tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28305483710433145452012-02-16T04:03:29.019-06:00Chris, Karen, Andrew and Melanie's AdventuresChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-89025605821194544232011-08-02T16:38:00.003-06:002011-08-02T16:47:23.011-06:00Vacation 2011Our 2011 vacation was a big hit. After our trip home from Louisiana in 2007, we spent one night in Moab, UT and barely touched the beauty of Arches. We vowed then to return for a "real" stay and fulfilled our vow this year. We scheduled our get-away to leave the day after the kids finished school to beat as much of the summer heat as possible, and we did it! We enjoyed the upper 80s at ArchesChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-76218535413128132132011-02-12T14:55:00.003-06:002011-02-12T14:59:43.905-06:00Out of EgyptEgypt is free! The power of the people to overthrow their 30 year control-hungry dictator in 18 days is absolutely amazing.I posted the satire below two days ago, the day Mubarak was expected to announce his resignation. I felt at the time an introductory comment was in order, but I was quite tired and wanted to post the satire when it was still timely. Sure enough, by the very next morning, it Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-43004864998929692642011-02-11T00:17:00.003-06:002011-02-12T15:00:53.753-06:00Let yourself go!“Let yourself go!” cried the people to Pharaoh, “So that we may be free!” “Who are the people,” replied Pharaoh, “that they know better than me? I will let everyone in my Cabinet go, but I will not let myself go.”Using tools of communication, the people planned a great gathering to cry with a very loud voice. Together, the people shouted, “Let yourself go! So that we may be free!”“What are these Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-26613951903611562352011-02-06T22:57:00.003-06:002011-02-06T23:04:03.733-06:00Gold Man Sacks Little GuyA version of the following was originally posted elsewhere the day after the Fed Chairman announced more "qualitative easing" (printing money). It recently posted on a spoof news site like this. Given that this blog is far behind on family updates, we'll post this satire Karen wrote.New York: Just while stocks reached record highs in the Great Recession, investigators revealed today they Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-81156769339739650332010-11-25T12:30:00.002-06:002010-11-25T12:32:30.946-06:00Happy ThanksgivingHappy thanksgiving all!We admit we have been lax in updating our blog. If you liked "The Cookies are Gone," feel free to check www.whispersofmystery.blogspot.comBlessings to all!Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-13609492618681269582010-06-15T10:38:00.001-06:002010-06-15T10:39:55.602-06:00The Cookies are Gone<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-76916045868659818022010-03-29T22:35:00.003-06:002010-03-30T23:50:42.861-06:00Andrew, Melanie, Averi, and EliChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-63714015507309198732010-03-27T11:27:00.002-06:002010-03-27T11:48:31.633-06:00Spring break in Northern CAWe just returned from one of our most life-giving spring break get-aways! We left early Sunday morning (3/21) for our long 9 hour road trip to the Travis home in Etna, CA! Whew! The kids were tired, but did so well. Thanks, Mom L, for winning a portable DVD player! We gave each of our kids a set of headphones – made for adults, ugh! – but a film toward the end of the drive was a true blessing.We Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-71471590422172934062010-02-13T22:43:00.003-06:002010-02-13T22:44:53.867-06:00Story of the miracle of AlexSee the beautiful video put out by Scott and Abby's church:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63uGpYOlJGE&feature=channelChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-33870695497122269052010-01-18T22:10:00.002-06:002010-01-18T22:19:09.113-06:00GREAT NEWS!!!Great news!!!! This in from Abby’s Facebook . . ."Humanitarian Parole was just issued!!!!! You're coming home Alex!! No details yet...getting all of our documents together!! Children will be transported to the USA. Praising Jesus!!!!"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord! We are tearing up. We pray for safe and quick travel for Alex all the way home to Scott and Abby's. Alex, you have Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-29969914397845044702010-01-16T18:12:00.007-06:002010-01-18T13:04:12.782-06:00Praying for Haiti<?xml:namespace prefix = o /> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt;Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-78630206719061199432009-12-29T12:40:00.005-06:002009-12-29T12:53:45.148-06:00We love you, Grandpa Wil<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-18735439320628451612009-09-17T12:30:00.005-06:002009-09-19T21:08:20.304-06:00Off to School!<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-51401010172421930072009-08-02T10:39:00.002-06:002009-08-02T10:56:17.477-06:00Bravo!<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-24362008072154376612009-08-01T15:48:00.002-06:002009-08-01T15:50:09.549-06:00Blue Cafe rocks the house for Jazz in the Valley debut!We did it! Jazz in the Valley was a blast, and such an awesome and appreciative crowd!Thanks to the the Jazz in the Valley board and to all our friends and community supporters who have encouraged us along throughout our musical journey.Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-9537615117053441312009-07-25T17:48:00.001-06:002009-07-25T17:55:16.150-06:00Blue Cafe to play at Jazz in the Valley tonight!<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-73220668830864862732009-06-12T20:32:00.003-06:002009-06-12T20:49:47.898-06:00Babble-on<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-62357450929552952982009-03-28T17:57:00.002-06:002009-03-28T18:14:12.787-06:00Bugs<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-3428965811784526382009-03-03T18:26:00.002-06:002009-03-03T18:34:41.422-06:00Lost and Found<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-60322159418038926122009-01-15T21:37:00.006-06:002009-01-16T10:53:27.218-06:00Grieving in Gaza<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-69368540046829617782008-11-05T11:35:00.005-06:002008-11-05T11:43:15.470-06:00A New Day<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-49894196055375445062008-10-18T12:54:00.011-06:002008-10-19T18:13:23.770-06:00Can we have the audacity to hope?<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-34547338190260325252008-09-23T21:26:00.011-06:002008-10-28T09:55:53.657-06:00Red Cross Gustav Part 2At Baton Rouge headquarters, I was assigned to Sheltering, but Wayne, Casey and our new friend Dave were all assigned to Feeding. But we had one vehicle and an OK from Randy for an apartment, so we had to get me into Feeding so we could all stay together. That turned out to be a greater challenge than expected, as the bureaucratic staff wasn’t willing to move anyone whose name was already on a Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-26556141401444451492008-09-20T16:26:00.005-06:002008-10-28T10:01:33.178-06:00Red Cross GustavAWEI am filled with awe about how God can use two weeks. In only two weeks, God can teach us and work through us in ways so remarkable I can not begin to wrap my head around it. Three years ago, in a two-week trip to Venezuela, God transformed all my thought paradigms so radically that my mind was cast into a hurricane for months. But I came out of it victorious. That two weeks taught me a Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-14495967790159232852008-08-27T13:18:00.006-06:002008-08-27T13:54:47.508-06:00The "Staff of God" could mark "Labor Day," but "Grace" to followLast night, I was struck by the news report on Gustav, reported as a Category 1 in the Caribbean, to be headed for the US this weekend. Since it looked like it might be headed for New Orleans, I checked weather.com, which said it's too soon to know where it will go. Then, I checked hebrewbabynames.com and learned that "Gustav" means "Staff of God." When it struck me that it is headed to the USChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-81760188396217911092008-08-06T11:57:00.003-06:002008-08-06T12:02:45.111-06:00Metaphor 3: The Redwood TreeOur trip to the Redwoods prompted an interruption to the next metaphor I had planned to write with the latest on my mind: the redwood tree.The redwood is the tallest and most majestic tree in the world, and yet, it rests on a surprisingly fragile foundation. According to the experts at Trees of Mystery, the roots of a redwood (which can be as tall as 375 ft) go down only 2-3 feet. Their root Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-3405075122274985532008-07-21T16:43:00.002-06:002008-07-21T16:50:32.616-06:00Home from CAWe enjoyed a wonderful time visiting Gramma Marian in California. We also saw Grampa Glen at Lakeview Lodge, where he is still contended. As always, he was happy to see Mom and seemed happy to have us there too. His recognition of us has declined, however. The last time we visited, he looked at me with a “Where do I know you from?” gaze, but beamed at Melanie and hugged her in delight, seeming toChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-63159351577690868862008-06-16T12:39:00.005-06:002008-06-16T12:53:11.266-06:00Metaphor 2: Running Against the WindHappy Father’s Day, dads! Chris decided on a day trip to Leavenworth and we all had a great time. Surprisingly, the weather was beautiful. Finally, we hope – though perhaps I’m speaking too soon – we’ve made it to spring. While much of the country has been battling heat waves and fire (or floods and tornadoes), we haven’t managed to get out of winter. Just last week, we had a blizzard out here Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-10144080682880406422008-06-01T16:08:00.005-06:002008-08-06T12:02:22.642-06:00Metaphor 1: Two FeetA myriad of metaphors has captured Karen's imagination these past three years. They often come into play in conversation, but lately the impulse has risen to begin sharing them in writing too. We'll blog them bit by bit. Here’s the first one . . .Two Feet into the Kingdom JourneyOur natural self walks with both feet in the world. When we choose to follow Christ, we place our first foot into the Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-55344577078720235212008-04-30T20:18:00.008-06:002008-04-30T21:03:50.320-06:00The Righteous PrinceSome of you who have been familiar with some of my (Karen's) writing in the past couple of years have asked, "Are you going to blog that?" or "When will you start blogging some of those?" My usual answer has been, "Maybe sometime, but not yet." All right, I'll try blogging this one. Like most of what I've written lately, it pushes the envelope. But it's written as a fairy tale, so hopefully, it'sChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-21672247653162787272008-03-27T20:48:00.005-06:002008-03-27T21:36:55.004-06:00CyclesDuring our work with Katrina evacuees, I (Karen) mulled over “cycles of poverty.” What causes them? How can those trapped transcend them? I discovered that the poor have many more opportunities to do so than I had ever before realized, but they can’t see them. We returned home and listened to neighbors and friends through their trials of divorce, debt, illness, and frustrations at work. We Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-43671746465748270262008-01-24T16:18:00.000-06:002008-01-24T16:52:24.206-06:00God's telling me what heaven looks like!"I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You did hide these things from the wise and intelligent and did reveal them to babes" (Matt 11:25)At dinner recently, Andrew announced, "God's telling me what God and Jesus look like!" "Really?" "Yeah, you want me to draw them?" "Sure! Go, ahead!" Andrew quickly produced two pictures. The first one was of Jesus wearing a light blue shepherd'sChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-42742382158766796472007-08-29T16:25:00.000-06:002007-08-29T16:26:26.004-06:00Katrina AnniversaryOur blessings and prayers go out today to all those who suffered from Hurricane Katrina two years ago today. We learned much from our experience of working with some of you who evacuated to Baton Rouge, as well as a few who stayed in New Orleans. Sabrina, you especially were an inspiration to us for not letting tragedy and attack get you down, but instead, for lifting many others out of the Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-31401830109975564022007-07-19T17:09:00.000-06:002007-08-08T12:32:36.062-06:00Our return homeOn our first day of our trip home, God sent us a local who suggested we scrap MapQuest through Dallas and take a quicker NW backroute. Not only did his route cut much distance, but it also spared us from oncoming thunderstorms. For most of our trip, we either just passed or just missed the chaotic weather of each destination, as if we were in a protected pocket.This pocket was evident the first Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-7936588068161415362007-07-16T02:24:00.000-06:002007-08-01T22:45:48.761-06:00Chris's Louisiana ReflectionsWe were right where God wanted us to be in Louisiana. Instead of many scurried trips back and forth to and from New Orleans and other places, we limited our longer-distance travels in order to make more time for one-on-one bonding as a family and with the people we were meeting in Baton Rouge. Sure, we were there to do relief work, but God was also doing His work on us individually, as a family, Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-61505210094903664652007-07-03T16:28:00.000-06:002007-07-05T15:02:40.788-06:00Karen's reflection postGreetings! We’re back in Ellensburg! Last night, we took a walk and talked through some of the ideas we’re thinking for our reflection posts. We’re planning three: one for me, one for Chris, and one for the amazing return trip we had from BR to Eburg. I’ll begin jotting mine . . .In a nutshell, we both feel that God had us exactly where He wanted us with the Baton Rouge Ministry Center (BRMC). Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-25152680877886937762007-05-31T14:08:00.000-06:002007-05-31T14:20:51.188-06:00ThunderstormHurricane season starts tomorrow and we are in one heck of a thunderstorm right now. WOW! When Louisiana decides to do a storm, it does it big. None of this wimpy stuff like we get in the NW, with clouds slowly forming and whispering to us that that rain will break with maybe some soft thunder and a break of lightning or two. OH NO! Let’s be LOUD and terrifying. Let’s knock people out of their Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-89008766314483168582007-05-21T23:25:00.000-06:002007-05-21T23:34:56.383-06:00Check out our new links!Just got into adding links to our blog! We've got a link to the Hurricane on the Bayou IMAX film (mentioned earlier in our blog). We also have a link to Larry and Krista Lain's blog. Larry and Krista are the Associate Pastor couple, about our age, serving with us here at Baton Rouge Ministry Center. Also, check out the link to WWOZ (famous New Orleans jazz radio station I'm going to tour on Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-57820067882407423932007-05-20T09:17:00.001-06:002007-05-31T14:12:14.736-06:00Baton Rouge Ministry Center Jobs for Life ClassJobs for Life Grads, from L to R:Beverly, Charlotte, David, and Lawrence. With Chris and Assoc. Pastor Larry Lain.Beverly was recently forced to move from her FEMA trailer at one of many local Baton Rouge trailer sites that has been shut down, due to massive consolidations. She was told she could not take her dog, her only real daily companion, with her to her new trailer in Port Allen, and many Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-76954392521423747712007-05-19T10:39:00.001-06:002007-05-19T10:43:13.283-06:00Wanna' be first? Get rid of your stuff!After Andrew & Avery’s home school with Krista (Avery’s mom), I take all the kids out for a walk. The other day, Chris came too and the kids wanted to race. Melanie was ahead (Yah hoo! Go Melanie!), Andrew close behind, followed by me and Chris walking, and Avery (the fastest runner) way in the back. She kept calling for me to carry her many leaves, sticks, flowers, and so forth, so she couldChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-89797906345591974112007-05-10T13:46:00.000-06:002007-05-10T14:44:01.516-06:00Hurricane on the BayouHi everyone! We just returned from a quick trip up to see my (Karen's) mom's side of the family in the DC area and had a wonderful time. Melanie and (2nd) cousin Natalie (only 6 wks apart) made instant and close friends. A highlight came from an idea of my cousin Linda (Natalie's mom) to see "Hurricane on the Bayou." Uncle John & Jeanie who are science museum planners (and had previously Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-72302762512781761852007-04-23T21:16:00.000-06:002007-05-13T20:57:01.827-06:00Update from Baton Rouge!Greetings friends and family!We finally got more pictures posted to our site! More still to come, too. It may be difficult to see some of these, so we'll try to explain as we post. Thanks to all for waiting patiently for us to provide some online updates.We spent all morning today cleaning out, organizing, moving stuff, etc. in the church in order to better prepare it for more construction. Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-32497175860809100252007-04-10T20:37:00.000-06:002007-04-10T21:37:26.771-06:00Settling In Down SouthFirst of all, we promise to start post pictures as soon as we can! We're the kind of people who hold on to our 20th century items (like non-digital cameras) until they simply cease to work. Some friends gave us one of their digital cameras toward the beginning of our trip, but unfortunately the camera didn't work. So, we still have 3 rolls of camera film to develop into CDs. Now, we just needChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-20133367019801455072007-04-06T13:21:00.000-06:002007-04-06T13:48:22.434-06:00Notes from the first dayI (Chris) attended a job training class put on by the Baton Rouge Ministry Center on Wednesday (4/4/07). Class attendees included 5 evacuees still living in FEMA trailer villages. This particular class session was fun and interactive. Using the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" as a frame of reference, the class attendees were overall very positive and are definitely working hard to get their Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-66047522649965186582007-03-27T21:54:00.000-06:002007-04-02T03:07:46.863-06:00On the roadWhew! What an undertaking it’s been to begin this journey to the Gulf Coast to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. Most recently, the story has involved a marriage tester of packing for the trip, deciding what not to bring, cleaning the house, and storing stuff away to make room for our renter/housesitters. Before that, it was concern over raising funds for the BR apartment and finding an interim Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-87416768053772848372007-03-27T21:49:00.000-06:002007-03-27T22:01:37.680-06:00Chris's storyAs a musician and a jazz lover, I had always wanted to see New Orleans. The news of Hurricane Katrina was a shocking wake up call to us, as we were heading home from a vacation in Oregon and re-emerging into daily civilization. Since the deadly tsunami of late 2004 in southeast Asia, Karen and I have been focused a lot more on natural disasters, and overwhelmed by their magnitude and frequency ofChris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-71093288109635907952007-03-27T21:47:00.000-06:002007-08-08T12:27:43.738-06:00Karen's storyMy story goes back to May of 2005, when I went to Venezuela. There, God began to show me some remarkable insights about myself: who I am, what makes me tick, what makes me unique, how that has influenced my relationships – for better and for worse – and for what purpose God has planted me on this earth. It began with vivid, colorful movie-like memories – filled with all five senses – of my early Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-27315010912893200112007-02-02T01:03:00.000-06:002007-02-02T01:05:32.823-06:00Our FamilyChris and Karen, with kids Andrew and Melanie. Boy do we miss that sunshine!Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2830548371043314545.post-70383046028511880272006-12-28T22:59:00.000-06:002007-04-02T20:47:24.512-06:002005 Christmas LetterFor another look at the summer of '05, we included a true story from the year in our Christmas letter that was also like a parable . . .Dear Friends and Family,What a crazy year 2005 has been. If a year begins and ends with the birth of Christ, then this year began with the Tsunami, to be followed by more disasters any year has ever seen and the only year ever that the weather service ran out of Chris & Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05867029815026267389noreply@blogger.com0