IT'S "WAZ HAPPENIN' HERE"

Every time I write, I seem to find myself farther behind from where I want to be.

I look at all the "fam" blogs and wonder, how do you folks get so much 'stuff' into one day, week, etc.?  We certainly try, and are amazed at the little time we have together.  So when we do get it, we try to make the most of it.  So where do I start???

Last time I wrote we were having our annual VBS - it turned out to be quite a success ... the Sunday following we had what we call a "Super-Sunday" event, which includes a pancake breakfast; a modified worship (themed in five parts to the five days of VBS); followed by an old time "carnival" for kids - reminded me of the carnivals I remember going to in the old gym/lunch room at Aurelia - the 'fishpond' and the 'bowling' and the 'ping-pong ball toss', and the 'washer toss', and ...  the kids got those great prizes from Oriental Trading Post at each station and had a blast.  We try to make the day an cross+generational event for all (meaning spiritual (as in CROSS) as well as inter-generational (AGE).  It was a great day.

Well during that week Kristi and her friend (soon to be fiance) Clarence came to Portland for a weekend with Kristi's "10-year since graduation at Concordia" roommates - they had a place at the beach for all the families that are now representing the 5 gals.  Karina & I had lunch with them on Friday, and then they headed out to the beach.  They made it down to Roseburg to see Nana, and then came back this way on the following Monday.  And that's when a bit of time was requested with me by Clarance.  You dads with daughters of a marrying age probably know the drill - but I was elated!  I didn't realize that chivalry isn't dead.  Anyway, we met and talked and I graciously gave my blessing to them.  I'm sure you'd like to see:

He has nothing to do with Oregon State - but wears the shirt well (GO BEAVS!)  They are truly happy in each other.  Does a Papa proud! 

That same Thursday our NOW District met in convention at the Oregon Convention Center. 

Not a whole lot of "earthshaking" business, but we are forwarding some resolutions on to the Synodical Convention concerning Seminary Distance Learning (read: we need it) and Licensed Deacons (read: we need them, too).  The convention went on from Thursday through Saturday noon, and, as always is in the Northwest - a wonderful gathering time of praise and thanksgiving.  President Harrison joined us for a Q & A on Friday evening - kind of entered into some "hostile" territory for some of the events that he had recently been involved it - but it made for a great dialog (read: no veins poking out on the neck, no raised hackles, no shouting, no stomping out of the arena - just good dialog with an obvious understanding that we will not see eye-to-eye on many issues).  I was less than whelmed with the Synodical VP (Wohlrabe) who attended as the Synodical official.  So we look forward to another 3 years.  Elected a good friend, Paul Linnemann, as our president for the second term, and other friends as VPs as well.  Funny, when you stay in a district for 30 years now(!), you get to know the people pretty well ... and I still don't feel like a 'native'.

Then after the convention was over it was off to the beach for the Baptism of a granddaughter of one of our members here at PoP.  The younger family had gotten away from the church for some time ... G-ma wanted them to get their child baptized ... I mentioned "it doesn't have to be in a church" and "as a family you could do a wonderful presentation as well ... and, since you have a home at the beach, there's nothing wrong with ocean water" ... and after two years of 'gentle prodding' dad calls me and asks for my presidence as well ... and it happened!  What a great day it was as Beatrice Nicole came into God's family (I think it was on her 2nd birthday) - 

What else???

The gardens are producing!  We've enjoyed radishes, lettuce, beets.  First marionberries - TART!!

Though the weather patterns throughout the U.S. are so varied - we've been recipients of a very cool and moist spring/summer (hit 80, once, I think - maybe twice) but somebody's bad news is always somebody else's good news - and for that our slugs are in their glory!!!

The landscaping is finally happening - will show picture/s when the job is finally done.  Sounds like it may happen this week - (remember it started last October) but I won't hold my breath.

Had a lot of comments to last Sunday's sermon (Hope Beyond Hopelessness - posted yesterday) - am meeting with the young couple at the beginning of next week to see what is happening next.  Rhoda - you remember Paul Frerichs - at Immanuel, Waterloo; he was this couple's pastor until he took a call to Texas two weeks ago; he told them to call me - so that's how I got to know them.  What a wonderful faith they share through such a demanding time of life!  Soli Deo Gloria!

that's it from the left coast.

Until next time -  we love ya!

Karina and Dan