Happy Sweet 16, Bryant!!!!

Surprise, Bryant!!! Your Blog has been sabatoged!!! :)
Bryant and I were visiting together at a gathering this spring when someone asked us how long we’d known each-other. I smiled, “Forever………so it seems!”

I remember the first time we met the Sarensens. I was terribly shy that year, and strongly disliked meeting new people, so I had gone into hiding that warm afternoon of their first visit. I wasn’t far from the driveway though and could see full well as our visitors climbed from the car and talked with my family. The older girl got right out, but the younger one stayed in the back seat; I found out later it was because she was frightened by our friendly yet intimidating black lab. But that was 8 years ago, and both of us overcome our fear of strangers and dogs, and the Lord has blessed us with many adventures together!!

I’ll recount just a few of my favorite memories, and the special times we’ve had!

Bryant and I square-dancing, one of the first time our families got together!!

A week-long missions trip to Mexico; has it really been five years since that memorable week?! I was so excited to go to Mexico and counted the days until we would be headed off. I was especially excited to be going with the Sarensens!

Mexico- here we come!!

First the two day road trip; listening to Brother Andrew on cassette while playing oodles of games of Trouble, watching faithfully each town we drove through for a Taco Johns (all those coupons, but not a Taco Johns in all three states!!)

Chinese Jump-rope!!

The occasional stops for gasoline, when we played Chinese Jump-rope in the parking lot before piling back into the van to battle once more with that awful seatbelt which just wouldn’t open!! Bryant trying endlessly to get me to pronounce Waco, TX correctly while Lydia, Esther and Micah Noel looked on at my attempts with amused smiles. Then finally, arriving in Mission Texas to find that wonderful house that we were to stay in…….the late first night sorting Spanish gospel tracts and filling our pockets with hard candy to share with the Mexican children. Then the eagerness that filled us as we walked together down the block in the early morning darkness to meet with the rest of the group for devotions before our first day ministering in Mexico.

Bryant and a Mexican child!

It was a joy for us all to work there among the Mexican people, sharing Jesus with the little children was truly a precious experience! The few wonderful days we spent in Mexico, coming home each night with smiles wreathing our tired faces.

Crowded in the back of the 15-passenger van used to transport us over the border each day!

Painting houses, delivering Bibles and Sunday School Books in the poorest neighborhoods, going from door to door giving away blankets, food and clothes; trying to communicate what we could in Spanish. The evening church service with all the children joyfully singing, their faces nearly breaking in half with huge smiles. Our last day in Mexico, trying to explain in faulty Spanish that we wouldn’t be coming back the next day.

The five of us girls up a tree at a beautiful rest-stop in Texas on the way home!

The long trip back to Kansas, enjoying the beautiful scenery and cheering at each State line as we grew closer and closer to home. One of the best times in my life is that week we spent in Mexico!

Bryant & I with one of our baking projects; prune filled cookies- yummy!!

The little yellow house on the one-way street! Esther and I spent a busy week-end helping do some preliminary packing before the Sarensens moved. Playing ‘Pit’ until all hours of the night, and packing up jars in the basement, ever watchful for the dreaded spider…..eeek!! Then walking several blocks that afternoon to go shopping. Browsing through the first small, over-filled store; eyeing the quaint knick-knacks and comparing our finds among ourselves. The huge assortment of wedding dresses we found in the basement of the Dollar Store, giggling to ourselves as the cashier took Esther for a bride in desperate need of a good wedding dress! Then walking back over the bridge towards home with cups of cold ice-cream clutched in our hands. Admiring the beautiful old houses and enjoying the abundant shade of the trees bordering the side-walk.

Making bread and granola together, sharing baking secrets and many laughs together. Then eating supper while we split out sides laughing at ‘Gus’; rewinding to watch the funniest parts over again. Then just at we all were thinking of turning in, Esther came up with the brilliant idea for a midnight walk. Scrambling for our shoes we started out, the blocks melting beneath our feet as we talked. Finally turning back and trying to determine is we were lost, and Micah Noel assured us that she knew precisely how to get home. Then in our sleeping bags that night, talking……and talking…….and talking!!! Trying to suppress our laughter so we wouldn’t wake up Esther or Micah Noel. What a Special Visit!! Esther, Bryant, April and Micah Noel;

an evening stroll around their new home!

Visiting the Sarensens in their new home!! I was so excited for Bryant the first time Esther and I went to see them. I knew they were happily settled into their new house and rejoicing at how God had provided the perfect house for them!! Showing them Scott and Lydia’s wedding video, just days off the press and making home-made pop-tarts and popcorn to ease Esther’s never-ending hunger. :) Singing together and laughing because Grace didn’t like Esther! Scouring the local thrift stores for clothes and taking long walks around their new neighborhood. Going to church with them in ‘The Barn’ and then all 4 of us squishing in the way-too-small back seat; laughing hysterically as we tried to get the doors to shut.

Visiting the Sarensens, March 2007.

Then one year later as a surprise for Micah Noel’s birthday, visiting them again. Playing duets with piano, violin and harp and playing game after game of Dutch Blitz; it only took a little while for the others to figure out that Bryant and I were a dangerous team!! Taking more long walks and going to their new church with them!

Sarensens visiting Ulmers, May 2007.

The Lord has blessed me so much with your friendship; it has been a delight to have a like-minded friend to encourage me! I have always appreciated the stand you have taken to love the Lord and follow His ways, even if it means having to stand alone. I pray that your 16th year will be one where you are drawn even closer to the Lord! May He guide you as you seek Him!!

Happy 16th Birthday, Bryant!

LYLAS! :)

~Elizabeth

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