Deja Vu

As part of our moving process, I've been going through all the boxes we've had stored in various closets. One such box contained a stack of papers and mementos I've been saving since childhood.

While going through it, I was shocked and delighted to come across a postcard from Germany that someone (it might have been my dad, but neither one of us remembers for sure) had given me, and for some reason I kept all these years. The back is blank, but the front has a picturesque scene that looked remarkably familiar. I ran to the computer and scrolled through the pictures from our time in Germany during the World Race in 2006.

Yep, I've been there! What are the odds?

Not in MY house!

Since July, we've probably visited three dozen different houses before landing on our new home. I always looked with camera in hand, to record the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's always interesting to see the personal touches people add to their homes. So, here's a photo blog to share some of our most memorable moments from the hunt.

Who wouldn't want a stairway to nowhere?


...or a mural of parrotfish, quite literally?


Who wants an indoor garden?


As Gary investigated this skylight, I couldn't help but imagine an alien abduction!


After years of cigarette smoking indoors, evidence was captured in the stained walls. (If this was the damage to the paint, I can't imagine what your lungs would look like!)


This pic is one of my faves: isn't so much about the house, but capturing a beautiful moment.


It was definitely fun to look, but I am more excited about the home that will be ours. One more week until we move!

Destination: Uganda!

I'm excited to announce that next summer, Gary, Molly, and I will be co-leading a youth mission trip to Uganda with Adventures in Missions. The trip is part of AIM's Ambassador program, designed for students ages 14-18 who want to serve God on trips that vary in length from one to four weeks. We will be ministering in Busia, Uganda (right across the border from Kenya) from June 30, 2010 to July 30, 2010.


According to AIM's website:

Much of the ministry will be will be in partnership with Helping Hands Ministry. The team will be ministering at a school for orphans. There will be opportunities to provide friendship, bible studies, education and the gospel to the children. In addition to the children, you will have a chance to minister to young adults in the area with outreach events working alongside Ugandans who are trying to reach their peers.

The team will assist and learn how to best minister with and to the people of Uganda. There may also be opportunities for the team to work with local churches "in the bush" once a week. The opportunities to join God in what He is doing in Uganda will be many and full of variety.

When I left Africa in 2006, I felt as if I left a piece of my heart there. I have been asking God since that time if it might be in His will for me to someday return and love on orphans in His name. I am thrilled for this opportunity, and am looking forward to four weeks of discipling teenagers while serving together.

AIM is accepting applications now for students who would like to participate in this trip. If you would like to join us, we would love to have you! Click here for more information about the trip!

Molly Update

So in case you haven't heard, Molly departed for her mission trip this past Wednesday, September 23rd. She left out of San Francisco at 6 am (!) and arrived in McAllen, Texas later that day. AIM staff met participants at the airport and drove them across the border to their home for the next two months.

During the training portion of their trip, the entire Novas group will be living and working out The Gateway, AIM's mission base in Matamoros, Mexico. Molly is bunking with 26 girls in a giant room. She reports that it is beautiful and raining right now. The day after arriving, the participants began a two day period of solitude to focus on prayer and connecting with God. They were given reading and journaling assignments. Molly has found this time challenging, but valuable.

On December 1, Molly will be flying to Swaziland with her teammates Jessica, Lila, Katie, Bryan, and John. They will be working with orphans at the Nsoko care point through next May.

Here are a couple of team pics from their training camp last month:



You can follow along with Molly's journey at her blog by here: http://mollymcrae.myadventures.org/.

Also, here is an address where you can send letters while the team is in Mexico:

Molly McRae
C/O: Tag Thompson
Adventures in Missions
6000 Wellspring Trail
Gainesville, GA 30506

They will keep the letters there and as staff goes down to Mexico they will take any mail which comes in. Make sure to send a message of encouragement!

700 Pelican Way

Yep, that's going to be our new address! We're moving back to Sacramento this fall to be closer to Gary's seminary, where he will be studying full time for the next two years. After a looooong round of searching, we found this little house that will be perfect for the next chapter of our lives!


At this stage, we have made an offer, which has been accepted. We are hoping that escrow goes quickly, but right now it looks like we will probably be moving in early October. 700 Pelican Way is a two bed - two bath home in the Natomas area, off of Northgate. It's not huge, but it's got a lot of personality.

There's a huge fireplace in the living room, for those chilly winter evenings:


There's a gorgeous brick porch out back (complete with ceiling fan!), perfect for grilling when the weather's good!


There's also a little bay window in the kitchen, and a cedar lined closet in the master:

The second bedroom is cute, but slated for re-painting (sorry, mom & dad!):


The backyard is the perfect size for our little dog to run around in:



Oh, and have I mentioned the best part? Once we're moved in, you're invited! =)

Garden Variety

I've been continuing to enjoy my camera (Canon Rebel xsi), and have really appreciated the feedback and encouragement you've given on my past photo blogs. I never intentionally set out to do closeups, but these are the details that grab my attention and delight. I hope you enjoy the same intricate beauty that originally caught my eye. So (Brandon), here's round two!

A perfect heart:


Spiderweb with water droplets:


Translucent rose petals:


This little guy took off when he tired of having his picture taken!


Rainbow in my own backyard:


A little photo editing goes a long way:

Monochromatic Melancholy

Yesterday marked my first attempt to shoot monochrome with the new camera. I am extremely pleased with how these turned out. I hope you enjoy them as well.

The first is one of my favorites. I love the cascading effect of the petals going out of focus to the edges.


This next one is best at full-size. I found my eye wandering over the edge of each petal; for me it had the same entrancing feeling as watching ripples move across water, or waves on the ocean.


I don't believe I could have posed these four roses any more attractively:


This final pictures is Gary's favorite, a timeless rosebud.


I would greatly appreciate your feedback... do any of these pictures speak to you?

Chateau St. Jean Photo-Blog

Following our 4th of July parade and pancake breakfast, we meandered down the road to visit the Chateau St. Jean winery in Sonoma. This winery has one of the most stunningly beautiful grounds I've ever seen (a fact not unnoticed by others, as they were preparing to host a wedding reception during our visit). I couldn't help but keep snapping pictures... I'm sure you can see why!