The Hunter Home

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise! Say to God,
“How awesome are your deeds!” (Psalm 66:1-3)

One month ago today we pulled out of Louisville for Albuquerque. So far, no UFOs, but we will find them.

For now, here are some photos of our new city, church family and home. We are grateful to God for the awesome deed he performed for us in Jesus Christ, and are delighted to shout for joy to him, and proclaim the work of Christ from this new and marvelous place.

Kristi found our family a rental condo on Craigslist about a block away from the church.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a number of the church staff and this welcome basket. I secured and took care of about twelve packets of fruit snacks. It was not like taking candy from a baby. I claimed them first.

Then there were a number of hardy meals like this one. That I used the word “hardy” means they were exceptionally good, as I have never before typed that word.

The Sandia Mountains sit just west of the city. They are like a lava lamp – they change colors throughout the day.

This is a shot out of our patio with the Sandias in the background.

Same view on the evening of an electrical storm. I would vote for an electrical storm once per day.

We are teaching the children to walk in our shadow when we walk to the car during the day. The sun is hot.

There’s a playground about a five minute walk away. Madalyn can endure this swing for as many as 30 minutes without interruption.

Carson likes the swing because it means he does not have to touch his feet to the ground…where there are wood chips and sand…which are very scary.

To the south of our home and immediately across from the church there is a giant field where hot air balloons land during the International Balloon Fiesta. The locals ran off a Super Walmart from this property and rumor has it, this will be a park in future years.

This ant hill traumatized my wife. Ants are amazing.

Desert Springs Church is home in a way more significant than our rental condo or even our family. Before Kristi and I are Hunters, as significant as that is, we are a son and daughter of the Living God and this is where we gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ to know, enjoy and spread the glory of God in Christ. They have welcomed us warmly and we’re delighted to raise our children with their encouragement and help.

We gather once per month on a Wednesday night for a communion service. We’re thankful for a congregation that takes the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ seriously, and sees it as the center of church’s life.

Then there’s the volcano on the other end of town. Road biking trails line the city. This trail rides along the Rio Grande.

On August 16, we celebrated Madalyn’s first year home from Ethiopia. One year ago we landed with her in Louisville after 36 hours of travel.

My son has increased his party skills since arriving in Albuquerque.

Madalyn still outdoes him.

More new faces…that no one taught him.

Kristi was upset with me for taking this photo. She doesn’t want Madalyn to remember her father taking photos of her when she was upset. I would not trade this photo for many thousands and millions of dollars.