Better Late......

After all his hard work, planning his brothers party, it was finally reciprocated.  Tristan planned an X-Box birthday party for Gavin.  They were synced up and gaming together on three different TVs.  Gone are the days where kids just show up to your house and hang out.  Now, they come to your house with additional TVs and extra game systems.  Pretty funny.

On his real birthday, he requested a red velvet cake.  We all enjoyed it very much!!

Pretty crazy what a few long and unruly curls will do for you not to mention the feed back he gets if we "trim" him up a bit.

If you know this guy at all, then you know he has a heart for God and for people.  He is always thinking of the other person and how he can bless them.  He has a glint in his eyes that makes you wonder what he is thinking, and don't even get me started about the amazing blue color.  He has an incredible sense of humor.   He is always coming up with the most hilarious things.  Having him in our family is a joy and a breath of fresh air.  He can bring contemplation and levity at the same time. He is yet another gift of Almighty God.

Who is He to You?

As I move slowly but steadily onward this week, I am reminded that "He is my hiding place; he will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  He will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go; he will counsel and watch over me." Psalm 32: 7,8   Ahhh, songs of deliverance.  I can't begin to count the times I have been in prayer when the Lord brings a song to my mind.  I'm sure you've experienced the same thing.  I love that our Lord tenderly reminds us of his presence through music. There is a passionate connection when we worship our El Roi, our loving God who sees exactly where we are at all times and knows the intimate details of our heart. This vulnerability of my heart before the Lord allows me to change my focus from why, how, and when to who.  Who is my hiding place? Who is my provider?  Who is my help? Who is my morning song? Who is my everything?  Who is my salvation?  Who is my El Shaddai, my Lord Almighty.  There and countless songs that remind me of who God is in my life and for this I rejoice. 

There are ministering angels in our lives disguised as friends.  I am blessed to have many.  This week a very special friend encouraged me with a verse that has been very meaningful to her.  I hope you are blessed by it as well.  It is a little treasure tucked into the end of Habakkuk.  

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.  

I am happy to report back on several of the prayer requests from last week with positive answers. 

Baby Ella is doing much better this week.  After several uncertain days and unexpected delays, her PICC line was taken out today and they are getting ready to come home.  Thank you Lord for your mighty healing work in this little one's life and for holding the family in the palm of your hand.  Lord we ask you to go above and beyond for this family and abundantly provide financially for them to cover the lost work time. 

Mark got an extension to his unemployment.  Thank you Jesus.  We have two weeks where we will only get half to pay back a weeks payment for the time we were gone but we can live with that.  We are still earnestly seeking the Lord for provision of a job.

The team that went to Joplin arrived home safely and three days early.  They had a very good, productive trip.  They got to meet some of the people who's houses they were helping to clean up and sort through.  Some of the stories from this disaster are both heartbreaking and nothing short of pure miracles at the same time. It reminds me of so many other stories we have heard over the past year or so from Haiti and Japan.  Continue to pray for these people who have lost everything and are starting over.  They are no where near the end of the clean up and the volunteers are decreasing.   Like the Haitians and the Japanese, these people desperately need our prayers. 

The tumor was successfully removed from the brain of baby Reese. She has since had another operation having to do with the shunt in her brain. It wasn't draining properly.  She will continue to be at Children's for the next 6 months for intensive chemo.   Please continue to keep this family and precious little one in your prayers as they face a long, hard road to recovery. 

The next precious little one was due to arrive last week but after having an amnio, they determined that her lungs were not quite ready.  Three older siblings anxiously await tomorrows anticipated arrival. Not to mention mom and dad.   Lord we ask you to be with the Dr.'s as they deliver little Gracie.  Give them wisdom and strength.  Bless the family as they increase tomorrow and keep your mighty hand upon them all.

The move for Theresa and Roy went better than expected which is always a good way to have a move turn out.  They were able to get some what situated and make the rooms feel like home for themselves and the boys.  It is a great house in a nice neighborhood with a perfect yard for two boys to play and grow in.

I continue to press in and press on.  I am grateful this week that I may have discovered one culprit to the stomach issue that is controllable.  We control the ones we can and let go the ones we can't.

He Leads Me Beside Still Waters.

