Here are some pics from our first family vacation (excluding our honeymoon) to Glacier National Park. We had an incredible time enjoying the beauty of God's creation and each other! L was quite the trooper on our hikes, but she was being carried most of the way.
Thanks Jensen family for letting us tag along and taking us to some of the most beautiful spots we've ever seen. And thanks Barlow family for letting us borrow your pack- hope the cowgirl cocoa is yummy!
Friday, June 19
Glacier Vacationing
Friday, June 12
Road Trip
We're headed east for a few days with a sweet family from our church. Going to do a little vacationing, a little relaxing, and a little hiking in one of the most gorgeous parts of America. Be back soon!
Happy Birthday Mom!
Today is my sweet mom's birthday. We were able to celebrate a little early when she was here a few weeks ago. Thank you Mom for being such an incredible example to me of godliness, faith in Christ, and sacrificial love. We love you very much and hope you have a wonderful day.
Saturday, June 6
*Three Years
June 10 will be the *Third Anniversary of this blog. I think this is a great time to go back and glance over posts from the past. I've been doing that. Its a lot of fun. Boy have things changed in those three years! We have been through a lot. Of course, we were expecting a lot. We expect to see God do a lot more!
*EDIT Evidently, I cannot count to four. It's only been three years.
Monday, June 1
South MS meets Idaho
My mom and step-dad came to visit us last week. Here are some pictures from their time in Idaho. The weather was amazing, so we attempted to get outside as much as possible. We also tried to convince them that it's always sunny and 70 degrees here year round- kinda like San Diego.
We took them to some of our favorite spots (Beauty Bay, Lake Pend Oreille, the CDA Lake Cruise, NorthStar Church, and Book Babies at the library). We also took them to some new spots (Cataldo Mission, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, the Snake Pit, and Wolf Lodge).
Sometimes I complain to Bennett how we need a vacation. His reply is always, "Our life is a vacation." Well on weeks like this past one I would have to agree.
Wisdom tooth surgery
after the doctor giving me drugs. Everything is good so far.
Wednesday, May 27
Book Club
This summer our ladies at NorthStar are going to meet a park and have a book club.
We need your suggestions. What's the greatest book you have ever read that would make a good book to discuss while watching our children play at the park?
Sunday, May 24
Love Your Neighbor
Pastor Gary has started his preaching ministry at NorthStar with a series on the 5 Great Commandments. The sermon on "Love your neighbor" started out as one sermon, but has been divided into three (so far). Each week Gary brings a new perspective on how we look at God and how we look at ourselves in light of what God has done for us.
I've been very busy working with Tom and Gary discussing, praying and trying to work out what the next phase in the life of NorthStar will look like. I have to say, it is very exciting and a little overwhelming. Again we are stepping out into uncharted territory. Just as we did when we moved, just as we did when I took on the preaching at NorthStar, and now transitioning to a new pastor. Each of these things have been "game changers" in my life.
The funny thing is God knows that I'm not a big fan of change. I can imagine He gets a kick out of seeing me squirm (needlessly) each time a major twist comes my way. Then down the road God and I can look back together and grin. Its like when my daughter gets older we'll look back at home videos and laugh about how she used to cry when we fed her. It was silliness on her part, but something she had to go through. In the same way I fret over big changes in my life, all the while knowing that God is thrilled at what I'm going to do next.
I've been very busy working with Tom and Gary discussing, praying and trying to work out what the next phase in the life of NorthStar will look like. I have to say, it is very exciting and a little overwhelming. Again we are stepping out into uncharted territory. Just as we did when we moved, just as we did when I took on the preaching at NorthStar, and now transitioning to a new pastor. Each of these things have been "game changers" in my life.
The funny thing is God knows that I'm not a big fan of change. I can imagine He gets a kick out of seeing me squirm (needlessly) each time a major twist comes my way. Then down the road God and I can look back together and grin. Its like when my daughter gets older we'll look back at home videos and laugh about how she used to cry when we fed her. It was silliness on her part, but something she had to go through. In the same way I fret over big changes in my life, all the while knowing that God is thrilled at what I'm going to do next.
Tuesday, May 19
Thank You Thank You
Don't I look good on my new bike.
I can defy gravity.
Not all of the time.
Off roading.
Now I'm ready to go explore the mountains.
Thanks everyone who helped make this birthday gift possible.
Sunday, May 17
Monday, May 11
I am an uncle! Fourth time...
My sister delivered her fourth child this afternoon. Congratulations
Garner family on your new baby boy!
mobile
Sunday, May 10
the big 30
We celebrated Bennett's birthday this weekend. When he was 3 years old he had a cookie monster cake, and we thought it was only appropriate to have one for the big 30! Our sweet and talented neighbor created it herself.L's friends enjoyed her new swing set we purchased on Craigslist for yes $30. And the fabulous purchase was made in West Point, MS. How it ever made it to North Idaho we will never know.
Don't worry we didn't make him do all of the grilling.
And even the big kids enjoyed a little swinging.Friday, May 8
The Pot o Gold
We could see the entire thing from end to end. It was pretty cool!
