On New Year's Eve we celebrated Joe's 30th birthday and said goodbye to our parents. Joe and I both feel so blessed to have had family come and visit us this year. My brother, Bubba came last Christmas, my sister Amy came in the fall, we got to meet my Dad in Senegal, and now my Mom and Joe's parents. What an amazing year. Everyday as the sun sets God continues to be faithful in our lives, and we pray for His direction in the year to come.
Jerry, Sue and Mom-Kalibombo is just not the same without you! We love you. Thanks for an amazing time and for your endless love. We are counting down the days until we get to see you again!
The last night, waiting for the hotel shuttle.
And to my wonderful husband, I love spending each and every waking moment with you(literally, as we have no where else to go except a hut). I look forward to the many other journeys ahead of us and loving you for the rest of my life. I love you!
It doesn't look like this guy, will be settling down anytime soon, bring on the next 30.
December 31, 2009, Joe's 30th birthday, in Mali, West Africa with family. Who would have thought?
Hi Joe and Ashley,
ReplyDeleteYes, how blessed you have been to have family come and visit. Only if I could have been one to come and visit. Beautiful pictures, it all looks fun and relaxing. Ashley and her mom what a pair. Then you have Joe, mom and dad, how awesome to see that. I am so happy Joe, that mom and dad, had a chance to spend Christmas and your 30th birthday with you. It is such a blessing to have to as my brother and Ashley, for a sister-in-law. What you both have done so far, is amazing. The Behnke family is also counting down the days when we can see you again. You are missed and loved more then you will ever know. Continue your wild adventure in Mali, West Africa.
Love
Jody, Ben and Anna
Happy Birthday Joe! It is again the best to see all the pictures-especially of the time with your family. I feel like we are really living your Mali experience. I am sure that Mark and I would not last in the hut! Looking forward to seeing you again in 2010!!! Love, Sue-and Mark too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Joe! Tim McGraw has a great song about turning 30. It says something like "I think I'll take a moment to celebrate my age/The ending of an era, the turning of a page/Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here/Lord have mercy on my next thirty years." Ash--you should sing this to Joe because I know you know the song, my fellow country music fan! Ash--you and me--August 2011, DC celebrating our 30th birthdays we are totally singing this song at karoke!
ReplyDeleteCelebrating with ya,
Jess
May God Continue to Bless you both in the Decade ahead......thanks for the most amazing adventure i've ever been on (well except for those first 23 years with the twins) love you both endlessly
ReplyDeletedoobers
I still haven't landed, up at 4am, bed at 8pm
ReplyDeleteThank you joe and ashley for the "experience of a lifetime". Thank you for all your planning to make everything perfect. The village was the Best, the village people are a "Real Treasure".
They will help me to keep life in perspective.
We love you so much and are Blessed to have you as our children.
mom and dad
Happy Birthday Joe! I am getting impressed by your book list. And I like the new header - changing it up for the last 35 weeks! Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe and Ash- Happy Birthday again Joe. I love the picture of the sunrise. I also love the fact that Ash you love Joe for who he is- that was such a cool subtitle (about not settling down) to the picture of Joe with the mountainous background. Great pics. I'm going to a country bar to line dance tonight. LOVE Joanna
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Joe!!
ReplyDeleteThose pics are beautiful, i can't wait to see you guys in a couple of months!!!