Dec 4, 1999: The Start of our Family Adventure!

Where were you ten years ago? I was busy marrying the love of my life , my partner in this exciting journey, Jacalyn. In many ways, it's hard to believe that this was 10 years ago. In other ways, it's astounding the things we've done, seen and experienced in those 10 years.

I remember that morning being all kinds of busy. People were running to and fro getting ready for the big event. On Jaci's end, there was some problem with the crazed florist and the late delivery of the flowers. It was December in Lancaster, PA and yet it was a beautiful sunny and warm day.

I remember how special the day was to be in one of our favorite getaway places, a place that had such sentimental value to both of our families growing up. Jaci and her family had spent years coming to Willow Valley and enjoying the beautiful simplicity of the land of the Amish. Meanwhile, my own family would spent years coming to Lancaster at Christmas time to ride the trains and take in God's splendor of the fields and hillside of Lancaster. On December 4, 1999, both of our families converged on Willow Valley for a beautiful and deeply meaningful day.

I remember waiting in the "groom's room" in the front of the Chapel. I remember Pastor Jack Hamilton (my pastor as I was a child, a man who oozed the joy of the Lord and who truly demonstrated to me what power, freedom and joy can be found in Christ) was his usual jovial self. He kept repeating that if I changed my mind, he had a car out in the parking lot running. It was such a blessing to have Pastor Jack be part of my ceremony for all that he meant to my family personally. He passed away to be with the Lord one year later, so it was truly a blessing that he could join us for this special day. On our wedding video, Jack, ever the jokester, can be seen telling us that there "was a problem with our wedding certificate" and that he's sure it could all be fixed later. He must be making a lot of heaven's citizens laugh right now.

When our service began, it was truly special to have the 4Him song "Love Finds You" played as the grandparents entered the chapel. Of course, it would have been nice if they played the whole song to get the full effect, but oh well. The song was our way of incorporating all of our grandparents in the ceremony. Only my Nanny & Pop-Pop on the Hughes side and Grandpa Pupchik could join us for the special day. My mom's parents had passed away, as had Grandpa Taylor and Grandma Pupchik. Grandma Taylor was suffering from Alzheimer's and thus was unable to join us that day. Grandma Pupchik was still around when we got engaged, and we were able to visit her and tell her about our engagement. Ironically, when we shared the news, it was Grandpa Pupchik that scoffed at the idea that he'd be able to endure the trip to Lancaster for the big day. Grandma Pupchik wanted very much to be there, and as she slowly lost her battle to cancer, she was able to attend a friend's wedding that Jaci was in so that she "could see Jaci going down the aisle." Jaci was by Grandma Pupchik's side as she left this world for a better one. Grandma Taylor was such a great woman of God (and from what I hear she would have loved chatting with me about politics.) She had such a special bond with Jaci and would be so proud of the woman Jaci is today. She often told Jaci that as long as Jaci was in this world, Grandma Taylor would still be here because they were so much alike. Her influence on her granddaughter's life has paid dividends for our own children and beyond.

Our grandparents were such a part of our life, that the song celebrated their lives and love for us and reiterated that we remembered them. Grandpa Pupchik was able to pray at the reception later, and it demonstrated his sweet emotional side. Grandpa Pupchik has since gone on to be with the Lord (and his wife) as well. My grandparents were able to see their first grandchild's wedding. It is such a blessing to be able to see those two on the wedding video as Pop-Pop Hughes passed away in April 2001, just months after the birth of his first great-grandson. As with Grandma Pupchik and Jaci, I was able to be at his side as his peacefully slipped from this world and into the arms of God.

Having young Ki-Lee ring the bell and start the ceremony was precious. Having our parents there together, beaming over their children was such a blessing. We've been blessed with some very generous and very devoted parents and their influence in our upbringing has dramatically shaped who we are as parents and as a husband and wife team! My parents have viewed Jaci as their own daughter, finally able to have a girl in the family, and have demonstrated true sacrificial giving in helping our young family make ends meet. Jaci's Mom treated us to our first Disney World experience and has really been a support and dear friend for Jaci. Jaci's Dad graciously allowed us to move in to his much larger house 3 years ago and blessed us with a nice place to live.

During the ceremony, Jaci looked radiant. The sun began shining through the stained glass window before us and illuminated the wedding party in what seemed like the glory of the Lord. During some of the music, Jaci and I stood there holding hands, talking of the future, and enjoying the moment. Pastor Jerry Ruff and Pastor Jack officiated the wedding and before we knew it, the ceremony was over. When the time came for the kiss, Jaci was nervous that they might forget so she kept reminding him to say it. Jerry laughed and told me to kiss my bride. It was a moment worthy of a hollywood movie. As I dipped my lady dramatically to launch into the kiss, the wedding party held mistletoe above our heads and the chapel erupted in applause and laughter. Afterwards, we danced and bounced our way out of the chapel to the up-beat "Jingle Bell Rock."

