MY SUMMER VACATION

It has been a great visit home for the past few weeks. We are wrapping up our trip and getting ready for the long flight back to Cesis, Latvia.

Several people, mainly our Latvian friends, have asked exactly how do we spend our time in the USA? I don't always know how to answer because it seems to evaporate so fast.

Here are a few things we got accomplished while we were in Texas:

- ate some Mexican food

- spoke to our FBC family on the highlights of the work going on in Cesis

- spoke at a college basketball camp

- had lunch with a real-live missionary from Nicaragua

- had a great visit with a Bible-smuggler from China

- got to express our personal appreciation to many of our supporters and encouragers

- ate some Mexican food

- spent a lot of time watching the NBA games and scratching my big dog's ears

- made two trips to Austin - one for visiting family, one for visa paperwork

- visited with 4 of my aunts, although 3 are in nursing homes

- planned activities for the summer team's visit

- removed the old dishwasher and installed a new one

- got some good tips from a former missionary to Brazil

- ate some Mexican food

- had a tooth extracted

- searched used books sales for the next few months reading materials

- bought a warmer parka so I won't freeze this winter

- new shoes!

- saw, heard and felt a huge electrical, lightning storm

- visited with some my oldest friends from as far back as junior high and high school days

- came within inches of being involved in huge wreck on the LBJ freeway

- had the best BBQ at the Salt Lick with my brother and nephew

- visited Rome (actually FBC-Athens' depiction of Rome for their vacation bible school-- very good)

- enjoyed catching up on our boys' lives and what is going on with them

- gathered up a few movies to take back for eventual viewing

- met my brother and family for a too short visit and meal

- TB tests ( I don't have it!)

- ate some Mexican food

Thanks to everyone for making our trip home enjoyable. It is always fun to see friends and relatives and to share what has been going on the past six months. Of the flip side, it is always hard to leave as there never seems to be enough time for family.

God has richly blessed us and we continue to thank him for family, friends and our supporters.