Colorado!

 At the end of May we headed for a week near Colorado Springs, attending a "Debrief and Renewal" program for people returning from the foreign mission field. It more than lived up to its name, and none of us wanted to leave when it was over. All the facilitators and the attendees became increasingly dearer to us as co-laborers and brothers and sisters in Christ. We had so much in common with just about everyone, both on the "hard" and the "good" side! (I have "hard" and "good" in quotation marks because the hard is often turned into our best good, ultimately. Romans 8:28.) 

The kids absolutely thrived, bonded, and enjoyed sharing stories and perspectives from their various overseas homes. David kept saying how much he loved just getting to talk to kids who cared about hearing his experiences in PNG. Seth kept saying it was the best week of his WHOLE LIFE. Will kept saying how sad he was to leave. Marcie hated to say goodbye to the whole comforting place, and insisted she wanted to LIVE there. Gracie made it a point to call the new friend she had made when we got home, and they showed each other around their respective houses and introduced each other to their respective pets via FaceTime. 

It was, in a profoundly powerful way, a sizeable slice out of regular bustling life to just . . . breathe . . . and process . . .  and grieve the losses . . . and rejoice in the blessings! What a kind gift from our God via two dear churches, prompted by the strong recommendation of a fellow missionary couple, Gavin's good friend from high school who is pastoring one of those churches and his SWEET wife, who had attended it when they returned from Africa.

A large proportion of the attendees were transitioning away from missions altogether, so in many ways we had less of a shock to the system. We're still serving in mission aviation and Bible translation, and have been for the past three years, since we returned from PNG for what we initially thought might just be a temporary "home assignment." Gavin continues to recruit and mentor pilots, plus help out where needed at the International Linguistics Center across the road from us. He was gone an average of one week a month thus far in 2026, flying both helicopters and airplanes for part of that time. His next away assignment he'll actually get to have the boys with him since it's during summer break. They are so excited! The girls would rather hang with their mom. 😁

Lots of photos today. What an amazing place to be! 

We got a date away one lovely evening!

The view alone was renewing and refreshing! The boys are sitting on the rocky play structure.

A few evenings, powerful winds and rains would sweep down from the Rockies.
This was golfball-sized hail that Gavin and Marcie gathered!

Marcie's visual of the good dog gifts God has given her on both sides of the world! Captain, our USA dog, on the left; Cooper, her PNG dog, on the right. 💕

Two different mornings Gavin climbed the mountain with our kids! I slept -- 5:30 is far too early.

One of the mornings it was too foggy to see anything down the mountain!

Oh David. Gracie took this as a joke, but he's letting me post it.

We had a beautiful sunset overlooking Pike's Peak one evening when we drove up to the top of the mountain. What an incredible place! I sat on the rock and just listened to the wind in the pines and the birds singing their evening songs. Such PEACE. Gavin caught me in that moment, and I'm glad it's recorded as a memory now.

You can see Pike's Peak far in the distance!

Lunches and some suppers outside with their buddies. Gracie's friend is barely visible beyond Seth.

These amazing rocky formations were right behind our lodge. We played games outside almost every evening. Gracie's favorite is always Frisbee. We even had a few group games of Ultimate!

The kids with their facilitator and friend

The Adventures of a Lovebird

“Why did the lovebird cross the neighborhood?” 

Answer:  For 25 hours of regret. No cuddles, no food to be found. Plenty of rain, lightning, wind, cold, darkness, aggressive other birds, then the hot sun in a sky with more lightning and rain approaching. 

I would say “poor girl!,” except she freely chose to fly away when one of the boys was trying to rescue her from proximity to the loud noise of the lawnmower; then she refused her owner’s sweet hand a few minutes later! She was consequently out in a big storm in which she was drenched and cold and no doubt frightened by significant lightning. 

Potato in the “potato hold” — hence her odd name — after a bath. She loves to bathe herself once or twice a week in a cup of water. This is what she would have looked like during that crazy downpour, but with no warm hand around her or towel awaiting her. 

We searched for HOURS. I made up flyers yesterday morning, ones Gracie designed (so cute!). 

We were all praying continually, which was convicting to me when I thought about all the things I DON’T pray about as continually, but which are much more important, eternally! 

Gracie was amazingly calm and of good courage. I think she really did entrust her “baby” into God’s hands. She even chose to go to the MK youth group hangout instead of searching more just then. And Seth, being bored, was out on his ripstick after the hangout when Potato flew right over! He saw which tree she landed in and came running home to get us. David was able to scale the tree she was in, as she eagerly hopped from twig to twig to get as close as she could to Gracie, who was on the ladder. Gracie was so happy and praying so hard that she was sobbing through her smiles. The bird hopped right onto David’s hand, and he passed her to Gracie, who immediately closed her hands around the tiny body and rushed her home. 

We were all thanking God in stereo, repeatedly. David photobombed a nice picture I was trying to get of Gracie, but I suppose he was one of the rescue heroes!

The bird was sooooooo hungry! She ate until her little crop was absolutely bulging, then took a cozy nap. 🥰

Love how she’s standing in her bowl! Sometimes I feel that way about my food, too. 😉

I can’t help thinking of spiritual parallels and Bible verses: the ones about the sparrows being valuable to God; the ones about searching diligently and desperately for a lost coin and rejoicing with neighbors when found (It’s been such a sweet blessing to have family members and neighbors who cared and looked and and prayed!); and perhaps most of all, this: 

Freedom from our loving owner and caretaker is not, in fact, freeing. 