After posing for some pictures outside in the glorious spring-like temperatures, we entered our reception. It was a whirlwind of activity as we entered and did our much-rehearsed dance to Celine Dion's "Prayer." We also had the wedding party join us for a Christmas waltz, where our video reveals quite the scowl from Jaci's sister Lauren. This many years later, we still don't know why she gave her newly married sister the glare of death. Later in the ceremony, Jaci danced to "Butterfly Kisses" with her Dad and I danced with my Mom to "Because You Loved Me."

The reception was over before we knew it. Santa even made an appearance at the reception to pose with pictures with the new happy couple. After everything was over, we snuck out to a smorgasbord dinner later in the evening (because in our haste to get around to as many people as possible at the reception, we had hardly eaten any dinner!)

It was a tremendous experience and soon we were off on our honeymoon cruise! We had such fun on our (so far) one and only cruise experience. We swam with Sting Rays in Grand Cayman, visited the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico, and toured the French Quarter of New Orleans.

In the decade since this special time, so much has happened. Less than one year after the big day, we became parents for the first time as our boy Noah was born on November 28, 2000. We had our daughter Reagan on June 20, 2005, and our "baby son" Jackson on November 29, 2006. We've moved 3 different times, and have another move on the horizon in 2010. We have visited Guatemala twice together, snuck away to Niagara Falls, returned to Willow Valley many times, visited Atlanta twice, enjoyed summer trips to the Jersey shore, and even this year finally made it to Disney World!

As for Jaci, ten years later, she is still the fun-loving whimsical girl that I married, but she has grown tremendously. Her wisdom and common sense have grounded me in times of uncertainty, and her steadfast support for me and the kids has really been the blessing and treasure of a lifetime. Jaci and I are so alike that we are content to just spend our evenings in together. We make each other laugh and share a love of adventure (and television!) The young untested innocent girl of 1999 has blossomed into a mature, wonder-woman of a wife and mother in the ten years since our big day. Jaci's flexibility and self-sacrifice have made her a model mother for our 3 kids and a spark of excitement to everyone who knows her.

When God put us together, He really created a solid team. We complement each other and share the same passions and outlook in life. We both are a little "fly by the seat of your pants" and "don't miss a single moment" kind of people. Some of our favorite memories have been what would be to other folks seemingly insignificant everyday chores, that we turn into something whimsical and fun. We often say that we are in the "non-elegant" stage of life, in that we aren't fancy, and don't pretend to be. Our house is "lived in" and we love life's simple pleasures.

Our life so far has been defined by laughter and fun. Something as simple as a trip to the store turns into a fun adventure when we are together. 2010 promises to be a big year for our family with another move on the horizon and new adventures for our family to embark on. The first ten years of this journey have been amazing, and it will only get better from here.

The Hughes Kids Continue Their Adventure

Here are some photos of the kids at Vida y Esperanza School. Jackson was very comfortable in the kindergarten class room. He got that chair himself, and then found an empty spot at the table and joined the class. The kids at the school remembered Noah from last year, and were excited to meet his two little siblings!

The kids have really blessed Lauren by being here. They may not be able to contribute a lot, but they sure can brighten the spirits of their missionary aunt!

It's Rainy Season!

So we got caught in a massive rain storm while walking the markets in Antigua today. Ironically, the rest of the team somehow avoided getting soaked, but we didn't! In the photos above, Jackson and Reagan model the latest rain-wear fashions.

Lauren says that if it rains for more than 20 minutes, you can expect it to rain for over 2 hours. Thankfully, this storm lasted just under 20 minutes and the rest of the afternoon was cloudy but dry.

Soy Noe (I Am Noah) & "Get In Your House Chickens!"

"For since the creation of the world God's invisble qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.." Romans 1:20

Nowhere is that verse more evident than living in the shadow of the volcanoes. On our journey yesterday, we got to see the red lava at the top of the volcano Fuego (or Fire.) Unfortunately, we were on the road, so we weren't able to get a picture. Hopefully we will before we leave. Don't freak out Mom, the volcano doesn't erupt, it just sort of oozes lava at the top and is over 100 miles away from us. Your grandkids are safe!

Before we got started yesterday, Reagan and Jackson had baths in bottled water in Lauren's back yard. The reason is because the shower water could make them sick if they drink it, and since Jackson puts everything into his mouth that he finds, we didn't want to take too many chances!

