Dear Family and Friends, Being half way through our adult lives and well-supported by Uncle Sam (a.k.a., your tax dollars), we searched fruitlessly for a gift registry with which we were content.  And then the peace of “yeah, this is what we want” finally settled over us when we came up with an idea: But instead of benefiting us (an already materially-spoiled couple), this one benefits others who are close to our hearts (and our running shoes).  So in lieu of the traditional wedding gift, we’d very much appreciate if you’d consider supporting one of the following charities on our behalf – and they’re tax deductible to boot! Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day…  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16 & 18

Both of us have been blessed with the opportunity to sponsor children abroad... the $28 to 30 a month we send pays for the necessities of clothing and school supplies among other things.  These kids have become sort of pen-pals, as they write several letters per year and we receive photos as well.  They also accept one-time donations.  Compassion International and World Vision are both great agencies: http://www.compassion.com and http://www.worldvision.org/

We have both met and / or worked with folks involved with Cadence International – a ministry to military folks around the world and with Malachi Ministries, a division of Cadence that reaches youth:   http://www.cadence.org/ and http://www.malachi.org/give.php

Summer camp played a huge part in making us two city folks outdoorsy.  This vital impact has compelled us to continue to support the summer camp Donna attended so that today’s kids also can be infected with our love of God’s creation:  http://www.cherith.com/acc/welcome_to_adirondack_camp_cheri.htm

Officers’ Christian Fellowship has a number of resources to help military members and their families grow together in their relationship with God and others.  It has been a key part of both of our lives for years and an essential way to hook into the military side of our Christian Family overseas…or in the US.    http://ocf.gospelcom.net/

We have some friends who run an open home ministry program encouraging an honest evaluation of biblical Christianity in Colorado.  Bill and Alicia have been great friends, helping and challenging us, while occasionally lending us their ski equipment as well!  They take donations via check to Mountain Ministries.   http://www.mountainministries.com/

Two great secular organizations we recommend as well...

Donna’s friend Tricia runs an invaluable program for eating disordered women: http://www.graceandbodyconnection.org/

Both of us have immensely appreciated the Rails to Trails results – old railroad beds made into great running / hiking / biking trails.  Donna runs on some of them regularly, and drags Sandi along whenever he’s in town: http://www.railtrails.org/

Our countries National Parks are a treasure that both of us have enjoyed throughout the years and we plan to continue enjoy in His greatness in the wild for many years to come.  We hope you all have had a chance to see the beauty of creation that is so vividly displayed accross our Land.   www.npca.org

Thanks for sharing this amazing day in our lives and for making it all the more special for us in this way.  We hope this has helped you experience a little of how blessed we feel by our Lord.  Your part means a lot to the both of us.   Thank you and God Bless You.

(We understand that there are those of you may opt for a more traditional approach...if that’s the case, maybe you could help out with what is affectionately becoming known as our “Hut Tub Fund”.  You see, as our bodies age and accumulate miles of running, biking, climbing, swimming, etc, and hours of flying under less-than-airline conditions, they are wearing out a little.  So we plan on putting a Hot Tub out back by the deck.  Unfortunately, no bank transfers or credit cards can be accepted; contributions must be cash or check, and are not tax deductible, but are nevertheless appreciated by us.)