An artistic offering in my absence…
I love the art that is created by children.
This one is a particular favorite. It was created by my friend Kevin’s seven year-old nephew, also named Kevin.
Fabulous, really fabulous.
(Have fun in Cali, Clare!)
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(Posted in absentia)
Today (or maybe tomorrow, I’m not exactly sure!) my sister Whitney and her son Mitchell have packed up her truck and a U-Haul and will be heading out for Colorado to start their new life.
And my brother Phil has packed up his Suburban with his four kids and my sister Liz’ two kids and has hitched that U-Haul up and is heading out to take Whitney and Mitchell to Colorado.
There’s a little part of me that feels bad that I miss so much of my family’s “happenings” because of my involvement with Teen Missions over the years. Like I have missed nine of my mother’s birthdays, for example. And I’ll miss having nearly all my family together in Colorado this summer while I’m gone. BUT, sometime very late this evening my team will be leaving Boot Camp for Malawi, and what a blessing God has given me to be able to spend the summer with a group of teenagers who have given their summers up in order to minister to African children. I’m glad that my family understands that I miss things not because I want to, but because the Lord has called me to do something else.
Whitney and her son are going to take over taking care of Mew Ling from my Dad when they get to Colorado. I’m sure my Dad will be glad about that! 
Please pray for my team as we “pack-out”, and embark on our 8,200 mile journey from Orlando to Lilongwe (Malawi), and beyond. Please pray that all of us, and all of our luggage, arrive safely.
You can’t even imagine how excited we all are to get to Malawi and get to work…
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(Posted in absentia)
A forever family friend of ours, John Goodreau, (since he is making himself public in what he’s doing, I am feeling free to use his last name), is going to be on Jeopardy tonight!
I sure hope that someone tapes (or Tivos or DVRs) the episode (and hopefully many subsequent episodes) for me so that I can see it!
GOOD LUCK, JOHN! I know you’ll do well! Represent!!
And I have another Happy Birthday send-out, too. This time I’m wishing a happy one to my niece, Natalie! Happy Birthday, Nan. I love you and miss you and hope to see you soon…
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(Posted in absentia)
I took this picture last year when we went on a bird watching trip during Boot Camp. It’s some sort of Heron. I love this picture. I’ll go on the bird watching tour again this summer, if they do it. We saw evidence of eagles out in the preserve, but didn’t actually see any of the raptors. I would like a second shot at that, and maybe I could capture on on film. That’d be cool…
Happy ACTUAL 70th birthday, mom. I’ll be thinking of you especially today…
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(Posted in absentia)
Yeah, another holiday I’m missing…
Thanks for taking care of Mew Ling again. That’s just the most awesome thing you do for me.
You’re the best daddy ever! (And the best grandpa ever, too!)
And not just because you watch Mew Ling!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!
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(Posted in absentia)
Today is your anniversary, and I am thinking of you and praying for you on this day. I am glad you are with your Mother and not alone at such a time.
I know you miss him horribly, and I know that it’s hard to imagine it has already been months since he went home to be with Jesus. I know how fresh your sorrow will be today, but I also know that
your strength continues to come from the Lord. The year of firsts is so hard, but you will make it through. You know I love you, my friend…
Much love…
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(Posted in absentia)
Every once in awhile I take a picture that really amazes me. Other than brightening the photo, I did nothing else to it, and yet, it looks like a watercolor painting. At least it does to me.
Click HERE if you want to see the unbrightened version.
This lily was growing in the pond in my brother Phil’s backyard.
And I’d like to also present this flower to Doris on her 80th birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Doris!!!
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(Posted in absentia
More London graffiti. “OTH” was the tag used by one particular graffiti artist. Loved this!
Do you think “OTH” are the taggers initials, or does it mean something else?
My kids start arriving at Boot Camp today. My season of non-stoppedness has offcially begun. Boot Camp officially begins on Monday! I’m sure I’m excited. But I’m also sure I’m pretty stinky and bug bitten by now! Don’t know why I love this so much, but I do!
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(Posted in absentia)
Yep. I know you’ve seen this picture before. I had asked for advice on which photograph to submit to a photography competition. The majority voted for this picture, so I submitted it.
Lucky day, I was one of the first 20 people to submit their photo and was given a 20 dollar gift certificate to a local restaurant/coffee bar! I’ll have to wait until I get home to cash that puppy in though…
Wish me more luck. I’d like to win a new camera. The Butterfly Pavilion is accepting submissions through July 30th, so I’ll be back in the states in time for the announcement of the winner, which I’m sure, with all of your support, will be me!
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(Posted in absentia)
Today was a busy day! Today was my big brother’s birthday – “Happy Birthday Phil”!
And today was my mother’s surprise 70th birthday party, kept secret by using the veil of it being my bro’s birthday to hide behind! Her birthday isn’t until the 16th, but “Happy Birthday, Mom!”.
I hope that both parties were fun and full of laughter and friends…
And congratulations MUST go out to Dan Gould as he graduates today with his PhD!
And this is my first “Posted in absentia” posts for the summer (I have a number of posts set to publish at varying times while I am gone). Today is my last day at home. I have turned off my computer for the last time, I have finished the final bits of packing, and I leave very early tomorrow morning for Florida and “The Lord’s Boot Camp” in Merritt Island, FL.
My back has been giving me some increased problems lately and I just hope I am not going to be struggling too much with my 50 pound duffel bag and two really heavy carry-ons! Just not as young and strong as I used to be…but very excited about the summer God has in store for me and my team!
I have posted my addresses for this summer in my sidebar. Sure, they’re a jumbled mess, but I couldn’t fix it! If you’re of a mind, I’d love to get “snail mail” from you, even if I don’t really know you! No e-mail or computers where I’m going!
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(Posted in absentia)
