Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Well, summer is over for the most part and we're heading into the fall here in the Northwest. We've made it a whole year so far! August 21, 2009 was our 1st year anniv. of living here. It's still almost unbelievable that we're here. We did have a fun, busy summer with a big trip to GA and FL to see our family, with a quick trip to the MAGIC KINGDOM thrown in the mix! Jacob and Rachel went through a week (each) of reading tutoring at a dyslexia center. Rachel did 12 days of Science Camp, Rebekah ALMOST went camping with her Girl Scouts to the Olympic National Park, but got VERY anxious the night before and didn't end up going. Maybe next year.
We've started going to a new Community Group to get trained by our new campus pastor, and in a couple of weeks Randy will begin leading our own group. Today was our first soft launch of the newest Mars Hill Church campus in Federal Way. We are SO excited. The grand opening (Hard Launch) will be Sept. 20th. One year ago, we had NO idea this was in the making. We just figured we would drive the 45min. into Seattle for as long as we needed. (we live in NE Tacoma b/c it's cheaper than Seattle) It's so awesome to be able to live in the area where we serve AND be able to invited people to a campus nearby.

Oh, and I can't forget this memorable time: Our nephew Michael (18, almost 19 years old) stayed with us for about 8 days while he was waiting to fly out to Anchorage. He's there now, working at an organic farm. We did have a fun time with him. He rescued us from a raging river, captured our run-away pooch and taught us which plants were safe to eat!

We're just so thankful for everything and how God has been providing. I start teaching kindergarten on Sept. 28-Dec. 17. After that, I will continue to sub at the elementary level, catching phone calls as early as 5:15am. Maybe this long-term job will turn into something more permanent down the road?

Well, I will go for now...........thanks for your continued prayers and love.
Peg

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

The Blessings of Friends

The Blessing of Friends!

February and March were filled with special blessings for us! First of all, my friend Susan Floyd from Oklahoma came out for a surprise visit in February....I had NO idea she was coming. It was a complete surprise! Did I mention it is almost impossible to surprise ME. She had Jacob's bedroom for the weekend surrounded by his Webkinz and Lightsabers. Jody Jane (our pooch) was glad to be reunited with her also! We had a terrific weekend together which included sunny skies and semi-warm temps. (which you can't tell by the COAT Susan is modeling!)

Our second blessing was our friends the Kirkendalls who came out for a week this month. They were able to stay in the 2bdrm. Residential Suites in our apt. complex which was nice to be able to be so close to them. We had a great time together as did the kids! We did lots of fun stuff.....in the cold.....rain.....and snow! I think the highlight was going to a Mars Hill service at the Ballard campus where Pastor Mark Driscoll preaches. Randy and Kenan also went to our Community Group. It was hard to see all of our friends return to OK, but thankful that we were able to spend the time we did.

JANUARY NEWS!

I am excited about Pastor Mark Driscoll's new sermon series titled: TRIAL. Don't we ALL go through trials? We're either in one, coming out of one, or getting ready to go into one! I posted a link to Mars Hill Church so you can view his last sermon (1/18) on-line. You definitely don't want to miss it. Be patient as Mark does some quick business at the beginning, but then gets into the text.

We're having a great month so far.... I should be substitute teaching this week! In fact, I am prepared to teach tomorrow if I get called. The kids are ready too (ready or not, I guess!) They had to lay EVERYTHING out to be prepared for Randy to take them to school in the morning. (after his whopping 4-5 hrs. of sleep). He works mostly late, late nights.

Randy continues to work at the Regal Theatres as assistant mgr. He works hard and has actually lost about 30lbs. since moving here! Unfortunately, I can't say the same for myself.....well,
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!

Mars Hill Church | Trial | Trial and Jesus

Mars Hill Church Trial Trial and Jesus

Click on this link and you will be most blessed! You don't want to skip this one.

SNOW!!

YEP, WE GOT SNOW! THE KIDS WERE REALLY MISSING IT SINCE THEIR FRIENDS IN OKLAHOMA TOLD THEM ALL ABOUT THE SNOWFALL THERE LAST WEEK. Anyway, the night it snowed, we had some people over for refreshments/fellowship and as the evening was coming to a close, and people were leaving....there was a knock at the door. It was our little neighbor boys from downstairs (who actually left a few minutes earlier from our apt.) asking if our kids could come outside for a snowball fight. At first I said "NO WAY". It's WAY too cold and approaching 10:00pm. Well, the boys (& sister) and THEIR Dad were throwing snowballs at Jacob's window, which made it all too tempting for Jacob to say the least. Well, I gave in and said okay (as Randy was saying goodbye to guests). They had a great time Saturday night making snowmen and throwing snowballs at each other. That's actually been the only time they've had time to play in the snow anyway, so I'm glad I (we) gave in!