I have recently become acutely aware that at some point in my walk through the valley, while slogging along, dragging my feet from one sludge pot to the next, all the while looking up from whence cometh my help, I had come to a grinding halt.  Not only had I ceased moving forward, it became painfully clear that I have built a little shack with walls of discouragement, a roof of despondence, all held together with self-pity.  I even planted seeds of hope, only to find I was lacking the focus to water them properly with faith.  Oh, I had managed to slog past anxiety and fear thinking they were the biggest, darkest trees in this valley, but had come to a screeching halt in the mud bog of doubt.  I have become aware that I am stagnant in my fight to get out of this valley.  I must admit, I have been wallowing.   Wallowing with intent to press in, but wallowing none the less.

I finally had enough of myself and took a little walk to my prayer closet and threw a little hissy fit at God.  Funny thing is I felt like God was saying "It's about time you release this junk to me.  I wish you would've given it to me weeks ago.  Are you ready to walk in freedom again?"  

Oh how the freedom immediately washes over us when we lay the things that hinder down at the cross.  We weren't meant to shoulder burdens that were already paid for.  We were called to confess them, be forgiven, and abide in his perfect rest.  Sometimes the loving discipline of the rod and staff are truly a  welcomed comfort.
Psalm 23 we can probably all recite it.  These last two weeks I have really been meditating on this chapter.  One thing that has brought me comfort that I haven't noticed before is verse two.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want: He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.   He is purposing to give us rest.  It doesn't say he encourages us to lie down in green pastures, it says he makes us lie down in green pastures and he leads me beside still waters.  and He restores my soul.  He is the one acting on my behalf, I am simply the receiver.  He is so good to his children. 


Prayer Requests

Tuesday, a 9 month old baby girl named Reese, had a brain surgery to remove what they thought to be two tumors.  Once into the surgery, they discovered it was one big one wrapped around her brain and brain stem.  They said the surgery was successful but little Reese will have to stay in Seattle at Children's for an intensive 6 months of chemo.  The family is from Bellingham.  Let's join in continued prayer for recovery and strength for the little one, and endurance and peace for the mom and dad.  The are believers so are leaning on the Lord for their strength. 

Another little punkin, 18 month old Ella, from my church is recovering tonight from an emergency procedure in her throat.  After days of an unexplained fever, they discovered a 3 inch abscess in her throat.  She is recovering at Children's as well.  Pray for strength and peace for mom and especially dad.  He is really having a hard time watching this.  

A friend of Mark's, Chris, is in the hospital and they thought it was an appendicitis but it isn't.  Lord please give the doctors wisdom as the observe him looking for the problem. Allow it to be something that can be quickly remedied.

Our church sent a team of 6 to help out after the storms ravaged Joplin Missouri.  They left to head back home today.  Pray for continued safety for this trip.  Give them renewed energy and allow them some rest and relaxation as they make a stop at Mount Rushmore. Then give them safe travels back to Blaine.

Mark continues to practice his perseverance while waiting on the Lord for a job.  This has been a trying time of waiting and learning to press in and stay pressed in.  We are greeted with yet another opportunity to practice this as we realized that he gets his potential last unemployment check next week.  He may qualify for an extension but we won't know till it runs out.  Lord, meet him where he is. Heal the places that are hurting that only you can see.  Overwhelm his heart with the presence of your Holy Spirit so that he has no other choice than to praise you.

We have four expectant mothers in our church and another friend is expecting.  Pray for continued health for mom and all these precious little lives.  Lord we ask for safe deliveries of healthy babies and quick recovery times for all these mommies.

I would love prayer for strength and endurance as well as health.  I think my body is in a perpetual state of responding to stress that I am continually trying to suppress.  Right now it is showing up in my stomach as ulcers and cramping in my colon. Lovely! 

Praises

Theresa and Roy are moving into a home that the Lord provided for them.  The situation has been in his hands and they are feeling peace about this next step.  I would pray they would continue to rest in the Lord's blessing.

While our family asks for your prayers we also have so much to praise God for.  We are a year into this unemployment season and God has been so faithful and abundantly provided for our family.  We have lacked nothing.  Some months got tight but it has only allowed us to trust him more.  We were even blessed with the opportunity to go to Spokane for a very special wedding and then drive down to Boise for the next few days.  This much needed break allowed us to see a lot of family, some that we haven't seen for a long time.  It was a great time for the kids to see cousins and re-connect.

