Date Day in D.C.

Nicole was on Sunday leave from the NIH Clinical Center so we decided to have some fun in the sun (not hot sun, but nonetheless it was a nice, blue sky day).

Metro Stop #1 - Bethesda

We walked to Bethesda's Evangelical Lutheran Church for a terrific and moving service. Both Nicole and I received affirmation to our baptism.

"Gracious Lord, through water and the Spirit you have made Jason/Nicole your own. You forgave Jason/Nicole all their sins and brought them to newness of life. Continue to strengthen them with the Holy Spirit, and daily increase in them your gifts of grace..."

It was well worth the visit.

Metro Stop #2 - Smithsonian

The beauty of our nation is summed up well through a brief walk at The Mall. The U.S. Capital gracing the East, the Washington Monument standing proud in the center. We ventured to the Natural History Museum (and later Skyped Team RyKy about the dinosaurs!!) and American History Museum. The Stars and Stripes exhibit was intriguing to us, as the last time we were here they were still sowing the 15-star flag that once waved at Fort McHenry in Baltimore and provided the inspiration for Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled Banner. We also recommend the First Ladies dress exhibit.

Metro Stop #3 - Bethesda

Awesome French restaurant; Grocery shopping.

Stop #4 - National Institutes of Health

We traveled back by mid afternoon. Nicole provided a tour of the main Medical Center. This place is amazing. (Some day I will share the same sentiments given by my fellow passengers on the shuttle bus from BWI. All the passengers had to go through security just to drop me off on campus. The opinion: "This place is HUGE!!!; and what's with all the security???")

Later, we put our sights to the Green Bay Packers game which we enjoyed in good company at the Safra Family Lodge (we watched with Redskins fans, so they were naturally rooting against the Philadelphia). The Packers put a nice conclusion to our Sunday adventures with an exciting 21-16 victory over the Eagles...this means Nicole and I have another great game to look forward to watching next Saturday night. Go Packers!!!

Safra Family Lodge is my home for the week. The Lodge, located across the street from Nicole, houses family members of those receiving care at NIH. We met a nice family from Virginia that has been coming to NIH for 10-years. The interesting thing was, this 26-year old young man has often had the same surgeon Nicole will have tomorrow. They could not have better things to say about him. We are blessed to have crossed paths with NIH.

Today was our day to play. Our business trip officially starts tomorrow. We are comforted knowing we are in the palm of God's hands, and the hands of the most gifted surgeons anywhere. To our friends and family, please know the inspiring impact of your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted so you know how our wonderful Nicole is doing.

-Jason