Furlough Trip Part II

After spending a great night with the Hunts and their "attack" dog, we traveled to Falls Church, Virginia to the home of Erik and Erica Hotmire.  Erik graduated with me from high school and we've stayed connected through the years.  Erik originally moved to DC as a single guy, and just look at the great family he is blessed with now!  We appreciate the witness that he and Erica have, especially with some hardships that they have experienced. 

Erik, Erica, Noah, Tatum, Jack & Jaida

The Hotmires treated us to a major league baseball game at the National's stadium.  It was our kid's first game and they LOVED it!....and so did we!   It was a definite highlight of our summer. 

While staying with the Hotmires we took advantage of our location to do some sightseeing.  We had a great time, but WOW, it was SOOOO hot!

Our next stop was Ashburn, Virginia and the home of the Zerenner's.  We first met Bob and Cathy at the Reston Bible Church's missions conference four years ago.  We have kept in contact since and they have been a great encouragement to us.  Our kids loved getting to hang out at their house.  Our time together was far too short.

Olivia and Keira

The Zerenners - Bob, Cathy, Keira and Cole (Courtney was at work).

After the Zerenners we met up with Rick and Ann Campbell and their boys for lunch.  Unfortunately we failed to take any photos of our time together.  I'll blame it on the fact that our plans were dashed due to rain and we had to find a place inside to hang out.  Everyone was a bit bummed about that, but we still had a great time together.  We first met the Campbells when we visited Reston Bible Church for the first time.  They had spent some time in Shell, several years before, as Rick completed an internship for his mission aviation degree.  So, they had a great time showing us pictures and sharing with us what our future home in Ecuador would look like!  

The next stop was the home of Alan and Tracey Crosby.  The Crosby's have 3 kids and even though they are younger than our kids, Josiah and Olivia loved playing with them.  We have gotten to know  the Crosby's because Tracey's mom made a connection with us while we visited Reston Bible four years ago.  Alan, Tracey and their small group have adopted us as their small group missionaries.  So, for the past four years we have kept up through emails, blogs and a skype call, all of which really made it feel like we have known them for years.  It was so great to finally meet them all in person. 

Alan, Tracey, Noah, Chloe and Rachel

I love this picture!  Thanks Tracey!

Wow, this post is getting L O N G.   Our last stop was Pittsburgh, PA and the Dunbar home.  Steve and Kristen are good friends from our Moody Aviation days and then they followed us to Ecuador too.  They are now living in PA where they grew up.  I love that it doesn't matter how much time has passed - we just pick right back up where we left off.  We sure miss them in Ecuador.

Our last stop on this trip was Hocking Hills, Ohio.  But, that will have to wait for another day...