Leavenworth Trip

Snowshoeing in Leavenworth

After reading an article on snowshoeing a couple years ago, I told Roland that I wanted to give it a try. It seemed like a fun family activity now that the kids are a little older. So we figured Leavenworth was a great place to try it out....and the verdict is in.... we all loved it! I admit I didn't know what to expect, but essentially the snowshoes just allow you to hike in the snow. We drove outside of town about 10 miles and hiked down by a river in a couple feet of snow. It was beautiful! We can't wait to do it again.

It's Good to be Home

LaNae and I pulled into Spokane on Monday night. And it sure was good to see the kids again. It has been about three weeks since I seen them, and it seems like they have grown quite a bit since I last saw them. It was a wonderful reunion. The past few days I've been spending my time reconnecting with them. We've done some Christmas shopping and have played games. I find myself at times wondering why my mind is not running towards assignments that I need to turn in or projects that are due. I asked LaNae the other day, "Am I suppose to be doing something right now." She quickly reminded me that all I need to do right now is simply relax. I certainly feel like a different person without the pressure of deadlines week in and week out. All that to say, "it's good to be home."

Beautiful Monterey coast

We arrived in Monterey this afternoon. This is a picture at sunset from our hotel room that is right on the beach. We took a chilly walk on the beach after the sun went down. We can hear the waves crashing from our room. It will be a great sound to fall asleep to!

One last good burger

Since we knew that we were heading up to the land of no In-n-Out we decided to make one last stop in central California. mmm....

Relaxed!

Doesn't Roland look relaxed?! The most relaxed he's been in two and a half years! I flew down on Wed. and we packed up his car, made one last visit to our seminary friends, the Hochs and then spent the night with our friends, Ben and Jannel James. This morning we drove up to Santa Barbara. The weather was beautiful-clear and about 60 degrees. (When I left Spokane it was 20 degrees. brrr...) Up above is a picture from our hotel room. Not much to complain about. : )

It's Official

Today, I took my last exam as a seminary student. Two and half years ago after taking the Greek entrance exam, then coming home and telling my family that I passed it, our youngest daughter Claire (3 1/2 years old at the time) thought we were done and could move back to Spokane to be with grandma and grandpa...little did she know what we would be in for. It's hard to believe that 2 1/2 years ago I started this process of my training after being in the medical field for nearly 12 years. There were many days I felt like quiting and moving back to Spokane. I remember midway through the first semester after I had only had 3 hours of sleep (which was my average for the first 2 years), I had spent a full day at school, and was preparing to work a 12 hour night shift, I told LaNae if she would support my dropping out of seminary I would do it in a "drop of a hat". But she knew that if I dropped out then, in two years we would be having a conversation about going back to seminary. By God's grace we pressed on as a family. Every paper turned in was a cause for rejoicing. Every exam taken was worth a celebration. Kailyn, Cade, and Claire became my cheering section. LaNae would give me the encouragement I needed each day just to press on. Each week we would sit down as a family and record all the small and great things we were thankful for (Thanks for the idea Justin and Juli Mckiterrick). And not a week went by that someone was not thankful for another week of seminary classes finished. We rejoice in God's goodness, his faithfulness, and his graciousness to sustain us. I look back now and I would not trade in all the ways in which the Lord grew us more into His likeness.

The Last Spokane Get Together

These are the guys that has made my seminary experience a true joy. From left to right: Jerod, Andy, and Michael. We all served together at Faith Bible Church, Spokane and all ended up here at TMS. I definitely would not have made it through Hebrew without Andy and Michael. I will miss each of them greatly!

Highlights of our Last Two Years

Here's a sampling of somethings we did during our time in California. Of course you can't see it in some of the pictures, but Roland actually has some of his Greek and Hebrew flash cards in his hand.

We're Back in Spokane

In just a couple more weeks we will officially be back in Spokane. Roland will be finished with seminary and will rejoin with the family. His last semester we decided to move myself and the kids back to Spokane while Roland stayed in Southern CA to finish his last semester at TMS. Roland will start working at FBC again beginning in January as the Family and Children's Pastor.