Stateside

We have deviated a bit from our usual travel plans and write to you from Washington State, USA. We got the very unfortunate phone call last Tuesday February 7, that Bruce's father had experienced a very bad heart attack. With many blessings from above, so many things went our way and we were able to be home with everyone within 24 hours. First and foremost, Papa is doing fantastic! After 4 days in a medically induced coma, ventilator and heart pump assist, they woke him up and as he opened his eyes and focused on Bruce, his first words were "What are you doing home!" We knew he would be alright. With the strength and determination that we know our Papa to possess he was up and walking laps around us in no time. He returned home yesterday Thursday February 16th. It is taking a village to keep him down we joke. He seems fine but we are all exhausted, with joy. We are beginning to plan our return to Ohana Kai who waits patiently for us in Puerto Vallarta under the watchful eyes and caring hands of friends.

Leaving home this time may be even harder than before as we consider life and the precious hold we have on it. When we left the first time, for us it was with the intent to hold our family close to us, challenge ourselves and to see what was on the other side of the mountain. Home as we know it is not a house and yard but community, love, moments and memories of so many people we cherish. We wanted to go, but we didn't want to leave. Our motivation to go was not because we believed the grass was greener over there, but we knew we could go because we love this home, all we have here and we know the creatures that inhabit it love us. This time, as always, the Lord provides us with just what we need when we need it. Struggling with the thought of leaving all that we hold dear behind again for awhile, we came across an article written to gently nudge and guide us back out the door, onto our boat and across the water. The article written by Mark Jenkins from Outside magazine says this, "Home is where we return to, where we stop and rest, where we try to make sense of our planet. Without home we are unmoored." Gretel Ehrlich stated that "...home requires developing an intimacy with a place...", ..."It doesn't separate you or isolate you from the world. Rather, it's a platform from which to launch".

Again, with the help, support and encouragement of our family and friends we will venture out. We will keep you posted when we return to Ohana Kai.
Home is always in our heart so here we go.
love lisa and the boys

...Thank you to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers that helped us through this hard time.