Home from Moscow

Well, I was able to finish pretty much all the tasks Jen had on her list for me to do... plus a couple of others. As I've mentioned before, the house she and Fok are buying is a neat place with lots of unique character traits dating back to 1938. Here are some exterior shots just to give you a feel for the place. It's really much roomier than it looks due to both a full finished basement and third floor... just lots of stairs. :-)

And... while I'm at it, here's a shot of beautiful Jen and baby Hannah to wrap up this post.

The last few days have blessed me with the opportunity to both be with my brand new grandson, Wesley, and to be with Claire in Moscow (Kaleb is visiting out of town, but I'll get to see him in a couple of weeks.) Anyway, thought I'd share a couple of clips of Wesley... singing tenor in his sleep I think!! In the second clip you can also hear a Chick Filet order coming together. :)

I also want to share this pic of Claire with her brand new "big girl bed" that I put together for her today.

Moving in Moscow

... Idaho that is. I caught a 6:00 a.m. flight to Spokane Monday and am pitching in to help with Jen's and Fok's move to the house they bought. It's just a few blocks from the house they were renting to the one they are buying, but a move is a move, complete with lots of boxes, a healthy amount of disorganization, and some joy and relief as things begin to take shape.

My assignments are mostly things like assembling a cool new platform bed for Claire, putting together a couple of desks, making some cabinet repairs at the old house, and a variety of fix-it things around the new one. However, I have carried my share of boxes as well. :-)

I'll try to post a few pics when I get the chance. For now... it's almost time for dinner, and then we need to do some cleanup at the old house.

First thing in the morning... a trip to the hardware store. :-)

The Price of Fear

What are our fears? What are you afraid of? Those were among the questions Brice asked us today as we looked at how fear of who Jesus was and what he was teaching led some of his day to not only reject him but to kill him. Thank God that he is indeed the Cornerstone for all who believe.

Praise the Lord
We Shall Assemble

Welcome and Family News

We Have Come to Worship Him

Shout Hallelujah

Prayer

Reading: Mark 8:31

Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?

Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-5

In Christ Alone
Communion: Remembering Our Cornerstone

O Sacred Head

Offering

Children’s Sermon & Invitation to Children’s Church

In Christ Alone (reprise)

Sermon

Here Is My Heart

Days of Elijah

Shepherd’s Blessing

The Saga of Wesley, Part 5: Pics

Well, after a wonderful visit with Wesley early this afternoon at the hospital, we drove home. Here are a few of the pics... just to tide you over. :-)

... and finally...

The Saga of Wesley, Part 4

Thank you for your prayers! At 11:45 tonight (Friday) Wesley Stephen Johnson safely made his appearance in this world. At 8 pounds 7 oz, he’s almost grown, and Amber and Jeremy are thrilled. Photos tomorrow!!

The Saga of Wesley, Part 3

Well, it's 9:15, and we hope things are underway. Jeremy texted us that 9:00 was the time to begin pushing.

For your enlightenment and entertainment, here are some shots of the hospital.

The Saga of Wesley, Part 2

Well, it's now 7:45 and things are still progressing in the labor and delivery suite. Amber's body is almost ready to give birth, and we are all looking forward to little Wesley making his appearance. All the grand parents are doing well at this point, and the hospital cafeteria food isn't too bad. :-)

The Saga of Wesley, Part 1

VJ took off work a bit early yesterday (Thursday) and we hopped in the car and headed south, arriving at Alan and Sharon Beard's place around 10:30. They had graciously offered their place for us to stay on our "birth trip," and we gladly accepted their offer. Jeremy and Amber checked into the hospital around 7:30 and settled in for the night.

This morning we got a fairly early start, getting to the hospital around 8:30. Steve and Gail (Amber's folks) and Neisha and Zeke (Amber's sister and son) arrived a bit later, and we settled in as well, receiving occasional text messages from Jeremy as to how things are progressing.

The latest text indicated things are beginning to move along, so we may have a new grandson by supper time. We'll see!!

Los Robles hospital in Thousand Oaks is really nice. Seems really well equipped, but not too big. You can check out their web site here if you want.

More later...

One Small Step...

Forty years since the moon landing. Wow! I remember the excitement of the moment... watching the TV in our living room in Oxnard the summer between my freshman and sophomore years at Harding.

I doubt any of us realized the huge impact the space program, directly or indirectly, would have on developments in computer technology and electronics in the decades to follow. We even have insulation in our house based on the design developed to keep the astronauts from freezing or burning up in space.

I also imagine many of us thought we'd have Mars vacations by now.

And, all our efforts seem to pale when I read "In the beginning..."

Responding to Jesus on His Terms

Today Brice drew a contrast between the way the 12 responded to Jesus and the way the "rich young man" responded to him. The 12 pretty much left their lives and followed him. The young man seemed to be pretty satisfied with his life, look more for confirmation of his spiritual accomplishments than for something more. No matter where we are with Jesus, he loves us... but he wants to grow in our relationship with Him.

Here's a look at the morning:

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
He Leadeth Me

Welcome and Family News

A New Anointing

Prayer

Reading: Matthew 4:18-20

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
My Everything

Here in this Place

Communion: Gathering at the Table of Mercy

Surely the Presence
Have Thine Own Way

Offering

Children’s Sermon & Invitation to Children’s Church
My Everything (reprise)

Sermon

Into the Heart of Jesus

Blessed Be Your Name

Shepherd’s Blessing

And that's the way it is...

