A Full Week of Abundant Blessings!

This is Chuck (Paul's bro) and his new wife, Diane. We have spent a very relaxing and wonderful time at their home. Large delightful family dinners with wonderful talking about the table until late evening. It is good to see how God guides and designs each families lives and still allows us to all come together to allow our lives to interact again. A blessing indeed.

Lillyanne and Tucker....the Next Generation

Young lives, just beginning. This is Lillyanne and Tucker - the next generation of Swanson kids. It was fun to hear laughter and giggling - as well as coloring again - I haven't done that for a very long time.

Two New Friends

Vicky Degner (Adult Care Pastor) and Jen Lindwall (Metro Impact Pastor)

Church of the Open Door

Church of the Open Door, Maple Grove, MN.

Tuesday in Minnesota

Spent time today with family. This is Doris with her great grand daughter, Lilly. She's a bundle of love and fun - hopefully I'll get a pic of Tucker tomorrow.

We've just been sitting and talking and enjoying relaxed time around the table. It's been nice.

I did visit today with Judy Hougen from Church of the Open Door. Their Senior Pastor is David Johnson and I will be grateful to him always for his teaching on women in the church - a simple CD that someone handed me a couple years back kept me hoping and moving forward with God. Judy is on the leadership board there and I sat and asked about her story, her experiences (she's also a professor at Northwestern University) and listened alot. It was a good meeting. Then sat down to a wonderful dinner. Tomorrow I'm meeting with one of their Associate Pastors and touring the campus.

Reading 1 Samuel also - how's everyone elses reading going? What is exciting you in God's word today?

Going to MN Escorted by my ALaska pilot friend Barry

What a blessing today - Barry flew Doris and I (and about a hundred other people joined us) to Minneasota. It was fun to see (and hear him) in action. I was a poor substitute for Miss USA however - you'll have to ask Barry about that announcement. It was a serendipity teaching moment for me - it's much more fun to fly through whatever comes you way in the sky - when you know and trust the pilot that in control of the plane. Kind of like - trusting in life when you know Jesus - the more you know Him - the more you trust Him - even when the skies get a little rough. A great trip. Got a WONDERFUL lunch treat from Barry (from Della) when we got on the plane. Oh----to be blessed with creatively thoughtful friends who care for you....

What you can't see are these amazing homemade deli sandwiches that were wonderful - all favorite food items that I love.

Oh yea - the if you don't know what the stuffed dog is all about - you'll have to go to

whereisangieandpink.blogspot.com

for more info.

My Family's "Amusement Park" Trip

This is quite the store - but I snuck over to Shipwrecked Beads while they were "shopping". Quite a trip - quite a toy store for grown ups.

Spending the Day Adventuring

Closing up a wonderful trip travelling back across the sound from Clinton to Mulkilteo - aren't we the pair?

Surrounded in Beauty

Little did I know what an awe giving adventure we were going on this day as we started out - from La Conner to Deception Pass to Ft. Casey and overlooking the Sound. It was a beautiful day with family and drinking in God's spectacular show.

Standing out from the Rest

Loved this photo - it's very symbolic of bringing glory to God - when we stand out from the rest of a sea of the Lord's creations. Though all were beautiful - this lone yellow tulip grabbed my attention. Why do we try to blend in - when the Glory of God should geniunely shine forth from us - allowing others to see something different in us and be drawn to the creator of the beauty.

Week 5 of the Sabbatical

If you want to see more adventures with Pink - you'll have to check out whereispinkandangie.blogspot.com - there are a few more entries there.

It was a good week. Last class at Mars Hill - what a blessing that series of classes were. I am so thankful for how it ministered to me.

And then a hike with Paul - the first of the season - yea - hopefully the sun will stay out more and there will be many more adventures outdoors.

Finished studying Job and 1 Corinthians - wanting to head into Isaiah and 2 Corinthians next.

This weekend we are celebrating my parents 50th Anniversary. It's a sweet time with family. My Uncle and Aunt from South Carolina flew in yesterday to surprise my parents - it's a sweet time.

On to Minneasota next week.....new friends coming.

Today was a sweet day. These are the great guys I used to work with - back in the day. Actually, the ones I grew up with professionally at MCC - back then I had five bosses and it all started with stretching the truth - can you believe it? I was "cleaning" a house during my senior year - and these guys were starting a business and they asked if I could type. I said yes. Then then learned quickly. It was a blessing to see them today - LtoR Dale Smith, Tom Donich, me and Don Sytsma. It was Don's retirement party and we haven't all been together for...oh...about 17 years. It was a bitter sweet day, remembering great "business" moments and life moments together - and sad moments taken for granted so long ago. I was blessed to be taken under their wing so long ago. Each with a story...each teaching me something very special. Don and Tom have worked together for over 40 years. All three have working alongside each other at Meteor Communications Corporation for ...well since I was 16 - so that's a long time. It was a full circle kind of day. Blessings to remember and grief at good bye again.

Celebrating Easter at First EPC

It was quite an Easter weekend for me. Good Friday at Grace Community in Auburn - Saturday night at Calvary Community in Sumner, and Sunday morning at First Evangelical Free in Renton - then on to Swanson Family Easter Day. It was a relaxed and sweet weekend.

