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It is no small thing to declare our deep appreciation for our loving family and having the blessing to go home and be welcomed and loved. We were blessed to have the opportunity to spend 1 week back in Wisconsin and reconnect with our family and church.
My parents have splurged this summer to take a few weeks to rent a much beloved lake house. As much as they think it was for them, we became the beneficiaries! How cool to spend 1 week with family, cooking out, relaxing, riding jet-skis, canoeing, kaiaking – you’d think we went on an extended camping trip, but it was just home!
Micah is really at one of the best stages – he has assigned names for everyone, and one of our favorite things to do was ask him what everyone’s name is. He’s got the basics, “Mama” and “Dada.” But then things get creative, Kari is “ReRe,” Grandma started as Grandme and became “MeMe,” and Grandpa quickly became “Papa.”
One of the best nights was when we all went mini-golfing as a family. Micah, for fear of running amuck, was positioned on shoulders for most of the game, and he would help aim the golf clubs and watch the ball. Then on our last hole, everyone let him hit their balls in, and it was hilarious to watch him chase after the ball after he hit it, then place it right next to the cup for an easy in.
The tranquilness of the forests and serenity of the lake have a way of melting stress and recalling the enjoyment in life of those things which God has given. It was just such a fun visit, whether we were flying airplanes, riding scooters, paddle-boats, walking at the land, swimming, eating ice-cream, or just being with family – it was a fantastic trip.
Not only was the trip restful and enjoyable with family, but we also had the opportunity to reconnect with our home church. I had the opportunity to preach 3 services and share with the congregation and elder board an update on the ministry and how things are going.
It is abundantly clear to us that God has blessed us with a loving and supportive church and family. We found love and hugs at every turn, it was a very happy time to be home.
Seems the week went by too fast, and we crammed in as much as possible, but it makes us all the more grateful that we have been given the opportunity to serve abroad and yet have the ability to travel home and reconnect. A realization which has become necessity and one which we do not take lightly.