Category Archives: Events

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Our middle son, Daniel, is heading off to college in just a few short days. We’ve been busy this summer, and we realized that we had never thrown him a graduation party, back in June when all the ‘trendy’ and ‘together’ people throw parties.

We are so thankful to all those who contributed to the party!

We are so thankful to all those who contributed to the party!

So Kathy kicked into full-bore party mode. She gathered decorations, made dozens of hand-crafted desserts and hornswoggled many of her friends into bringing chips and salads. In spite of my natural resistance to such things, even I was sucked in, spending hours selecting photos of Daniel to print and display.

Sage advice from Lloyd.

Sage advice from Lloyd.

We rented a small picnic shelter at a nearby park, and Kathy’s girlfriends rallied around her to help with the last-minute sandwich assembly and cooking. They made three large dishes of Macaroni and Cheese (Daniel’s favorite comfort food) and headed over to set up at the park.

These girls can stand the heat, so they stayed in the kitchen.

These girls can stand the heat, so they stayed in the kitchen.

The party was a triumph. Nearly 80 of our close friends attended, many of them writing blessings to Daniel and promising to pray for him this semester. Daniel graciously stood around and talked with his guests in spite of the lure of frisbee-throwing kids all around.

Even standing on my tip-toes, I'm STILL shorter than Daniel.

Even standing on my tip-toes, I’m STILL shorter than Daniel.

Unfortunately, several of Daniel’s close male friends were unable to attend the party, being out of town (or in some cases, out of the country). Still, Daniel was able to make do.

These girls brought a lot of life to the party.

These girls brought a lot of life to the party.

When I felt we had reached critical mass, I asked several of the guests to pray for Daniel. When it was my turn to pray, I found myself choked-up, deeply grateful for all those who love Daniel, have invested in him over the years, and who came to celebrate and wish him well. Truly we are blessed in this town, for our family to be so well-loved.

Round up the usual suspects ...

Round up the usual suspects …

On Saturday, Daniel and I will drive down to Calvary Chapel Bible College for his first semester. I am very eager and excited to see what possibilities God opens up for him.

Tyler and Tricia, signing Daniel's Dr. Seuss book.

Tyler and Tricia, signing Daniel’s Dr. Seuss book.

Project 365, Day 229
Tim

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Late Birthday Party

Sarah and I celebrated our birthdays in Texas this year. When we got home, some friends surprised me with a beautiful birthday lunch. Poor Sarah, her friends can’t drive, don’t have jobs or access to shopping malls, which means she has to plan her own birthday party.

With Family Camp coming, Joshua and Kelsie’s visit next week, and the return of Rachel, Joshua and Kelsie to college, not to mention Daniel’s graduation party in the immediate future, Sarah knew she had to act quickly.

Cue last minute Sleepover Party.

Sweet Birthday Girls

Sweet Birthday Girls

And when I say Sleepover, I mean the girls will SLEEP when the party is OVER! Yes, they stayed up the entire night. They watched a movie, played cards, baked cupcakes with homemade frosting, sat outside to stargaze, opened presents, drank soda, ate pizza, painted their nails and giggled until dawn.

In the morning Tim gave them all his 30 Second Dad Lecture. This is a condensed version:

“Go home. Be cheerful in front of your parents. Fake it if necessary. Prop your eye lids open with tooth picks. When they’re not looking, sneak off for a nap. Do whatever you can to make sure you’re on best behavior. If it all goes well, we’ll get to party again.”

Sarah is 13!!!!

Sarah is 13!!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!

Project 365 – Day 212 (July 31)
Kathy

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Another Dave & Rach Adventure – (Previously Titled, Kayak Day)

Today David and I decided to go on an adventure.

As best friends, David and I try to spend as much time together as we can. Or at least when both our schedules allow. (As a former yogurteer/barista and landscaper, we are in high demand.) It was a beautiful day, so David and I thought we should do something outside. After deliberation and consideration, we borrowed a friend’s kayaks and headed for the ocean.

My Right Hand Man

My Right Hand Man

We had a blast accidentally ramming each other, racing, admiring Washington’s beauty, and talking about life.

Siblings that paddle together stay together

Siblings that paddle together stay together

We also took turns taking cool photos.

RachelKayak2

An example of a cool photo.

An example of a cool photo.

Off he goes

Off he goes

Many thanks to Shari who not only loaned us her kayaks and her car, but also taught and helped us to correctly load them so we wouldn’t crash. Thanks Shari! You’re the best. :)

xoxo,
Rach

Project 365 – Day 210

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Home Again Birthday

Let’s face it, there is nothing quite like being home for your birthday. Celebrating a birthday at Fort Clark, TX, is all well and good, but there is just something about being home, especially when you have sweet friends who decorate for you!

The birthday celebration rages on, for these two girls.

The birthday celebration rages on, for these two girls.

Ah, it feels good to be home.

Project 365, Day 199
Tim

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Transience

We spent the afternoon on Anderson Island, with some dear friends who hosted what seemed like our entire church body in their home and yard. People kayaked, cooked (and devoured) mussels, played games, enjoyed delicious food and soaked in the uncharacteristic heat of Independence Day.

This evening we watched the fireworks from another friends’ deck — they have a perfect view of the entire show, and we loved that we could avoid the traffic of Steilacoom (it seems like the whole world drives there to see the fireworks).

I was struck by the beauty of each of the shells that were launched into the sky, and it made me think about their design. Someone sat down and calculated the proper amount of color and explosive and launching distance, to create a design that is expended in a few seconds, never to appear again.

A flash in the sky

A flash in the sky, like a flash in the pan?

It made me think about the transient nature of my life, and how (at least from an eternal perspective) my years on this planet are not unlike these fireworks, that burn brightly for a few seconds, and then are gone, perhaps not even to be remembered among the flurry of others. I think it would make me despair, if I didn’t know that there is One who measures my days and who records the good things I do, to be considered on the day when the books are opened and we are judged for what we have done in the body.

Project 365, Day 185
Tim

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