Who we are, what we've done, what we're doing: Changes

Over the weekend, we had the privilege of heading up to MI (one of our favorite places to go) to celebrate my dad's retirement from 24 years of serving as senior Pastor and celebrating his 40+ years of pastoral ministry elsewhere. It was a great celebration!!! Definitely bitter sweet! It was in the town I grew up in and so many people there are like family to us and so many are actually family (extended and such). We are grateful we still have people we can go and visit up there.

It was great hearing my dad in his last sermon as pastor there, encourage the church as to who they are and what they stand for whether he is there or not. In the evening, they put together a great service honoring his life and service for the Lord, which just because he is retiring is definitely not over, just going different directions.

We also got to see lots of close family, some expected and some unexpected. We've had the privilege of seeing my brother, Jon, on and off for the last month and just hanging out. The girls adore him and had so much fun! He headed back to his family in the Philippines though now. We will miss him! For the retirement party my other brother, Dave, flew in and it was the second time in one summer that my entire family was together, quite a rare thing as we are all located all over the world and barely get to see each other every few years. It was special for sure.

A big change for my parents and us is that they relocated to be closer to us and now live about 20 minutes away. I'm sure it will take some adjusting on both our parts.

Other changes: We have a new motor for our HVAC, a new garbage disposal, two new fixed tires on our van (both had nails in them), and Ana has new flip flops. Yes, all of which broke before/on our trip, within 24 hours. How God orchestrated everything though so it would work out is really quite amazing. Like driving on two flat tires for 2 and half hours and somehow making it to our destination. We are so grateful everything is fixed now and God has provided!

Then there is the OTHER big change...as in the one that is the size of a basketball in my belly, which will soon be REALLY changing our life in a few short weeks. It hit me today and so commenced the washing of bedding and baby clothes. I can't wait to meet this little gift from God! I know it's going to change our life yet again forever.

Some highlights from MI:

Hanging out with Uncle Jon