Nathan in Romania

Nathan went to Romania last week. I didn't publicize this on the blog because I didn't want anyone to break into the house while I was home alone. JK... kinda. Another bonus about living with the McKenneys is that I didn't have worry so much about the whole robbers thing. And my bedroom window is on the third floor, so that helps. Anyway... I'll get started.

My husband, the cheapest man alive, chose a journey that included a night train from Durham, an overnight stay at Gatwick, an 8-hour layover in Frankfurt, and a midnight arrival in Bucharest the following day. He's cray-cray.

Nathan didn't want to stay at a hotel between the hours of 1 a.m., when he arrived in London, and 10 a.m., when his flight departed. Oh no... He took a picture of his resting place at the airport, a.k.a behind the pagan high altar of the multi-faith chapel.

I'm not sure what the two blocks between the cross and the star of David represent. You?

During his layover in Frankfurt, he took the same amount of pictures as he did for the rest of his time in Romania.

Cool German buildings

Some more cool German buildings on a river

A classic German meal. I think it's safe to presume that he was off the Whole30 wagon during his trip.

So why did Nathan go to Romania in the first place? Well, a two main reasons:1) to see the ministry that my parents helped found 20 years ago, called Children to Love International and 2) to support Jake (center), who is currently the main caretaker for Ramos (left).

****update: pictures of the kids have been removed until permission has been granted by the appropriate people. I jumped the gun! Sorry!***

Ramos was in hospice care until Jake came to be with him in April. He is doing much, much better, but he is still not expected to survive his blood infection. He has suffered much in his 16 years, including  horrific abuse in orphanages and the rehab center where he is now. He split his chin open a few years ago, and the wound never properly healed, leading to sepsis. Needless to say, it was/is such a sad story that only makes sense in light of eternity.

He also saw mangy dogs...

...and palatial buildings...

...and pretty flowers...

...and rusty old Dacias...

...and kept with tradition...

...and saw John Piper preach twice...

...and came home with some duty free German chocolate.

When I asked him what the highlight of his trip was, he said it was hanging out with John Piper in the airport for TWO HOURS on the way home. Can you imagine?!

John Piper's Desiring God website is here. You must check out Ian and Larissa's story on the front page. His biographical sketches are found here. Start with John G. Paton one, "You Will Be Eaten By Cannibals," at the bottom of the page. Ah-mazing. One of my favorite things too is the "Ask Pastor John" series. You could type it into YouTube. Here's one to get you started: What would you say to a man wanting to sleep with his girlfriend?

Mother's Day for Waiting Moms

Source

Thanks to my awesome mom for sending this to me. It's been helpful in preparing for yet another Mother's Day (my second this year!) with aching, empty arms. Happy Mother's Day to her, to all moms, and to moms in waiting like me. Joni and Friends Daily Devotional  May 6, 2012 Greetings!

Mother's Day

'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,' says the Lord.  Isaiah 54:1 For years my husband Ken and I tried to conceive a child. I knew of other spinal-cord injured women who gave birth to children, and was convinced I could do the same. I planned to turn my art studio into a baby nursery, and my wheelchair into a 'stroller.' I could even envision holding my baby in a 'kangaroo carrier' on my wheelchair. But it wasn't to be. After many tests at an infertility clinic, Ken and I realized we would not be able to have a child. At first, I was devastated. But then we realized we already had a family. A worldwide family. We began to rejoice anew over the thousands of spiritual children - especially children with disabilities - that my story had touched over the years. Ken and I began to pray in a deeper, more specific way for these young people. Almost over night God took away the pain and emptiness of my barren womb. I almost plastered an Isaiah 54:1 bumper sticker on the back of my wheelchair!                            There's a reason for every woman to celebrate Mother's Day - even those who, like me, do not have children. Any woman, whether single or widowed, can enjoy rich relationships with boys and girls in their neighborhoods, churches, and extended family. If you have never given birth to a child, ask God to show you a young person whose life you can spiritually nurture - it'll be a reason to "burst into song and shout for joy." Look up Child Evangelism Fellowship atwww.cefonline.com to find ways you can share Christ with young people. Lord God, I'm glad you take delight when we provide spiritual 'parenting' to children in our sphere of influence. Use me to bring more boys and girls into your kingdom!

