Reconnecting

The past month has been filled with wonderful opportunities for Brian and I to reconnect with friends and family.

In early June, Daren & Joy Stevens returned to Wisconsin to update their supporters regarding their ministry to teens in England. It was wonderful for me to get to see them and catch-up on their lives, as well as the lives of different teens that I met when visiting them over the past few years. It was also fun to watch them interact with Brian and to see his enthusiasm for their ministry grow as he got acquainted with them. Along the away we also had the enjoyment of spending time getting to know their precious little girls - Ella & Kiera - both of which found a spot in our hearts!

While Stevens were here, we had a Crossroad (this was the name of the singles group at Spring Creeek when I was in it) reunion. It was fun getting to catch-up with people I haven't seen in years and to hear how God is working in their lives.

At the end of June, Brian and I had the opportunity to get away and spent the night up in Plymouth at a bed and breakfast. It was a great time away from our busy work schedules, and we enjoyed not having a set schedule for 24 hours! While away we enjoyed a walk & dinner in Elkhart Lake, a visit to the Cedar Vally Cheese Factory (they make the best string cheese in the world!!!), and time together at the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival.

This past weekend we travelled to the Twin Cities to visit with Brian's family. We enjoyed a short but full 3 days with them and had many adventures including a trip to the zoo, a kayaking double date, an afternoon of boating, and a bunch of great meals! The hardest part about each visit is the last few hours when Anna & Alyssa (5 & 7) realize we're going home and get sad. We tried to make the last 1/2 hour really enjoyable by treating them to Dairy Queen. (Only aunts & uncles get away with that... :)

So as our month of reconnecting comes to a close, we have more adventures ahead of us including...

1. Sports Life Camp at Spring Creek which will keep Becky busy & exhausted (in a good way) during the week of July 14-17
2. Camping Trip with the families from our Sunday School class, July 18-20th for both of us. This will be Brian's second camping trip with our class. Last year it rained and he had to sleep in his own tent without a sleeping mat to cushion him from the rocks. We're both looking forward to better experience this year and time with our friends!
3. A trip in August to see Brian's grandma in Missouri. We're also hoping to try and see my brother & his family in Kansas but no details are set.

More to come on all of the above adventures as they happen.

By the way, if anyone would like to know more about...

• the Stevens, check out www.djintheuk.com
• Cedar Valley Cheese Factory, check out http://www.cedarvalleycheesestore.com/ - you can even buy cheese online.