Sweet Friends

2 out of my 3 college roomates have visted us in Seattle in the last couple of weeks...such a Blessing. Erin and Nick Baird had a conference here a couple of weeks ago and we got to meet them during some of their free time for dinner. We had a such a great time with them!! Lesley had a trip planned here with one of her girlfriends and once she learned that we were moving here she extended her trip so we got to spend some sweet time with her all day yesterday. I loved college so much and these two were a HUGE part of my college experience...what fun we had...love them both so very much.

Lesley Roberts




Erin and Nick Baird

Employed.

Starting the week of Labor Day, I will have a (very) part time job with World Concern. Some things needed to happen after our travels this Summer, and a part-time job was one of them. I didn't know even where to look being that this job needed to be mostly at home. The task of finding this sounded impossible...and then this job came up.My job will be a prayer caller. I will call donors and ask how World Concern can pray for them. How awesome is that?!? Awesome in the fact that World Concern actually prays specifically for their donors and Awesome that I get the honor of asking how they can pray.I am so humbled and Amazed how the Lord answers prayer,even in the little things...like finding 12 hours of work a week.

** this pic will definitely not be a fb profile pic;) not the best!

Enjoying the Sights of Seattle

If you look closely under "King Salmon", you can see a fish mid-air

We had some touristy Seattle fun this weekend.We started our Saturday with a picnic by Pike's Place Market. We went to Beecher's Handmade Cheese, ordered delicious mac and cheese and ate it overlooking the water.




After our picnic, we went down into the market. Our favorite spots are the flower aisle and the fish throwers. Such a fun tourist spot that attracts all kinds. Speaking of all kinds, a guy walked by the other day with a mohawk about a foot and a half high...and Ryann exclaimed (a little too loudly), "Look, mommy, he looks like a dinosaur!!" (Yes, Ryann, he did)



We enjoyed our Sunday evening tradition of watching the cruise ships go through the sound on their way to Alaska. It was 61 degrees (sorry, Texas friends), but that did not stop Ryann from getting very wet. She loves playing in the water!

Just the Girls!

Mark embraced his outdoorsy side and has been on a backpacking trip for the last 4 days with the men's ministry of the church we have been visiting. 4 days of absolutely NO communication!! He is on his way home now, and I can't wait to hear about it.

Although Mark was missed terribly, I got to hang out all weekend with this cutie! We had a lot of fun being "just the girls" ( a phrase Ryann used all weekend, so cute)

On Thursday, we met up with Liesel and Moses for some Sonic and playtime, good times were had by all...




Especially love this one of Moses, my kind of guy!

We enjoyed going to Marina Beach Park in Edmonds both Friday and Saturday


Ryann LOVES the Beach, especially collecting "beeeeeauuuutiful treasures"
(aka shells)






Getting ready for Project Runway, Season 47

World Concern-video from Chad

What World Concern is currently doing in Chad. Love it.

Sweet Beats

It's that time again....I can't believe I am doing this to myself again, but Mark, my brother Read,and I are running the Seattle Half-Marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving.Training starts very very soon. Blog World, I need your help....What are your favorite running tunes?!??! Looking for some sweet beats to inspire my tired feet. I have exhausted all of my running playlists and need some more tunes...

Perks of the Pacific Northwest

Moving across the country is hard. Leaving all family and friends is sad. Establishing an everyday "life" routine in a new place is uncomfortable and sometimes downright depressing. Going all day without having contact with anyone that knows you is lonely. BUT....Having an All-powerful, All-knowing, All-present Lord that knows how to specifically comfort all of these feelings is INCREDIBLE. I was having a down day the other day and remembered the song...Count your Blessings one by one...Count your Blessings see what God has done...which led me to write down all the Perks of our move...and there are many more than the 4 listed here. We are truly Blessed.

1.SERVING TOGETHER: In Dallas, Mark and I went in our separate directions as far as weekly ministry was concerned. I was involved at the pregnancy center and Mark was involved with outreach ministries at our church. While it was nice to each serve in ministries we were very passionate about, I often hoped we would someday serve together. Well, we now have our chance.Here are some pictures of us packing Healing kits for Haiti with World Concern...



2. NEW EXPERIENCES: I think Seattle is funky because it has so many activities that are totally regional.A couple of weekends ago, we went to Ballard Locks to watch the Salmon run...very cool.






3.LIESEL!: My dear friend, Liesel,her husband, Jeremy, and her sweet toddler, Moses, live in Vancouver, BC, which is not that far away. Last week, we met at a mid-point Sonic (which was exciting in itself because Seattle has no Sonic..nor Chick fil a for that matter...such a tragegdy)We have not lived this close since high school. What an incredible God-send Liesel is. It is so comforting to have a friend that really loves and knows you just about two hours away

4. The BEACH!: We live about 5 miles from the beach. Granted, it is probably too cold to swim, but we have enjoyed it just the same. So beautiful!