Our needs remain, and we can’t get them met apart from Him. She may have been eating something out there, but it caused bloody droppings and obviously didn’t satisfy. She was exhausted and hungry and is now much more dependent and cuddly. She’s asleep in the curve of my left shoulder and neck, under my hair, as I write this. She insists on being inside my hand, her little feet clinging onto my thumb, with my palm and fingers covering her. It’s like she can’t crawl deeply enough into the comfort she went without for more than a day.

O Lord, forgive my decisions that take me away from your merciful, restraining, providing care. It seems so natural sometimes, even acceptable (“I’ll stay nearby . . . ”), but then the storms come, and I suffer because I’m not in the place of safety and warmth for which You so lovingly designed me. Carry me close to your heart, inside your strong and loving hands. Save me from my own deceptive desires to wander. Work in me through your Spirit and Word to trust You and remain. ❤️

What joy to know God’s devoted, active love for His people infinitely exceeds Gracie’s passionate care for her birdie.   

Keeping Up With The Joneses — April 2026

Spring family fun March and April 2026

Happy spring and Resurrection Day, everyone! I’ll post a couple of months’ worth of photos because I’m so behind.

We got to see Isaac and Meagan on Spring Break. It was fun to see parts of Louisville we hadn’t before!

This is NuLu, where they had their first date over two years ago.

Still happily married!

This store’s name was just too perfect.

We girls had a tea party hosted by Meagan at their apartment. We watched Pride and Prejudice and drank out of Meagan’s great aunt’s tea set. 🥰 We’re all a little girly, so it was perfect!!

BEST daughter-in-law in existence! We’re all crazy about her.

So fun! They have a lovely apartment at Southern Seminary’s married housing. I believe Isaac starts seminary classes in the fall. Meagan graduates next month!

Meanwhile, at the mini golf range . . . the boys had a very different version of fun.

A true niece of my heart.❤️ Her auntie was one of my very best friends, born 10 hours after me at the same hospital in Colombia! Heather is with the Lord now, and I was deeply honored and blessed to be at Bella’s bridal shower. I’m so proud of and grateful for this EXCEPTIONAL young woman, my friend!

Being with her family is like coming home. I can’t wait until we can all be with Heather, worshipping and walking together in the presence of our Savior.

So proud of my baby brother, too! I tracked him down one day when running an errand in the town next to us, where he works.

Goofy kids stuffing the plastic eggs with candy. David filled two with dog food, and someone filled one with scrambled eggs. I still don’t know who that was. Yuck!

My little niece with Marcie’s former pet, Milo the bunny. He was too much for us, but my sister loves him and cares for him now! Marcie still gets snuggles. 🥰 

Marcie is taller than Grandma!!

Marcie and Grandma 13 years ago!

My brother demonstrating that Seth has grown, too! He can just barely rest his chin on Seth’s head. 

The size difference 12 years ago!

You may wonder where Gavin is in all this. He’s working/training quite a bit at JAARS in N.C. this spring, and in a couple of weeks he heads to Moody Aviation Spokane to do consultation flights with their students. We are praising God for how well the time apart has gone, and for all Gavin gets to do still in missions aviation training, mentoring, and recruitment. God is good, all the time. Blessings on you all!

With gratitude,

Carrie

Marmi and Papa visit us

 Hi all!

It’s so long since I updated; life has been unusually overwhelming to me (but full of blessings, too!). Most recently, David has had Flu B after having had Flu A over Christmas. He’s just been miserable, so sore and exhausted and depressed. We appreciate any prayer on his behalf — also, that none of the rest of us get it, Lord willing!!

In very fun news, Marmi and Papa came to see us! As Marcie said, “I’m always so happy when they come and so sad when they leave!”

Seth wanted to take Papa to see the Commemorative Air Force WWII bombers at the airport where Gavin worked when we were newlyweds and Isaac was a baby! Seth is obsessed with WWII aircraft, and we are friends with one of the mechanics. Will thoroughly enjoyed the tour too. David was sick. 😢

Being lady like in Waxahachie for lunch with my two lovely moms! 

Gracie’s love bird loves startling Marmi by suddenly landing on her.

Will’s job last week was to chop off a dead branch.

Will with his bestie and cousin! They just love playing together every Friday when he’s off school.

This kitten came to us emaciated and beat up and terrified. She’s darling, and keeps coming back! She always looks dreamy-eyed rather than terrified now.

Happy Birthday to Isaac!

How is this kid 22 years old and MARRIED?? to the BEST wife on earth, as evidenced by these couple of photos. A surprise party at Red Robin; Bundtini cakes homemade by Meagan! They have wonderful friends. What a blessing. (And isn't he handsome, with a beautiful wife?) You might recognize a couple of the guys as groomsmen of his.

For those who might not know, Isaac and Meagan live in married housing at Boyce College. They both work at Memoria Press, although Meagan is having to take a break from Memoria this semester to do her observation hours for teaching.

Thank you for praying for Isaac for all these years! God is GOOD.

New Year's Newsletter - Keeping Up with the Joneses!