Blog

Our kids are ringing those bells at Grace. Weekly practices add up to making a joyful noise. Without instruction, discipline, and practice practice practice – the gift of music could not be shared. Thankful for the arts and how they open our hearts to something greater. Ring ring ring those bells!

May we always be surrounded by the hopes and dreams of the children.

Christmas Eve always holds special memories. The who always more important than the what. Looking back – the simple things – looking ahead – the simple things.

When life is flying by at 80 mph you take notice.

The Power of Yes – what we say Yes too – and the One who has said Yes to us – will forever shape our lives.

Merry Christmas world.

What a beautiful day.

The rain – the fog – the sun – moss growing conditions. I mowed the yard again before putting up the outdoor Christmas inflatables. The kids are growing and the magic of decor doesn’t go as far, but for me, both memories and glimpses of joy are present. What if we sought to give joy each day? What if like Mary we sang out that we are open to God’s work in our lives? What if the joy of Christmas was found in somewhere other than the electronics section of our nearest store? Hmmm.

We are in a season of intense movement in our family life. Just last week we had – 2 concerts – 2 basketball games – early practice and late practice – Bells – Confirmation and Youth group – physical therapy session – Susan at student teaching – 3 drivers ed classes – 2 birthday parties – and and and – Uffdah.

And it all got done.

And we do it again.

Time is a funny thing isn’t it?

We all have the same amount of time – the difference is how we spend it.

I am thankful for crockpot meals.

For cars that cause no trouble.

For calendar pages that remind the gift of a full life.

Jewel is enjoying her JV season. With each bounce of the ball – rebound – and point scored her confidence builds. We love watching her play and we love seeing her be a great teammate and encourager for others. Her smile lights up the room.

It’s fun watching our WNBA Seattle Storm play – but it is all joy watching our daughter play.

Go Lakota and Jewel!

This week our Grace Childcare Center opened up the new playground. A dream born years ago realized now. We planned for it – saved for it – worked for it – and now celebrate it. The joy of the kiddos grew as we prayed and then invited them to climb up and use it. Laughter – smiles – grace – joy!

Dreams are meant to be realized.

Old is meant to become new.

Kids are meant to be kids and experience fully the gift of play.

Let the little children come to me for it is such as these that kingdom of God belongs. Jesus.

Thanks be to God for this precious gift realized in our lives together.

Watching our son play trumpet takes me down memory lane. I played in pep band – concert band – and marching band. I loved it.

We still have the trumpet I played and that is the one he uses. Kinda cool from the gifts of one generation to the next.

Their band concert at Lakota was wonderful. I am always amazed by the teachers and students and all they can do in such a short period of time.

And what does it take? Practice. Showing up at 7 am each day. Playing when no one else is listening. Eventually, music to the ears.

Proud of you son!

We are completing work on our 14 church and outreach center in southern India. I am always thankful for the masons and village workers as they lovingly build up in beautiful ways.

Hope Rising for India has done so much human good. God’s work….our hands….grace in ACTION.

You hear this phrase a lot now a days. But in order for it to be true you gotta show up with skin on and join the work. There is no substitute. You are it.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life. God pours into us so we can pour out for one another.