Yesterday, we began some work for the team. We met with Jeff Sprecher, the Director of Mission Impact. Jeff and his wife Terry are very nice, humble people, who just seem to be completely surrendered to the will of God in their lives. Jeff had avery quiet confidence about him that a person of great faith tends to have. We reviewed the team's schedule for the week and Lauren and Jeff went over the logistics.

Meanwhile, Noah fell down some stairs, Reagan got "hot and sweaty" and Jackson may or may not have been bitten by the family dog. He claims he was, but then again this is the same boy who has been claiming to have also survived shark bites and, in a surprise to many, dinosaur bites.

It was also revealed that Jeff was under the impression that Pastor Gary was only in his twenties because of the way he talks. I think Jeff's world is going to be rocked by the antics of the wild and wacky Gary Clark when he gets here!

Then we went on to the Perez house and had a very nice meal with the family. I'm very excited that the team will get to meet this family as they are such a fun group of people and a tremendous encouragement. The pictures above are the view from Mirna's house. Talk about a "city on a hill!"

Paul writes in Romans about being "mutually encouraged" by one another's faith. That pretty much sums up the lunch meeting! Learn more about the work they do by visiting Mission Impact's website.

The kids were big fans of the family dog Pepe. Jackson also enjoyed chasing the chickens back into their chicken coop while chastising them "Get in your house chickens!"

On the way, Reagan pronounced her love of the volcanoes and mountains by sighing and saying "I love those mountains."

Noah was able to get his Bakugan back from the neighbors. All is well.

We went to the ever populer Pollo Campero for dinner. While feasting on chicken and fries, the staff sang happy birtday to me and I got a Pollo Campero visor of my very own!

Meanwhile, Noah was able to improve American-Guatemalan relations by speaking spanisht to the kids in the playland of the restaurant.

"Soy Noe." (It means I am Noah.) He said he wanted to make things easier on the kids so that they could understand him.

Reagan meanwhile babbled incoherently and told us it was spanish.

Jackson climbed up the playland equipment that was only for kids 4 and up with relative ease. He then slid down the slide and landed on some unfortunate Guatemalan boy that he proceeded to wrestle with. Poor kid never knew what hit him.

Jaci isn't feeling well, so please pray for her. Jaci and the kids have an easy day today. Lauren and I will be meeting the church team at the airport in a few hours and getting them oriented at the school.

This evening the team will have dinner together, but the Hughes family will be dining alone. We are going out to dinner to a restaurant in Antigua to celebrate my birthday.

98% Flavor 2% Fat, Or More Guatemalan Than You!

So, you might be intrigued by the title. In the photo of me above, I am holding a pack of "Jamones Perry" or "Perry Ham." Jamones Perry is a big brand of ham down here that boasts its ham has 98% flavor and 2% fat. I find that funny. Whenever you boast that your product doesn't even muster 100% flavor, there's got to be a problem. They also have a sausage line that boasts being "More Guatemalan Than You." I'm not sure how that translates into a winning marketing strategy by trading on long-held animosities between different people groups in this country that fueled civil war for some 36 years and that only ended in 1994, but hey, go for it. It is my fervent hope to have a Jamones Perry tee-shirt one day. I hope I find one down here.

So, we didn't do much yesterday. It was a day of spending time with Aunt Lauren, food shopping, and giving little kids who traveled for 14 hours nap times. We were able, however, to take a few pictures of the kids at Aunt Lauren's house.

We also went into Guatemala City to a shopping mall for dinner. Pizza Hut. That's right, we had Pizza Hut in Guatemala on a missions trip!

The kids enjoyed playing in a inside park area with a giant tree with a slide on it and various bears, or osos, lying around it. Jackson, as usual was his crazy self and he was chasing a number of the kids there. He did his usual "fight face" by making angry eyes at them and then charging them while pretending to be a monster.

One of the Guatemalan girls was overheard referring to Jackson's "ojos enojados" or in English, his "angry eyes!"

Not exactly the best way to improve American-Guatemalan relations.

Reagan has been a bit of a challenge. Very sleepy. Very cranky. Pray for Princess that this little turtle will get the rest that she needs to be her usual pleasant self.

Noah threw his most beloved brand new Bakugan toy into the neighbor's yard. No word yet on whether the toy is still alive. We have to stop over and chat with the neighbors when they get home to see if we can go into their yard to get his toy. Some of you may remember, of course, that it was only about a week ago that Noah nearly lost another beloved Bakugan toy while on a family walk at home. After stopping at the park to let the kids play, Noah decided to bury his toy in the sand of the volleyball field. We spent a good 30 minutes looking for it, as he forgot where he buried it. Ah, a boy and his toys!

