Babies, Alabama and the Peach tree state

Georgia pretty

Rocking in Alabama

Baby Carmen

We left Oregon last Thursday...a rather chilly morning. Well, we have made up for that many times over in the last couple of days. Sunday evening, as we drove into Atlanta, it was over 100...that made for a very hot evening at church. But church was fun. We went with our friends Gary and Helena to Midtown Community church....an inner city church plant.

BUT before that we ended up spending a few days in Talladega, Alabama...our mission had it's annual team retreat at Shoco Springs Baptist Conference center...over 200 of us had fun and fellowship and just a sweet time together. And it was hot!! On the way back to Georgia on Sunday we stopped at this resturant where Pat and I played true southerners for a few minutes...rocking in a couple of their porch chairs. Those rocking chairs are big here in the South and a lot of people sit and rock on their porches....but not these days. TOO HOT!!

This week we are spending a couple of days here at our Georgia head quarters enjoying time with friends and co-workers. We have also been able to spend some quality time with baby Carmen...the precious little daughter of Gary and Helena.

On Thursday we are off again...to Iowa where we will meet up with a whole bunch of relatives before heading home. Take Care!!

Jasmine time

Before we go on and tell you more about our trip to the SOUTH, thought I would show you what our back yard looks like these days.....the Jasmine is in full bloom

Another Day

Thursday morning...we made another airport run yesterday...and today we get the chance ourselves to fly away...Well, we are heading down to Atlanta for a week with fellow OM'ers. First a retreat and then meeting with folks in the office there...talking business and also enjoying some glorious fellowship. Then, on the way home, we will stop in Iowa for a family reunion...Yeah, we are exctied!
Yesterday, we got to spend a few minutes with our brave little sister Kristin! She was as beautiful as ever, resting in her hospital bed with two lovely pink pillows. The surgery went well, but of course the road to recovery is long...otherwise, she is doing good...encouraged and basking in His presence. Please continue to PRAY for a speedy recovery for our dear, dear friend!!

Favorite Summer Destination

This morning we visited our favorite summer destination, Portland International Airport, TWICE!!! Early, early Jonathan and Janie and their crew took off on their east bound journey....we are with you in our prayers, BIG TIME! A few hours later it was time to pull up at Compton and fill up the back of our pick-up with a mountain of bags...on their way to AFRICA!! The Colemans left this morning.... After a few stops here and there across the continent, they will (Lord willing) arrive back "home" in Cameroon on July 10!! It has been so good to have you guys here for a whole year. And this week, we will continue to drive out to our favorite summer destination, PDX.... More about that later.

RELIEF Weekend

And then it was RELIEF WEEKEND....and with that we pray that hearts and minds have been touched with some of the most urgent needs, people that are enslaves by poverty, war, violence, human trafficking etc. Thank you Seth and Trina for being part of this! And thank you Ruth and Janie for helping put up THE WALL. And thank you Jonathan for so faithfully proclaiming the Good News that there is FREEDOM for all. And thank you Brandon for picking up all the pieces to make this weekend what it was!

The Swedish Connection

I just realized that I have never really introduced two of the loveliest young ladies around....Amanda, 3 years old and Filippa, 5 years old. They are my sister Annika's daughters and they are both adopted from China. They are my absolute favorites!! Can't wait to see them again! It doesn't happen that often...because they all live in Sweden!!

Out of Sight out of Mind???

It is easy to "forget" to pray for our dear people around the world....just because they are no longer around!! How about if we all made a real effort to support those who are on the "frontlines" and PRAY!! Read something cool in Ephesians a while back.... "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you...the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe..." That is how we will pray for our friends around the world today...and that is how we will pray for Dave and Joy and kids in Indonesia.