NO STORMS HERE ... except some new firestorms

Hello, readers!  just finished checking out the family blogs and and rarin' to go on this one ... but there's no news this week!  really.  nothing of significance stuck in my mind that just had to be passed on in this weeks's blog.  so will try to find a fluid way to wrap this up.

oh, I guess we did have a great evening last night.  decided to go out for dinner.  Karina said, "where you taking me?"  to which I said (after the mumbled, 'I don't know, where do you want to go?') "how about to the Esplanade in Hillsboro?  So we headed west about a half mile to get to Cornelius Pass Road - by the time we got there (40 seconds?)  I said, "I wish there was a new restaurant closer to us to try out."  "How about Bethany?" says K.  "Well, OK" I respond.  So at Cornelius Pass we turn north instead of south to direct ourselves to the Bethany area.  We finally arrive (6 minutes later? - it's not like hours or anything) and do a drive by.  Subway - no.  Juan Colorado, no. Sushi, NO (from me).  and by now we're thinkin' this may not have been a good choice.  I manage to get into the parking lot of all the condos and apartments - don't know how I got there and we're thinking maybe we should head somewhere else, but Bethany is a big area, and we decide on one more drive through.  We go by Chen's Dynasty - no.  then make the turn back on to "main'street" one more time and see people sitting on the patio of an 'un-marked' eatery.  We drive by and see the door and it's the Bethany Table (a bistro!)  "What do you think?"  "What do YOU think?"  In the meantime, my cell phone has rung and it's Kristi.  We're telling her the saga of our foodless evening and she laughed (at us, I think!)  Though we don't have "Face-Up" on our phones, I'm sure I heard her eyes roll.  So we spot the place as we're talking, and we come to the conclusion - with Kristi's help - let's do it.  So after many more seconds we find a shady parking space - back near the area of the apartments and condos that I was originally in, and as we are de-energizing the car (shutting the windows, etc.) we're busy talking.  It's hit 89 today, so we're Oregonianingly complaining of the heat and Kristi reminds us it was 113 in Scottsdale today - (yeah, but that's dry heat).  we talk and she shares that the staff had a great retreat for relationship building, and she feeling very good about the 'team" - she's been teaching since August 10th.  Now that's early!  But she finally gets to the point of her call.  "I've been seeing a guy ..."  Tell me more!  And she proceeds to tell how Harmony.com brought the two in conversations.  He's down in Tuscon - about an hour and a half away - but they've had a great beginning to the friendship.  "So, what should I pray for?" say I.  and she continues to  tell us more.  We have a prayer together before she hangs up, and we share good-byes.  So we leave it to the Lord's care and keeping what happens - but are truly excited for Kristi.  Now we'll have to wait and see.

So after the phone call - more than just a couple minutes, I assure you, it's time to belly up to the Bethany Table. Bethany Bistro  If you check it out Karina had the salmon with the thin potato slices on top; it's one of the pictures on their home page;  I had the curried lamb shoulder it tasted so marsala Indian - I was in Tamil Nadu heaven!  No doubt we'll be going back.  that plus the creme brulee at the end made for a wonderful Saturday evening outing.  we ate outdoors - there was a great breeze, keeping the car exhaust fumes away from us (just kidding!).

tomorrow is the memorial service for Roy.  he was as educator - had his PhD in education from South Dakota University; taught at a US military base in Germany; then developed schools on Indian reservations in SD and in Washington.  His family was from around Freeman, SD, his wife from Canistota area - some are flying in for the service - we had many Spencer, SD stories to share.  I developed my thoughts around the 4 "r's - not readin, ritin and rithmatic - but remembering, rededicating, repenting, and resurrection.  Kind of reminded my of Lin's service when Ray used Remember and Rejoice.   I pray the Spirit's influence as I share tomorrow afternoon.

speaking of Ray (and Judy - Vancouver, WA)  we've invited them and the the Schultzes (Tony and Renell and her mom - Battle Ground, WA); Bill Warren, dear pastor friend who moved down from Alaska after he retired and joined our congregation (his wife, Carol died on Epiphany 2007 - we've shared much over the years), his new friend Carol   - who happens to be down from Anchorage for a few weeks as well - to join us next Sunday for a Labor Day picnic.  Still waiting to hear from them all - but we hope it's a go.

Service today was a time of reflection - trying to understand "God's ways" vs "our ways."  The Gospel from Matthew - the continuation of last week - "take up your cross and follow me" was the theme.  if you listen, may God's blessing accompany your hearing;  no new insights on this text - just a tested and true call to discipleship.

like I said, not much news this week.  till next time,

we love ya.

Karina and Dan