One of the best weekends...

Rene and I got to spend one of the best weekends of our marriage a few weekends ago in Oregon. Growing up and living there for so long, Oregon is always fun to go back to. This time was extra special because of all the people we were able to see and all that we were able to do. We left our house in Muscatine at 2:30 in the AM in order to make our 6 AM flight out of Des Moines. We got to Portland in the late morning and went to lunch at the Rock Creek Pub. It was Awesome!!!! Then that night, for Rene's 45th birthday, we ate at the Cascade room at Timberline Lodge. It was a great evening with Rene' and her parents.

The next day we got to go to the Wedding of Lacey McGuire. It was a blat to be with people we haven't been with in years. We spent most of the reception enjoying reunions with people who have meant the world to us over the years. Jim and Susan McGuire did a great job with Lacey, now Adam takes over the reigns. Watching Lacey get married was a little weird for me because I have literally known her her whole life. I remember her sneaking into the Toy Room that I slept in when I lived with her family, to wake me up. It seems like that was yesterday, yet it was 18 years ago.
That evening we went out to dinner with Brad, Kim, Natalie, and JT Greenwood. What a night of laughs. We love hangin out with them. I would tell you more, but most of the conversations were inappropriate.
On Sunday we were with the Moore's. It was a great time to catch up on their life and glean advice from them as they get ready to put their daughter into College. I don't look forward to that day, but it is quickly coming.
On Sunday evening we got to be with the small group I had when I was an intern at Village. They called themselves the Breakfast Club. They were students at Hil Hi and were one of the greatest groups I have ever lead. They still, 16 years after high school, get together on a monthly basis. Now it is with their families. I love watching all of them chase their kids. It does my heart good....
On Monday I was able to go fly fishing on the Deschutes River with 4 great friends. Jim (former boss), Mike (former roomate), Dean (former worship pastor), and Buddy (always a friend), got together at 6 AM and were together until 8:30 that night. We didn't catch a dang thing, but the laughs were non-stop. We are all about 10 years older than the last time we fished together, but our humor hasn't changed at all. Great friends on a great day.

Been a long time....

It has been quite a while since I last informed about what is going on with us. I apologize. I have seen many of you in the last few weeks, so you are somewhat caught up on our happenings. However here are some recent highlights.

Guatemala 08
Rene' and I lead a team of 21 High School students and 4 adults to Guatemala. It was another fantastic trip. I have been to Guatemala around 8 times (I think) and each time it is another reminder to me that we can make a difference in our world as we branch out and go where the people are. I know of no better experience for people to watch real growth in their life as when they spend their own personal time investing into others, especially when the other person is so much less fortunate (monetarily speaking only) than yourself. The high school student we took dove in to the projects we were working on and completely let their hearts go to the children we were working with. Here is a picture of our team in front of the church we worked with and painted.

Rene and I at the ancient ruins of Tikal. This is the spot where they filmed the overhead shots in Star Wars "Return of the Jedi" on the Forest moon of Endor.

If you ever get the chance, go on a missions trip. It not only will change your perspective on the world, it will change your life. A trip like this, or any other, will give you a more contextual idea of what Jesus was trying to get us to do when he challenges us in Matthew 18.

Skiing

Grandpa took us skiing over Christmas. Here are some pictures:




And.... Emma's new haircut....

Christmas...

I don't know about you, but this year didn't feel like Christmas very much to me. I think that I am finally becoming desensitized to the season and have spent some time pondering why. I think I have 2 reasons why this year seemed so non festive to me.
One reason is that the season starts soooooooooo early. When Sam's Club (Costco to my West Coast friends) puts their Christmas stuff out just as they are putting away the 4th of July fireworks, that is a little early. I remember when the Christmas season really didn't start until about December 1st. My sister, brother, and I would wait with wild anticipation for Rudolph to show on TV, with Frosty soon to follow. I can't think of any Thanksgiving while growing up that we were already thinking about Christmas. At Thanksgiving, Christmas seemed a long way away. Now it feels like Christmas is just around the corner before we even get to halloween.
Another reason is one that may be exclusive to Iowa. With the caucuses being on Jan. 3rd, it seems like instead of the old Norelco commercial with Santa riding on the head of the electric razor through the snow, we here in Iowa got to know that Barak Obama was going to lead through a colorless election. There were soooooo many politcal adds here that I feel like the season kind of got lost. My in-laws got a taste of what a "blessing" it is to be the firs state to hold a presidential caucus/primary.
I am thankful that in the midst of the craziness, we still were able to have an absolutely wonderful day on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Our world wasn't so busy that we didn't read from our Bible, the story of the seaon; the only story that matters. We went to church and made sure that we observed who deserves to be revered.
I love Christmas and look forward to our next one. I am sure that Rene' will start playing the music around, let's say, July 4:)

What a Year for weather

We started out the Summer with a tornado, now we start the Winter out with an ice storm. It has been very cold, yet our kids seem to find ways to have fun in the midst of the weather. Lot's of sledding in the backyard going on.


One of the benefits of living in a small town in the Midwest is getting to do lots of community events. Everything from parades to concerts. Every Winter in Muscatine, we have what is called the "holiday stroll." This is where many of the businesses downtown open their doors and let local community acts (school choirs, school bands, etc.). Additionally, the local dance studios perform. Here is a picture of Sadie performing in the storefront of downtown Muscatine during the Holiday Stroll.



Here is Emma with her friends at a field trip. Her class got to go to the muscial of "A Christmas Carol." Emma is on the far left; she and her friends had a great time together.


Lastly, here are some the ice pictures from this last week.