partnership with Living Stones Church, fulfilling our twice-a-year commitment to spend 2–3 weeks on the island with this church, counseling and speaking.
What’s not to love about a New England fall? We’ve been mesmerized by the most incredible parade of exquisite, show-stopping color over the past four weeks and I have about 500 photos to prove it. :) Leaves crunching underfoot have provided the soundtrack for an ever-changing treescape donned in reds, oranges, salmon, and yellows. It’s been spectacular.
Beyond exhilarating.
Autumn is heavily weighted with some of the most delightful activities, events, tastes, and sights of the year. Apple picking. Apple cider. Apple cider doughnuts. Apple pies. Cranberry harvest. Pumpkins. Pumpkins. And more pumpkins. Football. Visits from friends who are lured by leaf peeping promises. Crisp air. Falling temps. Harvest fairs.
It’s good to be home after just under 4 weeks “on the road, in the sky, from sea to shining sea.” Blessed beyond with so many beautiful places and beautiful people, my words and photos will only begin to convey how soul-refreshing these four weeks have been.
This journey began on July 20, when we flew to California a few days early for our week of speaking at Forest Home’s Family Camp. While enjoying the delightful hospitality of our dear friend Wendy Turney, we were able to spend time with some treasured mentors and friends.
The past 7 weeks in numbers:
47 days on the road
35 degrees - lowest temp
85 degrees - highest temp
345 miles walked/hiked
18,000 air miles flown
25 talks given
50 hours of counseling
We’ve just returned from almost seven weeks on the road (or in the air) and were welcomed home by a large stack of (mostly) recyclable mail, temps that were 55 degrees lower than the average of the past weeks, and leafless trees and brown earth.
It was very apparent we weren’t in Hawaii anymore.
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.
It wasn’t beginning to look like Christmas back when this photo was snapped on October 28! In fact, at that point, it seemed like Christmas was a VERY long way off.
And here we are. Christmas was here. And now it’s in our rear view mirror.
We’re continually being confronted with the reality that the older we get, the faster time goes.
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.
It’s Dec. 13 and we have whiplash from the speed which with the past six weeks have flown since I last wrote.
It’s good to be flying today, during which we’ll sit longer than we’ve sat in a while (at least since our last flight!). These weeks have unfolded much differently than we had “planned” and as the photos reflect, we weren’t in Lebanon where we were supposed to be at this time.
"Good morning Lord, this is your day. I am your child. Show me your way!”
This song ran through my head and heart on this early September morning as I feasted on this incredibly beautiful sunrise while doing my Quiet Time in our great room. The six weeks that have passed since I last wrote have been full of such color, as summer has gently faded into a most extraordinary fall, and minutes of sunlight have been chipped off each day.
What a glorious time of year in New England!! How thankful we are it’s “falling."
With 26 hours between Family Camps 1 and 2, we relaxed with the staff (some great pool time, dinner in Ventura on the beach, and hanging out in a coffee shop in downtown Ojai) and then prepared for the second camp. We were very ready when the campers began arriving at 4 pm on Sunday and we were so happy to welcome them with cold water bottles and ice pops, help them register, and walk them to their “home away from home.” Everyone was checked in by dinner time and we were off and running.
We were so grateful for the reinforcements who joined the staff team for week 2, as a number of our week 1 staff had to return to work. God graciously brought together a phenomenal group for camp 2 and we quickly jelled as a team.
August has flown by, which is consistent with the beat of the whole summer. When the family camp program was canceled at CBS back in late December, we had no idea what the summer of 2017 would look like. We weren’t concerned that we’d be twiddling our thumbs, quite honestly, but we couldn’t have imagined then the opportunities that have unfolded for us. “Only God.” Indisputable.
As we make our way back to Africa today, I’m at least slightly amused by the reality of our last week: on Sunday, April 30, we returned to Boston from South Africa; on Wednesday, May 3rd, we flew to California for a conference; on Sunday, May 7th, we flew back to Boston; and on Monday, May 8th, we left Boston for Uganda. Now . . . some would rightfully ask, “Who made a schedule like that?”
If “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . .” is related to a house decked in outdoor lights, a beautifully decorated tree indoors, and stockings “hung by the chimney with care,” we’re off. Way off. Thankful to have just gotten all pumpkins processed and the orange and rust decorations put away . . .
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One last sunrise at Campus by the Sea over Labor Day Weekend, taken as Lisa and I hiked the loop on our final day at camp. |
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Hanging out with David Laflin (the illusionist) and the Wong family, we had some very fun moments on giant swings, ropes courses, and zip lines. How could you not love this weekend? |
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The “Birdsongs” did a phenomenal job leading us in worship before each of the four teaching sessions. |
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| The stillness of the water is found only early in the day, prior to campers discovering the four inflatable “blobs” anchored in this lake. |
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A special dinner out with the Wongs in honor of Paul’s birthday. |
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| Happy birthday, Papa and now 6-year-old Brandon! |
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| Paul, Lisa, and I arrive to serve the Labor Day Family Camp. |
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Our terrific program staff served so well, diving right in to do whatever needed to be done. |
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Worship was led by Robert Kovacs, Claire Peister, and Seth Heinz—and was appreciated by all.
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| A large group of kids second grade and under gathered at the front of the Main Deck each morning for the always-favorite devotions created and led by Paul. |
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| Lis and I did one last loop hike on the last morning of camp and encountered this bison, who seemed to own the road. He’s much bigger than he appears in this photo, and the road is much more narrow than it appears. Obviously we lived to tell about it. :) |
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Bob and Carol Kraning partnered with us this weekend and God used them to bring a word of both encouragement and challenge. We’ve been together with the Kranings in ministry for most of our married life and we’re so thankful they’ve been a part of our journey. |
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| One last chorus of “We love you campers, oh yes we do . . .” as the final family camp group departs on the Catalina Express. |
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| An early morning walk on the beach, before the marine layer burned off (which it later did.) |
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| A little sand castle we built in our spare time . . . or at least, that we stopped to admire at the end of our walk. :) |
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| Dick and Becky Molenhouse spent a day with us and we joyfully caught up on one another’s lives. |
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| With the “boys of summer” on his back, Nathan visits the pigs at the farm. |
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| Snuggle time (briefly) with Mama. |
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Go Sox!! Even Rachel is being trained right. :) |
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Oh, and then there’s our most favorite team: Go Pats!! |
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| Dick and Nancy Beggs, from Idyllwild, California, joined us for a night of non-stop talking, a few tears, and a lot of laughter. |
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| Berea family campers Gary and Kim Walker, Skip and Avonne Jarvis, Dennis and Heidi Lommen, and not pictured is the Lommens’ daughter Jenny and her husband, Jed. A very special group of friends. |
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The Jarvis family . . . Skip and Avonne and their four great kids. We shared a 7:30 am breakfast together and had coherent, meaningful conversation with these set-apart young people. So encouraging!! |
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Sunset over the lake in Wakefield, Massachusetts. |
