Friday, September 08, 2006

Great Adventure

Had a wonderful opportunity to go fishing with my Dad and Christian my 15 year old son...

Sunday after church we took off for Neah Bay the furthest Northwest point of the lower 48. It had changed drastically in the 16 years since I have been there. But the fishing is still some of the best in the world, and the scenery to die for.

The first morning we went out and caught a bunch of bottom fish and were surrounded by Grey Whales spoutting off all around us. Christian asked if I would cook some of the fish when we got back to the RV. I told him I would, but after 11 hours on the boat and another hour and a half of cleaning fish and the boat out I could hardly see straight so I bailed on cooking...

Next morning we headed out (porpoises escorting us, on the bow) to Canadian waters for Halibut fishing. Again Christian asked me if I would cook some of the fish that we were catching. I figured the right thing to do was to say yes, but I gave him a qualification: "If you catch something over 10 pounds I will cook fish. Within two minutes he hooked up with what would eventually be a 67 lb Halibut bleeding all over the boat....that night we shared a meal of some of the best fish any of us had ever tasted.

I made a judgement call to keep Christian out of school for his first two days of High School... His schooling is vital but the education, sights, sounds and relationship building that happened on this trip will be something we will always have as an outstanding memory.

Redeem your time, make the most of every opportunity.

God Bless,

Duane

Friday, September 01, 2006

Orchard's Begins New School Year

So much going on and so little brain power to think about it....

God is awesome! We have our K-5th grades of New Generation Christian School coming back to the Orchard's Campus. They were all there two years ago before they joined us at the Brush Prairie Campus. The Jr High and High School will still be at Brush Prairie.

Our 10 am service is taking off and we have several new families attending that we are very excited about.

We are starting two new classes at 9am on Sunday morning September the 10th:

Rich Brosius will be teaching a bible basics class for four weeks in one of the modulars.

Dan Plotner and Duane Warren will be co teaching a spiritual gifts class in one of the modulars.

Dean Jenks is working to ensure that everyone knows about and is getting involved in Life Groups.

Ginger is training an amazing up-front team of greeters and hospitality folks.

The Carrol's are settleing in as our Worship Leaders.

Several men have approached me and we will be kicking off a monthly mens breakfast in October.

Several individuals have also asked about a united prayer effort, and we will have a prayer room that will be open in one of the modulars every Sunday morning at 9am.

Jr High is moving from Friday evenings at the campus to Wednesday's, except the first Wednesday of each month they will be with the HS and College at the Brush Prairie Campus.

Ecclesia (College Ministry) will continue meeting on Sunday evenings at the Orchard's Campus and then move to the Brush Prairie Campus the first Sunday of October.

Living Hope is looking toward building onto our Brush Prairie Campus, expand to Longview, Portland and perhaps Camas.

The Fishers Landing Team has found a potential permanent location for their satallite campus near Mill Plain and 172nd. Check out their site for further information.

God is blessing and things (as usual) are moving quickly. Things change and we stay flexible, but ultimately it is all for God's glory and He keeps showing up and drawing people to Himself.

Can't think of any place I would rather be.

Know that God loves you,

Pastor Duane