Before I can do a fall update, I have to post some of our summer favorites!
Our Atlanta YAV reunion- one of the highlights of the summer.
Desi loves bath time!
And swimming!
And baking...
And crafting with Mama
Playing teatime
Enjoying grandparents!
Thinking he is a big boy...
Enjoying dinner with his great auntie...
Playing 'puzzle'...
Desi's summer was full of growing, exploring, making new friends, and loving life. He really lives in the present moment and takes in the wonder of it all...he continues to amaze me with his creativity every day!
Nate and I had the opportunity to return to our beloved Ghost Ranch this July. This time, though, we were fortunate enough to be recipients of a full-family scholarship so that we three could attend, 'To the Home of Peace - A Spirituality for Change'.
We deeply resonated with the class, our teachers, and fellow sojourners. Our leaders, Phillip and Ali Newell are ministers in the Church of Scotland and followers of the Celtic Christian way. The movement they travel the globe sharing is a vision toward humanity and Earth's healing. They call it the threefold path toward New Harmony: remember life's sacredness, address life's brokenness, serve Earth's oneness.
Together with other 20something and 30something year olds we spent a week immersed in this vision. Inspired by our time together, Nate and I are exploring ways to expand the vision. We are doing a worship series in the fall and I will be leading a women's retreat in November.
Desi had fun, too. Pastor colleagues of ours were among those in attendance. One such family has a baby girl who was born the day after Desi. Not only did Nate and I connect with special people in our lives, but Desi made baby & kid friends.
We also formed a lovely friendship with a woman who served as a volunteer to the course, who lovingly took care of Desi much of the week. Thanks Brenda!
It was a great week. On behalf of the class, I made this thank-you book to the donor. To get a sense of the week we shared, take a peek at the book.
Nate officiated his first wedding a few weekends ago. He did a fantastic job and offered a lovely message during the service. The service was held on an old horse farm in a refurbished barn. We enjoyed the change of scene and the family time.
Our families came to town on Pentecost weekend to celebrate DesiBear's baptism. We enjoyed quality family time with the Soules and Hills.
On baptism day, Nate preached, Papa Tim baptized Desi, and I baptized our parishioner Doug.
As a new parent I treasure the privilege of having witnessed our community pledge to support and nurture our little guy as he experiences the world, grows in faith, and opens his heart to life's wonder.
Everyday Nate and I give thanks to have amazing family both near and far. On the end close to home, we are very fortunate to raise Desi among such loving and peace & justice seeking folks here in Colorado. It must seem to Desi as if he has 40-50 grandmas and grandpas & aunts and uncles. And in a very real way he does! Desi hammed it up as usual. We have a big-time extroverted & happy church baby on our hands!
Desmond was a truly awesome travel baby this past week on the church delegation to the US-Mexico border. He did great, everybody loved him (or was patient with him the few times he got fussy). He went everywhere the delegation went, loved all the attention, and is probably Frontera de Cristo's youngest activist! It was an amazing, transformational, and stretching experience. My heart was full as I witnessed the concern, curiosity, and enthusiasm of folks from our congregation. I can only imagine the 'next steps' that will come out of it as folks grew in faith and deepened in compassion and their commitment to peace and social justice. Here are some pics of our border crossing baby!
