Two

I can't believe two years have passed since the day you were born.

Hudson Joseph, you are a delight! We absolutely adore you and can’t imagine life without your hearty belly laughs and your huge bear hugs around our necks. You get so excited to go outside (“side”) to help Daddy on all kinds of projects using tools (“too”), shovels (“shov”), and lawn mowers (“mah-mawer”).  The other day I caught you getting into my purse.  By that time you already had three wrapped pieces of gum in your mouth and were starting on a fourth.  You looked up at me and said, “Bite?” and then quickly, “No! No!”   

 I love to see how much you want to be near your big brother and sister.  Every night you crawl into their beds to help tuck them in.  “Nigh, nigh,” you say, and then snuggle way down under the covers next to them.  One of these nights we’ll let you all have a big slumber party…  

 Happy Birthday, Hud Bud!  We love you so much, and pray that you’ll grow into a young man who loves Jesus with all his heart.

Pilgrimage

Jeff just returned from 17 amazing days with the boys in India.  His pictures brought tears to my eyes as I saw the breathtaking beauty and the boys' huge smiles as they trekked with him through the Himalayas! 

Jeff wrote this in his journal (and he let me share it!):
Blue morning skies, the canvas for Himalayan splendor. Granite peaks rise to meet the sun.  Timeless rocks.  Here from the beginning. Strength. Glory. Wonder. Never living, never dying. Ageless. Fir trees emerge from the earth. Roots digging into soil. Evergreen boughs stretching toward the sky. Shelter. Energy. Life.  Flowers sprout where seeds fell in autumn.  Golden buttercups, purple iris. Tenderness. Fragrance.Beauty. Rushing water cascades down rocky slopes. Frozen crystals return to liquid. Drink deeply. Live fully. Fresh. Clean. Clear. 
Sunlight offers a goodnight kiss to towering summits.  Sky's fire disappears. Cold.  Dark. Distant. Camp's fire begins. Come. Sit. Share. Crescent moon follows the sun. Reflect. Relax. Sleep... as distant stars point to morning.

Most of the boys had never been in snow, so to have a snowball fight was a treat!

Here they are making their chipati over the open fire.

Avinash, Abishek, Jeff, and Anand

Completely nestled in the mountains, this flat field looked like someone had prepared it just for a game of "sock" ball soccer.  The boys literally tied up a bunch of their socks and played barefoot!

Before meals, Jeff would ask the boys to help get firewood.  Their work ethic never ceases to amaze.  Within a few minutes, each boy would return with their arms FULL of logs!  

The guys studied the book of Deuteronomy ...  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  May you boys choose LIFE, and have it most abundantly in Christ!