Salt and Light: Catching up...and the zoo

We have been busy the last few weeks, speaking the last two Sundays in two different churches here in the Baltimore area. It's been wonderful to meet new people, catch up with a few that Jon knew in high school and spend time with our Baltimore family. Can I tell you how humbling it is to have people we've never met welcome us with such open arms and be excited for us as we follow the Lord's leading? It has been really refreshing to talk with people both in large group and individual settings and we are excited to see where these partnerships will go as we continue on in this journey.
Last weekend (the 6th-7th) was Jon's sister's birthday so there was a surprise party at a crab shack, fulfilling Jon's craving for fresh seafood that we can't get in Charlotte. She was really surprised (until she recognized a car in the parking lot!), up to that point kind of thinking it was a dud for a birthday!

It was great to see and catch up with family. Seems strange that we've been in Baltimore for the last 6 weeks or so and have only been able to see the extended family that once! The only thing that Jon's mom told us she wanted to make sure we did together while we were in Baltimore was to take Ethan to the zoo, so we finally did it yesterday!

It was a little chilly, in the upper 50's and overcast which made all the fall colors stand out. Look at this tree- isn't it gorgeous? It was right at the entrance to the exhibits.

Ethan had a grand time seeing the animals and calling out their names, "Zebra! Rhino! Elphant! Giraffe!" Mom and I were the zoo tour guides and Jonathan documented so here are a few of my favorites from yesterday-

They also had a little train that of course we HAD to ride. Of all of it, I honestly think that might have been E's favorite, even though it doesn't look like it in the bottom photo.