The past month or so, God has given us the incredible privilege of opening our home to people who we love to host and bless them. It is such a joy to take advantage of the place he has given us here in Brookside, but even more incredible to be able to share this space as a peaceful place where God allows us to make lasting memories and grow closer to Him with others.
The first houseguests came to us through the most unusual and cool circumstances. I was at a coffee shop editing wedding pictures (a very regular past time these days) when I got a call from a guy I didn't recognize. It turns out the guy was Jason Briggs, one of the kids I knew from Africa. His family lived in Zaire at the same time as mine and his dad was our missionary pilot with MAF. He and his friend Derek were riding their bikes accross the country to raise awareness and funds for the Fisheni Village in Africa. They just happened to be coming through KC on their way and needed a place to stay. It was such a blessing to spend time with Jason again - even though the last time I saw him he was about Tyler's age, and I was 6 years old. It was so neat just talking about experiences in Africa that we rememberd, and how those have affected us. We enjoyed being able to hear about the cause, about God's work in their lives and being able to pray for them and bless them as we could. Here they are with Derek's mom, Arlene, who was their support driver. She was so kind to be helping them out on their journey and would drive a van full of their supplies to the town they were going to end up at and wait for them. If they popped a tire or needed something she would come to the rescue. Just today they finished their trek - so cool!! To read about their journey and find out more about the people of Fisheni, check out their xanga at :
http://www.xanga.com/ride_for_fisheni
Jason, Arlene, and Derek
Next, we had the blessing of entertaining some of our closest and dearest friends, Tim and Krysten. This was the last time that we will be seeing them for about a year, because they are moving to Kuwait to be teachers at a school there. Our time was carefree and so fun - just what we all needed. It was highlighted by our new obsession - badminton without the net = smashminton. We will, and already do miss seeing them. Please keep them in your prayers as they embark on this extremely exciting and unknown journey!!
The day after they left, I was able to host a baby shower for my dear friend Genny. Genny and Carol have become some of our dearest friends here, and they truly are extraordinary people who really love the Lord. So, any chance we have to enjoy their presence, we do it! It was neat to see this side of Genny that I had never seen before - so many friends (15 gals showed up!) from many different walks of life who have all kept in touch with Genny because she means so incredibly much to them. It was wonderful to eat good food, be around incredible women, and get excited for the new life that is thriving in her belly right now. I am so excited because they have also asked me to be their doula, so that will be a very memorable birth for me!
This past weekend, more lifetime friends, Devon and Zack came to visit. They live in New York City, and even though we are miles apart, when we get together it's like no time has passed. We enjoyed good, hard belly laughs, eating classic Kansas City food, and watching them enjoy our boys.
Thank you to all of our dear friends who have come and gone in the past month - we love you dearly, and are honored to have you as such important parts of our lives!!!
