Sweet Days with Nicole and Chris

When I was a child I used to count down the days until Christmas. It was so exciting when the number of days would get into single digits and finally 3 days, 2 days, 1 days...it's here! Well, we have a countdown in our home again, and it is in the single digits...3 days, 2 days...and I work to feel and know the excitement of it.
Today is Monday. Nicole and Chris leave Wednesday for their next Life adventure in India. We are totally privileged to have them staying at our home for these last days...sweet days. I have prayed that God would allow these days not to be tainted with the bitter-sweet of their departure and He has been so faithful. Friday night was a long night as we finished moving from their house. It is amazing how quickly a home can become simply a house once the purpose and the love and the personality have left it. Saturday we came together at the end of the day and enjoyed talk, ice cream, rest and a movie. Sunday we worshiped Jesus together and Nicole and I got to sing together. After church we shared a wonderful birthday brunch where Nicole and Chris gave me a Creative Memories Book of Brad and my 25th anniversary trip to Cozumel, Mexico. It was a true labor of love during a busy transition time in their life and it holds much more than just pictures for my heart.
So, now we are down to 2....1....Go! I want to cherish and save every breath, every word, every hug, every smile, every laugh, every song. This morning, during my quiet time with Jesus, I thanked Him for the gift of family and for the gift of the ability to appreciate it. So, today I will live in appreciation for our day together and for the renewed awareness that days together are limited. They always are, you know...I just have a heightened awareness of it at the moment. So, my prayer for you is that today you will live in appreciation for your day together with whomever the Lord has given you and for a renewed awareness that your days together are limited. May we all live with the God-given passion to have sweet days with the people we love.

Papa, our Papa!

It's always a good time when Papa comes to town! Papa drove down from Minneapolis (that's amazing in itself since he is now officially 86 years old!) on Thursday, July 2nd and arrived in fine style mid-afternoon. He brought with him treats from Uncle Doug and Aunt Sue's Quality bakery (those didn't last long!!). He brought with him work shirts from Aunt Connie's ActionWear business...Thank you, Connie! He brought love, laughter, his fun array of jokes, his white papers, his wisdom, his support and his infusion of "can-do" into our lives. We were joined on July 4th by Matt, Brian and Rachel Farley. My stomach has finally stopped hurting from all of the laughing we did. What a fun day. The pictures shows us toasting and roasting Nicole and Chris as they prepare for their bon-voyage day.
He's now gone, but Brad and I are re-infused with a plan, a re-committment and an excitement for the tommorows we hope to have the privilege of sharing together and with Papa.
As Uncle Doug would say "Is this great or what?"

It's a small and delightful world!

We have just been blessed with a 2 day visit from Poul and Trine Kielsholm from Denmark. We had delightful chats over morning breakfast and coffee on our front porch. We got caught up on all of the news of their children (Maria, Johanna and Rasmus) and Paul's sisters (Else (who lived with us when she was in High School) and Inge) and their parents. We laughed much, shared much and re-invested in a relationship that means so much to us.

NEW VENTURES: It's fun that Poul and Trine were able to share their dreams with us as they are here to begin the path of starting an American company which they call "AmECO-BOILERS" (American Eco Boilers). They are doing the work to make their dream come true! We were able to our dream with them as they toured our new home and supported us as we are doing the work to make our dream come true. Poul met with a friend of ours here in Story City (Kurt Erickson) who was very instrumental in directing him to some American connections and as we sat at Hickory Park last night it was fun to hear how encouraged he was from the events of the day. Now they leave enroute for other parts of the midwest. I am reminded that "What we can conceive and believe, we can achieve". We will be praying for you Poul and Trine, as you plan and work and create. God has given you great life-partners in each other and great preparation for this venture and great vision for what could be. It will be delightful to watch Him bless the work of your hands. We love you!