Greetings from Quito, Ecuador

I’m writing to you from Quito, Ecuador. Quito is my birthplace and the location where God brought Leon and I together 29 years ago. Returning home always fills my heart with so many emotions. The happiness in remembering my childhood, the sorrow of seeing my father at the end of his life, and of course, the thrill of looking back at my courtship to Leon. I’m struck with a sense of gratefulness! There’s no doubt in my mind that what God started 29 years ago in Quito will never end because the love between Leon and I was cultivated by God and continues to grow daily.Last week, we had the opportunity to drive by the high school where Leon and I met. As we drove past the school, we shared with our three children where it all started. Our children are old enough now to grasp the magnitude of how God brought us together and to understand how blessed they are. Twenty six years of marriage have brought many amazing moments and a few sad times. The birth of three amazing children, and the loss of two through miscarriages. The joy of seeing our children grow into healthy and successful young people. Cultivating deep relationships with family and friends. Success and struggle for Leon in his occupation. Responding to God’s calling by helping others. There are so many memories -- so much of God’s goodness. And even in the midst of trials, we feel God’s loving hands carrying us. Because vacations are about making new memories, and not just reminiscing over the old ones, Leon and I took the family to the Galapagos Islands. It's been a dream of mine for years to visit Galapagos with my whole family. The Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, is a province of Ecuador, lying about 1,000km off its coast, and considered one of the world's foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing.What a beautiful place and what a wonderful family time we spent together with my mom. We got to swim with turtles and a shark! Snorkeling with all the exotic fish was amazing! The many different animals we encountered gave me new insight into how mighty and creative our God is. What a special time we had! God bless you and adiós from Quito!