What is beauty?

Today I witnessed a beautiful sight. As Jesus followers, we are to be like Him in our actions demonstrated through love and humility. I have recently joined a community of people who have seen many tough times. Many have physical limitations, physical pains, many have been through such difficulties in life, that I can not pretend to begin to understand. Years ago, one man in particular, was helping a stranded motorist change their tire when another driver hit the man and kept going. This man of God almost lost his life and has limitations to this day. He is not bitter at God nor at the driver who injured him. On the contrary, he is a strong, kind, considerate man. Today I could not hold back the tears as I watched this man, struggle to his feet, cross the aisle at church and help an elderly woman to her feet and walk with her to the communion table. He then helped her to her seat again, went back and joined his wife at the table. Humility, love, compassion exhibited in the midst of a broken body, but not a broken soul. Beauty defined through deeds.

Anna's Bday

Anna's Bday was last weekend. We surprised her with a basketball hoop, dinner with Grandma & Grandpa, the high school football game & cake & ice cream back at our house. It was fun.

Jesus introduced by Steve Harvey

Life

Life is different down here. It is quieter, colder, more beautiful, & different. We are getting use to it. We love the space of 3 acres for the kids to run around. We love the view. There are good people here. We pray for God's hand on our lives and this church.

Sweet Home . . . no really it is called Sweet Home!!

We know God knows the future. We just never imagined we would end up back in our home state serving in the small community of Sweet Home, Oregon. We were preparing to move to France . . . we are now living in the heart of small town America. Life is an adventure.

Well, our kids and Edmund, our dog, are sure enjoying it here! Lots of room to run, lots of grass and such sweet, kind people at the church.

Between remodeling the parsonage, entertaining company & VBS, we have kept pretty busy during these last 5 weeks. For 2 of those weeks we had Susan's family staying with us - 22 people under one roof - it was a ton of fun!!! We were all gathered for Susan's Grandpa's 85th birthday.

We also had some cuties join our family, the girls talked us into accepting 2 8-week old kittens from Susan's cousin. They are brother & sister and Edmund seems to be adjusting to them quite well.

So if any of you would like to come visit - let us know we would love to have you!
Take a look at our view from our living room.

The kids & the pets
Swimming in the pool someone gave us!
Hiking near our home
Hiking again!
God's beautiful creation everywhere!

New Adventures

Thomas Boyd from the Oregonian took this picture

We know transition. We know limbo. We know uncertainty. We also Know the Creator of all things, the Alpha and the Omega. He has set us on a new course, one we would not have thought of on our own. He is directing our lives to a new place. We know it is Him who is directing us and we trust Him completely.