Update on Benjamin

Wonder of wonders, Ben is graduating next month from Hillsdale College with a degree in classical studies. It now appears that he will be attending the Indiana University (Bloomington) in the fall on an Instructor Assistantship, working on his Masters in Latin, with the possiblity of continuing on for his PhD. He is particularly interested in the early church fathers, Roman poetry, and authorship issues. So, he has found a way to stay on a college campus, and keep being a student for 2-5 more years! :-) We are , of course, pleased with how well he has done, and pray for God's continued guidance as he seeks to find the calling God has placed on his life.
You can read more about Ben's future home and field of study here: http://www.indiana.edu/~classics/

Dave entering one of many lava-tube tunels/caves in El Malpais. 

Chris on top of the El Morro formation. 

Dave and Chris' Very Cool Adventure

February brought what we are affectionately calling "Dave and Chris' VERY Cool Adventure"-- a camping trip in 40 mph winds in Western New Mexico. The two of us had a lovely 4-day adventure in our pop-up camper (with two ceramic heaters and two down comforters), and toured the El Malpais National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/elma/) , El Morro National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/elmo/), and Bluewater Lake State Park (http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/emnrd/parks/Bluewater.htm). We enjoyed hiking lava fields from extinct volcanoes, explaoring, and spending time together (even if we were freezing most of the time!)

Dave on Passe-a-Grille Beach, St. Petersburg 

Sunset Beach, amazingly enough, at sunset. 

Dave and Chris to Florida

Dave attended a meeting in Tampa, Florida, in January, and Chris enjoyed going along. While Dave sat through meetings, Chris read, swam, and watched old movies. {It was very relaxing for Chris!} We ate great Asian food, walked on beaches, and had lots of uniterrupted talking time.

The highlight of the trip was time with our good friends, Randy and Barb Greenwald, in Bradenton, just south of Tampa. Those of you who know us well have heard the story of Dave and Randy being washed in the same sink, and being twins separated at birth. It was a joy to spend time together! We went to Busch Gardens and the Cheesecake Factory, spent time with most of their children and their grandson (!), and enjoyed worshipping together. What a lovely way to begin our year!