Laura's Story

Boy meets Girl...they fall in love.

Boy and Girl meet Jesus. Funny thing...they were not even looking for Him. But Him was looking for them.

Boy and Girl become one, 8-8-98, in their garden, full moon, clear sky, best friends on the beach till sunrise. Honeymoon in Europe for 2 weeks. Laura's french lessons pay off big time!

Walk on beach together late summer 1998...agree to try to have kids.

Lord blesses Boy and Girl with 2 gorgeous daughters.

...but then...

Girl gets sick. Their world shattered. Massive surgeries, double dose chemo, horrible winter.

Girl gets well. Stays well for 5 years! Girl "cured"!

Boy and Girl design and build dream house together in 2008.

Girl gets sick again in summer 2009.

Worse in summer 2010.

Much worse in September 2010

"You are here".

We are all "here" in this moment.

Here can be super scary. Here would be a whole lot scarier if it were not for the 2nd line of this story (see above). Embedded in that line is our future...together...as a family. Not "hoping" for the best. "Planning" for it. Together we have studied, prayed, devoted ourselves (and our children) to that future. Are we "Perfect Little Christians" that always think, say and do the right things...uhhhhh...no. Sorry...those, like unicorns, don't really exist. But in between colossal, freshman fumbles, we do try our best to listen to and joyfully obey Jesus. Knowing Him gives us the hope we desperately need during this dark hour. It gives us purpose, peace and a vision for an eternal future. If you don't know Him...I would personally encourage you to check Him out. I'm sure grateful someone had the "courage to encourage" us to do so a dozen years ago. Cannot imagine being on a mountain, or in this Valley, without THAT guide.

On a lighter note...About The Picture: I included the goofy picture above not because its the most flattering...of either of us. But because of the spirit it represents. First...it was taken during our biggest family vacation ever. 2 weeks in Mexico this year for Spring Break. With the encouragement of some friends...we really "went for it" this year. Glad we did! Thanks friends...you know who you are.

Second it was taken by one of our daughters...thats cool too.

Lastly...and most importantly...the picture just makes me smile. Because our daughter caught us "playing" with each other. I reached behind this tree and my hand landed on Lauras shoulder like a tarantula. She jumped back, laughed and was pushing me away. We have a lot of "nice" pictures of us "as a couple" but I just love this one because we are playing...like kids...and thats how it all began...in the 1st line of this story.

And the story's not over. Laura has touched a lot of peoples lives. Probably yours. One recent poster captured it with the phrase "direct openness" when describing her first meeting with Laura. When I think back 16 years to when my eyes first met Laura's I think "beautiful humility". Whatever you call it...its uncommon, its good and we all love it...and her.