I flew into Austin late Thursday night, June 17th. My brother, Shane, picked me up and we drove to my parents house. Their house has an exterior room. I sneaked in there around midnight. Around 5:30am my dad came in, all giddy with excitement to see me (so cute). My mom had just left for her walk, so I stayed put, waiting for her to do her routine. Mama is so predictable, I just love it. She finished her walk, made her coffee, and settled into her recliner with her crossword puzzle and paper. My dad came out to get me and we walked into the house (out of sight from my mom). I stayed behind and my dad went into the living room.
"Candy, put your coffee down. I have an early birthday present for you." (while saying this, he had his hand in a fist like he had something in it).
"Keith?"
"Ok, now close your eyes".
"Keith, what is in your hand?" - I think all women get uneasy when a guy asks them to close their eyes when holding something in his hand - flashback to middle school....
"Just close your eyes."
Then I stepped into the living room.
"Ok, now open your eyes."
"Good Morning, Mama!"
Her reaction was priceless! First she just stared, then she squeezed her eyes shut, then she jumped out of the chair (good call on putting the coffee down, Dad) to give me a huge hug.
" Wait, how did you get here?!" (she was not computing that I am still in my pajamas.)
Then she turned to Dad, and in all seriousness scolded him. "KEITH! The sheets aren't clean and that room is dirty!"
Oh, that was so awesome and so my mom! She just loves to be sure her family/guests feel welcomed.
I just grabbed her for another hug and we laughed and laughed.
(and while I was in the shower, she changed the sheets).
That same weekend I was home was also Father's Day. One of my favorite things to do with my Dad when I was a kid was to go fishing together. I've always had such good memories of his patience and kindness - he never got frustrated when I caught a tree limb or lost a lure. During my trip home, I wanted to be sure to go fishing with him again. We got up really early and drove down to the lake. It was such a peaceful time and I sat in the boat, reliving all of those memories with my dad and so thankful that we could spend time together fishing again. "Fishing" didn't quite happen, as I only caught one that got away before I reeled it in all the way. But we had a great time.
Before I left, we went fishing again, along the creek of the small town of Salado my parents live in. We had a lot more luck catching fish there. It was so Texan, really, fishing at the creek with my dad. I savored every minute.
I must share many photos of my precious nephew, Parker. I mean, seriously. He is even cuter in person.
Ali, Shane, Parker, Auntie Erin
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I met Susan in Nigeria. She is also a nurse and she worked with an AIDS outreach ministry and clinic. Susan lived across the street from me. My first memory of Susan is when we went to a worship service together and she was dancing right along with every one else. I knew then that we would be good friends. Life in Nigeria with the stressors of ministry, different schedules, and exhaustion that comes with living overseas didn't allow us to bond as much as we both had hoped. However, as God would have it, Susan returned from Nigeria to her home town of Wheaton, IL - a suburb of Chicago. As I went through my journey of grief about not returning to Nigeria, Susan was one person who completely understood my sorrow, as she too said good-bye to a land and people we both love so dearly. The past couple years cemented our relationship into a special one of kindred spirits - two women who really 'get' each other and who can burst out in Hausa from time to time, much to the amusement of those around us.
Last year, I dropped Susan off for a blind date with a guy she met through Facebook. I prayed with her and told her I would text in a couple hours, to give her a chance to leave him if she wanted to. When I texted, she responded that they were one their way to dinner. When I texted even later that night, she replied that they were having coffee again. :-) Needless to say, they fell quickly in love.
I love surprises, so after it was pretty clear that they were to be engaged, I contacted Matt and told him I would love to help in the proposal if necessary. We planned it that he would drive in from Ohio to meet Susan at the Starbucks where they had their blind date. I asked Susan to go out with me that night and to meet me at that Starbucks after work. All was a go, until that afternoon when Susan emailed me to say she was really tired from work and just wanted to take a rain check. Oh no! I then sent her a long email, guilting her into meeting me - that I really needed her. So, being the awesome friend that she is, she agreed to meet me. But when she walked into Starbucks, there was Matt! He proposed soon after.
All that earned me the right to be a bridesmaid. It was a beautiful wedding and celebration of a couple who love Jesus and love each other so much!
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Corinne is my Swiss friend, who was also my neighbor in Nigeria. I love how dedicated Corinne is to children in need. While in Nigeria, she started a play therapy for our kids and was used greatly to help children process their trauma. Corinne is a young woman who trusts God completely, loves His people passionately, and is a loyal friend to all who know her.
She came to visit me in Chicago recently. I had a blast showing her around this city I love so much. Corinne had never seen a baseball game before (!!) so of course we had to go watch a Cubs game. (of course they lost, but whatever). In this picture is also my new roommate Beth and her mom.
My generous friend Mark let us join him and his friends on his sailboat. It was Memorial Day weekend, which is not quite considered summer weather yet in Chicago. However, it was a gorgeous day and we were able to enjoy the fireworks over the lake that night, too.
Ok, there's a little catch up on my life for you. Until next time.....
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