Home from Kona on Wednesday, March 4 (off a red-eye), we had a full day counseling on the 5th and then hopped a flight to Boston early on the 6th to speak for the Seven Mile Road Church marriage conference in Melrose, MA.
We were both honored and thrilled to be speaking for the first time for this church, which is home to a number of people we’ve known for many years. Katie O’Hara Ryou (and her husband Marvin) were the instigators of this event and we were so delighted to partner with them. We’ve known Katie since youth group days with our daughters at Grace Chapel, and just in recent years have reconnected with her. She and Marvin attended a conference we spoke for last year in Melrose and that planted the seed for their church hosting us.
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.
One of the great joys of our ministry life is having long-term relationships with a number of churches that invite us back year after year, allowing us to develop authentic connections with people. The Kalaheo Missionary Church in Kauai is one of those churches that has had us annually since 2015, and that makes returning each year truly feel like we’re “Ohana."
Home from Kona on Wednesday, March 4 (off a red-eye), we had a full day counseling on the 5th and then hopped a flight to Boston early on the 6th to speak for the Seven Mile Road Church marriage conference in Melrose, MA.
We were both honored and thrilled to be speaking for the first time for this church, which is home to a number of people we’ve known for many years. Katie O’Hara Ryou (and her husband Marvin) were the instigators of this event and we were so delighted to partner with them. We’ve known Katie since youth group days with our daughters at Grace Chapel, and just in recent years have reconnected with her. She and Marvin attended a conference we spoke for last year in Melrose and that planted the seed for their church hosting us.
Continuing on our “sprint through 2026” schedule, we were home for a brief two days after our Sarasota trip before flying on Thursday, Feb. 19, to Kona, Hawaii, for an 11-day ministry tour. We’re flying home as I write, with hearts overflowing with gratitude and praise for the many ways we witnessed God working in ways attributable only to Him. He is indeed a good, good Father.
We hit the road running with the first two days on the island dedicated to counseling, followed by teaching at Living Stones Church on Sunday, the 22nd (link), followed by two more days of counseling. Whew! Mercifully, as a result of a scheduling glitch, those first two days of counseling were “light” and we had time to catch our breaths and to catch up with some of our friends/ministry partners.
We’ve just wrapped up 16 days in Kona, HI, and are winging our way home on a red-eye flight, leaving behind beautiful beaches, spectacular sunsets, sunny warm days, and a community of people we dearly love. Our days have been rich and full with planned events fulfilled as well as some delightful surprises along the way.
Our first full day was Nov. 5, marking the end of my year-long 70th birthday celebration. Monthly “surprises” made this a year like no other and I have been extravagantly loved throughout. I’ll treasure the memories of this launch of my 8th decade for a long time to come.
October . . . the month of colorful leaves, all things pumpkin, hearty soups replacing summer salads, chilly air prompting sweater wearing, shortening days, and the sand quickly slipping through the hourglass of the evaporating days of 2025.
It does seem that time is accelerating as the calendar pages stir a breeze as they turn.
More than a few of my favorite things have been a part of this past month and in fact, in some ways, it feels like I’ve been standing under Niagara Falls with all the blessings and expressions of love which have come my way.
Starting back on Oct. 17, for the seventh year in a row, we were honored to partner with Dr. Harold and Dalia Arnold, who founded and direct the Eusebeia Live Marriage Experience. Eusebeia LIVE is one of my favorite things. Held in Annapolis, MD, 137 couples gathered to be encouraged and challenged in their marriages. We love this movement. Harold and Dalia share our deep passion for healthy marriages and this conference is helping to accomplish just that.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Following swiftly on the heels of the one-year anniversary of my mama’s death, we held our second virtual Engagement Matters.
Because engagement matters.
As much as we resisted this the idea of doing an online version of this seminal weekend, the silver lining became evident quickly: it was attended by people in Egypt, the UK, Norway, Iceland, NY, PA, OH, NC, CA, and MA. We’re pretty sure all of them wouldn’t have been able to attend in person. 😀
The new year got off to a relatively slow start as we remained “grounded” due to Covid. So from our home base, we continued to do a lot of counseling via Zoom as a couple, while Virginia met with a number of her clients “on the bike trail” for a “walk with a dual purpose.” The therapy was mutually beneficial as the fresh air and sunshine renewed both body and soul. We met up with a few friends in “safe” settings and continued to sort and purge various parts of our home. And we blessed as many people as we could with home made meals, breads, cookies, and jam, using recipes from or newest publication, The Family Table Cookbook.
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.
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Derek, Julie and Nathan welcome baby Rachel to their family.
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| Al and Bonnie Magill and Bill and Helen Challener were part of the marriage conference leadership team for First Pres Schenectady. It was a special joy to be with these four. |
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Hard at work, working together . . . many hands make many pies.
