Nicaragua

I have had a hard time processing/ articulating how I feel about what I saw in Nicaragua. We spent a few days with some families who live in Managua's municiple dump called "La Chureca". I came across this quote that was so fitting:

"Welcome to a land filled with contradictions: a trash dump filled with people, a hazardous wasteland surrounded by tropical paradise, and a dark place filled with beautiful light."

It was the saddest place I have ever been in yet at the same time I saw hope and joy. Overall the trip to Nicaragua was incredible and surprisingly a time of physical, spiritual and emotional healing. I do feel different being home and I hope that I don't loose that feeling.

Samantha's Photo Session

Our friend Sylena took some great photos of Samantha!

Samantha Laughing

Here is a cute video of Samantha cracking up.

Oregon Coast

Whelp I have been a slacker when it comes to blogging and I have also realized heather is not into blogging at all. So I am renewing my commitment to blog! A few weeks ago (April 24-27) we and a few of our good friends (the Fitch's and the Christensen's) went to heather's family beach cabin called the "Chas Mar" named after heather's grandparents Charles and Margret. It is right on the beach about 15 minutes south of Short Sands in a little town called Rockaway. This summer we are going to spend 10 days there and it is going to be sweet. We got in two good surfs, read books, walked on the beach and played games. It was nice to get away from it all. Here's to the "Chas Mar".

all of us at short sands

sam bundled up on the beach

posing after a fun surf

Free Ski Day

I remember a time when a hated free ski day. The Grizwalls and the gapers all over the mountain. Now I live for free ski day, funny how things change. I went with Kevin Wright, Rick Cummings, John Fitch, Gary Christenson and Jeremy K. We slashed it up from summit to sunrise. Go free ski day!

Los Angeles Dream Center

March 24 - 30 I was in Los Angeles with 22 people from Oasis (mostly high schoolers). We spent the entire week serving all sorts of people. Physically it was exhausting: 15 hour van ride, loading trucks with food, cleaning, talking to people on the streets, sharing a room with 8 high school guys; but spiritually it was like taking a long vacation to an island where you just lay on the beach and get served pina coladas. I was reminded of Jesus' words "It is more blessed to give then to receive". Coming back was eye opening realizing how much of my week is devoted to serving myself. We gotta live to give, that's where we find abundant life.

the crew
Rick praying with a lady in the projects
2nd cutest little girl in the world (first is Samantha)

Skate Skiing

For the last 2 weekends hp and I have been able to go skate skiing! We have kind of been busy all winter having babies and stuff so we haven't been able to get out to much. It is Spring time now and the snow is melting quick.