July pics

We went to Chicago for a family trip. Also got the kids out for karate camp.

Click here to view these pictures larger

June pics

Click here to view these pictures larger

My recent journey

OK, a little late, but I wanted to share what God has been doing in me for the last spring.  Not that many could see, but I was really spiritually dried up for a while. I really was not experiencing God in my life. Actually a lot of different stresses were coming up, mostly from work, which also made me more shut in. And for a while, when I'd try to pray I'd only be able to focus for a few minutes before my mind would wander. And reading the Bible was no more changing for me than reading the newspaper.

Then we went on vacation to Kiawah. Now most family vacations are about having fun and doing things. This time God really gave me time and also focus to renew and restore my relationship with Him. I finished up reading Desiring God by John Piper. Now this is a book that I've read a few times (this was actually my third time reading it). This time around, I read the first two chapters last December and didn't pick it up again until May. For whatever reason, it really was starting to remind my soul that God is my joy. God offers Himself to be my joy. And this is totally His initiative, not my striving. Actually the goal to go into times of prayer or scripture is to receive and not earn God's love. "The chief aim of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever," as Piper writes.

But I felt stuck after that. I mean, I knew that from before. That God is offering my complete joy. And that became burdensome again. Because, sometimes things are more immediately pleasurable. And I was finding so much frustration in my devotion time with Him. Thanks be to God for the second book that I read that trip, which I'll get to next post.

Seattle Pics

We had a great time at Seattle. Thanks a bunch for Phil (Gail's brother), Pau, Addison and Boden for putting us up and putting up with us. The hospitality was awesome. Great food. Here are some pics from our trip.

Here is the host family (plus Sadie)

The family at Pike's Place

One of our favorite places to eat was this food court at a mall. There was bubble tea and a number of ethnic fast food that was awesome.

This was the fried burrito that I had

Cayla enjoying her sushi

There was also a small carousel that the kids all enjoyed.

We went to Safeco Field and saw the kids first baseball game. They got certificates and even free t-shirts for their first game. They made it to the eighth inning (more than the starting pitcher, who got tossed in the 4th arguing for with the ump). For those looking to take their kids to a game, the key was getting the cheapest seats far away from anyone else so they could roam a bit, and buying lots of junk food: hot dogs, pizza, cotton candy, and ice cream dots.

The rookies (probably could play better than the current bunch)

We also went to Mt. Ranier. Last time I was there, we hiked off of Paradise Lodge. Through beautiful meadows, past a waterfall, got a good look at the glacier.  So I suggested we drive to that point to start.  Little did I reckon that the week before, they had 10 inches of snow on top of 10 feet of base!

Still it was worth the trip up and the kids loved it.

As we were supposed to go home, Elijah said, "I wish we could live in Seattle forever!" He especially loved Boden.

If we lived there, I'd hit 200lbs. again.

In Seattle

Well, we're here in Seattle.  This is a second trip that we get to enjoy within a couple of months. I'm liking the time away from work. It's also a time to refresh a bit.

I'm amazed at what gets thrown our way. Before we left, I was praying that God would give us travelling mercies, more than just safety. This was something a friend of Gail's said she would pray for. Definitely gives more breadth than just safety. What I specifically was asking God was to prepare my heart to have a good attitude through the trip. The flight we took was in 2 legs, first to Minneapolis then to Seattle. The first flight went pretty well. Riley and Elijah played well and kept themselves occupied. Isaac slept. But when we got off at Minneapolis, I could feel my own attitude really taking a hit. Got upset with the boys for arguing about what food they got for dinner. Getting anxious about getting on the plane. Then speaking rather harshly to Isaac on the plane for wanting to sit in a different seat after we buckled in. God had to remind me that I was losing it. Thanks be to God that He helped to right me.

When we got to Seattle, another problem happened. The airline didn't put our bags on the plane. Actually they didn't put a lot of people's bags on the plane. And the poor person at the counter was just filling in for the night, and she had never worked the lost luggage desk before. Bad timing for her, with at least 15 angry passengers in line. I am grateful that God had already worked on my attitude earlier. Someone made a comment about her, and I was able to say, "It's not her fault that our luggage was lost." I'd like to think that helped the situation some. God only knows. We did get our luggage the next day. Thank God for clean underwear!

Anyways, loving the food here. We've been to Blue Ginger for Korean food (duhk mandoo gook) and Mexican and Homestyle for congee and noodles. Tonight is the boys first baseball game.