Isaac and Kyle and Our Kids

It was good to have our good friends in town this weekend. Isaac and Kyle came in Friday afternoon and left Sunday afternoon. The kids cried when they left.


"Hey, these aren't my parents!" 

We met them in Kentucky when they were both students at the University of Kentucky and I was an International Student Minister. I discipled Isaac for a while, met Kyle when they started dating, and was asked by them to perform their wedding. I accepted immediately, but ended up backing out because of our move to Northern Illinois. They were married last summer.

It was our joy to have them here. We got a babysitter and went out to a movie on Friday night, and then finished it off our evening with a Cherry Coke and conversation at The Public House where our friend Michelle works.

Glad you came guys!

Jack's Six

Jack turned 6 today. 

Punkin' Patch

Looking for the "Big One!"

church

Our church website is now up and running...finally! Check it out.

Birthday Suit?

AAaaarrrrggh! COME SEE PICTURES OF MY BIRTHDAY! 

Molly and some cranes at the Nicolette Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Check out more Minneapolis pictures by clicking on "Family Pictures" on the sidebar. 

Enjoyable Recreation

Well, last week was almost a perfect week. We left Sunday for Wisconsin Dells to the Wilderness Resort. Phenominal place. We stayed there for two nights just after moving to Woodstock last spring, and we were so excited to go up there again. This time we stayed for three nights, and it was the right amount of time.

I was able to lay aside work and stress more than I thought possible. It was truly relaxing and rejuvinating. The kids did extremely well, no major injuries, nothing but fun and peacefulness.

Then we drove down to my parent's house and stayed there two nights. I played a horrendous round of golf, we ate some good food (filet mignon anyone?) and I beat my talented cousin at basketball. Ok, he was playing in his socks, but I still won! :)

Friday morning we left first thing for Minneapolis...without the kiddos. That was stressful, but it didn't take long to settle in, trust the grandparents, and enjoy some alone time with my wife. Let me tell you, we didn't forget how to spend time alone. Week after week of continuing to date my wife for the past couple of years made 2 1/2 days away a relational paradise. We really enjoyed our time together.

We also had a great time at the Desiring God Conference. The speakers were incredible. We were encouraged and challenged. We also made out like bandits at the phenominal conference bookstore, including many resources for our church.

While away the kids went to the pumpkin patch with Grandma and any number of other adventures. When we would call to check up on them, they didn't miss us as much as we were worried they would. They did great, and that made our time away even better.

I also found the time away to be helpful in rethinking a lot of personal and relational things. I came home with a stronger resolve in a few areas where I found myself lacking. Time away helps refocus things, like stepping back and looking at a painting to get the "big picture" better.

After returning to Woodstock, we noticed how we didn't seem more tired by traveling and being busy. We were relaxed and ready to start up again. God has been very, very good to us. Good beyond measure or explanation.