Yesterday the entire school I work at celebrated Earth Day by going out and doing service projects in our community. Some walked to a senior center and worked on their grounds, some walked to the Gresham Main City Park and mulched (& other stuff), and I went with a group that went to Butler Creek Park and then worked on the trail from there down toward the Springwater Trail Corridor (one of my favorite destinations to run to from my house). It was a gorgeous day with sunshine and highs in the 60s -- just perfect for our work. The group I was with (we had classrooms of kids from 1st through 5th graders, plus staff members and parents) probably did the hardest actual work and I'm sore today from it. We were asked to remove ivy and holly from the trail area. Both are highly invasive -- and non-native -- species that crowd and choke out other plants. We worked hard and pulled and cut and chopped lots of plants and created piles and piles of stuff along about a mile-long section of the trail. The last half-hour or so, we moved down near Binford Lake and tackled a thick band of blackberries that have taken over the west bank. From that work I got lots of pokes and scratches, even through my sweatshirt and leather gloves. I was proud of how hard our kids (& adults) worked! (Note to Texas friends: Earth Day is a MUCH bigger deal here in Oregon!)
Last night, we went to hear Enterpraise (www.enterpraise.com, but this is mostly a placeholder right now) do a "practice program" at the Metro Church of Christ. They are heading down to Pepperdine this coming week to sing at the Lectures there. Lani's sister, Shauna, sings with them and had invited us to attend. It was great to see and hear them all (and sing along in worship too).
Tonight Hannah goes to the prom. So we've been hearing about and her life has been focused around this for most of the last week or so.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Easter!!!
He is risen! Hallelujah!
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday and remembered what a hope we have because of Jesus' resurrection!
Lani commented this afternoon that this was a busy day (we had eight other people join us for Easter dinner), but not nearly as busy as the last thirteen or fourteen years (or is it more?) when I've led Easter worship services. True. But I kind of miss it. OK, at times I really miss it. I love the preparation and build up and investing of my energy in celebrating the biggest of God's miracles in Jesus' resurrection. We celebrated in worship at Abundant Life Church here, and there were lots of guests (which is cool, in a genuine, significant way), but it is different for me to not be making choices and be involved in the whole thing.
It was a glorious morning here. I got up early and saw a bright, sunny sky. I decided to take a run and went up a mountainous trail to Butler Creek Park. It was so nice out and there were lots of other people (and dogs! my dog, Molly, was with me) out walking, riding bikes, and running. I greeted most everyone we passed with a cheery "Happy Easter Morning!" and nearly all smiled and returned a similar greeting. I was singing all kinds of Easter songs in my head as I ran and totally enjoying the experience (well, maybe not the huffing and puffing on some of the hills). Back at home, we had cinnamon rolls as a special treat and the kids looked through their Easter baskets as Lani and I got some food prep for our special dinner done in the kitchen.
May you be filled with a full measure of the hope that is ours because of God's victory through Jesus' resurrection!
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday and remembered what a hope we have because of Jesus' resurrection!
Lani commented this afternoon that this was a busy day (we had eight other people join us for Easter dinner), but not nearly as busy as the last thirteen or fourteen years (or is it more?) when I've led Easter worship services. True. But I kind of miss it. OK, at times I really miss it. I love the preparation and build up and investing of my energy in celebrating the biggest of God's miracles in Jesus' resurrection. We celebrated in worship at Abundant Life Church here, and there were lots of guests (which is cool, in a genuine, significant way), but it is different for me to not be making choices and be involved in the whole thing.
It was a glorious morning here. I got up early and saw a bright, sunny sky. I decided to take a run and went up a mountainous trail to Butler Creek Park. It was so nice out and there were lots of other people (and dogs! my dog, Molly, was with me) out walking, riding bikes, and running. I greeted most everyone we passed with a cheery "Happy Easter Morning!" and nearly all smiled and returned a similar greeting. I was singing all kinds of Easter songs in my head as I ran and totally enjoying the experience (well, maybe not the huffing and puffing on some of the hills). Back at home, we had cinnamon rolls as a special treat and the kids looked through their Easter baskets as Lani and I got some food prep for our special dinner done in the kitchen.
May you be filled with a full measure of the hope that is ours because of God's victory through Jesus' resurrection!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Big PHAT Band!
Last night, thanks to my son, Micah, who bought me a ticket, I got to go to a concert of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. Although I'd not heard of them before this (which proves that I'm not really up with the current jazz scene), they were one really hot, tight, talented jazz/big band.
You can check them out at www.bigphatband.com
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