Bela & April Ispas!!!

My sister April got married on Sunday! We had a fabulous week in California before the wedding and were so blessed to be able to stand up for Bela and April at their wedding. We admire them both so much, they both had given up personal dreams and goals in pursuit of what God had for them (in Romania serving the poorest of the poor), and He blessed them and gave them both the desire of their heart in the process. Congrats you guys, we love you and hope your home in Romania is fruitful in both ministry and children!! :)
(These photos were taken by Kris Baurenfiend, a dear friend of April's who was also in the wedding)

Sisters

or twins...we get asked this all the time, especially in Portland for some reason.

April is moving to the other side of the world next month...one last visit before she goes.

Currently Reading...

My sister April lent me (elisabeth) "The New Friars", by Scott A. Bessenecker. It has been remarkable and is challenging the way I think about poor people. The sub-title is "The Emerging Movement Serving the World's Poor." Read an excerpt here, or a book review by a much better writer than myself here. I think it's really interesting that we in America are so interested in serving ourselves (me included!) that we often forget that Jesus said when we serve the least of these, we serve Him.
"'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even to the least of them, you did it to Me.'" Matthew 25:35-36
The people highlighted in this book go to the poorest of the poor in order to serve them and to share the love of the Father. My oldest sister did this when she lived in India for four months and she is currently planning to move to Romania early next year in order to continue in the same spirit of service. Her friend Heather whom she met in Seattle many years ago is one of the missionaries highlighted in the book and serves prostitutes in the slums of El Alto in Bolivia. These "New Friars" amaze and challenge me to greater holiness in my own life and to figure out practical ways that I can serve or change even here in Southeast Portland.

Hiking AGAIN?!?!

Well, we wanted Jon to be able to go on a hike with us, so we went on a Wednesday night a few weeks ago. He was always so sad when we'd fill into the gas station to fill-up on the way to our Saturday jaunts. So here we are...on a fun and easy hike in the gorge, a picnic dinner, rock "climbing" for the kiddos, and good fellowship--who could ask for more???

A bridge to climb and skip on and spit from...

Our cute boy. (remember, click=bigger)

Ava with Bepo on the top of a rock. We are trying to make lots of fun memories before she moves to Romania...some love stored up in our hearts from her.

Hiking with Bepo

A week ago my sister April (Bepo) took Jonah on a hike all by himself so they could actually finish (Click here for photos of a previously disappointing hike). They got all the way to the top (4.5 miles one way) and the first thing he said was "I wish Ava were here!"

I don't know about this, April, it looks like he could just fall off the edge and into the Columbia!

Flora and Fauna

Some of the beautiful wildflowers and scenery along Angel's Rest hike.

More hiking...

A self-portrait

Check out those crazy, twisty, long, white legs

Joe with Bepo

King of the mountain!

Hike #2?

April and I tried to take the kids on another hike last week...it didn't really work out due to traffic, time to feed baby, stinging nettle, etc...Jonah was so bummed! "This is the most HORRIBLEST hike I have EVER been on!"

If You Ain't Dutch...

Yesterday April and I were having a serious discussion on the couch. Jonah came and sat right next to me as April started to say, "And we are all..."
and he yelled, "DUTCH!!"
She was going to say "individuals", but applied to our family, "Dutch" works, too!

A Little Bit O' Bonus Commentary

We went hiking last weekend with my sister April (Bepo). She called me and said, "I looked on the internet and found a kid-friendly hike. It's called Angel's Rest." Little did she know, that is where Jon proposed...the kids had fun saying "This is where Mom and Dadda got married!"


I love this one of Joe...
(click=enlarge) Check out Brynne's unhappiness

She was sucking on the Bjorn

Happy Birthday to Bepo!

We're so glad you moved up!!

More Conversations With Bepo...

Ava on the phone with Bepo (my sis April):
Bepo: What are you going to do today?
Ava: Look at The Boo (Our little nickname for Brynne)
Bepo: All day?
Ava: Yeah. (pause) She's cute.