Up, Up, and Away

 As requested, I am finally updating our blog.  Sorry for those of you who have been anxiously awaiting, counting down the very hours until a new entry is posted on our site ;). 

Daniel and I just returned to Guatemala after a month long visit with friends and family in the States.  Our time was rejuvenating and fruitful in many ways.  We arrived just in time to celebrate Easter and spend time with the entire immediate family.  It was the first time that Jack and Eli (nephews) were finally able to meet “Uncle Taco” in person.  They LOVE their Uncle Taco!  Jacob (brother-in-law) got his turn to finally meet Daniel a week later at our wedding reception.

Our first week was consumed by planning and preparing for our State-side wedding reception.  We had a total of 170 guests join us in the “third” celebration of our marriage; the first being the civil wedding, the second be the religious ceremony in Guatemala.  Pastor Derek did a tremendous job with the ceremony.  Daniel and I reaffirmed our vows (it had been a whole 3 and a half months ya know…ha).  We had friends and family from all over join us.  To say it meant a lot is not to say enough!

I took Daniel on his first visit to Chicago where we reconnected with seminary friends, ate CHIPTOLE (YUMMY) and Chicago style pizza.  We also hit up the Sears tower (I refuse to call it Willis Tower).  I even managed to shimmy my body out unto the sky boxes…SUPER SCARY!  Oh and we found an apartment for next year.

But perhaps the most exciting news is…DANIEL GOT HIS PRIVATE LICENSE!!  This was by no means in the plans for our trip.  In fact, while we were packing, Daniel asked about bringing his pilot books to study and told him it would be a waste of space…WHOOPS!  Daniel spent significant amount of our trip hanging out at a crop dusting airport where he immediately made friends.  The mechanic, Michael, offered to give Daniel free instruction and free use of his plane.  In less than two weeks time, Daniel studied for a written exam, oral exam, and a practical test, along with 35 hours of training.   To say I am proud is an understatement and to say that what Michael and everyone else at Woodley Aerial did is a blessing is also an understatement.

Daniel has always wanted to be a pilot since he can remember.  When he was younger, people would laugh when he told them his dream.  After all, how would an orphan boy who once lived on the streets ever accomplish a dream like that?  The answer, God!  God is good all the time; all the time, God is good!

Thank you to each and every one of you who have lifted us up in prayer, who have encouraged us, and who have supported us in various ways.  May you too be blessed by the Almighty God!

 

UNCLE TACO!!!!!

 

SkyBox...CREEPY!

 

Enjoying the sunshine and flowers in Chicago.

 

First Day of Solo Flying

Michael and Janet.