Back to Seattle

I came back to the Seattle area on Monday in time for Evan's birthday lunch. He's 18 and doing well. That is Jessica with him, his special friend. Then I was off to class at Mars Hill and almost fell asleep in class. So tired. I have to come home just to rest. I spent this week catching up at the house and spending time with the kids during their Spring break.

Paul started on 2nd shift on Monday, so that means mornings with him and evenings with the kids if they are home or alone. It's a kind of mixed up day.

Spent Good Friday evening at Grace Community in Auburn, and Saturday evening we all went to Calvary Community in Sumner for the 7:33 Service. It's an Easter Weekend celebration - but seems weird to not be "busy". Tomorrow I think we're off to First Evangelical Free in Renton for Easter Services. Ran into a few people from Faith today - it was good to chat and catch up.

Look who we found at the santa monica pier the Figaros

We met up with the Figaros near the Santa Monica pier. It was a warm day, but the ocean water was cold. We drove up to Pepperdine and through Malibu then on to Hollywood. It was a busy day - but good. In the picture (L to R) Brittney, Ryan, Dan, Cindy, Amanda, Hannah, Abby, Katherine.

Palm Sunday, Whittier Area Community Church

Whittier Area Community Church is a BGC Conference church in California. Their website is wacc.net. It was a good day of worship and praise - lots of kids - hmmmm.....I don't that's just a coincidence for me. Today's service was a blend of all ages, soloists of all ages, and choirs and a full orchestra. A fresh presence of God's spirit - good to breath in the warm air and see how God is ministering in another area.

Saturday Night at Saddleback

Here we are walking up to the main worship center thru the campus. The large youth building is behind us and the children's building is to the left of us. The worship center wasn't anything too over the top, just big. Scott Fields spoke and the Worship team was complete with an orchestra that was really upbeat and a blessing. It was a good service - then we did some more scouting. Hopefully I'll be able to upload some pics laters. You might have to see more on my facebook account.

The Refinery at Saddleback

That's Katherine, Abby, Hannah and Amanda in front of the "Refinery" which is the newest building on the Saddleback campus. Quite literally, hard to express the details that have been designed onto this campus. The Refinery is the youth and families building - intended for use with ministering to a variety of settings. It's very "green" - but also has a large eating area, skate park, outdoor volleyball, and outdoor baptism area. And yes, we were dressed appropriate for California church. :-)

The girls going to church at Saddleback

We took off to the Saddleback Campus for Saturday night church. It was their Palm Sunday celebration as well as a conclusion to a series on being Refueled in Christ and allowing the door to be blown off the hinges in relationship with Him. Pastor Doug Field shared from Ephesians 3:19 - May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of olife and power that comes from God.

Basically - to be REFUELed isn't doing more. It's being MORE.

1) Stop limiting God's power.

2) Start with the the next thing - what do you give God who wants everything? The next thing.

3) Look for God's blessing in your life.

Then we explored the campus also. You would never believe it. But the sense in the service was very familiar and spirit led - even if the campus feels a little big and "universal studio-ish" - it very much felt like a sweet spirited place. The children's building was amazing. I will post some pics soon.

Arizona has been good

It was a Good Day with Lisa and Amy

Lisa Jernigan is on the left and her 22 year old daughter Amy is on the right. Her husband is the Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church of the East Valley. It's a large one with two campuses now - in Mesa and in Gilbert. I think they run about 8,500 people. Quite a missional experience I'm sure. And if that isn't a big enough mission...

Lisa is also the co-founder of Girlfriends Unlimited. We had a great visit and some awesome chatting about women and the need for real honest and open connections. It was a terrific encouragement for me and having Amy there added such depth of the 20-something experience and future. Amy is the assistant director for Girlfriends at their church. The conversation was rich and hopeful for future times together. The shrimp tacos were awesome - and the fellowship sweet. Thank you so much Lisa and Amy. May you be blessed because you took that phone call a couple months ago. Thanks Amy for giving me that number - you blessed my heart.

Took a tour of the Children's Ministry

This is Lori Gibson. She is the leader of all the Children's Ministry Servants - and what a large team she has. The campus is spread out quite a bit with Nursery in the area behind her, Preschool off in another location, and Elementary over in another building. She was very gracious in her support and allowing me to ask her a bunch of questions. I think she will be a welcome asset to ministry at FBC as a resource and encourager. She herself is the mom of four children, one with special needs. She loves to do excellent work for Christ - it was a pleasure to interact with her, however short it was. It could have gone on and on, but we each had other appointments. Thanks Lori - Blessings.

Off to Mesa and Visit at Central Christian Church of the East Valley

Drove yesterday into Mesa to visit at Central Christian Church of the East Valley. That's quite a name, but quite a church also. I posted pics of in on Pink's blog - whereisangieandpink.blogspot.com.

My friend Phil says everyone will know I'm a tourist with the top down on the car. It was 88 deg outside and hot in the sun....but I was not going to put the roof up, no way. So I turned on the air conditioner and pointed it at my face. It was a glorious day! (Laugh away, Arizonians)

Drove to Phoenix late afternoon sunshine yea

Spent some time with Amanda today

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