Of the four expectant mothers in our church, the first one has safely given birth to a little boy earlier today.  Thank you Lord Jesus for little Charlie.

Psalm 23
 The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Your prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Introducing “THIMBLEBERRY GARDEN'S”

After careful consideration and MUCH deliberation, and a little bit of shopping for the newest round of gardens… I stumbled onto this idea and it stuck.  I was pondering all your input (which was great by the way), and Gavin and I were bouncing them all around and trying combinations and then I came up with thimbles and it ended up at Thimbleberry Garden's, so there ya go.   However, since this was a contest and with a contest there has to be a winner, we have selected Stacy Silver to receive the free garden since we absolutely plan to use her incredible ideas. We loved them Stacy!!! Thank you guys so much for all your creative brainstorming.  We now have 15 gardens ready to sell.  Actually, that isn’t entirely true.  We have already sold 2-3 of these and of course Stacy gets one so we are down by 4 gardens and we are just now officially announcing ourselves.  You just gotta love a good garden!  It is therapy in a pot, or a basket, or a tray or.... on a chair?

What's in a Name?

While in Boise recently, we experienced an incredible nursery.  Edwards Nursery is unlike any other that I have ever seen.  I will post pictures of it another time.  One thing that particularly caught my eye was the fairy gardens they had on display.  They were they perfect size for their tiny winged, occupants.  We marveled at their bitty fern covered bistro's, bridges over rocky water ways, and lush grounds.  We left fully inspired to plant. 

Later that afternoon, we discovered that we had been followed.  A bitty occupant had hidden away amongst the few botanical treasures we had procured for our gardens.  We quickly got to work creating a mini garden home for this little one.  Much to our delight, our novice efforts produced quite a lush abode. 

As we began the puzzling task of packing to travel back to Blaine, we found a safe and secure location for this little garden.  We made sure that no foliage would be bent or furniture damaged.  We were successful in our relocation efforts. 

It quickly became apparent that this little establishment had grown very popular and become over occupied, so we set to work constructing new gardens.  We found that coastal fairies had similar needs to those of the more desert like region of Boise, yet they enjoyed a touch of the beach life.  We happily obliged.  The personalities of these bitty gardens are as varied as the occupants themselves.  We have  accommodated gardeners, beach dwellers, the eccentrics with pathways to now where, and bridges over gentle rocky water ways, and even created a fireside respite.  Each seems to be very pleased with their surroundings.  This leaves us with one problem...  a name. 

This is where you all come in.  We are endeavoring to start a small business constructing and selling these gardens but like any good business we need a really good name and we are at an impasse.  We are requesting input from all of you.  I am conducting a contest to come up with a business name for these tiny fairy gardens.  If you are a follower of my blog you may submit your name proposal by posting a comment.  If we select your name or any part of it, you will win a prize.  If you are a local follower, you will have the choice between a small sized fairy garden or a gift card.  If you're an out of town follower, it will be the gift card.  The contest begins today and ends Tuesday, June 21st at noon.  The winner will be posted Wednesday (hopefully). We already have a local nursery that has agreed to consign them, we just need a name and then we can deliver the first 5 gardens.  The only rules for this contest are that you have to be a signed up follower and it has to be in by Tuesday.  You can send in more than one suggestion.  Our decision will be based upon a family forum and deliberation.  We can't wait to hear your suggestions. 

Sunshine Rhubarb Juice Concentrate

I had the very good fortune to barter with the right person this week.  My commodity, an artichoke plant, the recipients commodity, about 35 cups of rhubarb.  At first this was just me saving out a start from the really happy artichoke plant in our yard.  Then he mentioned rhubarb.  Now, I do have my own plants.  They are just about enough to keep my neighbor and myself happy all summer, and during a good year there might be a bit extra for some strawberry rhubarb pie filling or jam.  To get this much at once... what on earth do you do with it all?  One can only eat so many rhubarb muffins before one turns into one.   As many of you know, it kills me to waste anything, especially something from the garden, so I looked in my favorite canning book, Ball "Complete Book of Home Preserving".  I love the creative recipes in this book.  I found this juice concentrate recipe and I just happened to have the oranges and lemons needed.  That isn't always the case but it was this time.  I made a double batch and got 9 pints.  I am told by a fellow canning junkie that this is "the thing" to add to your juice or punches in the summer.  "It gives it a little kick." she says.  I put it over ice and plan on trying it in ice tea and lemonade.  Give it a try.  Pretty easy to make.  I will be lookin for extra rhubarb after trying this one.   

