The Olsens: Serving In Ecuador: The Rushes

It has been exactly two weeks since Jim and I returned from our week of R & R in Door County, WI. When reflecting back over these weeks and, more accurately, over these last five months it is truly humbling to see how the Lord has provided for us - spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Our time in Door County two weeks ago is just one of many examples of this...

Admittedly, leading in to the week, we were feeling the natural wear and tear of being on the road for four months straight. Even though we had been having a wonderful time meeting with so many great friends and family throughout the East Coast and Midwest, a week with no schedule and no driving was very welcomed. Our goals for the week were to relax, take naps, read by the fireplace, maybe even go for a swim in the resort's indoor heated pool, and browse through the shops at a few of the nearby towns. And that's exactly what we did. We cooked, we ate, we read, we slept, we watched movies, we swam, we looked at lighthouses, we played Monopoly Deal and Skipbo, we journaled, and through it all left the week renewed and filled by the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit.

This was only my third time visiting The Rushes, the timeshare community where Jim's parents own a week, but Jim has been going for years (his parents purchased the week in 1984). However, in the three years that I have been able to go we have created some traditions that include making lefse, walking along the trails at the Rushes, having breakfast at Al's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, WI, stopping by the British import store in Egg Harbor, and visiting Cana Island Lighthouse and Cave Point. In addition to the annual activities we also were able to attend a fun day of Christmas festivities in the nearby town of Ephraim. I've highlighted some of these in the photos below - I do hope you enjoy!

Town of Ephraim Kick-Off to Christmas Celebration

There were several events taking place in Ephraim including tours of a few different Inns (like the one above), pictures with Santa, the annual lighting of the town's Christmas tree, and caroling.