Justin: Our First Goodbye

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It is with deep sorrow that Michelle and I say "until we meet again" to our Seattle friend, Justin Key, after he passed away from a sudden pulmonary embolism, December 14, 2009.

This week has been hard for both of us, however, through tearful Skype sessions, swapping memories, pictures and videos, we've come to celebrate Justin's full and vibrant life, resolving to follow his example this next year. As one person put it, "We live with the hope and confidence that it is not final and also the realization that his was not just a promising life but a life that already lived according to the Promise."

To our fun-loving friend:

--You're with Jesus now!
--We wish we could have accepted your Mexico invitation last summer.

--Thank you for sharing your gorgeous city with us last March.

--You're still on our "List of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

--We already miss you, your laugh, hugs, brilliant mind and devastating smile.

Until we all meet again in eternity,

Michelle and Gail

Driving at the Break of Dawn

1. Gas was cheap - it had just ducked to about $1.92 a gallon when we got on the road. That didn't, however, make it any easier to actually pump the gas (a skill I notoriously lack). After a few tries, a few mishaps with that Arco ATM, and a near-death encounter between myself and a taco truck, we were on the road.

This is what Stewart looks like at roughly 5 in the morning, when we drove over to pick up our three extra passengers

And finally, Gail is always prepared for the road with a nutritious snack. This time around, the dairy food group was represented with this family-sized bag of Cheetos.