Road Trip Vignettes

We started off on the right foot-- prayer, coffee-- good combination, right? A guaranteed knock-out one, two punch for spiritual success and intelligent execution. We forgot our passports. Acutal departure time: 9:22a. A little later than anticipated. We then stopped in Tuscon for another cup of coffee. O well.
On another note, we had fabulous conversation and no conflicts, which was another small victory for us, considering that our last roadtrip we "discussed issues" for 6 hours straight on the way home from San Diego about a year ago... we were grateful for the difference a year makes.

Welcome to Texas! Our trip ended after a drive through the cloudy dessert to greater heights than we imagined. Welcome to Texas means Welcome to the Alcantars. We enjoyed fabulous hospitality from our old acquaintances, now new friends who live on the west side of El Paso on the side of the mountain. The view was amazing, especially at night where Travis and I looked out over our own private balcony over the El Paso and Juarez city lights.

Before we left, Becky warned me that road trips are always an adventure because you have to be prepared for adventure. "Constant change is here to stay" to borrow from the Covenant Life motto. We received a call from the orphanage to hear reports of disease and illness that made the team decide to change their original dinner plans, where we were going to meet up with Emily and the gang at Cattleman's Steakhouse. So, on a recommendation, we tried a steakhouse a little closer to town-- to say the least we had six hours to dream of a good Texas "steak" dinner.

When we pulled up to the restaurant, it was on the side of the highway between El Paso and Las Cruces. Not impressive by any outward show, but the Alcantars had raved. So we sat down and ordered from a beef-filled menu -- I got the marinated sirloin kabob and Travis, a 3/4 pound sirloin steak. We enjoyed a new adventure as well, because apparently Hatch, New Mexico is the capital of chilies, so we enjoyed roasted green chilies on top of our steaks. Middleway through the dinner, Travis raved in a suprised voice how tender his steak way, and that he didn't even need a knife. So I reached over and took a bite. It certainly was tender. Tender like a hamburger. He asked the waitress to come over. She confirmed. It was a steak, a chopped sirloin steak. I told Travis, "Honey I think that's the most expensive hamburger you've ever seen!"

Other highlights:

1. Seeing Nacho Libre in a crowded El Paso theatre at 9:30p with a "sympathetic" crowd
2. Making breakfast for dinner for 60 people on one stove
3. Spicy hot chocolate and tea at The Greenery, an awesome grocery store in a mall.
4. Making memories as newlyweds.
5. Storms and trains coming across the plains at the same time
6. Coffee with John David Maresco
7. RAIN!!!

Being cared for by my husband who in every way tries to bless me.

Sister Surprises

Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky...Travis and I took off to Mexico to steal away from the heat and to surprise my sister who was in Juarez for two weeks. See Emily's blog for more pictures and details...We snuck up behind her while she was in the kitchen preparing one of the hundred meals she made while she was serving the kids and volunteers. Her face was priceless. There is nothing better than bringing joy to another sister who is away from home.

Another sister of mine, Emily Baker, is moving away too. We have said multiple goodbyes to them this week at various friend's parties. I reminded Emily to anticipate the future with faith. As a new transplant, I am coming to realize the importance of having a heavenly perspective on leaving loved ones behind. You have to see the present as a means of grace as much as a trustworthy promise of future hope. You know the old adage, "Bloom where you are planted" ? I reminded Emily of that because God seems to have made some people like her and Eric, my friends who married military men, Sarah and Janelle, and my friends in Australia, Elizabeth and Logan to possess a unique resiliance and joy in the face of "starting over". They bear fruit where they are planted and it brings so much glory to God through their lives in transitions. I can only hope to mirror their example and access that grace.

A bright spot

One of the little boys at ICAN, the low-income afterschool and day camp program I am working at this summer, provided a brighter spot in an otherwise depressing Tuesday. I was asking the children to name different color vegetables. We started with red and then moved onto the other colors. When I asked them to name orange vegetables, a very excited Hispanic six-year old with a cute space between his front teeth, stood up in his chair and proudly yelled, "I know! CaRRRRots!" Via la Mexico.

Father's Day

On Sunday morning during our seven minute break in service, the Shank kids were standing around near me. I had just finished telling Jordan about Travis' Father's Day card, which congratulated him on our expanding flock. A few minutes later, he turned to Janelle who had just come back from children's ministry and said, "Janelle, did you know that Travis got a Father's Day card?" Her face dropped. Her jaw dropped. What came out of her mouth was priceless, "WHAT!! You didn't tell me!" she exclaimed. I quickly clarified; "Chickens, my dear. Chickens. Not children." Not a nice joke;but a good one. Sometimes there are softballs you just have to take the oppurtunity to hit out of the park... Jordan may not be the sportman but he sure did hit one in the strike zone.

New additions

You know how I found Tina the other day sitting again on a bunch of eggs? With the addition of a more mature rooster to our flock, I was wondering if she was actually going to hatch them. To my delight this morning I went out to feed the chickens and heard the piercing cheep echoing in the coop. Sure enough, she's hatched 9 of them. I called my husband and said "Honey, you're a Dad! Happy Father's Day!" Now our flock has more than doubled....The challenge will be to keep them alive. But this time I know better than to let Tina do it herself... I think I'm going to lock them up in the coop together and feed them separately.