s u n s * f r o m * 'c i s c o

Just for you, Connie, I dug out some pictures. I thought it might be interesting to put in the Biblical references so can have some context for what you're looking at (all  New International Version (NIV). 2 Kings 20:20  As for the other events of Hezekiah's reign, all his achievements and how he made the pool and the tunnel by which he brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 2 Chronicles 32:30 It was Hezekiah who stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did. Hezekiah's tunnel Joshua 6:26  At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath:  “Cursed  before the  Lord  is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: “At the cost of his firstborn son      he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest      he...

Well I basically forgot I have a blog. So I must really qualify as a great blogger. This summer we went to Israel and Jordan which was new to all of us. We rode camels, "wallered" in Dead Sea mud (as my dad and some other famous West Virginians would say), walked Hezekiah's tunnels, and rested our feet in the Sea of Galilee. It was really pretty amazing and I think we all enjoyed it. I didn't even have to hide anyone in my suitcase. We all went and brought our own suitcases. I can't seem to find a picture, so please imagine us on camels wandering through Petra, chasing off little kids trying to sell us silver bracelets and me pretending I found finding the Holy Grail. I also managed to meet a Princess (yes, a real live Princess) in Jordan which was super fun. She was very fun and, best of all, loves nurses and nursing. Me too! Until our next adventure.... ciao!

 So we went to Africa so I could finish my dissertation. I did. Whew. But I'm going to skip all that and go straight to the animals. I saw a baby elephant! This one was an orphan. I would've taken him home if they let me.  In the Masai Mara we saw a momma elephant and her baby. So sweet.  Joe met monkeys at Lake Naivasha.  We also saw some hippos there. Do you?  And some fisherman, fishing old school styles. Haha like Pete and the boyz. Sorry I don't know what's wrong with me.  The great migration.  A tree with buzzards or vultures. You tell me.  A hot air balloon ride was really super cool.  And maybe the most interesting part was a visit to a Masai village to see how the Masai live. This is a tribal ritual. And a lioness resting after a kill. Really amazing trip.

This summer I'll be going to Kenya to finish up my dissertation! It's pretty exciting and the girls are excited for me too so they decided to help me pack. I tried to get the most compact luggage possible and they filled it right up. Well after that I found something else in my suitcase.... All set to go now! Silly girls. :)

We have been trying to teach Sarah some basic math concepts. This is pretty much exactly what it is like.

I don't have anything fancy to say or good pictures to post, I was just looking at all the old posts and see how blessed I am, how richly blessed. The Lord is so faithful. I am so thankful for all my friends and family. And just wanted to say thank you. I know lots of people have a rough time moving to New York, and we were so poised for a miserable transition but we were upheld in prayer and love by so many, I am so truly grateful. As for other updates, I don't have much. Same old same old. Kids are getting bigger everyday. Eek! I hope they don't grow up too fast. Sometimes I really miss my family (and when I say that I mean Joe's family too). Miss you people in SF and Seattle and scattered around in Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and all over the place. love you.