What Have They Done - Where is Everyone Else

Stacia passed me over to Krista on Friday. I woke up this morning and I've been in a car - driving, driving, driving. There isn't much to see. I saw the sunrise in Arizona. What is Arizona? Where are they taking me?

There seems to be no end of driving and so I am helpfully reading Krista's texts and briefing her on them. I am glad to be of help to Krista as she finishes her M Div.

What? Where am I?

They've taken me through a border crossing. It was a bit touch and go as I couldn't produce my passport. I will take the 5th from here on out on this part of the story.

Gingerbread Man is now at home in Krista's room in Imuris, Mexico. 

You can follow his adventures by clicking the Gingerbread Competition category in the side bar, or try finding us on Facebook at #FamilyFun. As the winners of the 2016 competition, the girls are hosting me this year! 

Visit with Friends

Every time I visit my photo files I see this one still not blogged (and a larger one of the Garden of the Gods). It's time.  As background, this is from a trip in May 2017 - when we were out in Colorado to bury Mom G beside Dad G at the Fort Logan National Cemetery. 

With the funeral behind us, it was time to say goodbye to Gherkins. Krista and Kent headed back to Mexico. CoRielle headed to Oregon. We met Josiah and Jamin for breakfast this morning. Josiah will fly out to Washington today. Jamin will come back to the RV and spend the day with us. He flies to TX tomorrow.

We had plans to visit with the Driskells, friends and chapel attendees from our assignment in  Misawa, Japan. We hadn't accounted for an extra person and suddenly realized we wouldn't all fit in the Jeep. I called Melissa to let them know we'd leave one or two at the RV and the rest would be out. Dave called back and said he was coming to the base to pick us all up, driving us to his home, and would drive us all back! What a blessing.  We hadn't seen the Driskells in over four years. Our first surprise was being greeted at the door by Jaycob (back row, 3rd from Right). He was home visiting and we got to see the entire family.

The meal was yummy, but the best part of all was sitting and recounting God's faithfulness - both in Japan in the years since.  Such good memories from Japan. The feeling of having left a huge part of our hearts in Japan is nearly universal when we meet up. There is a pain - but the memories are sweet.

Me and Melissa

Dave and Michael 

"Kiddos" at their own table

We leave in the morning to head back to Oregon. We'll be there at least until Mom is done with cancer treatment.  This trip has been filled with getting to reconnect with dear friends....just the salve our grieving souls needed.

Why did it take me 10 months to blog this? Quite possibly I didn't want to let go of the season of reconnecting with wonderful friends and family. 

Bella's Wheels - Prayer Requests

BreZaak and CoRielle have traded in their cars for ones that are able to haul U-Haul trailers up the AlCan! The #GherkinsAlaskanAdventure is getting closer all the time! 

Bella wasn't sure about the new wheels - but she was fully accepting of the new situation by the end of her first ride. 

Bella - 1 year old 

We do appreciate your continued prayers for this migration. LOL

• Safe travels for Michael, me and the younger 3 back to OR from CO
• Michael and I are taking a house-hunting trip to AK on 15 May 
• Josiah and Jamin will getting on the Ferry on 19 May,  then will drive from Haines, AK to Anchorage. 
• Continued finances for all 
• The younger 3 need their passports renewed to travel through Canada - pray they arrive in the predicted 2-3 weeks 
• Job openings for all (Josiah, Jamin, CoRielle, BreZaak)
• Timing of our drive up the AlCan
• Continued health for Bre and Gideon
• Continued health for all 
• Future ministry in AK

Closing the Loop

We buried Mom G today. I know I should write something profound, but words fail me. Often the best plan when one isn't sure how to express thoughts is to keep silent - for the most part, I will.  Other than to say Mom G is a woman who was in the Word until the last day of her life - I'd like to be the same. She was sharp until the end - and I find my memories are already fuzzier than hers. I must do something to stem this trend of mine.😏 I will long remember our season in Crescent City with Mom G- most of my best memories with her come from this time - laughing in bathrooms (what else CAN you do?), road trips to  connect with her brother and Mary K, discussions during work breaks, working together, celebrating her 88th birthday and Stacia's 11th too, taking her to visit old friends in town, her insatiable sweet tooth, Sundays in town, her long talks with Stacia and connecting with the boys - we got to know her best in that time between mid May and mid November 2016. 

