New Mexico

Last week our family was part of mission trip to Rehoboth, New Mexico. This is the second year in a row that our church has journeyed there to bless and be blessed. It was another great year with about 80 people going on the trip. One thing I really like about this trip is that it is made up of people of all ages. We had young families, widowers, high school kids, couples, singles, etc go from two CRC churches. This year we stayed at Rehoboth, but focused on a small CRC church in Window Rock, AZ. This meant that we would drive each morning about 40 minutes out to the church to run a VBS program and do some other projects. It was a wonderful week where much learning and blessing took place.

Who knew 17 and 18 year olds would get so excited about treat bags that I handed out in the van every two hours on the trip from Redlands to Rehoboth?! (First treat...Sponge Bob ring pops!)

More ring pop excitement.

Never had the opportunity to park on the highway and hang out for two hours until this trip. Due to a semi truck fire, this is what we did. Rachel, Mario, Kam and Troy outside Needles, CA.

Nick started a wiffle ball game on the side of the highway.

Katie, Kam and Troy throwing rocks into the median.

Our group checking out the window rock monument on Sunday afternoon. A woman from Window Rock church was our guide.

That's our group right in the "window."

Worship time in the outdoor classroom we helped build last year.

Prayer before VBS.

Troy earning yet another "puffkin" for learning the memory verse at VBS.

A highlight of the trip each year is hiking the Crevice.

Troy braved it for the first time and had some scary moments, but made it!

The "fab four" after the crevice hike.

Good times at Hawaiian shave ice.

Flashing some signs at shave ice.

Kamryn working at Window Rock Church.

My VBS group.

Katie and team leading worship at VBS.

Scott and our group were blessed by this closing song from members of the church.

Katie and her thrift store water shoes.

The group of us who worked at VBS for the week.

Indian tacos on the last day at Window Rock church.

And finally...Graduation!

We are excited to say we now have a high school graduate! We survived a year of festivities leading up to the actual event. It's hard, in some ways, to believe it's all over. We are proud of Katie and her accomplishments. She's done well and we look forward to seeing what God will do in her college years. Congratulations, Katie!

Another School Year Completed!

The kids finished up their second school year at RCS yesterday. I look at these pictures and am so thankful for the teachers and experience Kamryn and Troy had this year again. What a blessing these people have been to us! Even yesterday Kamryn was telling us about Mr. DeBoer sharing with the sixth graders the story of his dad's sudden death a few years back and the testimony that he has from that. Thanks for making a positive impact! We are thankful for each of you! Now...bring on SUMMER!!

Second Place Ain't Bad!

Kamryn and The Tigers played in the RBY U12 softball championship game the other evening. The girls tried hard, but came up short against the Wildcats. They did take second place in the playoffs which is a huge accomplishment for this team who came in 6th in regular season. They are a great bunch of girls who got to learn from some great coaches. I have to say the highlight of this game for me was all the support from our church family who came out to watch Kam play. We had seven families represented and lots of adorable little fans! A couple of parents from our team asked Scott if these people were ALL from our church. :) So cool! Anyway, here are the second place LSU Tigers! Awesome season, girls!

What a cute bunch of fans!

photo credit: M. Wiers :)

Receiving awards after the game.

Showing Alliyah and Livi her trophy.