Some photos from the past 1.5 months

It feels a little like we are living in a dream.

Upon returning to the States, we spent a week at my parent's in PA helping out with my youngest sister's wedding. This was the second wedding my parent's hosted at their home this year! and now this one took place the week before my Dad began his prep for chemo. All my family was together for the wedding.

On our way back to MN to support D's parent's after his mother's open heart surgery, we stopped in IL to split up our two day drive. It was hard to leave both PA where my Dad is anticipating and preparing for an intense chemo summer and IL where my sister had already undergone one chemo session and almost a solid 2 weeks of daily tests and was beginning that challenging road.


We spent a night back in our partially finished little basement home in MN, enroute to D's parent's home a couple hours north, where we intend to help out for a week or so as his mother continues her recovery.

After some time here, we intend to return to both IL and PA and lend our presence and service in support.

Here are a few more photos from our journey in the past month and a half for your enjoyment:

On our trip to Cape Town, South Africa in June we had a 9 hour layover in London. We could barely keep our eyes open.

a Tube ride and a quick walking tour of the Big names: Big Ben. Much better than staying in the airport.

We traveled on some big planes.

A 28 hour train took us from Cape Town to Johannesburg in South Africa. Even though we'd drastically changed our plans, it gave us a chance to catch some glimpses of many beautiful areas of the rest of the country.

On the train, a small coupe made it so we could fold down a small set of bunk beds for a little bit of sleep.

the mountains we passed were stunning. I couldn't stop staring. I dreamed of getting to explore them sometime. It made me a little homesick for California.

in Johannesburg we were blessed by incredible hospitality. A game of hackysack bridged the gap, especially when uncle D could so easily catch it on his head sending these two into uproarious laughter!

before we left Jo-burg in South Africa we had the chance to go to the Apartheid Museum which was a moving story of hope and continued struggle that the South Africans are living- there were many things reminiscent of our own country's challenges in racism, violence and oppression.

back to the lush beauty of Pa and Va in the summer- a drive and a hike in Shenandoah N. Park.

meals at my parent's are not small events. When we are all present, we number 16 with the 3 newest additions this year alone.

our roles shifted from newlywed world travelers to aunt and uncle and wedding preparation crew.

My youngest sister got married up on the ridge. It was full of rich relationships and freedom in Christ.

their reception was a spectacular spread of fresh fruits, breads and fancy cheeses.

They left for their honeymoon through a row of sparklers...

...in this hilarious vehicle

It was good to celebrate during this time.

Niece and Nephew with their glowing party favors for a summer evening.

Homemade fireworks were a theme all weekend. And as if to give an extra boom, after the newlyweds left and we were all cleaning up, off in the distance a true set of fireworks made us smile.

I cut my sister's hair in preparation for her chemo.

Uncle D became a jungle gym and a tickle monster.

The laughter of children was wonderful and a good time was had by all!!