TWO!!! in TOP TEN!!!

I'm sure that it will only last a short time, but can you believe it?  Two Oregon football teams in the TOP 10 rankings!  With the Ducks #2 and my Beavs #10, I think the whole state of Oregon is almost satisfied.  Remind you, I don't think the Ducks should be so high, and if both are undefeated when they play the Civil War game in November - there's no way I rootin' for them (Ducks), even if it means a chance at the National Title!  Oh, we Oregonians are harsh supporters!  GO BEAVS!!!  Now, Micah on the other hand would have more to say for the Eugenians ...

Worst part of the last two weeks in the Wehrspann household was the victory for the Ducks (two weeks ago and for the Beavs, last Saturday) came against Karina's Alma Mater, the Washington State Cougers!

Just for the record ... never tease a wounded animal - no matter if they are felines, mammals, birds, or anything else.  Like Thumper's mom (in Bambi) taught us, "If you can't say nothin' nice about someone, don't say nothin' at all!"  Good words, T!

It's been a busy week once again ... had fun with chapel (four times to get all the kids), and so enjoy the life and vivaciousness in their songs and responses!  Remember, we have only Pre-K and Kind. kids - but the biggest group is Wednesday morning when there's about 120 of them at one time!  Just watching the group assemble is amazing - our teachers have mastered the art of herding butterflies!

Last Sunday provided a unique Gospel lesson - you know the one with marriage and divorce and adultery and kids - and the older I get, the more (I THINK) I'm seeing the purpose for its inclusion as a lectionary pericope.  Hopefully I did it no injustice when I saw it as Jesus proclamation of COMMUNITY and INCLUSION - rather than just specific words towards divorce.  I decided to make it a text that helps us expand our circles of relationships rather than breaking them up.  Had a LOT of comments - and I think all were positive - "I've never thought of that passage in those terms, before ..." or something much like that.  It really was a difficult text to develop, but I pray God's grace was effective, despite my preaching!  

The Fall colors are astounding, and every day I leave the office I am met with this wonderful display - 

had HUGE winds over the past few days and most of the leaves have been blown from it - 

only the strong remain!

Heading to the coast tomorrow for Pastor's Conference at Cannon Beach.  Great gathering place; not too thrilled with the topics or presenters - but always enjoy the time of friendship renewal and gemutlakeit(sp?) (I don't even know how close I have to be to be able to spell it even mildly incorrectly!)  Trust me, just because I've been to the mother country doesn't mean I have a command of the language!  Though I seldom admit that - HAH!

Purchased tickets to go south to El Cajon for Thanksgiving;  and had a neat visit with Kristi - she's running a 1/2 marathon in Las Vegas for Crohns (?) Disease and some other bowel malady research the first weekend in December!  More power to her, I say!  Her special friend, Clarence, is back east in Maryland taking over a new job - can't tell you what, though.  They are really excited to be "together" even though the miles between them at this moment are great.  She's also enjoying her position as Middle School Director at Shepherd of the Desert in Scottsdale.

I think that's about all I have today.

We love ya!

Karina and Dan