Life As We Know It

As you can see from either our lack of posts or our inability to return phone calls life has been very busy but good for us this past couple of months. I thought some pictures could best explain what has been happening.

In no particular order this characterizes our life in the last couple of months. I apologize if I forget something, or someone.

If you were to ask us this past summer what our dream situation would be for the next year we would have told you; "For me (dan) to find a full time

job, for us to be able to

buy a house, and for that house to be close to the beach." At the time we were living a very creepy and rustic cabin eating camp full and carrying around walky talkees (sp?) with no idea what life would have for us once we finished the summer.

As you know from my previous post I took a position at a small church in Vista Ca. We recently got back from our 1st winter retreat where we took 13 students up to big bear. Less one fender bender the trip was a complete success. The group name is Montage. The meaning behind the name is comes out of the id

ea that we are all different but through Christ we can come together as one. In this unity we show ourselves as a montage to the world. Under the umbrella of Montage Youth Ministries we are going to be starting a study hall/tutoring service to the city of vista. I am very excited and continue to be challenged with being at Grace Presbyterian Church.

Things that our new; well (don't worry this blog post has nothing to do with future mini-vandewarkers run

ning around... sorry to disappoint) we have a home. It was crazy. It was our first offer, our first house, and we were home owners living in our new home in less then a month. You can see our bright green kitchen, which I love because it reminds me of my sassy wife, but what you can't see is the countless hours that our families put into helping us make this our new home. We love the house and it is only 2.69 (not that I am counting) miles away from the beach. A huge incentive

for our nephews to come visit us. And we have a extra bedroom so if you are ever in the area we would love to have you.

The beach has become our refuge away from school, house work, to do list, and even our jobs. We feel so blessed to be living where we are.

Then last, but not least, there is the dog. FINALLY i get to have my dog back. And Shannon has even taken to him and says things like "I just love you so much..." Who would have thought? Evidence that God is at work in making my joys hers... But seriously, we have loved having a pet. Even in the worse days we come home and see his wagging tail and it puts into perspective the simple things in life. And my parents even call and ask for me to bring him up to visit...

Life is good. We are busy. We are thankful.