Rhythm of the Ocean

Although the leaves are gone now, it's still incredibly beautiful here in New Hampshire.

We leave tomorrow to head back to Chicago where we'll spend the next part of our sabbatical.

Through the graciousness of our dear friends (thank you dear Bob and Sherry!!!) we've had the privilege of being here to work on our writing projects these past six weeks. Both of us are making steady progress and are excited about the words the Lord has given us.

It's helped so much to have beautiful places to walk and be inspired by. I'll miss this short jaunt down to the coastline where I went so often during these weeks.

 Sitting on that bench, taking in the view was breathtaking, no matter what the weather.

Wish I could sweep my bangs off to the side in that photo, but no Photoshop will take care of that!!

The rhythm of the ocean and beauty of fall in New England provided just the right environment for soaking in the constant reminder of God's presence with us, especially on days when we got stuck and didn't know how to move forward on our writing. Yet, He was always there, just as the gentle swell of the waves was each day.

We're excited to see our kids in Chicago, celebrate Thanksgiving with them, be at our home church, and meet up with friends in the coming weeks.

But we won't soon forget these precious days of meeting with God, following His lead to write, and attempting to be His voice in the books we're writing.

Professor for a Week

It's just a photo from a cell phone, but it made my day.

Tyler wrote on Monday, while we were traveling back from Florida, to say that he was going to fill in for one of his profs at Moody, and teach all his classes this week.

I knew that Caleb was in one of those classes, a class on Psalms.

So I sent a quick text to him, asking if he'd take a photo for me. He did. Thanks Caleb!

Tyler graduates from Moody in December, and plans to resume studies at Trinity Seminary, near Chicago, in the fall. He'd love to be a professor someday - in the Czech Republic, he hopes. He loves to teach, not just information, but for transformation. That means so much to me!

Thankful for Tyler's heart for the Word of God. Praying for many more opportunities to teach it.

Ever the Youth Pastor

After thirty years in youth ministry, Dave still loves speaking to young people!

Down in Florida for a long week-end with friends, he had the privilege of speaking at our friends' youth group on Sunday night.

Sharing stories from his own life and the lives of students we've worked with in Czech, he challenged the students to move out of their comfort zones and be bold in sharing their faith, even if it means taking just one small step of faith this coming week.

Just like those great men of faith listed on the banner behind Dave, I prayed that night that these students would be moved to be full of faith and stand firm for Christ in the worlds they live in.

I pray the same for all of us!

Cancelled Flight

It started with an email on Tuesday night, while I was still with my parents in Eugene.

"As of 8:49 p.m. on November 12, United flight UA6400 from Eugene, OR (EUG) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) on November 13 is canceled," the email said.

Nothing like a little excitement less than 12 hours before you're supposed to fly!

I called United's Customer Service immediately, trying to get re-booked on something that would get me to Chicago in time to meet up with Dave, flying from Denver, for our 8 PM flight to Portland, Maine.

After 45 minutes on the phone, which the agent apologized for profusely, she gave me a solution.

"If you don't mind a 5:45 AM flight out of Eugene to Portland, I can get you on a flight from there to Denver and you can meet up with your hubby!"

Early in our phone call I'd told her that I needed to get to Chicago in time to meet up with my husband who was flying out of Denver. Jokingly I said, "Could you route me through Denver so I could surprise him there?" She'd told me no.

I don't know what changed her mind, or what went on all those minutes while I sat on hold, listening to the United theme song play. But it was good news in the end, that's for sure.

I was giggling to myself as I got on the flight, and for the whole two hours of it, thinking about Dave's reaction when I showed up at his gate.

It was surreal to actually fly into Denver, knowing I was just minutes away from surprising Dave.

Not knowing what time he would get dropped off at the airport by his mom and dad, I rushed to the gate so I'd be there when he arrived.

Good thing I did! As I sat in the gate across from B42 watching for him, Dave walked up just minutes later.

Time to make this surprise happen!

Sneaking up from behind, I started just clicking the camera as I walked around the side in order to end up in front of him. He has no idea what's about to happen!

 By this time, I'm within just one step from him, and he hasn't looked up yet!

He then looks up, but doesn't yet recognize who it was, since I'm behind the camera.

I started laughing and couldn't keep clicking the camera anymore...it was time to greet him!

"How did you get here??????!!!!" he asked as I pulled the camera away from my face. Laughing out loud by now, I started to explain what had happened.

Oh so fun to get his hug afterward as he stood up to greet me!

I think we must've disturbed the businessman that was sitting behind Dave when I came from behind to greet him. He was up and out of there immediately, and another man took his place right after that.

Maybe he wanted to give us privacy, or maybe he was just a little freaked out by all the commotion!

In any case, it sure was fun, and funny, being able to pull off a surprise like that.

The extra blessing in the cancellation?

A three hour layover in Portland early that morning. My sweet, best friend of 34 years got up and met me at the airport at 7 AM for breakfast! I wasn't even supposed to fly through Portland that day, so that truly was a blessing.

What a great day of surprises all the way around!

Keeping It Real

I've always tried to keep my blog posts real and current, writing about important, relevant, and significant happenings because I want to give a true, realistic window into our lives.

So in the spirit of "keeping it real", I give you my indulgence and guilty pleasure!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Eugene Cream doughnut, complete with a peace sign. After all, Eugene is home to a large original hippie population (and I'm quoting Wikipedia on that!)

Sorry it's blurry...wasn't lingering long before taking a bite!

Though my dad's not in this picture, this is one of our Eugene traditions that we carried on this afternoon. Mmmmmmm!!!!

Because life is too short not to enjoy a doughnut now and then!

Packed

With just a few days to be together, we packed life full of goodness these past few days.

Like having a Thanksgiving dinner, even though it's two weeks early!

My camera is packed with photos just capturing the little unique things that I love at my parents' house...the lamp I grew up with, my dad's collection of cool old cars, little people from their visits to Czech, and my mom's collection of pretty glass in her kitchen window.

The days are packed with laughter too - oh my dad, being a rascal!

Claire had to pack her bag today and head back to Chicago...but not before a few more pictures with Grandma and Bapa, and oh yes, a little more fun!

At this time of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for all the blessings packed into a few days while visiting here in Eugene.

Day at the Coast

It's not a trip to Oregon without a trip to the beach!

Newport put on its best for a November day...no rain, no wind, just clouds and a nice 50 degree day.

My mom and dad are so great about making sure we get here whenever we come to Oregon. I love that it's a tradition, one that we all love and enjoy every single time.

Nye Beach in Newport is one of our favorites these days. Filled with quaint shops, great restaurants, and that coast atmosphere that we love, it's a treat to spend an afternoon there.

Three generations of girls who love the Oregon coast!

 Though we didn't really have the right shoes for a romp on the beach, how can you resist?

 Glad you enjoyed it, Claire!

Sure loved sharing an afternoon with my girl at one of our favorite places.

And really fun to share it with my mom and dad! How cute are they?!!

 Just had to add this one of my dad...I love his sense of humor!

We headed up the coast and stopped in Depoe Bay, getting drenched by the crashing of the waves against the sea wall. 

And indulging in one of my favs...a little local caramel corn!

The only thing missing in the day was my brother, who usually accompanies us on our Oregon Coast day.

But thankfully, he flew into Eugene in the evening so for the third day in a row, we were at the airport for a happy reunion!

 For more fun pictures, check out Claire's blog HERE!