Over the last few months we have covered 6 states, transitioned to Lisa’s side of the family in Montana, and experienced the new way of flying with masks to and from Oklahoma. Our time in Milwaukee was a sweet time of rest, and we made a lot of progress as a family. Though it was hard to rest at times, it has only energized us to make our way back to CZ. The kids have gone through a lot of growth spurts, and we’re now experiencing the early stages of tweens now that Addey is 10.
Being in Dan’s hometown was different for each of us, since Lisa nor the kids have lived there before, and Dan hasn’t lived there since 2003, but seeing family and reconnecting with people we love was a time well spent. In 2017 Dan’s grandfather died, which was a hard on all of us being away, but processing that with the kids at his grave site was healing for all of us.
We considered our time in MKE as season of active rest, and learning what that looks like practically to simply abide with Jesus and examine how our time in CZ affected us. There were some amazing highs and lows, and yet as we’ve been pursuing what God wants for us in the middle of all the changes going on in the world, our hearts have only grown for wanting to go back.
Our time in Oklahoma was refreshing to say the least. Our friends, the Webbs, made us feel welcome visiting with them at their home, and reconnecting with our churches there was everything we hoped it would be. It is something else to see the faces of so many who have been praying for us and having our back from the US side while we were in the middle of things in CZ. An encouragement is an understatement. Being able to do church together again, and praying together was an awesome reminder of where we came from and what we want to bring with us, as we seek to plant churches where Jesus isn’t known and treasured.
During our trip to OK we found out that our dog, Calvin, had died in a tragic truck accident. He was a pillar of joy for us in the Czech Republic, especially when things were hard. And he was a great traveling dog to be with us on our adventures. He was gentle around kids and strangers, and yet acted like a tough guy when he would bark at the wind. He knew a dozen tricks, including the ability to say I love you and giving high fives by jumping up to slap your hand with his face. Even people who said they don’t like dogs would quickly fall in love with this guy. We will miss him deeply. Thank you everyone for your support as we grieve our pup.
The next season will be filled with harvest season tractor rides and traveling throughout Colorado for a few months. It’s an adventure God has us on, and each change brings another opportunity to see God’s hand at work.