Blessings, Joni and Friends www.joniandfriends.org

My Hall of Fame Mom

I'm so proud of my mom! She was just inducted into her high school's hall of fame. What for? For being AWESOME. Taft High churned out an AMAZING author/interpreter/professor/non-profit organization founder/advocate for the orphans and disabled/daughter/sister/wife/mom. 

I'm bursting with pride and tears! I just wish I could have been there.

I love this picture of June taking pictures. :)

My sister and mom at the dinner

My mom in front of her "Princess Diana" picture. It was originally taken for a jacket cover for some ASL worship videos she did for Deaf Missions, but I think it looks royal. 

Woohoo!

My brother and sister

Go Wildcats! 

Here is the video of her speech. Thanks to my cousin Robin for recording it and to my uncle Bob for e-mailing it to me! The sound isn't that great but you can hear it if you turn the sound all the way up.

Leave a congratulatory note for her here in the comments. Or if you see her before I do, please give her a big hug from me.

On a Walk

We went on a walk. 

This picture makes Durham look like Tijuana, but these are just a few gardening allotments, which kind of look ghetto through the camera.

The cathedral through the haze

Sunshine for once. I think this was one of two sunny days since I've been back from my cruise.

I asked Nathan if I could take his picture. He took this to mean that I wanted him to pull up his sleeves and show his muscles.

And flex them.

But I LOVE this one. He just looks handsome and happy, like he always looks.

Cathedral in the distance

In front of the fields of gold

This crop has the unfortunate name of rapeseed.

A self portrait which, shockingly, does not include Nathan's open mouth. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Some of My Faves from Heidi

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite pictures from Heidi's camera.

We went to the cafe at least once every day. They had pizza, cookies, and sandwiches 24/7. They also had a coffee/tea bar. I always got lemon tea, and Heidi just got hot water. I told her that everything was free, but she said that she wanted to get warmed up without any flavoring.

This was the first day of the cruise, and I am pasty white. The only reason I'm showing it to you is because the people in the background are Geordies, and they're from about 10 miles away from where I live in England. I heard their accent and I thought, "There is no escape from the Northeast!"

Breakfast was my favorite! The buffet had every breakfast food imaginable from around the world. I ate so much pineapple that after a few days my tongue was swollen, and I had to cut myself off.

This is the view from where Heidi and I sunbathed. There are two pools and two hot tubs on this side of the deck, and there are more on the other side just for adults.

Heidi and I really enjoyed sharing our table with Alice and Sue, granddaughter and grandmother, who were from South Carolina. We loved their accents! True Southerners...

Heidi took this picture from the ship of Labadee, Haiti. It was beautiful!

This is the water in Grand Cayman. Gorgeous! 

We found this flower growing on some bushes in Grand Cayman.

The view of the cruise ships in Grand Cayman

Jamaica! These guys were on stilts all day. I even saw them chatting on their cell phones while taking pictures with people.

One of my highlights was eating at Johnny Rockets on the ship. I had the best burger there, and I just had to give a shimmy of love to my milkshake it was so tasty!

My dear friend Katy (college friend/bridesmaid at our wedding) was such an awesome hostess. I loved being at her house and hanging out with her family in Fort Lauderdale.

This is a view of our room. Outside the window is a view of the promenade. I told you these pictures were in no particular order.

Me and our ship

Me and our ship's anchor

I think that's it! Are you sold on cruises now? You should be! I had a fantastic experience and just can't wait to do it again!

Cinco De Mayo En El Primer De Mayo

How crazy is this? I found this random post in my "drafts" file, and I guess I never published it! We had some Mexican food to celebrate Cinco De Mayo last year, but we ate it on May 1st instead. I remember Kristine and I tried to make our own tortillas, but in the end we agreed to just buy some from the store. 

Love and miss my fellow California friend, Kristine, who's now living in London. 

Enjoy these pictures taken a year ago today!