Prayer for our pastor (part 2)

I hardly have words for how heavy my heart is over the health of Pastor Matt. I ask that you read this update and continue to lift him in prayer, his health, spirit, his wife, his kids, the church, his friends and his family.

On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Today (Thursday the 17th) Pastor Matt is meeting with several doctors for several options. Please pray for wisdom and for clarity on the path in which they are lead to take for future treatment.

Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. ~Psalm 139:16

Things going on...

Here is a quick snapshot of the happenings in our world over the last week or so...

The girls had a winter concert for their school.

Syrah's class performing one of the many songs....

Sadie's class preforming... much harder to capture on video (we were pretty far away from where they were and I will spare you the zooming in and out and many heads that pop in and out of the picture).

We celebrated Billy's birthday. Sadie is to the age where she has been creating gifts for loved ones all on her own... she was very excited to give her gift to daddy!

Some dear friends gave Billy a gift card to go to dinner, so we all went to PF Chang's - the girls LOVED it and it was a fun night together! What a treat!!

The cold weather never agrees with Sadie's hands. Each year she gets chapped from the cold and this year it seems to have gotten a little out of control!


Saturday we were able to make it to see Samuel's piano recital. He did an awesome job and it was a really fun to see him. He is an amazing pianist. Here he is with his mama!

Sadie has been super busy creating some holiday gifts. This is a big year for her... sewing gifts all on her own!


Each night the girls read from the new advent calendar we got from our friends in Medford, the Laws.

This is what the advent looks like; each day is a piece of the story leading to Jesus birth.

The story's are intended to hang on your tree, but we just haven't had the room, so we have been placing the read stories on the mantel with our nativities.


Sunday was Jingle Bell 2009; you can see more pictures at Sadie's site!


After Jingle Bell the girls always ride the carousel with their cousin Carissa (not sure how she isn't in this shot!).

After the carousel we meet up with my dad and Kelly who were down town doing some shopping. We had a good lunch with them and then we headed on the westlake balcony to see a view of the Christmas tree and the streets below!

We ran down to get a cup of hot cocoa. This picture makes me smile... my girls were goofing around with each other and making each other laugh. Love those moments.

On our way out of the city we decided to add in one last treat and that was a trip back and fourth on the monorail. It has been years since we have been on there (I don't think Syrah even remembers). The girls were able to sit in the very front seat. It was a great way to end the morning!

In all of Sadie's sewing projects she surprised her sister by making this special little pouch for her animal!

Happy Birthday Billy

Happy Birthday!!!

I feel so blessed to celebrate you each year! Thank you for grabbing hold of my heart and for loving me through all! Your patience, care, grace and love are bigger than life and I thank you for guiding our family and leading our home! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and you know how loved you are each day!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

JINGLE BELL 2009
Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk

A day downtown...

Last Saturday we got to spend part of the day in downtown. The arthritis foundation was given some passes for a viewing of the movie Princess and the Frog before it opens later this week and we were grateful that they shared some of those passes with our family.

The girls didn't know what we were doing until we were searching for a parking spot. They were excited. It is a huge treat to go see a movie and one that isn't out yet was a treat too!

After the movie we went to the Sheraton Hotel to view the Gingerbread Village. These always amaze me and this year through the link above you can get a view into how they are created (clue... it takes patience!)


One of our family favorites was the Snoopy House! There is SO much detail and creativity into each one of these!

Family shot at the Gingerbread Village

One of my favorites was the Polar Express train mountain... inside the mountain was entire views from the movie!

Just had to show a close up of the snow man making a friend!

Downtown has TONS of these Nutcrackers and we captured many fun shots, but Syrah really liked this one and though of her friend Micah who enjoys collecting and viewing Nutcrackers!

It sure was a fun day downtown!

Prayers for our pastor...

Although our family are members of a local body of believers in which we feel extremely blessed to have been lead to by God we have another pastor we call ours. His name is Matt Chandler and he unknowingly Shepherded myself during the transition from our last church to the place where are now and continues to minister to me today.

Pastor Matt has an amazing gift from God of speaking God’s truth without any bend by the world. A gift of speaking God’s truth that grabs hold of your heart and truly helped me understand the size and magnitude of His love for each of us. A gift that helped me understand the weight of the responsibility to listen to God's calling in life and to be obedient to Him as He molds and refines.

Pastor Matt is facing a trail that could use our prayers - he has a mass in the front lobe of his brain that will be surgically removed Friday. Please pray for him and his family as they cling to the knowledge that God can use all things for his glory regardless of our understanding. I personally feel a loss for words. Please pray as there are many avenues that need to be prayed around... pray where God leads you!





http://northway.thevillagechurch.net/

Starting the season...