celebrate!

Hey, celebrate with me! A missionary friend of mine just came home from an amazing summer mission in Africa! God did many miracles in and through her, and I am so excited she has returned "home" safely!

Pooh (Not Winnie)

I had an interesting job yesterday -- Collecting dog pooh from Oreo for a visit to the Vet....WHAT?!!

sucky

...so I got a little feedback from the neighbor/friend I helped write for a funeral last Monday. My friend's 7 yr old son came over to play after the funeral. 7 yr olds talk in the most precious way!

First he told me how he couldn't speak at the funeral. "I mean I didn't know I was expected to speak in front of those Army men," he said, "They had guns! BIG guns! So I wasn't gonna talk, huh-uh. Noooo way!" But then he followed up with, "But I did have a few tears, I mean he was my Grandpa. He was family!"

After reassuring him that it was okay to cry when he wanted to, I asked him if his Mom spoke at the funeral. "Yes she did," he replied, "And she asked people afterward and they said it wasn't sucky." (Hey, well at least we've got that going for us!)

funeral

Well, I experienced a first yesterday. A friend of mine lost her Father-in-law the same day we lost a very good family friend to cancer too. What a hard time. My friend asked me to help her write out what she will say at the funeral. She will be the speaker at his graveside service as his body is laid to rest at the Willamette National Cemetery. He was in the military and will receive full honors...so our job was to come up with something honoring for her to say as well.

At first I didn't feel "qualified" to help. But you know, I realized that because I know Jesus personally -- I am qualified! I thank God that He left us His Word to refer to, that gives us counsel and comfort in times like these! With some suggestions from our friend Pastor George (for which I am very thankful), we were able to come up with something she feels will be good and comforting to share.

...big sigh...

love at first sight

Do you believe in love at first sight? I sure do. No, I don't mean romantic love, although that may be possible. I mean a mother's love. Which is big, let me tell you. I'm referring to our new daughter Jennifer (she came to us with that name:-) from Korea. She joined our family yesterday and will be staying with us for maybe a couple years. I hope so, 'cuz we all love her already!

Oreo

We got a new dog. Oreo. He's 4 months old. We're dealing with kennel cough and house training for now, but other than that he's kinda great to have around!

hope

...it seems the bigger our church family gets, the more I'm confronted with hardship and tragedy in the lives of people I love. Still I have hope. Only in Him. We must remember, the rest is temporary. Psalm 142:

Psalm 142

I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.