Influence

Growing up, my parents always made sure that I was exposed to a group of very unique people. Whenever a foreign missionary came to town to visit, my family would always find some time to just hang out with them...my parents thought it would be a good influence on their kids to spend time with these people who were willing to sacrifice so much for a cause worth believing in.

Turns out, my parents knew a thing or two...there are few people in this world I have more respect for than those who enter a foreign culture to live and tell others about the love of God, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I've learned about my own faith journey through my interaction with foreign missionaries. Two of the missionaries that I've been able to get to know over the past several years are the DeHarts who serve with NAIM in British Columbia. I now consider them to be good friends of mine, and it was an awesome experience to have them in my home, spending time with my daughter this past week.


I pray that Gwyneth will learn, through her interaction with the DeHarts and our other missionaries, as much about God and her purpose in life as I have.

Nate

The King Has Returned

After more than 15 months away from us (thanks Grandma and Mark & Sue for taking care of him!), Ralphie the cat has rejoined our little family. Meka and Tricia are both very excited, and, I admit, it's nice to have another guy in the house again, although we're now outnumbered...

As expected, when we brought him home, he slowly crept out of his crate and investigated things for a few minutes before quickly finding our bed and hiding underneath. But, he came out to find his litter box and food dishes, and now he's hanging out on one of our dressers. It will take him a few days to adjust to the new house, but once he does he'll come out of his shell and spend more time hanging out with us and playing with Meka.


Nate

Laughter

By far, my new favorite pastime.

I'm beginning to understand why my dad would tickle my sisters and I until we peed our pants when we were little...

Nate

Box

So much fun to watch Gwyneth discover new things...I can remember playing with cardboard boxes for hours when I was a kid...



Nate

New Pics

I posted some new pics on my Photography Blog!

Nate

Doodle

Something new...pretty sure she thought it was a toy and not food.


Nate

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who responded...I've heard from over 200 people, which is more than enough for me to do some research...


For the rest of you, here's a picture of Gwyneth laughing with her Grandmommy...

Nate

Update

Just a quick FYI that Tricia's bronch biopsy came back with no signs of rejection (which is always a good thing).

She was tested positive for Pseudomonas, a common bacteria found in the lungs of people with chronic lung diseases (and something that Tricia had in her old lungs)...although it could be harmful if let untreated, it was found early, and the anti-biotic that they've ordered for her (she'll take at home through her PICC line which she still has from her last anti-biotic) should take care of any infection issue that would otherwise arise.

Oh...and Gwyneth wanted me to pass along a message to you..."rrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppsssssssoooooo".

Nate

Channeling Elvis

We made the mistake of telling Gwyneth that she shares her birthday with The King...she hasn't been the same since...

Nate

You Belong To Me

Just in case there's any confusion...


A few weeks ago, we found these stickers from my childhood while going through a bunch of my old stuff that has been sitting in my parents attic for years. I can remember putting these on everything when I was about 5 years old...

Nate