Progressive 30 Hour Ski To Jerusalem

yeah, it's been a while, so allow me to catch y'all up with us...

It's been a busy month. Besides Hannah and my birthday, Valentine's Day, and a visit to the dentist, our weekends have been packed! The Sr High Progressive Dinner was the 12th, and we had way more kids than the rigs could hold, so multiple trips were involved. Good food, good comradiere, but no message... should've tied in to 30 Hour Famine*.
Over President's Day weekend, Diane, Michaela, and I went with 33 others to SunRiver for the Entheos Ski Trip. Much fun, Diane and I were the cooks for the trip, but none of our fam' actually skiied (how the heck do you spell that?). Lauren and Paul gave the devotions for the trip, and that was cool. Grace and Mike took care of music, so I didn't even play! The boys had a lot of time to hot tub, and found assorted beer bottles and missing women's clothing by it. Much fun, very tiring...I could retire to Bend.
Next weekend I was part of World Vision's *30 Hour Famine, where 90 of the Jr & Sr Highers fasted for 30 hours, raising over $10,000 for Africa Hunger Relief! We went to a city-wide rally over at Beaverton Christian where the band Freedom Song rocked, and one of our kids (Andre) got noted for raising $1000 all by himself (and his mom)! We got back to LGPC and played Underground Church for an hour, then had a candlelight devotion time in the courtyard. Very powerful...and horrifying...we blew out our candles every 3 seconds, to represent a child under 5 dying of hunger. Then we went to bed. The next day was devoted to a canned food drive for the Oregon Food Band, so we went door to door getting as much as we could on our empty stomachs. The kids also donated $ to stock the food closet at the church, for local needs (which does happen in Lake Oswego!). We made them watch Charlie & The Chocolate Factory after that, which of course caused a lot of whining about being hungry...meanwhile, Kathleen & I actually cooked the dinner, which of course caused me whining about being hungry! Before dinner, we got to shave Pastor Graig's head since we had raised over $10,000, and then he gave us communion to break the fast. I really hope that the weekend stays in the kids' mind, and the point helps them as they look at their own lives. I hope that it stays with me too.
Diane, Michaela, Hannah, and I went to the Walk To Jerusalem dinner last night, where we were served authentic Egyptian food and celebrated walking over halfway to Jerusalem. I turned in about 60 miles so far, and Hannah turned in 56! We haven't figured out Michaela's yet, or turned in Diane's either. But it was fun, and the main course (Kosheri) was great! I ate too much...and after fasting too! Angry stomach last night, I tell you.

Well, that's about it for the last week or 2. March brings new and exciting things, like St. Patrick's Day, commemorating the day I asked Diane to marry me, and Tony & Tara's wedding in Spokane! I'm to be the best man for that! Pictures to follow, I'm sure.

Hannah's Real Birthday

Today was Hannah's 6th birthday, and her step-grandparents, aunt, brother, and cousins came over for dessert and gifts. Diane bought a cake from Cold Stone Ice Creamery, but the highlight of the evening (well, besides all of our oohing and aahing over Cole) was the gift from Diane, Michaela, and I, which was her own pink Barbie acoustic guitar! Apparently, she is allergic to it, cause she sneezed as soon as she saw it. Later, after it was tuned, she realized that learning the guitar can be painful on the fingers. We'll see how long she keeps interest...I personally would like to see her as the youngest worship leader in the recording industry. Grandma Carole & Grandpa Rick got her a couple of Worship Together Kids! albums, so she's got her own "Jesus Music" to listen to in the mornings!

We celebrated my birthday as well, which was the 9th, and I will be losing sleep over the Firefly series, since I just rented Serenity, and now have no excuse not to catch all the episodes beforehand.

Doll House Tea Room

Yesterday we celebrated Hannah's 6th birthday, which is actually the 15th, but the Doll House Tea Room only had openings for the 4th, thus the early party...Hannah says her birthday just came early this year...no argument will sway her either. Anyway, she, 7 friends, and Michaela picked their own princess dresses, shoes, and accessories for the morning, and then the 8 youngun's had their hair done, make-up applied, and nails done by the staff. A fashion show was then held, with take home pictures for each girl. Next they all say at a table (with Hannah at the head) for tea. Everyone had their own little teapot filled with lemonade, and several trays of tea sandwiches (P.B.J. and Ham), cheese, and li'l smokies were shared, each of the girls with their own little "napkin-glove", and Hannah with a bell so that the staff responded to her every whim. A singing birthday cake followed, but that was boxed to come home. Each girl received her own plate of chocolate, jr mints, gummy worms, goldfish, and fruit snacks to dine on. Presents were then opened. The girls returned to their everyday garb, and each received a little gift from the treasure chest at the Doll House to take home, from learning cards, to frisbees, to recorders (like a flute). Truly an enchanted morning, and a chocolate cake for when she gets home...along with the little bell, marking Hannah as the Little Princess that she always knew she was.

Fish Music

Wednesday nights I volunteer with a Middle School/Jr High youth group called: Fish Co. We probably average 70 kids or so per week, we topped out at 117 once! Anyway, the worship team is really coming together. Most of them know a bit of their instrument, but haven't really played in front of a group...or they don't really know it, but have the passion for it and don't mind the 140 eyes on them learning. Either way, it's a blessing. Last night we actually did a sound check, so our levels were good. It was Keenan's (keyboard) 2nd time with us, and he really knows what he's about. Gregg (drums) is getting quite good at keeping the beat, I only have to tap my head occassionally as a metronome. Catie's vocals are good, but the real cool thing is that she harmonizes right on with my voice (since i'm leading). Michael's rhythm on the guitar is improving quite well also...and Jim...he's all over playing the bass. He even sat down with the music and learned the cool riff for Trading My Sorrows. I can't do it. Hannah dances and sings with us when she can, and sometimes brings her own little shaker that she made at Sunday School. For her birthday (the 15th) she asked for her own Kid's Praise CD's. And a pink electric guitar. To go with the pink Barbie drum set. The whole thing just makes me smile.