End of an Era

Yesterday we said goodbye to Steve. Steve Boutry has been my partner and friend in the CTK Durango journey. We will still be discovering the impact he has had on this ministry for years to come. I will certainly miss our conversations and "what if" talks over the campfire in my back yard. I will also miss his contribution to the teaching in our services and his companionship in leading the Farmington crew. Most of all, Steve has been my friend these past two years. Having said goodbye to so many of my friends in moving here, it is even more difficult to see Steve go. I felt like we were able to honor him yesterday as a community and we are certainly glad for his marriage to Amy. I'm also pretty excited to see what Boston has in store for Steve and Amy. In moving to Boston, Steve is pretty much living out the pattern God has developed in dealing with us in Durango: the "you won't have any idea what it will look like, but I am sending you to ____________" pattern.

Steve, never ask for a picture of the future. Instead, continue to learn how to recognize when you are exactly where God wants you, and may you always be able to say, "this is the best day of my life".

Bring on the Summer!

Most of the snow has finally melted and the wind is dying down, so Durango has turned the corner to summer. Rafters are starting to dot the river and the occasional Jeep tour is heading up the mountain (even though the high trails are still snowed in). Jenn and the kids have one more week of school before vacation. I start guide school (learning to guide raft trips on the river) at the end of this month and the Hummer tour season should start gearing up soon. We are really looking forward to our road trip to California in the beginning of June. We will be in Salinas for Steve's wedding and then head up to Idaho to visit our friends the Hoffmans.
In the mean time, Jenn and I are starting to check out our favorite hiking trails and enjoying the sunshine!

Coach Chip

We are now two weeks away from the end of our six-year-olds soccer season. I somehow ended up as the coach of the Gutheads (if you think that's bad, you should hear the choices that didn't get voted for!) when there was no one stepping up to coach the boys from Oscar's kindergarten class. It's been a lot of fun and I have really enjoyed working with the boys and getting to know the families.