Ice Cream and Missions

Jerry got promoted! Desiree conquered cancer.  These are good reasons to celebrate - which are doing in a sunnier and beachier location.

Desiree's parents and brother are spending the week with the kids. Being well-seasoned in this grandparent thing, they have planned outings for most days. Today it was ice cream at BROCKS with the Gherkins. Michael and I made the plans and forgot to tell the kids.

Ice Cream with O's? Are we coming too? ::snort::  THAT was a motivator and school was done by lunch today.  (Note I'm starting to really value the camera on my phone!)

I reveled in hugs from Sydney, Caleb and Nathan...... Caleb looked up at Michael and said, "You look old now." ::snort::  It's the hair and beard coming in gray.

Sydney, Stacia and Anna (Anastasia)

 Jay and Alex are both 14, homeschooled and in the 8th grade. Alex says it's "freaky"  he is so much bigger than his friends. Jay notes to others, "All my friends are taller than me." I pointed out to Alex it is NOT freaky - together they make one great average! They always have a good time together. 

Alex & Jay

These boys love Nolan (left) and Des' brother on the right - Xavier, Caleb, Nathan

Mike, Pat and Quentin (Des' parents)

Last time Michael  held Quentin was at his
dedication one one of our last Sundays at Beale

The kids had a great time. We enjoyed our visit with Mike and Pat. It turns out Mike is the Assistant International Director for One Mission Society.   Pat and I have had opportunities to talk before when she was out for Desiree's operation and chemo.  We had never spent time with Mike.  She asked how Parkinson's was effecting our plans to be missionaries in Japan. We shared. It was good to talk about the season we are in - Mike was encouraging.  We shared our ministry has always been relational and we have a heart for making followers (discipleship), and training leaders. We shared what we had been looking at in Japan....and what the problems may be with the new factors in our life.  We simply don't have answers yet. They shared the model of One Mission/Every Community for Christ. Itinerant Missionaries - something we'd not heard of or considered before.  We'll continue to follow the VA trail until we know what sort of compensation we can expect, continue to discuss with the neurologist what type of care we need to find, continue to research care in Japan and what Tricare could/could not do for us overseas.....but we are encouraged if we cannot go live in Japan, there are other avenues we can explore.

Stacia was happy to go home with Anna and Sydney to do nails.