If you know me, you know I adore theatre. I would love to be able to be in another show, but it’s hard to make it work with our family schedule at the moment. We have a few really great theatres in Duluth, so it’s fun to be able to take the kids to a show every now and then.
We are in a new season. I love new seasons, just like the change between the darkness of winter to the freshness of spring. New seasons in life bring an opportunity to evaluate, make changes, and start fresh.
A few months ago, Pete and I decided we needed a break in our everyday routine to have time to think and pray and be together. This break means we’re not taking seminary classes this semester. It also means I’ve transitioned out of my job as a writer and social media coordinator with World Gospel Mission, giving me time to attend to necessary tasks at home and take the kids to various appointments through the week. I’ve signed off of my social media accounts until late June, and we’ve all reduced our screen time through the week. This is all in order to make more room for each other and and for God.
We’re doing it. This year we’ve decided we are going to embrace the cold world of northern Minnesota and be outside in the snow. Pete grew up skiing, but I usually spent my winters inside and on stage. Our year in Kenya has probably been my favorite winter due to the 70-80 degrees through the winter months. But this year we decided to get all the snow gear and be outside as much as possible.
Pete and I had the most spectacular adventure in October! (Happy to finally be sharing it with you!) We traveled together – yes, just the two of us – to East Asia. Pete was invited by the to teach with the Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (CALS) program in Bangkok for the United Nations International Organization for Migration. He had previously taught the course many times throughout Minnesota and Kenya, as well as for the U.S. State Department in San Francisco a few years ago. This course in Bangkok offered instruction to doctors and nurses from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and El Salvador. We considered taking the kids along, too, but they’d miss school and the massive time change would be hard on them for such a short trip. So our dear friend, Lisa, stayed with Ella and Sam, and the two of us flew to the other side of the globe.
Another year at Apple Fest is in the books! We were really fortunate this year, and the rain stopped right when we arrived. That’s happened before, and it usually means crowds are smaller, especially since we were there right at the beginning of the day. Bayfield’s Apple Fest is one of our favorite events of the year! You can click HERE to see past years of Apple Fest visits.
We are super proud of Auntie Becky for running her very first half marathon! I had been training to run it with her, but following a couple longer runs at the beginning of September, I developed a stress fracture in my right foot. Such a bummer. So Ella, Sam, and I took my sister out to Ashland, Wisconsin to be her cheerleaders!
