More Classes....Preparing for Departure

Monday was spent at Mars Hills Graduate School again. I can't begin to express all that goes on in me each time I enter those doors. It's probably something better kept to face to face discussions. But the simpliest thing I can say is that I am challenged and I am blessed. It's usually an emotionally tiring day for me. Now, as I post this - it's early morning and I've just spent the last couple hours preparing to depart for LA and Phoenix. Not sure what God will bring, but I know I am willing to go on this journey.

Prisoners for Christ - Their first Clean and Sober ministry house in Yakima. Standing Stones Ministries - A city of Refuge.

His harmony ministering in Yakima with Prisoners for Christ

Here we are after ministering to about a hundred people - cramed into that large house in the background. This is Prisoners for Christ newest ministry addition of a clean and sober house called, Standing Stones Ministries. They celebrated their first two graduates of their 10 month program. There were individuals from all over the state there who support PFC and it's ministry throughout prisons in the state. It was a simple and precious thing to be a part of.

On the way to a concert in Yakima

Here with His Harmony on Snoqualmie Pass. We were heading over to Yakima for a ministry concert with Prisoners for Christ. It was snowing and quite amazingly beautiful today. Though, I didn't really dress for this weather. We had a great and relaxing day traveling together. This group of women have been a blessing to my life. What a journey we have been on for so many years.

Considering the Sabbath

Found a website recommended by another - Sacredspace.ie - and the prayer today was on

John 7:40-53
When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!" Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you.

"Help me, Lord, to notice how you are speaking to me.

Yesterday I went up to the Northwest Christian Ministry Conference at Overlake. I sat in a session on ministry styles specifically for Children's Ministry ed. It was taught by this women, Denise Muir Kjesbo. I went specifically to go to lunch with her after meeting her at a conference in Portland.

She and her husband are co-pastors of a BGC church plant and she is also on staff at Bethel University and the Director of the Cory Center for Children's Ministry.

We had a great visit and she shared her ministry journey with me. She has been a pioneer in so many ways and have continued with joy and kindness in the face of challenges. She was very encouraging and open and willing to help me connect with more women of Faith. Can you believe it? When she was getting her PhD, her thesis was on Role Models for Women of Faith. God is good....all the time.

Her question to me - two choices: To be a pioneer in your homeland, or to be a leader in a foreign land. Hmmmm.... something like that. I think I messed up the quote....but that's the gist.

Oh, and she's holding PINK - that's my little buddy traveling around for the other blog ... http://whereisangieandpink.blogspot.com/

God has a way to get your attention

Had to have a test on Wednesday and didn't realize it was the same building we went to at the start of Evan's whole medical journey. My body betrayed my intellectual understanding. Even though we are on this side of a great gulf that we were not swallowed up in....my body wanted to remind me of the intensity of that journey. It was quite remarkable to have a routine CT of your heart, when I'm sure that heart was pumping as if it were running the minute mile. So begins an awareness journey. I'm finding that to go forward, God desires to back up and clean up some spills I believe.

NUMBERS AND I THESS

Where are you in your Bible journey today? I'm into Numbers and 1 Thessalonians - hmmmm....interesting reading - really enjoying the concept and considering of being a pleasing aroma to God.

A Send Off and Tying up Loose Ends

It's the Swanson Boys - I took them to the airport today. They are off to visit with Amanda and Daniel at BIOLA. They were excited and lightly packed but full of anticipation. It's Evan's "official senior trip" and the boys are on break from college. So when they wanted to take a "road trip" - for the parents sanity, we stepped in and helped them out a little.

We all waited to see if Evan's head would set off the metal detector, but alas, he went through without concern. I think it would have been a kick to confuse the wand guy a little. But not to be. May God give them a wonderful visit down there - and some nice weather.

Back to my sabbatical - It's hard to express how weird this "departure" really is. I feel like I do when I leave on a trip and need to clean my home before I go.....just in case. Please pray for me that I can clean up and let go. There are some wonderful people in place to care for all.

Monday, 1st day

Well, today is my normal Monday - time with Allender at mhgs - boggles my brain but I believe it's so good. Traveling with a little companion - a "Where's Angie" kind of thing - for the 3rd-6th graders - http://whereisangieandpink.blogspot.com/

In Denial....really

Just need to type that I'm in somewhat of a denial that I will be going on sabbatical "officially" on Monday. Things aren't quite in order....you can pray. Thanks.

....The Journey of a Butterfly

This is somewhat appropriate I think to start my journey....

The Butterfly and the Cocoon

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. The man sat and watched the cocoon for several hours as the butterfly struggled to force its body through the little hole.

Then it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if the butterfly had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. The man decided to help the butterfly in its struggle. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly. He expected that, at any moment, the wings would dry out, enlarge and expand to be able to support the body. He knew that in time the body would contract, and the butterfly would be able to fly.

But neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were Nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

We could never fly.
(original author unknown)