Terrible photo - but fun memory

The story behind this photo makes me smile. I couldn't find my sweatshirt and went into the house to search for it. I sat down and Mom G looked at me, and said with her wry sense of humor, "Evidently you found it. That certainly isn't  MY sweatshirt." 😁😂😁We've been sad we had to move her to Rebecca's in mid-Nov and she couldn't have died in her home as she wished.  Hearing Reb talk about the benefits of her time with mom from mid Nov - Feb 6th eased some of the pain at failing Mom G. 

Because of past life choices, 2/5 of our family live in Colorado, 2/5  live in the Northwest....and 1/5 became vagabonds, moving every three years or so as students, pastors and, finally, a military family.  It was fun for this 1/5 to connect with everyone in CO. We've not seen them all since Dad G died, though Michael did come out for his 1/2 brothers funeral in Dec 2014 and we got to spend a week with Earl in Crescent City last fall.  We enjoyed a yummy meal in Alex's (Michael's niece) back yard.....

Jamin flew in late last night and we hadn't seen him until we were at Fort Logan. The other Gherkins are all flying, or driving out tomorrow. After we left Alex's we went to their hotel. We ended up watching a Spurs game and playing Dominion. It is always a blessing to gather - even when it can't be "all" of us or be in "perfect" conditions. It is enough for these parents. 😉😏😊

Krista came to my aide - we still didn't win - but I did better than I've done before

 

Alex won Dominion. The spurs won their game. We enjoyed spending time together. Win, WIN, WIN!!

Gingerbread Man Is On the Road Again

Krista and Gingerbread man 

I am much happier with my recent travels. I have finally broken free from the RV and the rain and snow.....

Today, I  attended  a family reception after the burial of Mom G.  

AND in the morning I am  accompanying Krista and Kent back to Mexico. I am excited! 

There is talk of going to boot camp with Krista. The matriarch around here may spoil that plan. She keeps mumbling about me earning Krista extra push ups at boot camp. 

Note -  the winners of our annual Gingerbread Village Competition hosts Gingerbread Man for a year. The girls are hosting him this year. 

Gherkins are Dropping From the Sky

Tomorrow, we bury Mom G at Fort Logan. Today, we picked up Gherkins at Denver International. Jamin will arrive late this evening.  JaRissa and BreZaak will not be able to make it. 

Michael, Cory, Cy, Krista, Arielle, Alex (back), Stacia, Nolan, Kent

 All were picked up, settled into the hotel and then went in search of dinner. We told Krista and Kent to pick a place. They didn't have a place in mind.....but when we asked what they miss that they can't get in Mexico, Kent immediately mentioned a cheeseburger. We headed for Red Robin. 

Waiting patiently for her Banzai Burger

 We are so grateful Kent drove up with Krista. 

Anticipating the cheeseburger? 

Arielle and Cory

 It's the only photo we got.....

Cy 

 We laughed when the manager came out to thank us for trusting them to meet the needs of "such a large group." Krista said, "This isn't even the whole family." There may have been some discussion about the upcoming Alaskan Migration.

Alex, Nolan, Me, Michael, Kent, Krista, Cy, Stacia, Arielle, Cory 

 They headed to their hotel in Denver. We headed back to Buckley Fam Camp.  Cy will pick Jamin up at 9 p.m. and tomorrow we'll meet at Fort Logan National Cemetery. 

Moving to Buckley AFB Fam Camp

Rather than get an early start, we decided to stay put and let the boys have their Japanese lessons without the world moving under their feet. 😀 When they were finished we tore things down, hooked up the toad (Nimo) and moved north. 

Hooking up Nimo and getting ready to leave the Springs for Denver area. 

Krista's first ride in Uchi

We arrived, set up camp, got a bite to eat and were rewarded with a beautiful sunset. 

Ah - two new Dominion players. Krista won.