Bigger than His Head

Big Bottle

Kanyon has found some new toys recently. His favorites now include a set of keys which he can bang around and make plenty of noise. Also, he loves to check things out that are bigger than his head, including a 5 gallon water bottle and a used Apple Juice container. Now that he has started to scoot around, crawling is just around the corner, her can chase anything that rolls. Each time he comes up the the apple juice bottle, he gets so excited he hits the bottle and it rolls away. Then he's off to chase it down, hit it again, and chase it wherever it goes.

Our dog used to do the same thing. Briscoe would not play with anything that was smaller than his head. We would give the dog a rope chew toy and he would not play. But give him a five gallon bucket or a large beach ball and he would play all day.

No Way Home

Midland experienced a "heat burst" storm last night which knocked out the power beginning at 11:30 last night. The power wasn't restored until we were leaving for work around 7:45 AM. We scrambled around in the dark, feed the baby, and prepared for work. All fine and out the door we go. Little did we know.


Downed Powerlines

We left and noticed that the major intersection was shut down and the electric company was fixing the power. The "heat burst" had somehow spiked the temperature to 97 F at midnight and came with wind gusts as high as 62 mph. This combination snapped several telephone poles and had the power lines on the Loop overpass. The company had their work cut out for them.


Blocked Intersection

Coming home, the intersection at our apartments only entrance was still blocked. And we quickly found that there was no way to enter our apartment complex. One way was barricaded with a detour into the neighborhood. Only one problem, the detour came out of the neighborhood in bad spot for us. The only way into our complex would be to drive the wrong way down the one way access road to the second entrance. Not wanting to break any laws, we park in the neighborhood and walk to our car.

We had hoped the intersection would be open by later tonight so we could move our cars into the parking lot, but as of 9 tonight, the intersection is still closed and our apartment complex is shut off from the rest of the world. We do have electricity and were able to cook some food. Guess we'll just have to walk a little further to our cars in the morning.

12:2 Times June 2008

Hobbs City Limits

New Mexico, USA

Lovington, NM is home to an amazing group that has been meeting weekly for over 20 years to support each other and more importantly to intercede on behalf of those in need. Through our Life Group at Mid-Cities, we were introduced to this group and had the awesome opportunity to meet with them and share a vision for China. It is absolutely amazing how the Father works to orchestrate the events leading up to our departure for China.

We heard numerous stories of answered requests, and the faithfulness of the Father. We shared a common vision for China and answered any and all questions. Since the baby was at a sitter (thanks Renee) we were able to rest and relax visiting the host family in Lovington. It was incredible to see their hearts for the Father and for the nations.

Coming home to Midland, we passed through Hobbs and had to stop to check out the unique city markers. We parked the car and wandered up to take some photos. Random photos are a little more difficult for us to find here in the States, but we thought these would be pretty good.

Where in the world...?

We know our location in China! But you have to wait a little longer to learn more about the city, university, and our teammates. If you’ve visited the website, then you probably already know.

Newsletter #2 is being prepared now, with more information on our location, teammates, city, and frequently asked questions. If you did not receive the first newsletter and would like to receive this newsletter and all future letters mailed from China, please respond with your mailing address to be added.

Celebrating Four Years

June 4, 2004 began a journey that is now four years into the making. It’s amazing to take a minute to look back at where we’ve been and then at the same time, turn and look forward to where we are heading.

Year 1: We lived in the old college house in Lubbock learning what it was to be married. We continued to grow closer together and realized an important call on our life, to leave what was comfortable and head to China to teach English.

Year 2: We moved to China and continued to learn about each other. We grew and were stretched beyond anything we could have imagined. We made some great friends, including our teammates and those who continuously worked behind the scenes with your thoughts and giving.

Year 3: We returned to Texas in transition as we struggled with what the future held for our young family. We struggled whether to continue living in the States or follow the call placed on our lives two years earlier. It was a great blessing to spend time with family, reconnecting after spending a year apart.

Year 4: We moved into two new chapters in our story. We received our first child and confirmed the call place on our lives. Through the birth of Kanyon, we continued to learn more about how to be married, and now how to be married with a child. At the same time, how to transition into a family living in China.

Year 5+: We look back always remembering from where we have come, and look forward to what the future holds. We thank each of you for allowing us to be apart of your lives and can only imagine what’s next!

Rocky the Rockhound


Kanyon Meets Rocky

We took Kanyon to another Midland Rockhounds’ game in May. We settled into our seats with the largest Coke we could buy and two of the world’s longest corn dogs. In the 5th inning, Rocky the Rockhounds came to our section to cheer on the crowd and Kanyon couldn’t take his eyes off the large dog. Much to Kanyon’s delight, Rocky came to our row and picked him up. The smile on his face says it all, Kanyon adores dogs. Check out the photo and see for yourself.

Maybe we should make it our goal to get a picture with Rocky each month, just to see how much Kanyon grows from month to month. We could probably keep this up for awhile, until he reaches the age of refusing all photos.

Everyone's Searching for Something

This past Saturday, we had a date night that included a trip to the movie theater for our first movie in months. It is harder now to just head out the door and catch a movie. The process now involves baby sitters, formula, and diapers. We did get a sitter for the night and headed out on our date night.


Indiana Jones Always Searching

The movie was pretty good, and it got me thinking. Everyone's searching for something.

• Indiana Jones is searching for the next great discovery of an ancient artifact and more knowledge.
• Irina Spalko is searching to find the next great power, the power to control other's minds.
• Professor 'Ox' Oxley is also searching for the next great discovery.
• 'Mac' George McHale is searching for gold, lots and lots of gold.

Everyone wants something. This is common even with those not in Indiana Jones 4. Sometimes we search for a successful job, a 6 figure income, the perfect wife, the perfect car, the latest and greatest electronics, the respect of our peers, the respect of our parents, etc....The list continues forever.

There is only one thing we all should be searching for. The bring the most honor and glory to our Father. We should all be searching for this and this along. I know that searching for this makes all the difference.