Wow, again, been a while. I have no idea how people keep up on this thing and on facebook and lotus notes, etc. I think this might be a monthly thing for me. Lots and lots has gone on since last writing. My husband has been appointed as County Coordinator of El Paso and I have been appointed Corps Officer of the El Paso Citadel. Sooooo strange since this was our first appointment as assistants way back when and we absolutely loved it then and we have many of the same people still here and still in ministry which is great. Some things have stayed the same and some things have changed quite a bit. It is a busy busy appointment (especially my husband's job). We have not unpacked because some work needs to be done to the quarters first so I feel a bit out of sorts not knowing where my stuff is. It is hard being so far from family and close friends but the air travel costs aren't too bad. Our oldest and 3 grandbabies are moving out here soon so they will be close. Rachael is here with us for the time being. She misses Phoenix and a few special someones there. I had back surgery on June 23 (week before moving) and I was soooo dumb and reinjured my back during the move. Hoping to find a decent dr. here in El Paso to see what the damage is. Bekah got to go to 2 SAY camps. One with the our past Corps and one with the present. She really enjoyed both and it helped us to get settled, get her room ready and find a few of her things in the process. We had some awesome help with the move. We had 5 great guys from the past Corps and one of our best friend's drive from Bakersfield (Bob) to load up the truck. Keep in mind it was 115 degrees that day and so they moved as quick as possible and loaded up in 2 hours! Our friend from Bakersfield stayed an extra day and helped with the last minute loading up (after the kids had to be taken to camp). Then one of our best friends from Glendale (Jared) came over and helped us by driving the U-Haul because I couldn't drive and helped Keith with some things on this end. He and Christina also helped by keeping Bekah over night for the next camp. Angelina and Jason were a huge help keeping Bekah whenever we needed them to (my surgery, the weekend before the next SAY camp, etc). We definitely could not have done it without all their help! Such a blessing! Hope you all are having a great summer and trying to stay cool:) Blessings!

We made it back after a glorious 13 day trip to Greece and Turkey. It was so amazing to see Scripture come to life as we walked Paul's missionary footsteps in Greece and saw the places he preached the gospel, sat on the steps where he talked to the folks, walked in the water where the Lydian and her family were baptized, saw the very stadiums where the believers were martyred, sat next to the prison cell Paul and Silas were kept in just steps away from where Paul had helped rid of a demon in a fortune telling woman, saw some magnificent churches and some fantastic art work. It was amazing to see structures still standing after 1,000s of years. I loved getting a feel for a new culture as we walked the streets of each town we stayed in. The people of Greece dress very classy and seemed very gracious. Had absolutely no idea what they were saying but enjoyed hearing the language. Walked through a subway station for the first time and almost got caught in a march for people against the economic status of the country. We stayed in beautiful hotels next to the Aegean Sea and the food was awesome but soooo rich. Baklava, yum! On to Turkey the next week and much different culture than Greece but such a beautiful country. Each corner had a mosque with minerets announcing prayer 5 times a day (the first one at 5:30 am each morning). You name it they grew it there....olives, grapes, almonds, cherries, citrus fruit, saffron, semolina, etc. It was so amazing to see shepherds with sheep for the first time in my life. We had the privilege of walking among the cities of the churches mentioned in Revelations. To walk in the thermal waters of Pammukale and see Laodicea at the foot of these waters and realize this is where God speaks of them as luke warm water as they also had the Aegean Sea beside them as well. To walk the streets of Ephesians and see the immense length of it and see the Christians "graffiti" left behind from over 1,000 years ago (IXOYE, fish and mennorah candle). To see the place that the disciple John's body lays. To go to Istanbul and see the Blue Mosque, St. Sofia's church and the Sultan's Palace. To ride in a boat along the Black Sea and walk along the Grand Bazaar with over 4,000 small markets that has been existence for over 1,000 years as well. There was so much more but you get the jest. What an amazing, once in a lifetime experience I will never forget.