Disneyland

Last week a childhood friend of Jeff's and his family came to visit for their spring break. So we headed off to Disneyland with 4 big kids (aka adults) and 4 little kids ages 3 1/2, 3 1/2, 21 months, and 9 months. We had more fun at Disneyland than we ever imagined we would. The kids (young and old) loved meeting the princesses and Mickey, watching the parades, catching a show, and riding the rides. It was also a great time for Jeff to catch up with a good, old friend and to get to know his wife and kids better. We are thankful for the time we could spend with them. Greg, Rachel, and girls thanks for coming to visit!

We rounded out their visit in good ol' V-town (Visalia) and even made it up to the mountains for a day.




For more pictures of our time at Disneyland click here:

Disneyland/Mountains

MN Trip

We had a great trip to MN. We were busy from the time we landed until the time we left and came home exhausted. However, we were able to spend quality time with family and friends. Tracey's parents hosted two support raising open houses which were a great success as significant out-going expenses and new monthly supporters were raised at these. We even managed to catch a few snow storms and visit the children's museum with Grandma and Grandpa. We also enjoyed getting to know Kara's (Tracey's sister) boyfriend Ethan.

To those of you whom we were able to see we sure enjoyed seeing you and hearing a little about what is going on in your lives. To those we missed seeing we hope to see you the next time we are in frigid MN!

The Farm

While in Minnesota in March we were able to spend the night at Tracey's grandparents farm after we shared at Rose City Free Church. It was a special time with Tracey's grandparents and to play with Olivia and Sawyer in some of the same old cars and old school desks that Tracey enjoyed playing in as a little girl.

Teacher Tracey and her prized pupils hard at work!


"Grandpa Tic Tac" (Olivia calls him this as he always has Tic Tacs in his pocket) giving the kids a tour of the farm.


Sawyer and "Grandpa Tic Tac" dancing to the player piano

To see more pictures from the farm click here:

The Farm

Rose City Evangelical Free Church

This is my (Tracey's) grandparents' church in Rose City, MN (population 35). They have committed to supporting us, and on Palm Sunday we had the privilege of sharing with the congregation about SI and what we will be doing in Costa Rica. We are excited about this church joining our support team for a couple of reasons. One is that I grew up visiting there, and my mom and all her siblings were raised there; so it feels like a "home church." Also, their support was a complete surprise to us and further evidence that God's hand is in this whole process. Please pray with us that God would speak clearly to other churches and individuals that he would include on this team.

To the Jungle and Back...Again

I (Jeff) returned Tuesday evening after 12 days or so in Costa Rica. I had the privilege of being in the jungles of Talamanca Costa Rica with 25 other men seeking to know Jesus better each day. We spent time hiking through the jungle, pouring concrete for a new dorm, planting banana trees, and serving in medical clinics. More than the work and service activities I cherished the countless hours of fellowship. This was by far the most difficult trip for me to leave Tracey and the kids, but the other men on the trip embraced me and took a genuine interest in my life and the journey God has our family on to a greater extent than I could have ever hoped for.

After the team left Dave Hansen (SI's president) and I spent a couple of days meeting with people and exploring various aspects of Costa Rica for future ministry options. God continues to open doors and to line everything up for our move. I even had a chance to see some friends we met at MTI in December who are in language school in San José, and to enjoy an afternoon with them. Elledges and Gorniks it was great to see you (We won't mention pushing Malachi into the tree on the swing, that can be our little secret.)

Here are a couple of pictures to put some images with the trip:


Before the Hike


Crossing a river during the hike. I have grown quite fond of my rubber boots!


Working to pour the floor of what will be a dormitory for a Bible School. That's me dumping the wheel barrow.

Pretzels and Haircuts

Jeff is in Costa Rica, so the kids and I have been trying to keep busy and make the time go faster until he gets back. (He'll be home in a week.)

One activity we did was to make pretzels out of bread dough. The kids loved it, and even Sawyer wore an apron (he insisted) and tried to roll his own dough.

Yesterday, I cut Olivia's bangs, which prompted Sawyer to grab a pair of Olivia's scissors (she'd been doing crafts at the table) and try to cut his hair. Thankfully he was unsuccessful! But he's been in need of a haircut for awhile and I was inspired to see if he might be ready to sit still long enough for a cut. So we went and the results can be seen above! Olivia decided she wanted to get her hair cut, too--short. So, I took a deep breath and let the hairdresser cut off both of their curls. They look so much older to me now!

Please pray for us as we 'survive' here without Daddy. The kids have been ok, but were sick this weekend. I'm afraid I am catching it, too, which would be really. . .inconvenient. :) Also pray for Jeff and all the guys on this trip, that God would move to transform lives for the sake of his kingdom.

Devotions with Olivia

About 45 minutes ago I was sitting in the papasan chair praying and reading my Bible when Olivia burst out of her room, "Good morning daddy! Let's read the fruits of the spirit!" After reading Galatians 5:22-26 she said, "All people do bad things, but God and Jesus help us to do good things and to do the fruit of the spirit."

Later in the conversation she said, "And God made the trees and the grass and the dogs and takes care of us. He gives us food, clothes, blankies, and socks to keep us warm, and fruit and daddy (looking at the pineapple on the refrigerator) pineapple is a fruit and when we love and share with people that is worshiping God.

Fast forwarding a bit, "God is always with us. When we go to school, Mimi's (daycare), church, Costa Rica. Like when I fall down and get owies God helps me....If Ella, Alyssa, Micah, Noah, and Owen, and Judah, and Sawyer where here and they all tackled me down God would help me."

I am pretty sure that Olivia teaches me more about faith and God these days than I could possible be teaching her! Praise God!!