I was asked a few weeks ago if I was going to leave my family to go to Ecuador for this trip.

It was a great question, and I would not have even considered doing so 10 years ago.  Probably not even 5 years ago.

Today, my boys are young men - capable of caring for their Mom & sister; capable of fixing almost everything around the house that breaks; wise enough to call others for help when they need it; strong enough to protect what God has entrusted all of us with; and tender-hearted enough to do all of the above with love and compassion.

I trust that God has equipped my family with the resources, and most importantly, the grace, to be cared for in my absence.

The young men pictured here are not so young.

They have grown into Godly men.

Who still don't like for me to take their picture: