IT'S BEEN A WHILE !

Yes indeed!  When one takes too many days to do regular business, it shows in the outcomes of the extracurriculars.  In other words, my day job got the best of my blogspot.  Oh well ...

Made it through all the services for those who passed on.  Odd thing - with the funeral on Monday (casket present) I was trying to think just how long it had been since I had a funeral.  My best guess is at least 7 years.  People just don't "do" funerals anymore - and not that I'm complaining.  I think the "Celebration of Life" or whatever else you wish to call it is great.  The funeral on Monday was for a 94 yr old ... probably had to do with the traditions of the family.  I did take a few minutes to talk about the congregational losses in worship last Sunday.  With 11 services since last May (and 3 already this year), I wanted to reassure the folks that loss is an ongoing and important time of life.  Had 8 baptisms and 9 deaths last year - not the best way to stay solvent.  

Karina us traveling to Tacoma again today - Dorothy is being released from rehab and she is heading home.  Sounds like she's made marvelous progress and is more than anxious to get back in her old 'digs'.  Good for her!  I hope the recovery was complete enough to allow her to take care of herself once again.  She truly is a determined woman!  

And speaking of Karina - this week was her week off before her new job starts.  Worked out pretty good for her to be with her mom also.  I can't tell you what it is she'll be doing, but do know that she's working for a new group of heart doctors at the Oregon Clinic.  Nice thing is their part of the Providence system, so she won't lose any of her benefits along the way.  She'll still have to commute across town (20 miles) to the hospital and about 3 miles more to the clinic - but that's what makes life interesting ... especially when the rains and snows (remember, we have so little, it takes almost two hours to get all the locals to navigate the inclement roadways).  But there is new life in her step and a great smile on her face, knowing that her employment is going to be different!  How great is that?

Am working on sermon for Sunday ... speaking and acting with authority.  Kind of realized that they have to go together.  One can certainly speak with authority, but unless one does something with such authority it loses its impact.  Anyway - that's where I'm heading with that one.  Oh, oh, oh.  Had a first last week!  Someone had found our website (she lives in the area) - listened to a sermon online - and was determined to come and worship with us!  Now realize that she was also in a powered wheelchair; took the bus to get to church, found her way into the building (not an easy thing to do with our un-ADA standards) and plans to come back next week again!  If only our regulars were as determined!  And what a neat lady she was.  I hope the Gospel is conveyed to her by all who come in contact with her.

The congregation (Voter's) passed a new vision statement:  you might remember that the school is no longer the key focus of our ministry here.  The new statement speaks of relationships, education, youth and service.  Pretty well crafted - but it didn't make it in 25 words or less!  As we take on the challenges, we'll see how best to be about the Lord's business.

Have a fun Sunday opportunity in a couple of weeks (2.12.12).  Doing a Super-Sunday (nothing to do with soup or the Super bowl) to help the school and the congregation see their part in the total ministry of Prince of Peace.  Going to tie it all together with Valentine's Day; have a pancake breakfast; single worship service in the CLC at 10:00 and activities to follow (a scavenger hunt to get people into the classrooms to see what really goes on there).  The families/kids from the school will also be taking part.  I'm looking for a great response as we "Have A Heart" in response to God's great love for us.  We'll see!  A lot of joyful anticipation is occurring now in the planning stages.

Just looked at the time - gotta get to a LeaderTeam meeting ... it starts in about a minute.

until next time,

love ya.

Karina and Dan