Halfway through 2020, while the clients of Impact Foundation were rising to the challenge to help hurting people around the world, it came to our attention how terribly hard hit were many places that depend on the free movement of people around the globe. So not everyone was shutting down—some, like the island nation of Aruba, were begging for visitors while cruise ships sat empty and idle in their ports.
And so, not knowing if our kids’ school would even be allowed to meet in person for the 2021-22 year, we took a leap of faith and booked the month of January…in Aruba. After all, we’ve heard it said that sunlight is the best disinfectant!
When 2020 was finally in the rearview mirror, we fled Kansas winter with trepidation and excitement for sand and sun and constant 79-82° warmth.
Aruba is fascinating. Just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, the former Dutch colony is a mash-up of different dialects and cultures and home to a once-thriving oil refinery. In fact, the home we rented was in Lagos Colony, a development built for the families of the refinery workers in the middle of the last century. Most of the homes were simply abandoned in the mid-80’s when Venezuela deteriorated and Exxon had to leave. But some homes survived, including ours, creating a peaceful if not strange juxtaposition of mid-century modern homes in a sea of dereliction.
All within walking distance of one of the nicest beaches in the world, Baby Beach.
We had decent internet and cell service, so Aimee was able to work mornings and the kids did their schooling remotely. We quickly learned there was a population of street dogs on the island, most of which descend from the Portuguese Podengo. One of them befriended us. At first, we told the kids “Don’t touch the dog”. That soon became “Give her some water” and “I’m taking Sally for a walk”. Yes, Aimee named her Sally. She was a delightful dog who would wait expectantly in the mornings outside our front door for Aimee to emerge for her morning run.
Soon she was going everywhere with us, even helping herself into our Jeep to go on adventures. We learned that Sally actually had a name, Savannah, who was moderately cared for by one of our few neighbors. But she was a free spirit like so many of the dogs on this island. Walls and fences could not contain her. She begged to come into our home but was not content if the door did not remain open for her escape. As we were still grieving the loss of our dog Virginia back home, Sally was a real gift from God. We even looked into adopting her, but COVID had shut down that possibility. And besides, Sally was not made for Kansas winters or Lenexa’s fenced yards. At the end of January, it was extra hard to say goodbye to Aruba.
We returned home to one of the coldest February’s on record. And, an embarrassing loss by the Chief’s in the Super Bowl. And, braces for Andy. And, elective foot surgery for Aimee that did not go well, twice. Altogether, a month to forget!
But spring finally arrived and Aimee’s foot slowly recovered. When it was warm enough, the kids started taking golf lessons at Indian Hills. Liam finished his soccer season with Mustang and then tried out for and made a team with TOCA, the same club that Andy used to play for. Andy ran track for KCC.
For Independence Day, we went back to one of our favorite places, St. Charles MO. They have a delightful carnival to celebrate America. We also returned to the City Museum in St. Louis.
A few weeks later we headed to Beaver Creek for CEF. Being in the Colorado mountains is always a welcome respite in the hot summer.
And soon after that, I (Marshall) took Andy on a father-son trip to Florida and Key West, where we took the 2-hour ferry out to Dry Tortugas National Park. What an adventure! We spent the day snorkeling around the historic Fort Jefferson.
Just before school was back in session, we spent another weekend with the Andersen’s at Beaver Lake in Arkansas.
And then on Liam’s birthday, Sally came home with us. No, not that Sally. Sally, the chocolate lab puppy. Yes, it was time to have a dog again, and Sally seemed like the appropriate name. She came to us at about 11 pounds and is 43 pounds and growing as of this writing.
October brought the most anticipated trip of the year aside from Aruba. Impact Foundation scheduled a staff retreat at a beautiful home outside of Puerto Vallarta, spouses included. At first, we were afraid our sick puppy might keep us from going. But then it all came together and we went…but after less than 48 hours on the ground, we got a phone call from Andy. He had COVID. And that triggered all of the quarantine rules, with all of our kids having to stay home from school. Our sitter had a job and could not accommodate this, so Aimee and I had to bail on paradise and fly home in short order. Instead of watching the sunset from our oceanside patio, we celebrated our anniversary at a bar counter in the Phoenix airport.
Andy had a mild case, but two days later Aimee came down severely ill with an infection she picked up in Mexico. And at the same time, Sally’s infection returned. At one point both Aimee and Sally were in separate emergency rooms. And then Reagan got COVID. And then Liam. October was another month to forget…except for this: it turned out to be Impact’s biggest month ever, more than their first three years combined. Could we have been the targets of spiritual warfare? Sure seems like it. There was much to be sad about, and Aimee and I wish we could have a do-over on our anniversary. But when we step back and notice what God is accomplishing, and that he lets us be a part of it…it is tough not to smile.
Otherwise this Fall, we enjoyed watching our nephew Andre Carter make sacks for Army West Point. He’s been named an All-American and ranks 3rd [UPDATE: he finished 1st!] in the nation in sacks, and we are headed to watch him play in the Armed Forces Bowl next week in Fort Worth. Go Army! [UPDATE: After outplaying Missouri for most of the second half, Army had to drive the field in the last minute and, in a thrilling last-second finish, kicked a 41-yard field goal to win the game. Andre had a sack in the first half and a takeaway fumble recovery to stop Mizzou's momentum in the fourth quarter.]
As always, click here or check the sidebar for more photos from our year. Join us in noticing God in your life. He is so good, and we delight in His ways.
-Marshall, Aimee, Andy, Liam, and Reagan
