What a trip and we havn't even hit Canada yet! :)

These last few days have been a whirlwind of activity...I am starting to think Canada might actually afford a bit more rest!:) It has been WONDERFUL being with David and Michelle and two more of my brothers, Paul and Andrew! Hosting our family is no small job and we are so thankful for their hospitality and self sacrifice on our behalf.

Our day began yesterday worshiping at the church that my brother David works at and my brother Paul interns at, Mars Hill. We have wanted to go for a very long time but Sundays are one of those days we have just never been able to get away!:) Mark Driscoll preached a message on the genealogy found in Luke 3. It took a couple of minutes to get used to watching him on the "big screen" but, after that, I was lost in his preaching. His message was great and, at one point, I found my eyes filling as he talked about Jesus being adopted by Joseph and the beauty of adoption in that story and in life now. It was one of the first times I had heard a pastor speak on the subject of adoption (outside of my hubby) and it was such a sweet encouragement to my heart. Not because adoption is more important than anything else we do in our sanctification or that it makes someone more spiritual or holy but because it's there in scripture and it is so neat to see it talked about! Regardless of what you have or have not heard about Driscoll :)...I'd encourage you to take an hour and tune in via video or audio...you're heart will respond in affirmation to the truths in the Word of God that he expounded on!

After catching a quick lunch we headed off to the Ethiopian church of our friend, Bea. I'll be honest, there were a lot more "joyful outbursts" :) than I am used too but it was such a blessing to stand alongside others who were worshiping the Lord from a different nation and tongue. I couldn't help but wonder what it will be like when we all stand before the Throne praising the Lord from every tribe, every nation and every tongue!!!! And speaking of languages, it also helped us to better understand what it must have been like for Samuel and Caleb when they were first here. Every once and a while we could pick out a word or understand the gist of what the pastor was speaking but, overall, we were lost (unless Bea translated). There was light at the end of the tunnel knowing that the service was only an hour and a half...and yet, that was LIFE for the boys in the beginning. Not easy!!!!

From there we headed over to Children's Hospital in Seattle to visit friends of ours from the church we were at in Yakima. Jessica, who is in 6th grade, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last month, had surgery to remove as much of it as possible, and is now going through radiation treatment as well as rehab. There is still a long road ahead of them all...but what a sweet blessing it has been to hear of God's sustaining grace and peace in the midst of it all and what a gift it was to have the privilege of visiting them ourselves.

Today we woke up to rain (or, as they call it in Seattle...liquid sunshine...I guess you have to find a positive way of describing something that you see more than most places in the USA :)...and, I just may have to adopt that "nickname" as Surrey seems to get its fair amount of rain too!) and it made for the perfect day to go to the Seattle Aquarium. After figuring out that a family pass for one year was cheaper than paying a one time admission, we jumped on the band wagon and I can already tell you we will be back! We had such a wonderful time. The exhibits were great but the staff and volunteers were just fantastic as they made the ocean and sea life come alive and helped us learn more about what God created on the 5th day. And we thanked the Lord for the timing of our visit as we were able to see just about everything possible being fed!!!


We went outside and stood in the rain while we watched seals be fed and get their teeth brushed and get some exercise. Can you believe they use a Sonic Care Toothbrush on their teeth?!!!:)


The kids also got to feed the starfish. They stuck muscles as far under them as they could and watch them close in around it. The starfish only get fed once a day every other day...so it was a real blessing that they got to participate in that!

We also were there for the feeding of Buster the octopus. It was AMAZING to see this sleeping, curled up octopus come alive once the scent of food entered the water.


They even got to talk to a diver in one of the big tanks and give her "high fives"!


Every time I have the chance to see life "under the sea" the title for God, CREATOR, just takes on new and fresh meaning. It's a world that, for the most part, is hidden from our eyes (much like most of our universe)but was created for God's glory and delight above all. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!!!

Then, tonight we celebrated Faith's birthday. Her actual birthday is not till Thursday...but we knew that it would be a little bit harder to celebrate in an extra special way with all that was going on in Canada. Once again, an aunt (this time Aunt Michelle) came to the rescue and made an ADORABLE cake! Faith asked for a cake that looked like Tessie (our dog) and Aunt Michelle did an amazing job!



We were able to celebrate with Bea's daughter's Promise and Gloria and, when we dropped them off back home, Grace was able to see one of the dogs that we gave away, Fenway (remember the puppies back in September?!). It was a great way to end a great day!
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We are off to a new adventure tomorrow (we will be meeting the church in Canada and Bryan will be candidating through this weekend...and the vote will be on Tuesday, the 19th) and so thankful that, in all of this, we can rest in the One Who held today and all our tomorrows in His hands!