It’s true! After a spring and summer of being constantly “on the move”, parts of our family are “on the move again”!
On August 7th Will and Mandy, his new bride of 11 weeks, left Anderson, Indiana and joined us in Portland for 11 very full and enjoyable days. A photographer friend came over and took a lot of fun family photos. We’ll share a handful (or so!) so those of you who haven’t had the opportunity can meet our new daughter-in-law (since we haven’t shared any wedding photos yet). Hopefully sometime in the future we’ll be able to write about the wedding as well!
A proud mom with her son:)
Dad joins the fun
All together now…!
Can you tell they’re related?
After 31 years 🙂
Framed!
Framed again — close up!
We weren’t having fun…:)
From one generation to the next
Lending a helping hand
Barefoot and fancy free
Couch Cowboys – Like father, like son!
Getting ready for the summer heat in Japan?
A blast from the past?
Who has the biggest head?
Our time together sped by like the Shinkansen in Japan. We packed a lot into our days. There were several shopping marathons. Seeing as size 11.5 shoes are probably rather scarce in Japan, it takes some time to hunt down just the right shoes for 2.5+ years – teaching shoes, walking shoes, athletic shoes… well, you get the picture. Shoes weren’t the only thing on the shopping list!
We went house-hunting a couple times. That’s one of our “on the move… again” possibilities! We’ve always desired to live within walking distance of the Warner Pacific campus. Since interest rates are so low we figured there was no better time to look — although it’s the worst time to sell and, sell, we must, in order to move. We accepted a counter offer on a home just 3 streets up from campus with the contingency that our home sells within 3 months. It will take an act of God but we are testing the waters and praying for a clear answer.
We were “on the move” as we gathered with our Oregon family members for a Korean meal one evening, joined Arthur and Judy Kelly for pizza on the patio of their “new” home in Troutdale, enjoyed antiquing in Aurora, spent a night at a Bed & Breakfast in Silverton, took the Max downtown to Saturday Market, drove to the coast, had lunch at the Wet Dog Cafe and did some sightseeing in Astoria, drove down to Seaside, spent the night with Portland friends vacationing in a beach home, visited WPC’s former president and his wife, and played LOTS of games over the 11 days. Let it be known that I was the overall grand champion at Settlers of Cattan (don’t you forget it, Will!:) ).
We are extremely grateful for this very special opportunity to spend time with Will and Mandy . We thoroughly enjoyed their visit and will always cherish the memories we made.
On August 19 Will and Mandy were “on the move… again”. In the early morning we packed up both of our cars and headed to the Portland airport, helped them get all their bags checked in, made sure they got through Security, and waved good-bye as they began the first step of their new adventure as Special Assignment Missionaries (SAMs) to Tokyo, Japan. Memories came flooding over us as we recalled our farewell at the Indianapolis airport 30 years ago when we set off for Korea as short-term English teachers…
Jonni and Kyle’s life is “on the move” as well! Jonni has completed her first 90 days as a physical therapist at St. John’s Hospital in Anderson. No doubt she’s encouraging patients and helping them be “on the move again” as they go through rehabilitation. Kyle is assistant coach of the Anderson High School boys’ soccer team and there’s no question he is “on the move” on the soccer field and running from work (“on the move” from school to school as a substitute teacher) to practice, to games, to home.
John is most certainly “on the move” with WPC’s fall semester beginning on Monday. Freshmen arrived on campus yesterday and the campus is abuzz with activity and excitement! He’s been busy preparing for classes as well as upcoming preaching and speaking assignments (WPC chapel on 8/31, Sunday morning at Mt. Scott on 9/12 and speaking to ministers in Arizona 10/2).
Life hasn’t slowed down for me either. I am “on the move” with my SHAPE administrative assistant responsibilities which have taken me to Washington, Colorado and Oregon, organizing jobs here and there, keeping the house ready for hopeful house hunters, and the normal stuff. Life is full and very much “on the move”!
Great photos! Looks like you had a fun visit.
Thanks for sharing — always enjoy hearing, Gwen! Love the pics — I couldn’t believe how much Will looks like John!!
The above wasn’t from me…must be another Joyce…but I agree with what she shared.
Thank you for taking the time to prepare and post your blog and keep us current on your “happenings”. Congrats to Will & Mandy. Let them know if they want to visit Guam for a holiday, we would be more than happy to give them a place to stay.
Our prayers will be with you regarding the House Sale. Maybe someday we will see one of these houses we’ve been praying for:)
Love,
Joyce & David, Guam