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Success!!
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Connie Lawrence and Joy Coonradt have faithfully served Mom to Mom at Grace Chapel for years now. So good to reconnect with them! |
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| Lisa, Paul, and I walk the Coronado Beach at sunset. Does it get any better than this? |
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| The Garcias hosted the Dreves for a Saturday brunch . . . and fun was truly had by all. |
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| We were thrilled to share a lunch with our dear friends and ministry partners, Bob and Carol Kraning—especially after Bob’s near death heart attack episode this fall. These are “salt of the earth” people and we’re so thankful they’re in our life. |
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| On our bucket list has been seeing Austin Tebay on the stage, and we were fortunate to see him perform in “Beauty and the Beast” while out west this trip. We didn’t get to shake his hand, but we did get to deliver specially made cookies to his parents, David and Carrie Tebay, also dear friends and ministry partners. |
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| A couple of days in San Diego with my mom and siblings . . . We were happy to be there to celebrate my sister Melissa’s birthday with a cinnamon-roll-centered brunch. |
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And since we were in the neighborhood, we squeezed in a short but sweet visit with our dear friends, Danny and Stacia Woodhead, and their now three children. What fun to meet little Maisy and to catch up with our ex-Pats-turned-Chargers. My mom, a rabid Charger fan, was happy to talk shop with Danny.
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| Our Thanksgiving table. We were delighted to have my second cousins, Madeline and Abby Shiell, and LeeLee Jackson, a mentee of Gabe and Kari’s, join the gathering. |
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Our two days on the family farm in Pixley went far too quickly, but we did manage to get the annual family football game in: east vs. west. I think we tied, though the west may disagree. :) |
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| One last event before we flew home: it was a joy to attend stage manager Kelsey O’Keeffe’s production of “A Christmas Memory” and to sit with her parents, our dear friends, Dawn and Jim. |
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We thoroughly enjoyed speaking in to the lives of these couples considering marriage at Engagement Matters. |
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The Johnsons get a family walk in as night falls.
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| The tradition continues: our annual visit with Grant and Emily Williams and their daughters |
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| An added bonus of our St. Louis visit was catching up with Wes and Anna Welker and meeting their precious 4-month-old twins. |
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The first ones who arrived to our final study got a sneak preview of the cinnamon rolls they would take home. |
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Pictured are some of the women who attended the Wednesday study all fall. Lexi is holding Hudson in the center back of the photo. |
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| Many of the couples who attended the couples study this fall. Our hearts for them are so deep. |
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| Happy Birthday, Jesus! |
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The “fam” on Christmas Eve
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| The Amicos with the gingerbread house we made for them. |
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| Ready for bed in new Christmas jammies… |
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| The littlest “little,” modeling her matching jammies |
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| Ana is ready for Christmas breakfast. |
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Out-of-the-park delight with her new Olaf slippers. |
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“Just what I wanted!” |
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Brandon’s light saber makes it into Nathan’s hands and he’s mesmerized.
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| Brief but sweet afternoon visit with Patty and Kimmie Benes . . . more chosen family |
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| Christmas dinner |
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The morning after, with John and Marilyn Nugent. |
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| The “littles” are checking to see if the Gigi Cakes (aka cinnamon chip scones) are ready yet. |
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Family devotions, doing the Butterfly Song. Everyone’s favorite!
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| Family walk in light rain, the day before the snow. |
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| Snow!!!! |
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| Nathan wasn’t quite sure what to think of this cold white stuff (a first for him) but everyone else loved it. |
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Papa and Brandon had a blast sledding tandem.
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Of course! Snow ice cream!! Another first for the next generation.
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| Overlooking the Wai’pi’o Valley on the northern shore of Kona, just before we hiked 1 mile straight down. Fortunately, we made it back up! |
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On to Kauai, we hike the first 4 miles of the NaPali Trail, to this magnificent waterfall, and then walked the 4 miles back. It was challenging and glorious. |
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Yes, that’s your man Paul standing under the waterfall. Someone had to take the photo, so I sacrificed getting in that 55-degree water to be the photographer. |
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| We drove to Waimea Canyon on Kauai, the Grand Canyon of the Islands. Magnificent. |
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| After most had left, we grabbed this photo of a very small but delightful remnant of the conference attendees. |
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| Sunset, crashing surf, and a great model. |
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| The “littles” with the Mouse. |
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| Eleven hours and 23K steps later, we leave the park. Guess you could say we made a day of it. |
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Tom and Betsy Newell were instrumental in running the conference in Arroyo Grande . . . |
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| . . . as were Paul and Sherri Masters, who treated us to a fabulous home-cooked meal of freshly caught fish. Yum!! |
