SURPRISE!

So, where was I last week?

Most everyone knows that life in Guatemala can tend to be somewhat random, and I seem to fit into that fairly easily, but last week was extra random, even for me.

Okay, back up to the beginning. Late July Sandi, Maria & I flew to Dallas with our summer interns for a week in Texas. Then, I returned home to Guatemala and Sandi traveled with Maria to Washington to help her get settled into her new life there where she will begin college next month. They were staying with our daughter Kimberly and her husband Sergey.

Needless to say, it was awfully quiet here at home without them, and knowing Maria wouldn't be coming back made me miss her even more.

Then Thursday the 8th I received word that our son Jacob was, unexpectedly, flying up from San Diego to spend a few days with them Thursday and Friday I received a couple of messages that worried me a little bit, and Saturday morning I had a little bit of a meltdown, missing my kids, feeling like I had been an absent father for too long. I took a long walk to pray and think, and felt I needed to be with them. 

Then I had to go in the afternoon to Antigua to pick up a friend, Seth Thomas.

Seth had been studying Spanish for the week in Antigua and was returning home (to Bellingham) on Sunday, so was going to stay with me Saturday and I would take him to the airport Sunday morning.

I took Luis and David with me to get Seth, and then driving home with Seth in the car I shared with him how I was feeling and he asked "what can you do about it?" I said, ""well, I could get on a plane and go."

He said, "why don't you?"

We got back to the house, talked it over some more then took David home and visited with several of our youth at the children's home for awhile.

Finally, just before dinner we looked on the internet and I found a ticket on the same flights as Seth had, and I bought it! How much was it at the last minute? Let's just say PRICELESS.

Jacob, Sandi, Mike, Maria & Kimberly - 12-August-2013
Bellingham Bay

Then, as is life here, we ended up having 7 people for dinner unexpectedly which was great to keep my mind off of things.

Sunday morning I spent a few hours making sure some details were covered for me to be gone, a couple of errands, notified some people and then spent 5 minutes packing and we left for the airport!

After a delay in Houston we arrived in Seattle at almost 11 PM. Seth had his car at the airport and he gave me a ride to Kimberly's house in Ferndale where we arrived at 1 AM!

Did I mention I arrived unannounced? They had no clue.

I rang the doorbell and knocked. Rang some more....more....more.

Finally Sergey opened the door, thankfully without a gun, looking a little stunned.

I asked to come in, Kimberly was at the top of the stairs and was just a tad bit surprised

okay maybe SHOCKED is a better word

Maria came upstairs and then they woke up Sandi and Jacob

 and we talked until 3 AM!

Monday was a wonderful day just hanging out all together.

Jacob left Tuesday and we spent the rest of the week helping Maria a little to get some things done.

The only thing missing was Felicita, it just wasn't complete but 3 of the 4 were there and we had visited Felicita in May when she graduated from college.

I returned home Friday night arriving Saturday.

Never done a last minute trip of this magnitude before, but I must say what a blessing it was!

My soul was refreshed and comforted more than I could have imagined.

I am now back home, and it is still waaaaay too quiet without Maria, but I am at peace knowing she is going to be okay. I feel so blessed to have spent time with Jacob, and Kimber and Sergey. To see their new home and feel so proud of them for their marriage and all they have done in just a few years.

Thanks God....you're awesome!