Sunday, May 3
Down by the river
This weekend we enjoyed some time down by the river. Our new pastor told us about a park he found so we thought we would check it out too. Speaking of our new pastor, today we had a wonderful time of teaching with him on the "Anatomy of a Christian." Tonight we'll be heading back for NorthStar's 2nd Annual Extravaganza (our talent show).
I've also been experimenting with L's hair. What do you think about this do? Everyone at church today complimented on it!
Thursday, April 30
Longer Days
Well, I needed a post to replace the goofy picture of me that Jana posted. So I thought I'd let you know how things are going. All of the snow is melted down in the valleys, and the mountains that surround us are slowly losing their snow as well. It hasn't really warmed up, but the sun is shining.
Speaking of the sun, its been coming up earlier and earlier each day. Jana and I have fortified our bedroom against the encroaching rays. However, our daughter's room has been much more susceptible to light leaking through the window. This is bad news because she will wake up at any clue of daylight. Our mornings have been starting at 5:30, 5:15, 5:00. Our first attempt to thwart the sun's rays was to put some beach towels over the curtain. That had a limited effect. Next Jana used a huge blanket that covered most of the window. She went further and bought some blackout material to add to the curtains. Unfortunately, the sun is still sliding right through the edges of the window serving as a wake up call for our baby. I am currently formulating a plan involving hot glue, velcro, and some pad locks that should finally put a stop to the sun's invading, early morning cheeriness.
We have to come up with something. The sun won't go down 'til after nine soon, and it will be coming up at 4:30. Baby need's her beauty sleep! And so do we.
Speaking of the sun, its been coming up earlier and earlier each day. Jana and I have fortified our bedroom against the encroaching rays. However, our daughter's room has been much more susceptible to light leaking through the window. This is bad news because she will wake up at any clue of daylight. Our mornings have been starting at 5:30, 5:15, 5:00. Our first attempt to thwart the sun's rays was to put some beach towels over the curtain. That had a limited effect. Next Jana used a huge blanket that covered most of the window. She went further and bought some blackout material to add to the curtains. Unfortunately, the sun is still sliding right through the edges of the window serving as a wake up call for our baby. I am currently formulating a plan involving hot glue, velcro, and some pad locks that should finally put a stop to the sun's invading, early morning cheeriness.
We have to come up with something. The sun won't go down 'til after nine soon, and it will be coming up at 4:30. Baby need's her beauty sleep! And so do we.
Monday, April 27
Monday, April 13
One Hundred and Eleventy
111 is the number of people attending NorthStar Church this past Easter Sunday. Around 28 of those were children birth-sixth grade. It is the most people I've seen in our worship room in a long time. It was very encouraging. I know it was Easter and you expect big attendance on Easter, but we have been averaging 65 or 70. We weren't doing any special Easter presentations. We didn't publicize other than on the website. We didn't even put pressure on our congregation to go out and invite everyone they knew. In fact we expected our number to stay about the same since we had 10 or 15 regulars who would be out for travel or sickness. By my estimation we were about 70% above our average.
Why am I bragging about numbers? I hope you see why. Its because we didn't do it. Yes, we have been obedient to God in lifting Christ in worship, preaching the scriptures faithfully, praying for God to work, and following his urgings in some small things. But from a worldy point of view these things shouldn't have produced such results. We have not put in to place a growth strategy; we have not started a slick new program; we did hire a new preacher, but he's not even here yet. By worldly standards NorthStar should have dwindled. Our "winter surge" should already be depleting. Instead we are seeing God work at NorthStar. Steadily, methodically, relentlessly He is building his church, his way, in his time. My hope is that this is just a preparation for many years of astounding growth of numbers and more importantly Spirit. I pray (you pray too please) that God is only just laying the foundation for a congregation of people that will impact North Idaho and the world with the Gospel for many centuries to come.
Stay Informed
On our blog to the right of this post are some links begging you to subscribe to this feed using a reader or to sign up for email updates. I'd like to take a moment to encourage you to also subscribe to NorthStar's Church Update feed. This feed isn't updated as often; so it won't overwhelm your reader, but it does let you know some of the most important happenings in our church life that doesn't always make it to our personal blog. If you'd rather get church updates by email you can use the form below.
Why am I bragging about numbers? I hope you see why. Its because we didn't do it. Yes, we have been obedient to God in lifting Christ in worship, preaching the scriptures faithfully, praying for God to work, and following his urgings in some small things. But from a worldy point of view these things shouldn't have produced such results. We have not put in to place a growth strategy; we have not started a slick new program; we did hire a new preacher, but he's not even here yet. By worldly standards NorthStar should have dwindled. Our "winter surge" should already be depleting. Instead we are seeing God work at NorthStar. Steadily, methodically, relentlessly He is building his church, his way, in his time. My hope is that this is just a preparation for many years of astounding growth of numbers and more importantly Spirit. I pray (you pray too please) that God is only just laying the foundation for a congregation of people that will impact North Idaho and the world with the Gospel for many centuries to come.
Stay Informed
On our blog to the right of this post are some links begging you to subscribe to this feed using a reader or to sign up for email updates. I'd like to take a moment to encourage you to also subscribe to NorthStar's Church Update feed. This feed isn't updated as often; so it won't overwhelm your reader, but it does let you know some of the most important happenings in our church life that doesn't always make it to our personal blog. If you'd rather get church updates by email you can use the form below.
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