A Month-ful of Memories

These past few weeks in June and these next two in July, hold many significant moments and memories throughout our lives.

For example, 25 years ago (13th) I (Dan) graduated from Seattle Pacific and the next day boarded a flight to begin working in Albania with Kosovar refugees. And 25 years ago today (4th) I walked across the border from Macedonia into Kosovo for the first time.

21 years ago I spent time in an internship in Tulsa, OK while preparing to move to Jerusalem, and 20 years ago I began wrapping up my time in Jerusalem to return to Duke, and Courtney wound down her time in Cary, NC as she prepared to begin at Duke.

16 years ago we spent our first summer in Latvia, 15 years ago we welcomed Ceara into the world, and 14 years ago this day we moved to Maine and prepared to welcome Caleb.

11 years ago I found out I would be moving to Massachusetts, and 10 years ago the family celebrated our first Fourth of July in Massachusetts at a Steeplecats game.

8 years ago we celebrated (a little early) our anniversary with a quick few days in Iceland, and then waded through the grief and shock of losing Courtney’s dad unexpectedly.

4 years ago we crossed-crossed the country on a road trip while waiting to go to Jerusalem.

3 years ago we packed up and prepared to moved to Highlands Ranch.

2 years ago we packed up the rental house in Highlands Ranch to move to Lakewood.

1 year ago we packed up our condo in Lakewood as we planned to move to Ireland.

So many moves to new destinations and new ministry opportunities. So many uncertainties and unknowns along the way. So many stories and experiences of God’s faithful provision and providential care along the way.

These just name a few instances.

I need to spend more time reflecting upon all these amazing stories and tell and re-tell of God’s amazing faithfulness.

So as we look forward to the rest of this year and beyond - with so many more looming uncertainties and unknowns - we want to embrace this time with courage, hope and faith. We want to trust that God will provide all the things necessary to be God’s people and show God’s love to the world in practical everyday ways.