A Celebration

This week we are celebrating our son Andraus 30th Birthday! Happy Birthday Dr. Thurman. I guess your Mom will always remember you like this....fun and oh so cute!

The World at your fingertips

Did you know that the World actually is at one's fingertips? This really hit me in the last few days....With summer in full swing...there are also so many friends, coming and going. Friends and co-workers from all over the globe.

And in the last few days, we have also heard from many of them. Facinating to read notes from Europe, East Asia, Africa, South America, and the Far East all in one and the same day? Beloved friends...spread all over the globe...all with a passion and a desire...to make a difference!! We are so proud of our people!!

Our Summer Teams are almost done by now...a few more airport runs and they have all come and gone...now we are looking forward to seeing their pictures and hearing their reports....how glorious to see lives changed before your eyes. Going Global in Gresham....that is what we are doing, and that is what we are loving...

What about you? Is the world at your fingertips? Are you in correspondence with friends around the globe? They might need to hear a note of encouragement today?? From you...today!

The Blessings of Rain

This morning we woke up to the sound of RAIN!! What a relief after so many days of intense heat! It didn't last very long, but it got me thinking....how much my garden needs both the beautiful sunrays...and the blessed rain! Yes, you know I LOVE the sun....but I am oh so thankful for God's own watering system.
Lot's of things happening on this end...folks coming and folks going...teams, Global Outreach folks, 5-Day Out of Town teams...it is awesome to have a ring-side seat and see what God is doing in and through our people...

Our Iowa Family

The Family - Sunday at Uncle Larry's place
The Family - Saturday at Cousin Pam's house

It sure was fun meeting up with so many from our family in Iowa last weekend. There were Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, nieces and nephews, second cousins etc. All enjoying just being together. Yes, we must do this again...soon!

Carmen Beth

Well, after spending a few days of getting back into the swing of things on the home front.....I thought I would introduce you to some of the really cool people we met on our trip...This is Carmen Beth, 8 months old.....she is the most adorable little baby you ever met. She lives in Georgia and her parents are Gary and Helena, good friends of ours.

Home Sweet Home

There is nothing like opening the door and step into your house after a looooong trip...! We are so thankful to the Lord for the beautiful home He has given us. As much as trips and travel are great...the feeling of relief upon returning HOME is awesome. I always marvel when I come back home after a long trip and having seen and talked to tons of people...how good it is to just sit in the tranquility of my living room or walk in our back yard. I know that God has given us this place to use for His ministry...having people over, hosting people and spending time with people...BUT this is also a haven of rest. So, getting unpacked, doing laundry, checking mail, listening to voice mail, answering e-mails...and getting back into the swing of work again is fun...we so love, not only our home, but also what we are doing. AND we love t0 travel and see people all over... (more about the trip later on).

Sweet Iowa

Cheryl , Cousin Sandy and Pat

Pat and Aunt Harriet

Uncle Morrie, Aunt Marie, Pat, Andraus and Amy

We are in corn-country....we are in Iowa. The excitement began when we landed...soon Aunt Marie and Uncle Morrie were there at the airport...and it was awesome to see them. Aunt Marie is Pat's Mom's Sister...it was hard to hold back the tears. Thursday was full of more cousins, their kids and grand kids....and on Friday Andraus and Amy flew in...and after a visit to the Cemetary to honor the couple who were the beginning of all of this (Pat's GrandMa and GrandPa) we were off to see Aunt Harriet, Pat's Mom's youngest sister. An awesome time with good home cooking, a tour around Boone...and catching fire flies....Today, we are ALL getting together...with folks who have flown in from around the country...Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Cousins kids and grandkids...awesome!