Empty Suitcases

Why is this a big deal you might wonder? The emptying of the suitcases and chance to put them away for more than a few days means that the "CEF Summer" is over. I knew it had been a while since a blog update but until today I didn't realize quite how long...yikes March and now it's August!  Where does the time go?!

Over the last few months of summer we've had some wonderful experiences...most of which have taken us away from home or else meant someone else was away from home.

 June: My brother's family came from Minnesota to visit and Nathan got to celebrate his first birthday with them!

 June: More birthday celebration with David's side of the family!

July: David went to Summer Training for 2 weeks and Grandma Sharilyn came to visit and then took Nathan and I back with her to Minnesota!

 Our time included a Family Reunion!

And visits with the family.

July-August: Visits to the Bible Clubs throughout Central/Northern Ontario. David went to most by himself but we tagged along for a few.

August: A week at Monarch Bible Camp!

 Hanging out with our Summer Missionaries Nathan thinks "All these beautiful girls just come to hang out with me!!!"

August: The joy of being apart of Ashley & Josh's wedding. Ashley is our "daughter" who has called us Mom & Dad since her first year as a Summer Missionary in our area 5 years ago! She and Josh are veteran CEFers and were even married at the CEF facility in Brantford. =]

 August: More trips to places like the Welcome Home Celebration concluding the CEF Summer.

 August: Nathan supervises our Summer Missionaries as they practice.

I don't think we really anticipated what a different beast the summer packed with ministry and traveling would be...yet so many good things. If my count is correct I packed and unpacked suitcases at least 21 times in 9 weeks! We now have a few days to have some family time before David transitions into fall ministry.