Life is GOOD!

My husband and I just spent the most wonderful weekend in Spokane, WA with my sister and her family - which includes my adorable niece, Carolyn (6 years old,) and my handsome nephews, Ryan (9 years old,) and Patrick (almost 2.) Of course, there was the annual trip to Chuck E. Cheese (pizza and kid's arcade - for those not fortunate enough to have had the experience!) swimming at the hotel, and - for the grown ups - "Chicago" at the Spokane Opera House. My good friend and Gonzaga University student, Stacy, babysat for us and we had a blast.

Sunday was spent enjoying the beautiful fall weather at Riverfront Park. Activities galore, including the Shriner Duck Race, clowns, balloon animals, music, trains, playgrounds, ducks, popcorn, dinner out, and - finally - our sad goodbyes, as Mike and I headed back home to Yakima, WA and my sister's family back home to Missoula, MT.

I have such a good time with those "little Missouligans" as I call them. But this visit was a little melancholy for me. You see, my own "baby" turned 20 yesterday. Now it isn't so much that I can't believe she is 20 ... it's just that I can't believe I'm NOT! However, I will continue to take my comfort from God's promises in Isaiah 46:4 ... "Even in your old age I am the same, even when your hair is gray I will carry you."

Now how is that for comfort?!

Tragedy Remembered

Today is September 11th ... another "day that will live in infamy." As we remember today all those who lost their lives five years ago in the terrorist attacks on our country, I can't help but remember my own thoughts driving to work that horrific morning.

I had been watching the news, as was most of the nation, and the time had come to turn off the television and head to work. My commute is about 20 minutes into the country - a lovely and relaxing drive - but that morning, with the terrifiying scenes of the attacks fresh in my memory, I couldn't help but think, "How can my world, here on the road to Cowiche, look so fresh and clean - so peaceful and hopeful - when the scene across the continent is so ... unspeakable?"

Today, after again watching the news and reading the papers, I see the same peace and hope of my morning commute in the thoughts and reflections of those most closely touched by the events of five years ago. And I am encouraged that, while lives and loves were lost, people's hearts continue to be filled with compassion.

So I leave you today with these words from St. Paul: "Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? ... Yet in all this, we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us. For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither present nor future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)