New York

How can a short period of time bring such favor, value and love? That's how we felt about our "interim" phase (just over a week) at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church. Their welcoming and gracious spirit was a blessing to us. Dennis preached from the book of Joshua (particularly chapters 1 and 5) focusing on the Israelites transition from Moses' leadership to Joshua's. Many shared with us how encouraging and challenging both messages were as they walk through a transitional time in the life of the church.

We were also overwhelmed by the response of many who desire to partner with us in our new role in Europe. One lady who attended the Saturday evening service came back Sunday morning and told me she couldn't sleep that night as she thought about the call on our lives for Europe. Who knows what plans God has in mind with the little "slice" of God's grace we encountered with the staff and people of Eastern Hills? We are grateful!

Within one week we made great connections with Houghton College and six churches/pastors/mission directors in NY and PA to share the vision for Europe. Here again we sensed God's favor as we had only a short period of time to make these contacts.

In the midst of a full week, we took one evening out to revisit a place we briefly passed by 31 years ago on our honeymoon. Traveling back to MI from PA we were passing through Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. With only enough money left for one more night at a hotel we had to give up the $8 parking fee that would have given us extended time to view the falls. So, as we drove in slow moving bumper-to-bumper traffic running parallel to the Niagara River and Falls, Dennis suggested that I get out and walk along the sidewalk so I could see the falls. It was only a minute or so later that I climbed in the driver's seat (while the car was moving in slow motion) so Dennis could view the falls before we headed out of town - a memory we look back on with laughter.

This time though we took our time parking on Goat Island, walking along the rapids to the top of the falls on the American side, then walking across the Rainbow Bridge to view the falls from the Canadian side. All absolutely free! The power and magnitude of the falls is spectacular. I picked my best shots as I tried to capture the falls in all their beauty. This time our evening at Niagara Falls felt more romantic than 31 years ago :).








From NY we enjoyed seeing family in PA, though the time was short. I'll end this post with our sweet little Evee who we are currently visiting in Princeton for a couple days before returning to MI. One of her favorite songs is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Enjoy!

Very Random Thoughts...

A week ago tonight we returned from our time in Europe... just in time for summer! This week has been beautiful and feels just like summer should have felt.  A bit overdue, but I'll take it whenever!

All is quiet here in Grand Haven :). It's amazing the difference after Labor Day. Hardly anyone is on the pier and the Farmer's Market Wednesday morning was so easy to walk through. All the tourists and vacationers went on their merry way, giving the community back to the locals. I actually did a run-walk-run on the boardwalk and pier the other day. My joints weathered well for the almost 3 mile jaunt. Maybe I'll try to take up running... eh, jogging again.

I read this in my yahoo health news this week about foods that will surprise you with high sugar additives. Whoops, that French Vanilla creamer tub I like in my morning coffee may have to go! The average American's intake of sugar additives (like in pop) per day is 22.2 teaspoons!! Check it out for 11 foods that will sneak up on you with sugar content.

Tomorrow Dennis and I are off again. What we thought was going to be a long-term (2-4 months) interim pastor position at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church has now dwindled down to only two weekends. While we were in Europe the church voted and called a new senior pastor who will begin October 1,  the primary goal in this whole process. So we'll be spending weekend to weekend in NY as Dennis steps in to serve in the preaching capacity, catching a few churches/pastors in NY and PA to raise partnerships as well. We'll follow that up with a visit to my folks and family in PA since we're that close (6 hrs is closer than MI) and probably catch Clint and Jamie in Princeton (just a couple hours from my parents) for a few days before heading back to MI.

Oh, and we joined Spring Lake Wesleyan this past Sunday in celebrating 50 years of ministry!

Remember the The Three Big Questions book?  I'm getting ready to write a new rallying cry for myself in finishing out 2009. I'll make work of that tomorrow on the drive to Buffalo. I want to be intentional about growing deeper in my faith, more so, drawing closer to God. I'm not a daily person, but a seasonal person, so I'm thinking through what that will look like for me. I'm drawn to God by reading His Word, journaling, prayer, reading books that stimulate me spiritually (ones that make me think), good teaching... this all plays into my contemplative and intellectual pathways. I want it to be fun, not rigid. Variety will keep it fresh. God is definitely not boring. I'll update you on this as it comes together.

Well, as I said... very random thoughts :). Have a great weekend!!

Evee, Stella and Miles :)

While Dennis and I were finishing up our last week in Europe, the Ussher's, Jackson's, and Morgan's all got together in Seattle (except for Julie who will visit Mike and Joni at the end of Sept.). It was a first to have all the cousins together. It's G'ma brag time... with a few pictures of their time together.

Gemütlichkeit

Don't ask me to pronounce this word, but it is an Austrian concept very evident in the town we chose to plant ourselves for a few days... it means warm, cozy, friendly, with a focus-on-the-moment mindset.

A previously planned, but postponed trip to Russia offered Dennis and I some extra days in Europe. We spent the weekend in Germany with our team serving in Munich and then headed to a little Austrian town east of Salsburg.

Nestled at the foot of Mount Dachstein (9,000 ft.) is the quiet and quaint town of Hallstatt. A small town (1,000 people), fairly remote, with little touristy feel makes this town a perfect spot for Dennis and I to unwind, process, and replenish before our return to the states. After weeks and months of transition, with more to come, we consider these days a gift.

Hallstatt perches on its lakeside ledge between Mount Dachstein and Hallstatt Lake with little room for the houses to go but up. Yesterday we hiked up Dachstein to the salt-mining caves, a major resource in this area for thousands of years. The trail took us past rippling brooks, major waterfalls, and breathtaking views overlooking the lake and it's surrounding area. We watched hang-gliders navigate their way down from one of the highest peaks to grassy fields in the town of Obertraun across the lake from Hallstatt.

Last night we enjoyed a lakeside dinner of weinerschnitzel that was fantastic. Later a yummy dessert of Quark (Cheese) Strudel with warm vanilla sauce hit the spot.

As always, perhaps pictures give a better glimpse into our stay in Hallstatt.

Lutheran church in Hallstatt.

After hiking up to the salt mine area we decided
to take a tour through the mines. They gave
us this special garb for warmth and protection :).
Don't we look cute?

Hallstatt from Mount Dachstein.

Looking across the lake to the town of Obertraun.
Hang gliders take off from the mountain at the top right.
 

The view from our B & B room.

Town center

Steeple to the Catholic church. Note the
hang-glider to the right in the photo.

Any of you who know my maiden name... check out the
"Schloss Grub" located across the lake. Hopefully we'll
take a ferry boat across to see this castle.