When I was a kid I didn't pay a lot of attention to the news, but I remember 3 names: Huntley, Brinkley... and Walter Cronkite. The impression I had of all three of these guys, and especially Cronkite, is that they were giving us the unvarnished news, before the days of "spin."

My two vivid memories of Walter Cronkite but two: his nightly sign-off, and his announcement of JFK's death... that emotion he so obviously felt and did not hide. I don't remember his laughing reaction to the moon landing they've been showing on TV... must have been watching that on NBC or ABC. :-)

People make their marks on us and on society, and they pass on. It seems to me that at least part of the depth and value of the marks they make have to do with the extent to which their character qualities match those of Jesus. What do you think?

Summer Microclimates

Well, we've reached that time n the summer when the Bay Area microclimates are painfully obvious. High pressure has brought us some desert heat, and the on-shore air flow is just strong enough to impact areas close to the water. Sooo... today it's supposed to be 103 here in Antioch, while a mere 40 or so miles away it will be a pleasant 72 in SF.

Oh well... at least it's a dry heat. :-)

Bean Family Visit

Virginia's youngest brother, Larry, his wife, Erinn, their 4 boys (Eric, Scot, Brian and Mark) and their baby girl, Nicole were with us for a few days late in the week. They live near Dallas, but both Larry and Erinn grew up in CA, Larry in Oxnard and Erinn in Walnut Creek. Their California vacation included Disneyland, showing the old home places to their kids, seeing some sights and checking in with family in the area. Sooo... we got to have them at our house a few nights, and it was really good to catch up, see how much their boys have grown, and get to know Nicole. Virginia had seen them all not too long back in Dallas, but it had been a while for me, and I had not met Nicole. We had fun having them here. Here are some pics

Erinn and Nicole... such a cutie!

Brian... always a smile.

Eric... can't believe he's 16... how time flies!

Larry, Mark and Scott enjoying some ice cream with fresh Oxnard strawberries (they brought some up with them).

Mark and Brian show off their sister.

Sunday, A Day of Refreshing

Brice is gone to camp this week, so here's what we did to run parallel to our series about people who were and are touched and changed by Jesus.

Arise and Sing
Hosanna
O Worship the King

Welcome and Family News

Lord, Reign in Me

Prayer

That’s My King (video)

He Is Exalted
Sing to the King

Prayer

The Lord Thy God

Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

My Everything (introduce)

Communion: Remembering the Journey of Jesus

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Are You Amazed? (video)

Offering

Invitation to Children’s Church

My Everything

Ministry Moment

Heart of a Servant

CCIM (update on children's home in India)

Let Us Be You

At the Name of Jesus

Shepherd’s Blessing

Sunday evening about 45 or so of us gather at a local park to just hang out, talk, toss a Frisbee, enjoy the cool air, and watch the kids play and have fun. I think everyone who came went home somewhat refreshed!!

Park City Extra - Song and Dance

Claire loves to sing and dance, and Kaleb will make a great director some day!!

Changed by Jesus

Today Brice continued his series on those who have met and been changed by Jesus. He talked about how the 12 were called and forever changed, and he showed a clip of one of our members talking about how her encounter with the gospel totally changed the direction of her life many years ago. Here's how the service looked.

Step by Step
I Sing Praises

Welcome and Family News

We Will Glorify
Holy Ground Medley

Prayer

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Holy and Anointed One
I Worship You, Almighty God

Reading: Luke 24:28-32

Abide with Me

Communion: At the Table of Jesus

Come, Share the Lord

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Offering

Invitation to Children’s Church (age 3 – 3rd Grade)
I Keep Falling in Love with Him

Ministry Moment

Let Us Be You

Sermon

Here Is My Heart

Step by Step

Sing to the King

Shepherd’s Blessing

Park City #5

Friday was another busy day. Late morning through early afternoon was park time. Here are a few pics.

The sky was simply beautiful most of the week. Virginia and Kaleb had fun finding animals and other shapes in the clouds. What do you see here?

After a hike back to the car, we visited Olympic Park for the second time this week. We forgot our camera the first time. This ski jump area is home for a couple of super zip lines in the summer. On Tuesday Kaleb and I rode the Ultra (as opposed to the longer Extreme) zip line. The Ultra was high enough, long enough and fast enough for me!!

The freestyle ski jumpers practice during the summer by using this pool at the bottom of these runs. Really fun to watch, and we stayed and watched them practice for quite a while.

I'll close with this shot of a couple of people on the Extreme zip line.

Park City #4

We ran across this library that used to be a hospital (Kaleb took this shot). The grounds were well cultivated with a great variety of beautiful flowers... and don't ask me their names. I'm florally challenged.

Kaleb leaning on the flag pole to give some perspective as to how big these blooms are.

Kaleb's favorite.

Never seen a bloom quite like the one below.

Notice the fuzzy green caterpillar enjoying the blossom.

A full bouquet!!

Park City #3

Even though the climate here is pretty dry, there must have been pretty good spring rains, and there are also those afternoon mountain thunderstorms to help things stay green. In our walks with the kids we ran across some interesting wild flowers.

And, we caught this wonderful winged creature just soaking up the sun in the cool breeze.

Park City #2

Well, the internet traffic is light enough for a better connection right now, so time to post a few pics. It's now Wednesday afternoon, and these pics were at a park we hiked to with the kids on Monday. They pretty much speak for themselves. :)