GREEN.  What did we notice first as we drove across Illinois and Iowa?  Everything is so lush and GREEN.  The month of May in the Midwest is a refreshing sight after rainless months in Guadalajara that leave everything dry, dusty, and brown.

GREEN. In many ways we find ourselves new to the culture in the USA.  Who knew there would be such a variety of ways to pay electronically.  Can you see us encountering each new “swipe your card” machine?  Can you see the looks on the check-out cashiers’ faces when we look confused?  We laugh at our mistakes.  Lynn came home one day and told me of his attempt to signal a “thank you” to a driver who let him merge into a line of traffic.  Let’s just say that the gesture for thank you in Mexico has a very different meaning here in the USA.

GREEN. Recycling is very different here.  In Mexico, I put my garbage on the street the day the garbage truck is scheduled to pass by.  I hang the soda cans in a bag on the front gate, and stack the cardboard on the side of the garbage can.  Early in the morning the men who make their livelihood picking up recyclables drop by and pick it all up.

We have a full schedule of visits to supporting churches.  We look forward to seeing many of you.

Following is our agenda for July through October:

July 24 –    First Baptist, Kiron, Iowa
July 31 –    First Baptist, Amery, Wisconsin

August 7 – The River Community, Iowa City, Iowa
August 14 –   Cornerstone Church, Eldridge, Iowa
August 21 –   Faith Community, Hudson, Wisconsin
August 28 –   Elim Baptist, Isanti, Minnesota

September 11 –   Oakhill Baptist, Humboldt, Iowa
September 18 –   Grace Church, Gladstone, Michigan
September 25 –   Good News Baptist, Mosinee, Wisconsin

October 2  - Union Park Baptist, Des Moines, Iowa
October 9 –   Galilee Baptist, Loveland, Colorado
October 16 –   North Hills Church, Lingle, Wyoming
October 23 –   Center Cross Community, Gering, Nebraska
October 30 –   Bethel Baptist, Greeley, Colorado

We have enjoyed some very fun times with our family.  Pine Lake Camp in Eldora, Iowa, was the site for a day of canoeing, hiking, carpetball, and grilling.  It is wonderful to have everyone within a 2 hour drive.

Just this week we welcomed our 9th grandchild.