Today we will be meeting with the Director of Mission Impact, Jeff, to discuss the team's schedule and agenda, and then heading to lunch with Gerber's family (one of our highlights from last year!) His family is a wonderful down-to-earth Christian family serving the Lord among some of the poorest folks down here.

Then we will be going out to dinner perhaps in Antigua later tonight. A post to follow.

With Faith Like A Child

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him." 1 John 5:14

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22

"I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:9-10

"...Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalm 61:2-3

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2

"For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight...All nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed." Psalm 72:12-14, 17

Reagan, seen in the above photo while praying in her Sunday School class, is preparing to carry the message of Hope to the people of Guatemala. This weekend, as she led the GCCC Kid's Avenue services in "Mighty To Save" Jaci was both attacked and blessed. On one hand, her MS reared its ugly head and her vision was seriously impaired again. On the other, she felt a strong welling up of emotion as she worshipped God and thought of the kids (His kids) that we ministered to last year and that we will be returning to in 2 short days.

Jaci also led the children in praying for Noah and our team as we serve God oversees in Guatemala. I told Noah on the way home that his going on this trip would inspire a lot of people, young and old, to see that ANYONE can step out in Faith and do something for the Lord. The BOLDNESS of a young child to step out of his comfort zone and serve in a foreign country will speak volumes to many. It might seem impossible to go to a small village on the side of a volcano in a faraway land. It is overwhelming. It is also a tremendous blessing and an opportunity to see miracles happen.

Noah, Reagan, and Jackson will inspire people they never know about. At the 11 AM service, we joined with the church team in the sanctuary for the church to pray over us. We had all 3 kids with us. Emotion began to overwhelm me as the reality of this truly remarkable journey that God chose us for unfolds. There is nothing more rewarding than serving TOGETHER as a family and to see the remarkable things that God can teach even a young child through this grand adventure.

On our way out, several people who we didn't know stopped us and asked us if the kids were in fact going on the trip. When we answered yes, they told us that they were praying for our kids during the service and that they would continue to do so. They seemed truly moved by our kids.

Once again, as we go to serve the "rock that is higher" than us to "sing" of His great love "among the nations" we know that it is us who will again be blessed indeed.

Thank you for your prayers and support. We look forward to sharing out journey with you as we blog daily about our trip.

Let the packing begin!

Jackson Gets Bitten By A Shark, I Confront My Fears of Mr. Peanut and the Money for the Trip Begins To Come In

Our family just got home from a vacation at the Jersey shore. Trips to the beach are always unpredictable. Often, I would like to just sit on the beach and relax, reading some book and just "soaking up the sun" to quote the wise sage Sheryl Crow. Unfortunately for me, when you have 3 kids 8 and under, you don't have a lot of time to sit.

So on one particular day at the beach, Jackson was his usual rough and tumble self, wildly exploring the beach and the sea. Afraid of nothing, Jackson had already killed a poor little frog at our campsite. Like Lennie in Of Mice and Men, Jackson doesn't know his own strength. He picked up the little bugger and squeezed the life out of him.

Later, on the beach, Jackson was joining the family on a beach walk. The previous day's walk by Noah and I had yielded many discoveries. We saw some crabs which we gave nicknames to (Pincher Face, Weird Eye, and Digger) and we had a great father-son bonding time. On this walk, as we were irresponsibly climbing all over the rocks, Jackson fell while parading around on the rocks.

His foot was somewhat swollen after that incident and it looked as if he perhaps was stung by a jellyfish. We asked Jackson what happened to his foot and were surprised to here the whopper of a tale that Jackson laid out for us.

You see, his "boo-boo" on his foot was the result of a shark bite. Jackson proudly proclaimed that "a shark eat my boo-boo, he bite it." To this day, that is the story Jackson is standing behind. Jackson is indeed a brave one, what with facing a man-eating shark at the age of 2 and surviving to tell about it!

Jackson's tall tale reminds us that everything in life is an adventure! What an imagination our little epic hero has!

In other news, money has started to come in for our Guatemala trip, but we still have a long way to go! Apparently, taking a family of five on a mission trip can be very expensive! Please continue to pray that the necessary funds would come in for us to take this trip.

P.S. Many of you know of my immense fear of Mr. Peanut. The above picture represents this nearly 33 year old man facing his fears once and for all. As you can see from my placement, I am still a little hesitant to get too close to the monocle-wearing menace. It is a big step for me to even get that close, however.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

You might be thinking to yourself, "Gee, didn't they just post about Noah's birthday yesterday?" You are correct. Our sons birthdays are the 28th and the 29th. Six years almost to the day.

So our little linebacker Jackson turns 2 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!