Back in the States

After a wonderful time in Split, Croatia with our friends, Kent & Cheri Pickslay, we flew to Vienna, Austria. Our adopted daughter Regina was also flying into Vienna so after settling into a hotel (an "Airport Hotel" which was 45 minutes away) we ventured into the city for the evening - it was amazing!

Wednesday morning we traveled to the airport to begin our trip home flying to Washington D.C. and then on to Indy where Julie, Jamie, and Evee were waiting for us!

Evee was so depressed without her Papa

Evee content in her Papa's arms

She's so happy now!

We will spend a couple of days here in Indy then head back to West Michigan to begin Block 3 which is focused on coaching and processing insights learned and needing to be integrated into life ahead. Should be a great part of this Journey. More details to come.

This Week's Prayer Requests . . .

Transition back to the Midwest . . .
1. Final days in Croatia with Kent & Cheri Pickslay
2. Times of debriefing Block Two
3. Travel on July 24-25
4. Time in Indy with Evee, Jamie, Clint and Julie
5. Preparation for Block Three

More Thoughts From the Middle . . .

Here are some BIG THOUGHTS at the midpoint . . .

• Gratefulness – I still can’t believe that my church loves me enough to grant me this time away and that we have an amazing team to make it all work!


• Grace – I’m overwhelmed at how giving God is . . . How forgiving . . .How loving . . . How caring . . . How amazing!


• He is my Shepherd. He chooses this. He cares for my needs. He makes me lie down. He leads me. He restores me. He guides me into paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.


• I have more clarity of call and calling.


• I love to grow – this has been a wonderful time to think and process and write and journey deeper with God and His mission assignments for my life.


• I’m so grateful for people – the church – who seek to be used by God to make a difference in hundreds of little and big ways.


• I’m so thankful for a group of men and women who team to lead this adventure we call SLW – people who partner with each other, with me, and most importantly with God.


• I love being married to Gwen who loves me in spite of my obvious warts (working through a couple of long-standing warts of mine while here in Croatia).


• My passions are growing and renewing for God and His passionate love for this world.


• I’m thankful for His faithfulness – and hundreds of other small thoughts . . .
  
  Hey – check out Gwen’s Blog to catch her personal reflections on my first Middle Thoughts Entry at http://www.gwenjackson.blogspot.com/ or touch on the link under my face to the right.

Here are a few new pictures

Dennis took a night off cooking

Gwen standing on the Terrace outside of our studio apartment

Our Friend, Ivan, at the ice cream shop!

So far, our favorite swimming spot

Born to be WILD!

Middle Thoughts . . .

So a couple of days ago I hit the mid-point of the 101 days of the Sabbatical Journey. . . Hard to believe in some ways and yet somehow very appropriate.


Typical days contain the same basic elements:

• I journal daily
• I average 6-8 hours of sleep (2-3 more than my usual pattern)
• I walk 2-4 miles
• I read books (1-2 per week)
• I pray - mostly for family, the team, the church (Day 1 and especially Youth camp and VBS over the past couple of weeks) and individuals as God brings them to mind (those who have suffered losses - Helen, Kass, Dale's family)
• I eat yogurt with peaches every a.m.
• I cook a meal usually every day (we usually catch one out every other day)
• We eat ice cream at the same place every night with Ivan who welcomes us with laughter (I usually get a dip of blueberry, strawberry, and lemon)!
• I listen to worship songs that you all are singing back home . . . this has been more filling to my soul than I could have imagined (thanks Pastor Jon for My Savior Loves, My Savior lives, My Savior's always there for me. My God He was, My God He is, My God is always going to be).
• Gwen & I share deeply . . . about what we are reading, about family and friends, about deeper works we both sense God is doing in our hearts. We celebrate intimacy. We talk through growth points in our marriage. We laugh and usually watch portions of a movie (Lord of the Rings, Sleepless in Seattle, Count of Monte Christo).
• We pray and take communion together.
• I reflect on Psalm 23 and seek Him . . .

Island Life

On Saturday, the 7th of July we headed out to the island of Hvar to the city of Stari Grad. The island is just off the mainland of Croatia and is rated in the top 10 islands in the world.

Bethany Karish lined up a vacation apartment with her friend Natalaje. It is up on a hill overlooking the community.

Here are some pictures . . .

The City of Split and our Ferry

In a back courtyard in Stari Grad - Beautiful!

Overlooking the Town of Stari Grad from a cross on the hillside

The city and harbor of Hvar from an old fort - I loved this place!

The two of us are having some great times - I rented a scooter yesterday and we drove around more parts of the island including a tunnel nearly a mile long without any lights! Amazing views and wonderful times in the sun.

We have had some great couple discussions and I am taking time to reflect and journal about areas of life change needed. God has been meeting with us in all of this.

Thanks again for your partnership in prayer! We have one more week then a few days in Split, Croatia before heading back to see Evee!