Coming out of the wilderness

As in Mark & Peter. As in that is where they have been this week. In the wilderness of the Boundary Waters area, way up north in Minnesota. I trust they're having a good time. Mark has been planning for this for MONTHS! It's all part of a "graduation" of sorts for the 8th grade boys who have been in Cadets since they were in 5th grade. They're putting their skills to the test.

Not only was this a challenge for Mark (who knows how many mosquito bites he's gotten by now), it has been a challenge for me--this is the longest he & I have gone with zero contact, probably since we've met 23 years ago. So I'm happy to say that I survived, and that the week went surprisingly swiftly. On the other hand, it will be so sweet to wake up with him next to me again in the morning!

Living in two time zones

I have to admit that I'm a bit distracted all the time this week--my brain in constantly subtracting 3 hours from my current time and trying to figure out what Hannah is doing at that moment...like when I am on my way to work, she's still got an hour til rise & shine--6:30 am!

Hannah is in Anchorage, Alaska this week with Rise on the Road. She and 8 other kids, plus 4 adults are helping a church put on a week-long Bible camp. I've seen a few pictures, and had one phone call (when they got there safely), but other than that...

I'm so proud of Hannah for taking on this challenge, for beginning to spread her wings, for seeing where God can use her RIGHT where she is at age-wise.

And I'm VERY eager for Saturday night when I get to look into her eyes and hear all about her awesome adventure!

Raymond update

This came through email from our pastor yesterday...

Despite the leukemia diagnosis earlier this week there has also been some good news since then as well. Raymond’s spinal tap revealed that it had not spread to his brain, spinal cord, etc. In fact, he started his chemotherapy already on Wednesday and could possibly come home by the end of this weekend (returning of course for weekly treatment). Please pray for that and for the quick success of his chemo with minimal side-effects.

We are thankful for this bit of good news....

Praying for Raymond

Raymond is a sweet little guy in my church. He is 4 years old. His mom, dad and sister love him very much. God loves him very much. God has chosen to allow Raymond to have leukemia. Please pray for this sweet boy. Please pray for his parents. Please pray for our congregation.

What I heard on the radio today

"Perfect People"--Natalie Grant

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking
Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live and that's how we try
Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath
Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while

[CHORUS:]
There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scared
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted
When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are and where you've been
And you never have to go there again

[CHORUS]

Who lived and died to give new life
To heal our imperfections
So look up and see out let grace be enough

Be changed by a perfect God
Be changed



God, forgive me for letting those around be led to believe that I'm perfect...