12 C sliced rhubarb (about inch long slices)
4 C water
1 1/2 C sugar
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
grated zest and juice of 1 orange

1. In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine rhubarb and water, lemon zest, and orange zest.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat, cover and boil gently until rhubarb is soft, about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and add lemon juice and orange juice.

2. Transfer to a dampened jelly bag or strainer lined with several layers of cheese cloth set over a deep bowl.  Let drip for at least 2 hours.

3.  Combine rhubarb juice and sugar and bring back to 190 degrees over heat to dissolve sugar. 

4.  Prepare hot water bath canner and lids. 

Process pints for 10 minutes. Then allow them to cool for 5 minutes before pulling them out of the canner.

Great Recipe

 On our recent trip to Spokane and Boise, I had the good fortune to come back with more than just amazing memories... I came back with really great recipes too.  This super easy granola recipe is a breeze to make and tastes great.  Payton has helped me make two batches so far.  We have tried a couple different combinations of add ins too.  This particular one with the mini dark chocolates has been a huge hit.  For a fun thing to make together, grab your little one or just head to the store yourself and get some delicious ingredients and mix up a batch.  

5 C. whole oats (not quick oats)

1/2 C. honey

1/2 C. oil (coconut, olive etc.)

1 C. coconut

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

optional 1/4 c sunflower seeds, or dried fruit, dark chocolate minis, slivered almonds.

Mix all the ingredients well and bake at 350 for 20-25 mins.  We waited till after it was cooked to add in the chips and some of the fruit.  Experiment with it.  Some of the combinations we tried were mango, sunflower seeds, and slivered almonds, and cranberry and almonds, and this last one was slivered almonds, sunflower seeds and the chocolate minis. 

A little tip from my experience is to spray your pan before, and then when it is done baking, let it cool completely.  When we tried to take it off the cookie sheet before it was cooled, it all crumbled and fell apart.  It still tastes great, but you don't have the larger chrunchy pieces for snackin on.   

Recycled Paradise

Most of you that would be reading this have been to our house and have witnessed the "yard art" we used to have gracing our back yard.  Yes, I am referring to the lovely little Shasta trailer.  It was with mixed emotions that we sold it.  Mixed in that Mark wasn't so sure we should sell it, I was fairly sure we should have sold it the summer before.  See, Mixed!  Upon the trailers departure, my mind began to spin with ideas for this new land we had re-acquired.  But as I thought about it, I came up with a completely different idea.  Tristan was taking a drafting and technical drawing class after he expressed an interest in landscape architecture.  This seemed like the perfect test project for him to design.  Gavin liked the idea so much he wanted to take a whack at it as well.  Both boys set out to measure the plot and then transfer the dimensions on to graph paper and create a to scale drawing.  They had a budget of a $100 gift card to Lowes we received for Christmas, and $100 that we put in from the tax return.  The goal was to really stay in budget and still create something cool.   We ended up with two amazing ideas.  So I took a go at it and combined the creations and added a bit of "me" to it. 

Mark's mom was here for the weekend and from the basic fire pit and cobble stone beginnings we had in place, the vision took off.

  

The following pictures are where this project was at after our afternoon of work.  Remember this corner started out completely occupied by the trailer with the fire pit set out in front and no plants around  other than the ones in pots. 

Phase 2 was completed after the trailer was removed and we (Mark) rototilled the whole area up so we could dig a french drain for the fire pit, sink it down half way into the ground, flatten the area around it, and mound it on the out sides. 

Phase 3 was the mad dash to get the bricks in place around the pit in time for Tristan's party.

Phase 4 the day of work bringing the idea to life. 

Phase 5 still to come - the finishing touches.





Gavin took this from on top of the swing set to give the big picture.





White wrought iron chair - $5 from the auction, matching one still out front.



Bridge - free old motor pallet from Mark's old job and the 4x4's on the bridge are left overs from the swing set project. 





Bamboo fountain - Broken mother's day gift from a few years back. Large rocks, left over from the neighbors project, small rocks, left over from my brother-in-laws handyman business. 



