Cactus Flower

Monday, I began my regular pre-furlough rummaging... going through boxes and action packers and closets and drawers, looking for junk that needs to go, and hoping for treasure! This is my treasure trunk.  Yes, I brought it from the States to Brazil in a shipping container many years ago.  It's mine.  I love it.  I keep family heirlooms inside... Yes, missionaries can keep things and have family treasures.  In fact, I think they ought to.  Giving everything away can be traumatic for children and some personality types... So as I am cleaning and organizing and throwing some things out (when no one is looking), I am also putting things in my trunk for safekeeping.

 

Yes, I have on swimming clothes and Byron is fully dressed.  Yes, we are on a beach.  Go figure, Byron and I are not just alike and not two peas in a pod..  One of the first times I went with Byron Atha to the beach was with my parents and brother.  We went to Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina and spent several days.  The top of Byron's feet got super burnt and he couldn't even drive.  He hates getting sun burnt and doesn't care too much for beaches.  But I think he enjoyed this day last week as we watched the boys taking a class in surfing on a beach in Salvador. Even though we are not just alike we are together.  We've known each other now for close to 30 years, been married for more than 25 years, and have been in Brazil now for almost 20 years.  We aren't just alike but we have grown more and more so over the years. I love you, man, with all your clothes on and even tennis shoes on a beach... I look forward to another 30 years w...