Beautiful Montana

From Colorado Springs (see previous two blog posts) we drove with our son Mark and his family for two days to their home in Kalispell, Montana.  The first day was Nadine's birthday and we arrived at her parents' home in Billings, Montana, in time to celebrate her birthday, her brother Sam's birthday and Isaac's birthday together with the entire family.

The second day we drove the rest of the way to Kalispell through some of the most beautiful parts of Montana, if not the country.  Mark works full time for the Montana National Guard and his assignment in Kalispell is temporary, due to end around October, so we took advantage of this time to visit them there.

We had a wonderful Fourth of July.  We were invited to Mark's co-worker's home along with almost 50 of his family, friends and neighbors.  We ate a potluck picnic meal and the kids swam in the above-ground pool.  Later we set off some smaller fireworks that Nadine's dad had bought for the kids.  The boys especially enjoyed the loud ones.  Then, as it became darker, our host set off his fireworks, large and numerous enough to befit a small town's celebration.  Little Mychael was scared at first, but when she saw the "sparkles" she decided she liked them.  It felt good to celebrate the Fourth in America.

On Saturday, we made the short trip to Glacier Park and walked the two-mile trail up to the lake pictured above.  We were enthralled with the amazing beauty of God's creation.  Mychael got to ride on her dad's back, but the boys walked.  Even almost four-year-old Isaac hiked most of the way.  His mom carried him a little bit twice when he "couldn't walk another step."

With vacation time almost over, we drove the three days back to Des Moines and are now preparing for itineration, that is, visiting churches to report on what we are doing in Hungary and asking for support to continue our work there.  So now, back to work.