The old flower box I have had and the bottom broke out but it is a perfect addition to this corner with old milk jug.



Most of the plants were propogated from others in the yard or old pots that I held over in the greenhouse.  We found three red mums on sale and added a few bulbs.  All of this came in under budget.  I keep finding the perfect little things to tie in out there.  Not sure where it will all end up.   We have decided that we need to add about 50 more bricks to the patio.  It gets pretty hot sittin next to a screamin Mark fire.  I will take some new pictures after we work on it and hopefully get most of it done.  We probably won't be able to swap the strawberry box and the wheel barrow around till after strawberry season.  And then, we'll have to take some in a few months when things really start growing.  We have several things in the green house that we started from seeds that the guys picked for this corner specifically.  The color theme is tropical.  Reds, oranges, yellows, white, and lots of textured greens.  Gavin bought me a sweet black grass for Mother's Day to sneak in there too.  So far, I think the new improved corner is a huge success.  Wait till you see the bridge completed.  The whole thing is very Survivor.  I was given some sweet old cork floats.  They fit in perfectly.  You should really come see it!



The Robin

I have resigned my efforts to rid my territory of this bird. It seems to have no fear... not of my large, life like photo copies of birds of prey hanging in my windows, nor of my loud goofy noises. It doesn't seem to be startled by my sons attempts to shoot at it with full-automatic weapons. It also appears to be a somewhat educated bird or perhaps we are guilty of providing said bird with its' education. Let me explain. If the object of my extreme dislikingness has been hurling itself at the kitchen window in the morning and it observes me there, trying to sneak up with a weapon of some sort or maybe just the camera, the next day it will choose one of the kids bedroom windows instead. If I am caught there, it promptly gives me the tail and heads for the dining room. To give you a sense of the intensity with which it is hurling its' now absurdly bloated body at my windows, the airtight seal of the dining room window is now broken. Now we have a foggy reminder of this fowl visitor.

I do have to confess, I am beginning to actually feel a bit of sympathy for this guy. I think something may be seriously wrong. Why? you ask, have I made this aviary diagnosis? Well, let me tell you, this bird is now the size of a softball. We left our house the other day, only to see it taunting us from the front lawn. I rebuked the bird, yet again, then quickly re-thought my spiritual assault. What if it exploded right there in my front yard? This would be bad. Really, really bad. What would I tell my neighbors? "Sorry about the mess. I've taken up rebuking spiritually wayward animals?" You can see my dilemma.



I am attempting to I coming to terms with this ailing avian, and I have a new home front dilemma that has drawn my attention. I noticed this disruption around Saturday. I was in my room doing... who knows what, when my sensitive nose caught wind of a very distasteful odor. I snooped around a bit. Finding nothing, I absently went about my day.

Easter Sunday, two of my nephews were up celebrating Jesus with us. My sister-in-love put the littlest down for a snooze, in the pak-n-play, in our bedroom. I went to put something in our room and about fell over when my poor nose was accosted by this heinous smell. "Okay, this is not the baby, perhaps the fish tank?" Not likely, but lets hope.

Mark checked it all out to no avail. What in the world? Monday morning the aroma had matriculated beyond our room. Now the odor hung through out the house. I had a bad feeling the robin was somehow involved. Mark, being a bit more level headed, (I know,your shocked at my confession) re-called a similar smell from his childhood days. Poor Mark right? He begins to suspect a dead critter in or under the house. Upon further investigation by my brave husband, he found that he was correct, twice. He lifted the lid for the crawl space and the stench just about took him back to Haiti. What he discovered was two large, dead rats, directly under our bedroom.

While I was away at school with the kids, Mark, being the manly man that he is disposed of deceased rodents, put a fan under the house to get the stink out, and bought a deodorizer for our bedroom. I was so thankful and so grateful... until I went back into the bedroom which now smelled of cat pee?!!? What? I begin sniffing around, on a full blown mission this time. "Are you sure it was only two dead rats? You didn't see the robin laying around down there did you? Did we bring something home in a bag with cat smell on it?"

