We had a great time.  The weather was very nice.  We were able to walk on the beach two days and both days were very nice, not much wind and sunny.  Can't ask for anything better.

Conference was nice, Russ lead music, which was a little more pressure than just attending, but he did a great job as always.  We had three different worship teams that provided music.  Monday, Briant Chapel, Tuesday, Dilly and Thursday, Sauvie Island.  Wednesday was a combination of Village Missionaries as we celebrated Village Missions's 60th year.  It was bittter-sweet because there will be no conference next year.  Budget cuts.  So, we will see if there is anymore at any time.

Friday we came home and Eric and Pam Bearden came to stay with us for a few days.  Christine and Katie, their two daughters, came also.  It was nice, but a busy weekend.  Sunday was the dedication of the new Sauvie Island Bridge!  Russ got to say a blessing, which is an answer to prayer all in itself.  It was fun to walk across the new bridge, visit with people and to sample some of the wares that people offered. 

Today, we can actually drive across the bridge.  Really nice!  You can see more on KOIN or KATU news links or KGW.  All of them had a story about the bridge.  We also had a graduation party at 4pm, picked up Nathan at work and then went out to dinner.  No wonder I'm exausted. 

In March we celebrated a ton of birthdays, April we went up to Prairie Bible College for one last graduation.  Krissy, our daughter-in-law finished her degree (and so did Lucas).  May found us taking Nathan to his new job at Safeway in Janzen Beach.  Now June.  We have gone to two graduation parties and have at least that many more to go to.  It has been interesting to see how God is leading in each life. 

I've finshed two Bible Studies this spring and now we have a break until fall.  They were both good, but different.  I need the break.  I love doing Bible Studies, but it does take up a lot of time and energy.  So, I'm going to do one on my own for the summer.  The Lord is teaching me to be more open with my life, to share more boldly my faith, but to do so with my mind engaged.  It's hard to do for me. 

I am going to try and blog more this summer.  I often think of things to say, but then the opportunity goes away and I forget.  Life at over 50! 

Welcome to 2008!  Reading in Matthew today, Jesus wants us to have compassion and not sacrifice.  Matthew 9:13  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire compassion and not sacrifice, for I did not come to  call the righteous, but sinners."  Lord, give me more compassion, help me to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.  Talking is easy, living each day for You is much harder.  My prayer for all of you this year.

Our family is now down to Russ, me and Nathan.  Krissy and Lucas are in Ontario visiting her family and have moved back to Three Hills to finish up her schooling, and will graduate in April.  Jeremy and Rhonda are back in Milwaukee, Oregon and will begin rehearsals for the Dinner Theater on the 4th. 

Keep seeking, asking and knocking and God will answer.