Sweet Things

I finally got to see my favorite Portlanders! It was a Schreck Family Reunion! We helped Josh and Alli build a garden and fence! Enjoyed my favorite Portland restaurants and sites together! We went berry and lavender picking and even got to see a Portland Timber's game! They won in the last minute! We all had trouble going to sleep that night as the excitement and energy was so lasting! "When I root, I root for the Timbers!" The chant will get stuck in your head, just you wait!

The weather was gorgeous and I think it even swapped from SC, instead of rain, there was sunshine and oh such lovely Spring-like weather! (I remember stepping off the plane in Columbia and boy did I get smacked in the face with some sticky humidity. Welcome home it said!) It was even a little chilly on 4th of July! Played Merchants and Marauders and learned that I can't play competitive games when I'm tired. I think I need a break from that one but if you like exciting strategic games-check it out! We got to go to a peaceful Japanese Garden along with the, as always, beautiful Rose Gardens. I also saw many friends I haven't seen in a while; sweet dinners and chats in the wonderful Rose City.

I got a puppy! Sweet Lily is about 9 weeks old now and ever so smart! Poor little baby has some health issues we are trying to clear up! She is so precious and a blessing! We sure enjoy our walks together! I'm learning a lot and am open to puppy training suggestions....

Youth group is back up and running we have our last Summer Refuel on Wednesday called "Prepare to Die"....it's a combo of all the crazy games we've been playing, hope we all survive!

You've got to check out this sermon, one of the best and most favorite I've heard in a while...."There is nothing I can ever do to make God love me more or less!" Go to the link and download "Say What Week 4," listen, be blessed!

It has been such a privilege to see so many people sharing the Gospel, living the Gospel, and accepting the Gospel! Just this past week I have heard numerous stories of God at work! How have you seen God at work, I'd love to hear! Many people were baptized at our church last Sunday, one of which planted a seed in a fellow who  later accepted Christ after the service! It truly was a powerful service and caused many challenging thoughts! Baptism is a weighty, public expression of following Christ! We were encouraged to "have some pride" in our faith and the work of Christ in us!

I heard of another house church ministry in which a believer decided to propose to his girlfriend and stop living in sin!

Still another story I heard of a friend who I've been praying for (for quite a while now) to return to the Lord, has had a new desire to do so! Hallelujah! What an encouragement!

Alas, I need to clean, run errands, and make food. The new school year is just around the corner! Need to finish up some summer reading and start some school projects. Hard to believe-round 2 is just about here!