Montana, after all these years

I was asked by the pastor of my old church in Sequim if I could join his team of high school students headed on a trip to Montana.  See, for 5 years, high school and after, I went on this trip to serve the Flathead Indians by holding camps for the students there.  Those 5 years were a swell of emotions, seeing young kids with such terrible trauma from abuse of all kinds.  Those trips taught me how to love more effectively and opened my eyes to both horrible evils, and great hope.  Now, nearly 8 years later, I was able to return.

These are my friends Buck and Crystal.  Buck always teaches the kids the native language of Salish, and dresses up to dance in costume.  

This is Trey.  He was my camper nearly 9 years ago.  He's now 17.

Our big crew from Dungeness Community Church- an incredible group!

This is Daron and Turquoise, the true blessings of this camp.  They were only about 4 years old when we first started these camps.  Now they are helping run the camp and will leave for college next Fall!!

Summer Lovin'...

-Time spent with our dear friends the Derbys and the Overstakes...

(Tony and Ray made a gourmet meal in celebration of Ros's graduation from nursing school!!)

-Berry pickin' with Ros and Jen

-Days at the lake!!

-My 10 year high school reunion, Sunday picnic at Purple Haze!!

-Ah, friends from the past...

-Ray and I took a trip up the Columbia to meet up with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins.  Gorgeous...

-We went small mouth bass fishing.

My NIECE!!

This is Ashton Isadora, daughter of my brother Jake and Chelsea.  Ashton was born on the same weekend we left for Japan last year, so I was VERY excited to return home and meet this delight, and take in her first year birthday party.  She is unusually beautiful and inquisitive...

Heading Home... and Colorado...

After months of not posting anything after Japan, I am up and running... and spinning to post our summer months of activities.  Here's to a start!

Our train ride to the airport in Japan- saying goodbye!

The day after we got in to the States, we flew out to Colorado for a couple weeks to take in a variety of wonderful festivities. 

-We were honored to attend an incredible house concert with Josh Rosen and Josh Garrells, talent at its very best...

-Our good friends at the concert!

-We also attended Ray's bro, Luke's graduation from Northwestern Colorado University.  Not only was he opening speaker, but he also graduated Suma Cum Laud AND received the presidential award!!

-An outstanding addition to our time out in CO was to stay with my dear friends the Schaffners.  We had a beautiful time with their two girls, and helped them build a large garden.  It was a blast!  

-Ray put in the drip system by himself!