The adventure begins...

The past month has been REALLY full! Here's an overview of what we've been up to:

• We packed up our home and put everything into storage for the summer...
• We signed a lease for a young couple to rent our house...
• We finished out our ministry amongst the AMAZING people at Eagle Church and had many difficult (and sad) farewell's... We felt so loved and honored and really appreciate all the notes of encouragement!
• We loaded up in our car and drove to Denver, CO
• The past couple of days we have been involved with final preparations for The Experience before students arrive on Sunday!

We left Indy first thing on Tuesday morning (5/20) and drove through to Kansas City, where we spend the night with our friends: Jason & Kristin Howard and their family. It was sooo good to catch up with them and visit them in their new city. The next day we left early and drove through to KBM - in Aurora, CO. Evee did so well in the car - there was 1 moment/day where she became a little agitated and frustrated, but those only lasted about 10 minutes!

After all the farewells and goodbyes, we were feeling pretty drained emotionally (& physically) and really appreciated those 2 days in the car!

We are starting to feel "settled" here in CO and are beginning to get really excited for the students to arrive! As we've spent time planning/preparing and praying through the schedule/itinerary and all that is involved with this trip - the more excited we become... We fully expect that this will be a summer that will change our lives, the students lives - and we pray/hope the lives of countless others who we encounter not just this summer, but beyond - into eternity!

This will be a great place for you to stay connected with us and where we're at... & what we're up to over the next couple of months. We'll be posting regularly with updates and pictures etc. so be sure to stop by often (and leave us a comment so we know who was here!)

Leaving from the Bak's...















With a full load!















Evee enjoying her new carseat...



















Ready for 2 days on the road?















Jamie, Kristin, Ella (& Josh) - Kansas City, KS















Just over the border... finally... Colorado!

Life...

We are currently winding down our time here in Indiana. Reality has definitely not hit yet. It will be so hard to leave.

This summer Clint and I will lead a team of young adults on a 45 day experience through Kingdom Building Ministries. 1 month will be in Colorado (the first 2 week and the last 2). In between we will be going to Liberia. Clint is actually there right now on a trip to plan what we will do there. This is the longest time he's been away from Evee and I since she's been born (10 days). So, we obviously miss him, but we're doing well.

Here are some of the most recent pics...hope you enjoy :).

Happy little Evee with her red All Stars (My brother-in-law Mike & sister Joni gave these to Evee awhile back and we were so happy that they now fit!)

Clint with his black All Stars and Evee with her red ones...

Hanging out...

Evee and her friend Maddie playing "together" (a.k.a. side by side :))

They love hanging out by the dining room chairs.

Decided!

After a lot of traveling in the month of February we now know what we are going to do after our time at Eagle Church comes to an end! Clint will be attending Princeton Theological Seminary this fall to begin his Masters of Divinity. We are very excited to know where we will be heading next and for Clint to get more schooling. We really believe that God opened and closed doors clearly and that this is where He is leading us!

Our last Sunday at Eagle will actually be May 18th. We will head out to Kingdom Building Ministries in Colorado where we will lead a 45 day trip for college students/young adults. We will mostly be based in Colorado during that time, however part of the experience includes a 16 -day trip to Liberia. We are excited about this opportunity as well.

Last month we also got to go to Australia for Clint's brother's wedding. We had a great time with family and friends there. It was fun to watch Evee interact with the family and get to know everyone better. I will post some pictures of that time, but don't currently have any. I need to get them from Clint's brother and mom since we forgot our camera (surprise, surprise...so sad!).

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us in the decision making process and please continue join us in prayer for many of the uncertainties of this summer and preparation for school in the fall!

Changes in our lives...

There is a lot to fill in on about our lives, but sadly this is going to be a relatively quick post...mostly to put on some pics.

The very short and non-emotional version is that Clint has resigned from Eagle Church (Indianapolis) where he has been working for the past 6 years (since we've been married) and we are not sure yet what we are going to do next. We feel certain that this is what God is asking us to do and is his leading, but obviously we have a lot of questions since that is all we know at this point! It will be very hard to leave and we are so sad to say good-bye, but at the same time know that it is right.

We are looking at Clint going to grad school as a very viable option and there are a couple of other options on the table at this point as well that we are discerning through. So, with that we went to visit one school last week and he went to another on our way to Australia (where we are currently - Clint's brother is getting married and we are also visiting friends and family).

Here's where the pics come in :). While Clint and I were visiting a school last week Evee stayed with the Marron family for 4 days and 3 nights. This was the only time I've left her...so it was a bit hard and Clint has quite a few times, but it was different this time without me being home with her. Anyways, the Marrons were such a blessing and Evee had a great time. They have two kids, Jason and Jenna, who were so great to play with Evee for 4 days! Thus, the pics below (which they had their mom, Kristin, take so they could bring them for show & tell :)). Again, it was such a great experience for us and Evee - so, again, thanks Tom, Kristin, Jason & Jenna :).

Some of the latest...

Here are some of the latests pics of Evee...

Sporting some of her new Christmas clothes...thanks mom!

She loves to stand!

Trying to get the camera...

Me and Evee :)

She is really good at throwing a ball...I can literally sit and play catch with her for awhile. I toss it to her lap, she picks it up and throws it back to me.

Clapping.

Merry Christmas!!!

We hope everyone has a fabulous holiday with friends and family... We are happy to be with my parents, Julie, and Josh & Kari this year, and very sad not to be with Clint's family and Mike & Joni! We will miss you! Here's some Christmas cheer from Evee (thanks Mom for the early Christmas present snowsuit for Evee)...

Separation anxiety...

Well, as every parent and maybe people in general know, there comes a point where your little one becomes a bit more clingy than usual. For the most part, we haven't fully gotten into this. Sure, if Evee is tired or hungry she will put her arms out to me...and, in general, I'm with her the most so some "anxiety" would make sense.

Anyway, for a couple of days now when I take a shower and set her on the floor in the bathroom or just outside it with the door open, she will cry a bit. I just talk to her, hurry up, and get out. This morning, though, was like a light switch for her emotions. See the pics for the play by play and a little admission down below :)...

Just playing, hanging out while I get ready to take a shower.

Waters on. Checking in...Little concerned, but it'll be ok.

I step into the shower and shut the curtain...it was instant (tears and all).
Need I say more?

Done with the shower, water is off, and I've peeked my head out to say hello.

I'm out, we're all good...unbelievable :).

*So, the thing was that this all happened just as I described... I mean, instant tears and then instant smile. But, of course, I didn't go into the shower thinking this is how it would be. It was so crazy, that I actually reenacted the scene. The pics from after the shower were "in real time" because I quickly grabbed the camera. But, for the full cry one, I actually shut the bathroom door part way (after I was already out of the shower), turned the shower on (with the curtain closed), and she started to cry straight away thinking I was in the shower. I opened the door, quick took a picture of her screaming, and picked her up... mean mom, I know! I just had to have something to describe it (with more than just words)!