Albuquerque!

While we were staying in Phoenix, we took a weekend trip over to New Mexico to visit Mountain Christian Church (MCC), in the East Mountains of Albuquerque.  We had never been to Albuquerque before and had no idea how beautiful this city, surrounded by mountains was....or how much it reminded us of the mountains of Bolivia.  


MCC has a special place in our hearts, as we have been a part of receiving short term teams from this church here in Bolivia several times.  Over the past two years we have gotten to know many people from this congregation.  So even though we have never visited Albuquerque or MCC before, it still felt like visiting some place warm and familiar.  


We were able to visit with many past team members, and John also did a Saturday morning seminar, teaching on several topics, including worldview, poverty, and resources.  We had an amazing time, and also enjoyed our first "glimpse" of snow during our furlough home.  Actually we were apart of a "winter storm" but stayed warm and cozy with Marvin and Barb Proctor, who hosted us in their home, while we watched several inches of snow accumulate.  


Thank you MCC for inviting us to come and share with you all, and for loving on us while we were with you!

Phoenix

We are amazed at how fast the weeks are clipping by.  As I sit to blog about our time in Phoenix, we are already hundreds of miles and states away!  We had a wonderful time visiting John's parents, John and Roseann and enjoying the beautiful Arizona weather.  Since Food for the Hungry's headquarters is also in Phoenix, we were able to have several meetings with various people.  It was nice to meet face to face with individuals that we had only knew via e-mail and skype up until this trip.

Some of the highlights:

• Visiting the Wildlife Center
• Trip to the Grand Canyon
• Phoenix Children's museum
• Thanksgiving
• Celebrating Christmas in November
• John leading chapel at the Food for the Hungry office

Ella and a Grand Canyon Ranger

Enjoying the Canyon at Sunset

The girls have more pictures of our trip to Phoenix over on their blog.

Good-bye Cincinnati!

It's hard to believe that our time in Cincinnati is already over!  We had a wonderful time sharing with supporters, spending time with friends and family, and presenting our ministry with various groups.  Here is a list of all we did while we were there:

• Met with the Missions Board of Hope Church
• Participated in the Hope Church weekly Staff meeting
• Were able to be apart of our Community's Oct event
• Shared with the Empty Nester's Community, Journey Community and the Kid's Ministry
• One on One Meetings with 10 different supporters
• Lots of time with friends and family

Our church community welcomed us back with open arms and it was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces again.    

Sharing with the preschool class at Hope Church.  They raised over $1000 for a church in Bolivia this summer.

Sharing with the grade schoolers at Hope Church.

Demonstrating how the Bolivians carry just about anything on their backs using Aguayo Blankets.

Family Fall Fun Day!

We have been staying busy in Cincinnati visiting with supporters and speaking at churches.  The weather has been beautiful and we were able to spend a nice day together as a family at one of our favorite places.  We have been going to Iron's Fruit Farm every fall since before Ella was born in 2007.  (Except for when we have been living in Bolivia!)  It was great to go back, see the animals and pick out some apples and apple cider donuts!  We had a wonderful day, enjoyed the weather and made new family memories.  

Ella - 2007, 5 months

Ella - 2008, 17 months

Family of three 2008

Horsing around...

Ella's cousins, Emma and Olivia, have been taking horse back ridding lessons for several years.  This year they got their very own horse named Dream.  Ella got to go with them to their ridding lessons and even got to ride the horse herself!  It was a beautiful fall day and we all enjoyed watching the girls ride!

First, the girls did some basic grooming before the lessons.

After patiently watching Emma and Olivia ride, it was Ella's turn!

She was pretty excited!

Emma and Olivia took turns guiding Dream around with Ella on top!

I think she made a new friend.

Happy Halloween!

We were excited that we would be in the US for Halloween this year.  Ella had never been trick or treating before, and her cousin's Emma and Olivia invited her to go trick-or-treating with them.  They all planned on being Disney Princesses, which was right up Ella's ally.  We did have to explain the concept to Ella, and she was pretty much sold on the idea once she heard that she could wear a princess dress and get candy.  

Princesses Tiana, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty

Off they go!

They found two other princess along the way.

Ella had a great time with her cousins and a wonderful experience trick-or-treating.  She can't wait for next year!

Cousins!

After spending four wonderful days in Indiana, it was time to drive down to Cincinnati.  We got all settled in with the Volkman's, our host family for the next 3 weeks.  After unloading our stuff, we were back in the car again over to see Aunt Amy, Uncle Greg, and the cousins!  Ella was SO excited to see her cousins Emma and Olivia, and we were all excited to meet our new nephew/cousin Grant.  (And introduce them to Lydia too!)  It was a fun and loud reunion, and we are looking forward to lots of fun times together over the next few weeks!  

New cousins!  Hard to believe that Lydia is actually the eldest by one month!

Lydia with her Aunt Amy

Emma, Olivia, and Ella...inseparable!