September 2008

We often write about the day-to-day stuff, but we sometimes forget to tell you about the big life-decision type stuff:

Our two year commitment in the Dominican ends in September.

Which means we're headed home.

Where's home? We're not exactly sure.

What will we do? Don't know that either.

But we do know this is a fabulous place, a transformative ministry, and we are blessed to be a part of it. These RSJ kiddos are the best around, and they deserve the best of us, the whole time we're here. Which means we have all sorts of tricks up our sleeves for the next several months. They aren't going to know what hit them.

We, along with the MannaDR directors, are in the process of searching for/interviewing people interested in continuing the work in RSJ. If you'd like to know more about this crazy roller-coaster ride that is life and love in RSJ, email us: tj@mannadr.org.

Tellin' it like it is

There's nothing like EVERYBODY telling you how fat you've gotten to motivate one to lose extra holiday pounds.

Dominicans mean it as a compliment, but we're back on the beans & rice bandwagon.

You could really market this in the States. It would be called the "Wow! You're so fat!!!" diet.

Whatever. We enjoyed every minute of every bite of all the delicious food we devoured in our land of plenty.

Gus & Molly Go to the Beauty Shop

We're back in the Dominican, by the way. Safe and sound, all is well. Our kiddos are darling, and can't get enough hugs & special attention. Our house was gleaming, spic-and-span, spotless, thanks to Osvaldo.

The dogs... The dogs, on the other hand, were not so clean. Osvaldo took care of Gus, and the Lamb's dog, Molly. They now love Osvaldo more than us, and are a few pounds heavier than we left them.

They were also filthy, so we spent this morning cleaning them up. They hated every minute of it, but they know they look (and smell) better now.

Update: 2007

The good work God is doing in RioSanJuan is a real because of Otter Creek and Park Plaza. We are honored to serve as their love for these kiddos.

Check out this snapshot of our life and ministry. Whatever you do, don't miss Jerry Franklin dancin' the Macarena.

We miss our little GQ buddies. We're enjoying our time with friends in Nashville, but we'll be ready to scoop these little guys up as soon as we get back.

mini-B

TJ here.

I'm loving watching BSC raise a child. Especially a child that looks like a mini-me of his daddy.

He and his wonderful wife, "The Manager" came home to visit and we got to spend an evening catching up and eating Mexican food served by the fastest waiter north of the Pecos. Seriously, the guy could have had skates on, he dropped those chips off so fast.

While it makes me feel a little old watching one of my best buddies turn into a full-fledged father, it's also pretty cool. I can't help but be proud of my bro when I see he and N together. How two pimply faced teenage wierdos like us could have gotten so lucky to be where we're at... I don't exactly know.

By the way, N is already showing real musical talent... forget football, BSC, this kid is gonna be a choir nerd like uncle TJ!

Gary's Garage-mahal

This last week at the Lewis' has been fun, with Bret and Jaimy (Holly's brother and his new wife) in town, all the cousins visiting, and a trip to see Gma and Gpa Lewis in Ark City.
Gary recently had his new garage built and it is ready(ish) for some mechanical, MoPar fun.


He is restoring a 1969 Dodge Superbee, the first car he and Janey bought as a couple, and the whole Lewis clan came down to help move the car and equipment in.


Here is Gary's "put that camera down and help me lift" smile.


Cousin Kirk found an entertaining way to avoid heavy lifting.
At this point, he rolls better than the Superbee...

Mystery Solved

People ask us all the time: "What kind of dog is Gus?" (Probably because he's so cute and everybody wants one just like him.)

Well, we always answer: "He's a mutt. Probably a Yorkie/Schnauzer mix (Schnorkie? Yowzer?) But we don't really know. We rescued him from the pound." (His name was T.J. and his sweet little face just called out to us.) Don't you think he's the cutest?


Well, apparently our little mutt is a very rare breed, nearing extinction, and worth thousands of dollars. The Gusbuster is actually a broken coat Hunt Terrier. See picture below...


We always knew he was a little soldier, not at all a sissy little dog, but we had no idea he was worth big bucks.

Too bad they took his family jewels at the pound, so we won't be able to stud him out...

Mom's New Puppies and a Day at the Park

Mom got two squirming, scrambling, birthday presents this year - while we were at the house, we got to play with them.

Meet Lucy and Lilly - the cutest Yorkie pups around. (The girl holding them is pretty cute, too...)

We also took part in a family tradition of feeding the ducks at Hunter Park. They (and we) were cold, cold, cold.

Well, its been just past two weeks since we last posted, so we are again going to pay penance with a blog-a-day for the next two weeks. Stay posted for the really, really exciting details of our Christmas and New Year back home.

For now, we would like to give a brief outline of our favorite (so far) Christmas foods;

Chili's, Taco Bueno, TJ's dad's ribeye steaks, Raye Lynn's sausage and cheese balls, Abuelo's, Subway, Captain Dan's Famous Toffee, Quizno's, Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, Spaghetti Warehouse, leftover turkey sandwiches, Braum's Ice Cream, Mazzio's pizza, mashed potatoes, Panera soup and sandwiches, Aunt Fannie's squash casserole, turkey stuffing, El Tequila Mexican restaurant, Tom's pancakes, Janey's quiche casserole,
Mac's BBQ, Harry & David's cream cheese and red pepper dip, Chocolate balls filled with crushed Oreos and cream cheese, Gma's Pumpkin pie, Janey's apple pie, Cheesecake topped with cheeries, Cowboy cookies and Mazatlan's Jim Nachos.

It has been a Happy Holidays.

So, if you see us and we seem to be a little more "jolly", or possibly even a little top heavy- just know that we enjoyed every bite.



Rice and beans, we'll see you again soon...