Vacation

We had another great vacation out east this year. The DeJonge family, my parents, and Jeff, Tara and the kids all joined us. We stayed in a duplex right near the beach. We had quite a few great beach days and a couple rainy days. On one of the rainy days we went to the arcade and out to lunch. On another rainy day we went up into the mountains where it was sunny and 75!

 

The beach days are always fun. The kids enjoy boogie boarding, swimming, building sand castles, and soaking up Vitamin D!

 

Jeff and Tara bought this canopy the second day we were there which was great for shade!

 

It's always great to see Mike's family. His Aunt Loretta (pictured below with my mom) lives in Haverhill, MA, which is about twenty minutes south of where we stay.

 

Heidi, Mike's cousin (center) lives in Melrose with her husband and beautiful daughter and they came out to the beach a couple times. Mike's cousin Jack and his wife and new son also came down from Vermont. So it's like a little family reunion when we go out there.

 

We drove up to the mountains with the DeJonge family and stopped at this beautiful lake. We also went to a place called Attitash which has a water park and a mountain slide.

 

All the way to and from the mountains, we were seeing moose crossing signs. I've been to the mountains many times and have never seen a moose. So we all prayed that we would get to see one. On the way home, Dave spotted this huge moose on the side of the freeway, eating leaves. It was so cool!

 

We had a great time! It's always fun to be together as a family for a whole week, where Mike doesn't have to work and we don't have any responsibilities. The kids had a blast too. It's crazy that in less than a month we will be gearing up for school!



Albania

I had the privilege of being part of a team of 11 people to travel to Shkoder, Albania. We left Friday, July 5th, and returned Monday, July 15. It was a very difficult, but very growing trip for me. Our agenda for the week was to put on a camp for students aged 13 to 21. We wanted to help the church in Shkoder establish closer relationships with the youth. It was amazing. We taught the students new games, led lessons, had small group time, sang songs, and just got to know them.

 

I stayed with a young couple named Gerti and Blerina. They were the most amazing hosts. Their apartment was about a 15 minute walk to the church. Every morning we would wake up, eat a small breakfast, then make our trek over to the church. We would start with some games, then singing, then a message and testimony, then small group time, lunch, more games or a craft, then done for the day. The camp went from 9 Am to about 3PM. On Tuesday we went up into the mountains with all the students and played Ultimate Frisbee and Football (Soccer). Many of the students who came were Muslim. To be able to share Christ with kids who have never heard the Word is such an amazing honor. Two students received Christ for the first time!

 

On Sunday, they took the whole group to the Adriatic Sea for baptisms and a day of swimming. Seven people were baptised that day!

 

On Wednesday evening, I started to feel sick. By Thursday evening, I was feeling like I was going to pass out. So for the rest of the trip, I was bed-ridden. It was a very difficult time because I was missing so much of the camp and I wasn't able to attend the baptisms. Nancy Lodwick stayed with me the entire time which was such a blessing. A nurse from the church named Elsa, visited frequently and brought to IV's for me, which helped to hydrate me. After visiting a doctor here at home, they think I acquired a parasite and severely dehydrated myself.

 

It was a long flight home! Sometimes things happen in life and we question God. Why did He allow me to get sick so that I would miss so much of the trip? My purpose was to go there and serve Him and instead I was lying in a bed, being served. What is the reason for that? I feel like God really grew me in this. When things happen that we don't like, we tend to question God. Then we have two responses: we get angry and bitter and turn away, or we trust that He has a purpose and continue to follow Him. Either direction we choose to go, we still don't know the answer, but which direction is better for us? And I've found that if I choose to trust Him, my heart stays soft and He tends to reveal His purposes to me, where if I get bitter, my heart hardens and I can't hear Him at all. I know getting sick was a very small thing compared to the tragedies and heartaches that people face, but I'm praying that God will keep this as a reminder to me when those big things do come along. It's better for me to trust God and know that He has a purpose for things.

 

I'll add a few of the pictures I took, which wasn't many! I didn't bring my good camera. Once I get pics from some of the other team members, I'll post more.

 

Our first day in Albania, we stopped for lunch at a hotel by the airport.

The main meeting area at the church. We were gearing up for camp for the week.

We went up to the fortress that was built over 1200 years ago. The views were amazing.

The sunset up there was so beautiful too.

This is where Nancy and I stayed for the week.

This is Blerina, our lovely hostess.

Up in the mountains the second day of camp, playing soccer!

I was able to meet Esmerelda 14 years ago on my first trip to Shkoder. She made a trip up to visit everyone!

Teaching the students "Steal the Bacon." They loved this game!

Pauling was another person I was able to meet 14 years ago and he also made the trip over from Kosovo to come visit us!

 

A visit with friends

We were fortunate enough to get to spend some time with the Dales while they were in town. They moved out to Portland a while back and were in town for Marg's brother Ben's wedding. They might just have some of the cutest boys around!

 

Jackson and Ava

 

Margaret with little baby Ben!

 

Max and his beautiful eyes. Max and Hannah are four months apart. Hannah and I flew out to Portland shortly after Max was born. 

 

Mike let off some fireworks for the kids.

 

It was a fun night! We miss those Dales!



Joseph and Rachael's Wedding

I love weddings. It's so fun to get all dressed up, have a nice dinner, and dance all night! And boy did we dance all night at my nephew's wedding this past weekend. But first, let me back up. This happened to be my girls' first wedding as flower girls. They have been counting down the days since a while back when Rachael asked them. We were so honored to be asked!

 

The girls were able to go to a salon to get their hair styled!

 

I was even able to get a new dress for the occasion. Mike was a groomsmen too! Doesn't he look so handsome!?

 

Rachael's dress was amazing and she looked so beautiful! As did all the bridesmaids. The ceremony was at a church right on Orchard Lake.

 

I love these girls! They did such a great job.

 

Hannah emptied her basket fairly quickly, then announced to everyone that she ran out of flowers. Allie kept saying "come on Hannah!" It was pretty cute.

Ava had a hard time being patient and sticking next to Molly, the other flower girl. But she did a great job too!

Announcing Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Epley. These are two amazing people!

Mike's brother Joe came into town from Florida. The last time we saw him was at Joseph's grad party, three years ago. It was a nice little family reunion!



Congratulations Joe and Rachael! Thank you so much for including all of us in your beautiful day!