Isn't this place breathtakingly beautiful?

Doesn't God's creation leave you utterly speechless?

Well in case you didn't know, this is River of Joy-- where Julia and I are headed in just a few days.  And my plan is to be on top of this rock to see firsthand the beauty that is Crimea, Ukraine.  My hope is to get to know the people, the culture, and to see how God chooses to use me here.

The excitment has been building as we prepare for this trip.  Today another package was delivered for us to take for the kids at camp.  Thank you Kelly Burns! And thank you Penman family who we met when we adopted Alex. Sara Gregory and Stephanie Riggs-- we thank you too!  An additional thank you to all who showed such an outpouring of encouragement in one way or another.  It does not go unnoticed.   I picked up the toothbrush kits from the dentist and all of a sudden it feels real.  We leave in four short days.

Check out this last bag I just finished up late last night.  It is the last one I will auction off before we leave.  It's dimensions are 12 X 14.5 in.  Perfect for an overnight bag, book bag, school bag for a teen, or giant purse!  Can we please start the bidding at $25 (it wasn't as labor intense as the other bags).  Auction ends Monday, July 11th at 10am PST so that I have enough time to mail it off before we leave.  I can only mail in the US.