Wave Goodbye to Summer

The last week before school started, our family spent two nights at the beach along with Carissa, Bonnie, and "the neighbor girl." Thanks to Carissa for most of the pictures!

Speedie sitting on the beach. With an inner tube, we were actually able to take him out to ride the waves.

My favorite thing at the beach is jumping in the waves.




We went to the beach at Bahia de Kino, Sonora. From Magdalena, it is 3-4 hours away.




Morning walk along the beach.


One evening we went to visit the pier.




I was very thankful that my mentor Bonnie was able to go with us on this trip.


Zoom enjoying the pier.


New and improved sand castle.




I love sandcastles!


Zoom and the neighbor girl.

The beach trip was a blessing for us as we accept our new family unit without Whiz and Tag. Please continue to pray for us in the adjustment and for them and their dad. Pray they will come to church and that if they don't, I will be able to trust them to God's care. They came the first Sunday, but haven't been able to come the last two. If any of you have sent a foster child home, you might understand the happiness that I feel as I see their joy and the sadness I feel when I see the things they left behind and miss them.

Missing You

Yesterday I saw your little baseball cap,
Stuck in a box upon the closet shelf.
I saw your brother's baseball glove so lonely
and picked it up to toss the ball myself.

Today I opened up the dresser drawers
and folded up the clothes that once were yours.
I fight the tears and swallow down the sadness
until it bubbles up and overflows.

The pictures smile down from where we put them
and up from albums full of memories.
Frozen where color fades and paper wrinkles
what in my heart no time can ever freeze.

I'm missing you, my little boys so precious.
I loved you even though you were not mine.
I see you still and hear your child voices.
I'm missing you and will for all of time.

Also, school started on August 21st. Please pray that Zoom will build a good relationship with his second grade teacher. Also pray that Marce and I will learn and be able to implement parenting strategies that will provide him with what he needs for healthy growth.

Praise the Lord for a good start to the school year and for continuing to pursue our hearts and the hearts of these children. We are all broken people and God is the only one who can heal us!

Expo 2017

This post is way out of date, but just for the record... a few pictures from Expo 2017.

Speedie trotting (!!) during barrels.

He knew he did an awesome job in equitation!

Zoom helping Tag get his breakfast finished before a big day.

Chicken judging!

Snow cones are the best!

God Holds Tomorrow

 These two brothers are going back to live with their dad tomorrow. We will miss them so much! 

Please pray for Marce and I, Speedie and Zoom as we learn to let go and live on. Also pray for Whiz and Tag and their dad as they adjust and that they would come to church.

We never know what tomorrow may hold, but we know who holds tomorrow!

Also, August 8th is Marce's birthday! Happy 40th (err...I mean 18th)!

A few pictures from our birthday party.

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Sand to Skies

(My own summer adventures)

A week and a half ago I visited the beach and Sonora's capital, Hermosillo, with Denver and Katie Slagel, Ezekiel Schick, and the five summer interns. It was a great getaway and we laughed a lot! (Hermosillo is two hours from Magdalena and the beach another hour.)

Never too old for a sand castle!

We went to a fancy restaurant by the plaza on Saturday night after our day at the beach. I ordered "Carne con chile" or "Meat with chili," same dish as Taylor (in the picture). It had three small portions, each a different interpretation of the dish. Katie ordered a mole dish which ended up being an entire rotisserie chicken!

Out back of the restaurant.

Morning brunch at the best breakfast place we've found in Hermosillo, Reforma 255. 

We enjoyed the flowers and set up of their back patio! Here are our five summer interns who have taught so many classes from sewing to cattle to horticulture to salsa. L to R: Taylor, Cheyenne, Sage, Rebekah, and Lana. 

Quick trip to the lookout...

"Every once in a while, it is necessary to PAUSE and just be happy." (painted on the cement at the lookout)

We stopped at an ice cream shop that sells "ice rolls" before heading back to Magdalena. It was a very cool process!

So thankful for that quick beach trip...all the sand, waves, relaxation, good food, ice cream and conversation. The next Saturday morning, I headed for the skies.

El Cerro de la Ventana (Window mountain) round 2...

So much greener this time because of the rain. 

 

This time I hiked with Sage and Rebekah, summer interns.

There she is...Magdalena!

We found the same walking sticks from my hike with my sister Emily and her husband Mitchel. This time we decided to name them...introducing Doug, Stella, and Lucy. Stella didn't survive the descent and was replaced with Bernie. 

Just as we prepared to descend the clouds rolled in. (Compare the picture above and below. The second was taken 2 minutes later.)

It was breathtaking as we watched the mist blow in and surround us!

The mist lifted as we continued our hike.

We saw a lot of beautiful flowers and interesting vegetation this trip.

 

Rain on Magdalena.

I love this picture especially the clouds on the mountain. 

Until next time!!