Canada Besties

We were so blessed, yet again, by a visit from seminary friends!  Brian, Julie, Ev & El Cochran stopped for a few days on their way to meet family in Branson.  Brian & Julie used to live below us in the Quammune - we had so many fun seminary adventures there!  A 2009 Westminster Cali grad, Brian is now a URC pastor in Regina, SK, Canada.  We had so much fun during their visit and, of course, showed them all that northern Iowa has to offer (yes, we did it in two days!).

 It was super fun watching El & Aidan eating together.  El is just two weeks younger than Aid.  She would grab Aidan's food and throw it off the other side of her highchair.  Aidan thought that was hilarious.

 Native Southern Californians, Brian & Julie braved the lake water.

 My boys.  Aidan received a terrible diaper rash from all the swimming we did the weekend prior so Mommy made sure his bum stayed dry.

 Brian, Aidan, Ev, Brian

 El & Jules

It was so wonderful to talk ministry with Julie.  She is in my boat - a pastor's wife to a solo minister.  It was refreshing and encouraging to swap stories of problems, joys, and frustrations as well as try to encourage one another toward finding our contentment solely in Christ alone - not our positions or locations!  Poor Julie just, by God's grace, survived her first Canadian winter.  Now she's battling the humidity and bugs - new battles for a Los Angeles girl.

 My boy and me - we stayed dry.

This is classic - I'm always trying to dodge those sticky little hands.  I tried to keep Leo contained, my glasses on my face, and my latte in it's cup.  But, truly, this is what I love - Aidan, Leo, lattes, summer and (although not pictured) my hubby and dear friends.

So we praise and thank the LORD for our dear Cochran friends.  We had an incredible time with them and hope they left as encouraged as we were.  Pray for their church, if you think of it - Regina URC.

Thanks, Cochrans, we miss you already!