Shepherd's Heart: February 2014

This photo is from one of our last days in America
It was on St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Well it's been quite a while since we have updated here on our blog spot. While we were in California we met with the new Missions Pastor at Refuge, Jessie Quintana and he recommended that we get back to blogging...so we'll try to keep you up to date here as well as our monthly newsletters.

The Lord truly blessed us with an amazing time in the States. We arrived in California on Dec 27. We attended the Missions Conference in Murrieta in January. What a refreshing, and renewing time we had hanging out with many others who serve on the mission field as well as getting to know some folks better whom we met previously.

We spent 3 1/2 weeks in California visiting many friends, some family and a few churches, then we set out to visit other family members who are scattered across the States many of whom we haven't seen for years. We spent 4-5 days at each stop.

We began in Vancouver, Washington, then up to Woodinville,Washington, then across to Fort Collins, Colorado. You realize we flew out of Seattle to Denver the Friday prior to the Super Bowl - we've been long time Seahawks fans...the airports were all decorated for the home teams, it was such a blast!! Then we headed east to Concord, North Carolina and finally down south to Tampa, Florida.

It was a wonderful time to be able to meet many new great-nieces and great-nephews and to spend time with other family members.

We arrived back in Northern Ireland on Valentines Day! Feb 14, and we're finally getting over the jet lag. It is nice to be back, and we're looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for 2014.

Here are some photos from our trip.

CALIFORNIA

Rick and our son Daniel

Ramona and Debbie -New Years Eve dinner out at Chinese

Silly girlie sleep over oh, how I miss my sweet friends

Brad and Cheryl came by at Missions Day at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

We were asked to share with the Jr. High class on Missions Day, we were blessed to share along
with Jim who serves in the Phillipines and Ruth who serves in Nariobi

Our beautiful sisters at GO! Ministries...these gals are true angels!! We love you...

Rick, Cindy and Pastor Bill from Refuge at Missions Conference

Steven, Bill and Mary's son made us duck for a meal...
thanks Steven, you've been blessed with a great gift!!

S'mores on the campfire...too much fun!!

Want s'more????

Worlds most faithful care team....ours..these guys work so hard
for us all the time...thank you and we love you

It was great to be at Refuge again, such a awesome
time of worship, teaching (Pastor Bill) and
catching up with many old friends

Mary and Bill, our long, dearest friends live in Murrieta, so they were
able to attend some of the sessions at the conference.

Steve and one of his puppies...too cute!

Day visiting our nephew, Steve and his family in Arcadia, Calif

WASHINGTON

Vancouver, Washington

Cousin's family in Vancouver, Washington. Dylan, Rick, Shelby, Shawna and Jacob

Mexican food with Tammy and Don yippee!!! Ole'

Day spent with cousin Tammy and Aunt Jeanette in Seaside, Oregon

Cousins and their kids, at Cindy's Aunt and Uncles home. Been so many years since
we've seen these folks...too long!

Train station in Vancouver, Washington where we boarded and headed north to Seattle
to see Rick's younger sister, Sherry and her family in Woodinville, Washington

Woodinville, Washington