Escalators

When I was five, I visited a Rich’s department store with my mom. While she was at the counter, I ventured over to the down escalator to check it out. An elevator was nothing new to me, but for whatever reason I wanted to explore further.

The minute I stepped on, I knew I had made a bad decision. In a desperate attempt to get back to my mom, I reached for the rounded end of the rail. My legs were still moving down, though, so I quickly became stretched out along the still-moving platforms of the escalator. I started to scream, and the grates in the steps started slicing parallel lines into my bare legs. (At least in my five-year-old brain they were slicing. There were definitely scratches.)

My mom and the saleslady quickly ran over. I was rescued, consoled and taken home, but the damage was done. Until I was 10 or 12 I held my mom’s hand anytime I approached a down escalator.

Then when I was 28 I had another escalator incident. This one involved a stroller full of coats and bags and a pile-up of moms and children dangling in the air behind me. We won’t get into the details. No one was hurt.

And so it’s with terror that I anticipate moving to Prague. What’s the link?

We won’t have a car in Prague, at least at first, and we’ll be using public transport every day. In Prague that means a combination of busses, streetcars and subways. And, in Prague, the subways are about 28 stories below street level (yes, I looked it up).

How will we get down those 28 stories? Escalators. Huge, long, steep escalators.

At 31, I think I’d be okay if it were just me riding down alone, pep-talking my feet to get them ready to navigate the dismount. But now my life involves two children, both whom will need to also get down those escalators. Sometimes on foot, sometimes in strollers, sometimes one of each. In the beginning it will be all I can do to not dwell on the horrifying image of both boys tumbling down those 28 stories.

This morning the Lord brought a ray of hope into my dread over the coming escalator reality. There is going to be a day when getting on and off a 28-story escalator is going to be second nature. I really do believe that. And on that day I will have something tangible to look at and say, “The Lord did this for me!”

I can’t wait for that day. I wish it were here. But I know that the wait will make it all the sweeter.

Our New Favorite Picture

Play Me Some Mountain Music

We had the precious privilege of visiting with the McCanns in the mountains while they were stateside in October. It was a precious time and a great encouragement to us to hear their stories, hopes and struggles from almost two years on the field as real deal missionaries.

MEETING AGAIN
Lindsey's mom carved these cute pumpkins and they greeted us at the door.


Lucy welcomed Foard with sweet cuddles.


Lucy & Sam. Though technically these two have been friends their whole lives, it took them a couple days to get reacquainted and excited about playing together.



LUCY'S BIRTHDAY
We had the honor of celebrating the big #3 with the big sister.


Pinata: a Honduran must-have for every birthday party.


Sam: "What happened?"
If you've been around our two-year-old, you know that question can only mean one thing... that he knows exactly 'what happened'.
Sorry, Ellie.


Henry & Tyler



HANGING OUT
I would have loved to know what this conversation was about.


Any friend of books is a friend of Sam's.


Sometimes he tells us he "needs some space." More than happy to oblige, buddy.


Sorry, ladies. It's just meant to be....


We fried stuff.
Big surprise, I know, but it was for the missionaries.



THE MEADOW
Not far from the mountain house is a hilltop clearing with a gorgeous view.
Last time we went up there, Lindsey was just pregnant with Lucy. This time we took along SIX kids! Craziness.


Hunt boys love chips!


Precious.


Jake, Sam, and beautiful scenery.


Family shot.



RAINY WALK
Cabin fever made us ready to get outside, even in the rain.
Foard hid in my jacket.


Looking down onto Foard (Fjord?) in the Bjorn. You can tell he wishes he was still snug in the womb.


The 'big' kids.


Thank you, McCanns, for the sweet visit and your even sweeter friendship!

Sam & Foard's Baptisms

This weekend both the boys were baptized. It was a special time to share with our flesh-and-blood family and with our church family at Uptown. We are grateful that our kids have the privilege of being part of the household of God, and we look forward to the day when they claim the promise of the Gospel for themselves. (Scroll down for video if you're so inclined.)


It was also very cool to have our friend Dave performing the boys' baptisms.


Sam was well prepared. This was the only mischief we had.


Uptown has a cool tradition where fathers read a blessing for their kids. You can read Sam & Foard's here, or watch it below.





Afterward we had a lovely brunch at home with all the family who came. Here's Sam showing his delight at lots of grandmothers fussing over him.




And our customary group shot.

Now, for the hardcore readers, the video (if you're reading on Facebook, you'll have to click "View original post" down at the bottom). First, Pastor Dave's intro:



The blessing:



The charge and vows:



And the event itself:



Finally, there's a good chance some of our readers are wondering why our boys were baptized so young. If that's you, you can read Jake's brief case for infant baptism.

Little Fish, Big Pond

About a million years ago (aka- last August), we rode the trolleys to The Green in Uptown Charlotte to picnic & play in the splash park there.
I just can't get over how cool the pictures turned out, so even though they're way overdue, I thought I'd post them anyway.