Grandpa Decker

Eddie's grandfather passed this week.  He was a dynamic man loved by all.  He cared deeply for his family and instilled in us the kinds of things that eveyone hopes to pass on to their future generations.  We all value hard work, adventure, Christ as savior, good food, and family above all. 

Ed and I were fortunate to get to go to Kerrville for the funeral (everyone, even all of his grandchildren, made it) and it was one of the most powerful sermons centered around Christ I have ever heard.  Friar Stockton talked about Grandpa in celebration terms.  His passing into eternity and the assurance of the banqueting table with Christ is truly something to celebrate.  Though he will be missed, we will continue to tell his stories, and picture him resting with Jesus. 

1 Year Anniversary Trip to Indy

Eddie worked a few extra shifts this summer so that he could get us tickets home to Indiana to see my family for our anniversary.  Best Hubs ever!

Dinosaur train, dinosaur train, gonna go ride Dinosaur train...excavator!

Gigi Leaf Beard

Brotha Man

In the apple orchard

If he wasn't so cute, I'd think he was the serpent tempting Eve.

I had to include a house shot...Eddie and Marcus tore up the carpet and trim.

West Side Story

We bought a house.  I've (Josie) never wanted to do that.  I've always wanted to be mobile, own only enough to fit in my car, and live somewhere in the middle ground between middle class and $2/day like the people in Cambodia or wherever.  But now that I'm in my 30's (so wise) and middle of three years of a graduate program in beautiful Salt Lake City, married to My Love that reveals Jesus's kindness to me, and trying to make grown-up decisions, things have changed.  We have the opportunity to live cross culturally here in Salt Lake right now.  We have the opportunity to have the authority to dictate what to do with our space by hosting.  We have the opportunity to cultivate the land in ways that honor God.  We have the opportunity to give more of ourselves.  We have the opportunity to use our gifts for God's glory.  We have the opportunity to steward our money to pay off school loans.  So many opportunities we just couldn't pass up. So we're taking it.  We bought a house.  We're moving to a 100 year old house (you could call it a fixer upper) in a Hispanic/Polynesian neighborhood.  We plan on having a friend live with us and to be open to others in need of a place to stay and be mentored (more later on Holding Out Help.)  This will definitely be an adventure and will grow our marriage even more, build our trust in God's provision and wisdom, and stretch our comfort zone.  We hope the fixing up of the house will be a means to build deeper friendships with those who are excited to help.  We'll try to document the progression.  So to begin, we closed on Wednesday 10/5/11.

Entryway Living Room

Master Suite

Master bath

2nd Bedroom old headboard shelving

3/4 Guest Bath

Office

Attic Living Area 

Attic Bathroom

Attic Bath

Back Yard (see the apples on the ground?)

Back Yard Half Fallen Apple Tree

Drive way (currently a forest) and garage

Kitchen (duh)