2011 The year in Review

2011 The Year in Review

During 2009 & 10, we shared our creation ministry full time with several loop trips coming home for a month in between each.  Well, that got expensive keeping up with the home front bills and the road expenses, so we decided to put our home on the market and spend this year on the road.  Instead of selling our home, we are renting it for the year to a family who is planning on buying it in May.  So we did one final St Patrick party in our back yard, one more Easter sunrise hike at Red Top, painted, packed and emptied our house (with a lot of great help from friends at church), said good bye to our home, friends, and neighbors – then hit the road.  Needless to say, it was a bitter/sweet day. This summer we hope to relocate somewhere in the country.  Life on the road has been like a rollercoaster ride (including the hour wait in line and a 6 flight climb of stairs.) We’ve had lessons in endurance, patience, contentment, longsuffering yet, have also met some wonderful people, seen some awesome scenery, and had some exciting fun(canoeing, hiking, dino dig) We have seen God provide for our needs, give moments of refreshment, and open many doors of opportunity to share. I could tell at least 5 stories for every word or phrase in that last sentence! As part of school the kids have been journaling our trip, maybe someday we will compile a book.  Until then, James and I have figured out how to update our web site and next go around we will try to keep this blog updated.  All in all, since May 10th, we covered 25 states, drove 12,700 miles, bought over 1000 gal of gas, shared at 22 churches, 4 schools, and 5 weeks of summer camp, visited an unknown number of museums, historical sites and battlefields. We’ve experienced a bit of vehicle trouble this year, ball bearings, differential, camper wheels and converter… but each time it was caught and fixed; we were never left stranded. Hannah has grown so much this year.  She learned to ride a bike, read, sing a solo, and not be afraid of horses, canoes, or water! Jonny had a blast at kid’s camp – 2 weeks of being in a cabin of little boys.  He gained a new skill while at camp – wood burning. Jeremiah continues to be our out going one, making friends wherever we go.  He went from barely able to dog paddle to doing back flips into the deep end! Josiah has become a “Lord of the Rings” fan and is working his way through the third book. He is doing business math this year and keeping track of receipts.  He looks the part, carrying all his stuff in a lockable briefcase, which he brought everywhere even to his cabin. Rebekah has become my main helper. She is learning patience as she listens to Hannah’s daily reading. She continues her artwork, photography and music, but sure misses having weekly lessons.  She so enjoyed being a camp counselor and staff member. James has been Brian’s right hand man, my personal computer specialist, and missed only 3 on his 40 question driver’s test!! His favorite pastime is now driving, working on the computer,and playing airsoft with his brothers.  He did great as a camp counselor and is a big help now with Jonny. I guess that about sums it up! Except to say, Thank you for your prayers – they are so needed and felt.