Melbourne Spring.....

Ten days home - Spring weather's ups and downs, bulbs blooming, blossom just breaking though on barren branches. Sometimes things are never what they seem - my backyard has the remnant of a nectarine tree, and a young cherry. I was delighted to see blossoms on the nectarine - amazing as these flimsy branches have sprung up from a seemingly dead tree. Then the cherry - no sign of anything, and I presumed it was a victim of the water-shortage Melbourne is experiencing. But then, on closer inspection I saw them - the tiniest buds, and today, a tiny green shoot of a leaf. the miracle of life. John 10:10 says "I have come to give you abundant - overflowing - LIFE". I am thankful that I found the LIFE that Christ offers - that when I was DEAD in my own selfishness, His love penetrated the dead wood in my heart, and, just like my cherry tree, He brought forth NEW life. I love the deadness of winter springing into life, to action, to beauty - welcome SPRING!

When I boarded the plane in Seattle to head for home, I was seated next to an elderly couple, both of whom had arrived at their seats in wheelchairs. As the plane began its descent into LA, the lady remarked how much she was looking forward to being home again, as they had flown all the way from Denmark, where they had been on holiday. I was stunned - so far and so old! Then as we waited to deplane, the man told me that they actually lived in Palm Springs, but that he hadn't felt like DRIVING the three hours and so they would pick up their car but would overnight in a hotel. He then went on to say they he thought they had overdone the travel this year by taking three separate trips - South America, Alaska and now Denmark. I looked at him more closely - if he had said he was 90 I would have believed him. What tenacity! I walked behind them as they were wheeled off the plane, pulling my carry-on which now felt quite light! What an encouragement! Pastor Ron Peretti prayed for me on my last Sunday in Seattle and one of his prayers had been for renewed strength and more opportunities to minister. Hey.....if THEY can do it, it's a cinch! Asia....Europe...AFRICA....I'm ready to get ready!

The end to a great summer....

Back in Seattle there is so much to do - people to see (some for the first time in 08), last-minute curriculum changes, the September newsletter AND "The Pack". I'm sure I didn't buy much...but there's certainly more than I arrived with! There's much to be thankful for this summer: time with family and friends, great responses from the kids we minister with, the beauty of this north-west corner of America, and the never changing satisfaction of knowing you are where you are supposed to be, ministering with a great friend and anointed ministry. Then there's the way we have been ministered to also - through churches large and small, fellowship with pastors and others who worship at the churches we visit. We hear God's voice in the encouragement we receive, in the way the children respond, in God's word as we prepare our messages, and through sermons when we occasionally have the opportunity to simply sit and enjoy. One great source of ministry to us is in the prayers of many of you who read this blog a(and Sue's), through phone calls, Skype chats, email and snail mail. Thank you! As I prepare to head for home to a new set of challenges, I look back at the US summer with thankfulness and fulfillment. Good times. [Photo: Payette River, Idaho]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

SUE's MUM and DAD (Bertha and Dale) celebrated 59 years of marriage on August 18.
The day started with Dale giving Bertha a beautiful bouquet of roses as I played "Always" by Harry Neilsson on my laptop (That was their special song!) Then followed "breakfast by demand" - Dad chose scrambled eggs, a sausage and a pancake and so that set the menu! Once that had digested it seemed no time before we headed out to lunch at The Golden Star Chinese Restaurant - I think this was the first restaurant in Boise that I went to with the Carpenter family all those years back! It was hot - in the high nineties - and we were glad of the cool van as we headed home. Dale to bed, Bertha to enjoy her cards and gifts, and Sue and I to take a quick breather before the physio came for Dad. Marriage takes two people who are committed to each other, and in this case, to the Lord. Dale and Bertha's faith has certainly enabled them to rejoice in the good times, and trust during the bad. Do keep them both in your prayers. CONGRATULATIONS - you are loved!

A BIRTHDAY MONTH.......

WOW! Is August a month of celebrations and merriement????? For me it surely it, although I do miss out on a lot of cake (probably that's a blessing in disguise) Photos show: Seb (on right with Sarah and Edward) Marissa, and below Thomas next to Sarah and Jaymie in front. Top of the page Jenah is talking to two birds! One is very rare!
SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
August 4th - Sue's dad (78) and my godson Sebastian (19)
August 6th - Jenah - one of the coolest kids we know from Idaho City
August 7th - Sue (#*)
August 10th - Nieces Jaymie (9) and Marissa (4)
August 13th Adopted brother Joe and great friend Marilyn
August 15th - Friend Kathy Peretti (a BIG one this year)
August 17th - Nephew Thomas turns 21 - congrats Tom! Amy Tobeck shares this day too! Friends Garry and Lai Eng close the month! PHEW!
and there maybe others who have slipped my mind!
MAY THE LORD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU, HOLD YOU CLOSE TO HIS HEART and OPEN MANY DOORS DURING THE COMING YEAR. Love to all.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Birthdays......

Left: Sue's dad Dale celebrated his 78th birthday on August 4. Sue celebrates August 7 and is pictured picking up her BIRTHDAY i-phone at the Apple Store. She hasn't stopped smiling!