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(left)Jenny,Josh,Colin,Jessica,Dad,Brian,Roxanne
     That's right-it was a Brown family reunion! My brother Brian and his girlfriend Roxanne live in Newfoundland, but we had an opportunity to see them when they came to Toronto for a wedding. I hadn't seen my brother in about 3 years, and Colin and Jessica in about 1 year, so I was really looking forward to spending time with them.Although I think it was impossible for anyone to be more excited than my dad was.
      My dad cleverly orchestrated for Jessica, Colin, Josh and I to surprise Brian and Roxanne at Kesleys. It all worked out according to plan and we had an awesome time together. It was our first time meeting Roxanne who is both sweet and beautiful. 
     Adding to the fun, my dad, Colin, Jessica, Josh and I shared a room at the Days Inn hotel and so we spent the evening and morning together as well (the evening also involved me and my dad dashing into Value Village about 10 minutes before closing into the midst of a bunch of drama and kinda trying to not get involved- but that's another story altogether!).
      It was really cool to get together and connect before all going our separate ways- and now we're back to 'facebookin' it up!'
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Me and Jessica
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Jessica, Brian and me
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Jessica, Dad and me
 
 
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     For most of September Josh and I have been visiting with my dad in Tecumseh. It has been a time filled with great conversations, multiple trips to Starbucks and meeting with friends and family. We went to St.Catharines for a few days and stayed with the Karanfilis's which was of course a fun time. We got to sit down with Tim who we've shared good time with in Bible college.
     Josh Heymans joined us for an amusing morning meeting with the Woodwards which was followed with post-marital counseling for Josh and I. I am extremely grateful that the Woodwards play such a pastoral role in our lives and they seem to never tire of giving us advice and encouragement. Josh took me on a date to Cafe Amore which was of course all my idea because the pasta there is incredibly delicious. The first time we went was actually on a Valentine’s Day double date with the Woodwards and I've considered it my and Josh's place ever since.
      Even better than dinner at Cafe Amore, was our visit to Scott st. Manor! Heymans, Josh and I visited the group home where we once took part in holding church services, visitations and parties. Just like every time you walk through the doors of the manor, you never know what you're going to get and this time was no different. The Manorites were quick to welcome us back into their world and fill us in on all the going-ons in the little house. It's hard not to be envious of the Christians in St.Catharines who have the opportunity to be with these precious people, much more often than we do now.
     'Josh Squared' and I returned to Tecumseh and Heymans joined us  the next morning at Calvary Community Church where I was given the opportunity to talk about our missionary work in Cambodia. Saying goodbye to Heymans is always sad because I feel that he's become like a brother to me, but then I think of the times where we've met up with him in unlikely places like Vegas and Upstate New York, and suddenly time in between goodbyes doesn’t seem so long. Next up, Josh and I will be visiting Shawn and Hayley Cuthill and their children, which is sure to be an inspiring visit.

 
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we aks or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:20
 
 
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the fountain show at the Bellagio
       It felt funny to be back in Las Vegas, especially since last year seemed deviant enough, when Josh and I landed at the Stratosphere and got married a few hours later. This time we were enticed back by an amazing deal which included 3 nights at the Luxor and tickets to 'Believe' which is the Criss Angel show with Cirque Du Soleil. So here is our trip in a blog:

     Soon after we arrived in Vegas we went to Jack and Jan Kluever's house where we also visited with Tony who is a leader of a ministry to the homeless called Amazing Grace. We met Jack and Jan last year when Josh and I went to First Presbyterian Church of Las Vegas for their Sunday service. The couple took us under their wing and invited us over to their house for lunch, and they have been keeping up with our missionary work ever since. It was awesome to get together with these lovers of Jesus who aren’t afraid to step out and take chances for the gospel was also pretty impressed when after dinner, Jan hooked up the Nintendo Wii system and we all played bowling. It was a great night and it felt so good to visit them again and tell them more about Cambodia in person.

     Our 2nd day in Vegas  was a packed one, which included a wildlife exhibit at the Flamingo hotel, our first ever trip to Chipotle for lunch, a ride up the Eiffel tower and viewing dock at Paris hotel, walking through the seasonal decor at Bellagio, people-watching at the Luxor pool ,and watching 'Believe' in front row seats. The show was spectacular, leaving me with a craving to see more Cirque Du Soleil. My favourite part of the performance was the eerie dance numbers carried out by dancers in rabbit and aardvark costumes.

        After the show, Josh and I hurried to the much-longed-for Cheesecake Factory where we indulged in the name of novelty, in deliciously rich, gourmet cheesecake. Each of us feeling like we just ate a brick, decided to see some of the nightlife of Vegas, and so we checked out a few of the night clubs and it wasn't before long that we were calling it a night. Along the way to many of our excursions we were able to sit and talk with some of the homeless. I believe so strongly in the value of talking to the poor and giving them our time just out of the pure fact that God loves them. It was a huge bonus that we were able to refer them to Amazing Grace Ministry, so that they can possibly get some help.

     On our last full day of Vegas we went to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay where I got to pet a sting ray (which may be my new favourite animal) which was the best part of the exhibit, which was a little over- rated. We actually got to spend more time with Jan when we met with her and Pastor Dana of the Presbyterian Church, for lunch in a restaurant called 'Four Seasons' which is much fancier than I'm used to. Jan is sweeter than I could describe with a heart to edify those around her, and we are blessed to have become friends with her. After another great visit over food that further inspired by culinary-obsession, Josh and I spent time lounging at the pool and hot tub. Then as if our sweet tooths weren't satisfied enough, we went to Cold Stone Ice Creamery. For me, 'birthday cake remix' lived up to its grand reputation, and the cherry cheesecake milkshake might have been even better than Josh remembered.

      Josh and I had a low-key sort of night. We went to the Hooters hotel. The owl and the bright orange seem to draw me in. I do think that this restaurant, although it has a negative reputation (which it is deserving of because of its provocative marketing), is quite tame in comparison to many restaurants that exist today. We ate wings, watched football and then returned to the Luxor since we were both quite tired at this point.

     This trip to Vegas has been a fun celebration of our first year of marriage, which has been a year that's only left me excited for what's to come. I love being married to Josh, and I’ve really cherished how we’ve spent so much quality time together, especially on this trip.

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  Yesterday, we celebrated Josh's 32nd birthday, here in Roswell, New Mexico which is actually the same place  where he celebrated his 29th birthday a few years ago. We were privileged to have Kevin and Joy  whisk us away to their country home for these couple of days, where we've gotten to spend more time with them, as well as explore the quirks of the small town. Yesterday we went to several alien souvenir shops as well as the UFO museum. I did enjoy looking at the photographs of UFO sightings and reading about the whole 'Roswell UFO incident'. Afterward, the four of us went out to dinner at 'Burrito Express' which serves up some very good Mexican cuisine. After dinner we headed to the cinema and saw the movie 'District 9' which was very intense and deserving of it's high praise from the critics. We were all pretty tired at this point but we wrapped up the night with Joy's homemade strawberry cheesecake and I gave Josh his gifts.

Today we head back to Albuquerque and visit with Paul and Rachael until Thursday morning when we take off to Windsor, Ontario.

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(left) Paul, Rachael, Joy, Kevin,Josh,Jenny