Enter Mark. "Smells way better in here right?" "It smells like cat pee now." I whine, thinking there is no end in sight to the horrid smells in my bedroom. "Really?" He queries puzzled. "I bought a lavender room deodorizer." "OHHHH! Okay. That explains it." You see, my nose and my brain are at somewhat of an impasse on this fragrance. My brain knows that lavender is supposed to be a soothing aroma, but.... my nose having gotten the message askew from my brain interprets this soothing fragrance as cat pee.

I know, clearly, I still need to see that therapist.

I pray that this Easter you had an encounter with your living and risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Whether you enjoyed this celebration with the gathering of your church body to rejoice in this gift of atonement or sat quietly at home in reflection of his goodness, I hope you were able to pause and allow your emotions to connect with the reality of the cross and the joy of the resurrection.




Requests


My dear friend Kelly called me with an urgent request that may sound slightly familiar. Her 23 year old niece was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. This is the same type Cyrus had. The big difference here is that this young gal is not a believer. We need to cry out to God on her behalf for two things. First and for most, that her heart would be softened to the gentle calling of Jesus and that she would surrender her life to him. Secondly, that he would touch her body with his hand and physically heal her from these tumors. God we pray that you would send just the right people into her life at this time to be speaking into her life. Place nurses, Dr's., and care givers in her path that know and love you.



Theresa and Roy are still experiencing the opportunity to stay pressed into God. They continue to wait on the Lord with regards to their house. They are still in it and either need a buyer or to hear from the bank. Lord we thank you for you provision and for the joy you have brought to their hearts. Would you bless them as they continue to seek your direction for their lives.



Mark continues to be on the trail of the all illusive job. He has had some calls and possibilities with BP and Alcoa. But God saw fit to shut the doors for now on these two. He is doing some side work which has been helpful to his down spirits but, he is really anxious to be employed again. He is going to be checking in on some other options this week. Would you join me in praying that God would allow his peace to wash over Mark and that he would sense the Holy Spirit directing his every step.



Some good friends are in the unexpected process of adoption and the baby may have some health issues. Let us pray for Gods timing, provision, and blessing over this whole process.

Our pastor recently returned from a trip back to Japan to see his ravaged homeland. He and his son, met up with his daughter who lives and works in Tokyo, and they went with some other pastors to see the affected areas. He said to me on more than one occasion that there are no words to really describe what they saw. The total devastation is unimaginable. These people have nothing but a strong will to survive and re-cover. Let us keep this nation and her people in our prayers as they begin the long, expensive, time consuming, and very overwhelming process of re-building their homes, cities and lives. On a positive side, they are getting a lot of assistance from neighboring countries.



I was just put in contact with a mom who's son was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. They are just learning how to care for and manage this crazy illness. I would ask for opportunities for both Tristan and I to be an encouragement to this family as they begin this process together.

Psalm 37:3-6
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

SURPRISE

Mission: To Surprise Tristan

Accomplices: Bridget, Matt, Justin, Gavin, Terin and Payton

Tristan's birthday falls during spring break which makes it very hard to try and plan something with your friends cause if your like Christian you have a sweet cabin calling your name, or Shane and Alex, it's just one more concert in the line up. So, I made a few phone calls, found a night where it was going to work for surprisingly more than the 30 people we invited, and it was a go.

Justin did some strategic re-arranging of the guys Friday afternoon bible study and moved it to Thursday. Matt jumped at the opportunity to play the sneaky guy. He invited Tristan over to hang out Thursday night and took him shooting Friday for a superb distraction. This left Friday wide open for the home team, plus one super creative, and very helpful instigator, AKA Bridget, to get things done. How Bridget still had energy after staying up late making that cool poster for Tristan, complete with his name in air soft pellets, I don't know. What a cool gift. She and I managed to pull together a scavenger hunt with literally moments to spare. We were still placing the clues as people were arriving.

We worked frantically on the new patio out back, hoping to have a bonfire at the party. With the incredible help of Payton and Terin, this was accomplished. But I think the most excited and definitely the most helpful participant in the grand scheme, who's picture you will not see because he was taking the pictures, was Gavin. He blessed my socks off with his genuine enthusiasm to work hard to bless his brother. You have never seen a gift more sweetly given. He could hardly contain his anxious anticipation for Friday to finally get here. This was by far the best birthday gift I received this year.

Luc's team mangaged to win the scavenger hunt even though they had extra back packs to carry along.

Thanks everyone for helping out and making this such a great suprise for Tristan.