Arrived Safely in California

I am not really sure how to summarize the past 325 days of this world journey. I will attempt to do so as we are on our 24th airplane ride, seats moving through the sky at a five-hundred miles an hour, and somewhere over Peru. I will try to let my mind make the short but difficult connection to the heart. I hope to link words to the culmination of feelings connected to the year’s experiences.

Here is what rises up: First, Mariella and I have a deep gratitude to the people who loved us unreservedly. Thank you for showing us what God is like. We’ve found that the love in the well of the One who called himself the “Living Water” still runs deeper, and He wants to give a drink to those who are thirsty. I am also amazed at the satisfaction of having a greater depth of intimacy with my wife whom I love even more than I could ever imagine. I am excited to see what that love will be like in five, ten and twenty year’s time. We found that there is great joy in cultivating a life that is fully alive, but for this to happen we usually have to lose, let die, or sacrifice. We are amazed by the power and the closeness of the Holy Spirit who has transformed and continues to transform our hearts. Mariella and I recognize that there is much pain and suffering in the world, we don’t like it and we long for a world without it. We are even more seized by the power of the great affection that suffered. Jesus woos us with the same love that laid down His life so that we may live. We’ve experienced God’s providence when we were fearful and uncertain about what was going to happen next.

We feel like one lifetime is not enough and wish we could have more time. Paradoxically we desire to keep living, but yet long to go Home.

The journey continues…

Last Flight Ending How We Started... With a Blessing

The most cost effective route to Chile from New Zealand was through Fiji and LAX. We had about eight hours in Fiji before arriving in California. We have less than twenty-four hours in California before making our way to South America to visit Mariella's family. We are muy excited.

Ten months ago our first flight out of the United States was over booked. Mariella and I volunteered to give up our seats. In return the airline gave us business class seats all the way to Ireland and $800 in flight vouchers. We used the vouchers to purchase one round-trip ticket to Santiago, Chile. Thank you Jesus for the good gift! This is another story of God's faithfulness on the journey. We are seized by the power of his great affection.

9:22 am Still in LA, LAX airport

Only three hours in and we are already feeling the blessings. We arrived at LAX “late” according to Craig and “right on time” if you ask me. Yes, this made checking in a little hectic, the usual suspects: the frantic L.A. woman wearing crazy high heels, lots of makeup and on the run demanding that exceptions be made for her tardiness, the loud cell phone talker yelling at someone else for something they had no control over, and several others. But we made it to the gate and there was still a huge line waiting for us. We heard something over the loud speaker and I checked it out. Long story short, we took a bump in exchange for Delta flight vouchers, Business class ALL THE WAY TO DUBLIN, and restaurant vouchers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the airport. Only arriving 3 hours later in Dublin. AWESOME! Craig and I were so stoked and could only laugh at the extremely convenient inconvenience. How does that work anyway? I mean we all paid the same price for the same tickets right? So, why are some people guaranteed a seat and not others? We will make it a plan to figure out this strategy and use it to our advantage. (insert evil laugh)… Jennifer, I love you and I already miss you, I can’t wait to hear all about this next year when we return. I know God has great-I mean it-GREAT plans for you. I love you very much. Noelle, praying for you, don’t stress, I love you. Larissa, igh liebe digh. Jessica, you are already doing a great job being momma. I love you and I am so proud of you, take care of mom for me and when you hug her, give her a little nibble on the cheek from me.