Seattle Wrap-up

Pastor Jesse Parker, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

Midday on Sunday saw the final segment of the 35th anniversary services for the Kerns, and, as had been the pattern, it was an exceptional event. With their beautiful voices, both Pam and Harold sang solo parts during the music offered by the church choir.

Three speakers had been chosen for the concluding service. Pastor Mansfield spoke first, followed by my Jerry, and then by Pastor Jesse Parker of La Grande, Oregon, who brought the concluding message. It was a beautiful and powerful service. (I will be writing later on my devotional blog concerning another moving portion of that service.)

Then it was off for one last celebratory meal at Pogacha’s in Issaquah, and one last picture of some ministers and their wives.

The couple on the far left is Wendell and Pat Myers, friends of long-standing. Jerry and I first met them in Bible school in Tulsa when I had just turned 17. This couple has pioneered churches in both California and Washington and are now retired. Although she is 84 and he is 80, when you are around them, you could never imagine it. Look at them. They’re the epitome of vigor and good health. We stayed in their home from Thursday to Monday, when they took us to the Seattle airport…and we flew away home.

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(The couple on the far right is Pastor and Mrs. Jim Swank of Springfield, Oregon. Think you’ve met everyone else.)

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My devotional blog is here.

Seattle Trip News

DSC_0098, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

We had a great time at the 35th church anniversary of our friends, Harold and Pam Kern who pastor in Bellevue, Washington. We jostled with friends from days before, and were introduced to people who now are our new friends.

On Thursday just before noon, while the men were out and about doing their own things, Pam and I drove to the airport where Kay Singleton, on her way to speak at a conference in Montona, had an eight-hour layover. We lunched and shopped and spent the rest of the afternoon at Pam’s lovely home talking, napping…and snacking. At 6:00 we dropped off Kay at the airport, then went to the church for the first night service.

Sam Emory was the preacher on Thursday and Friday nights. In wide demand, he is both a great minister and a wonderful musician–sings, plays and talks in a dynamic way unique to him. He pastors a thriving church in Merced, Ca. Love Sam Emory and his beautiful wife. (Unfortunately, she was not able to be in Seattle. Missed her.)

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In Seattle we ate. A special meal was served after every service. We ate. Jerry ate more.

Jerry’s favorite place to eat was Brank’s BBQ. He and Wendell ate there on

Wednesday and Thursday. The owner poses with them here.

On Friday, all the ministers went to the Kern’s house for a catered lunch–from Branks! Jerry was happy!

Spring in Seattle

Spring Trees in Seattle (Kirkland), originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

As we prepared to land in Seattle on Tuesday at just past noon, one of the attendants announced, “Welcome to Seattle. At the moment, it is 39 degrees.”

Thirty-nine degrees? Hey, it’s noon. You’ve got to be kidding. Nope, they weren’t kidding, but I was prepared. Before leaving Lake Havasu (where it probably is 80 degrees today) I had checked the forecast for weather in Seattle, and expected it to be chilly and raining and since I’m on the cold-natured side, I had brought a long wool coat.

But look! All over town are spectacular trees including these flowering Japanese Cherry trees. We drove around a little yesterday and stopped once in the town of Kirkland to look across Lake Washington to the skyline of Seattle.

Growing along the sidewalk near here is this striking yellow plant. Harold and I looked closely–but neither one of could identify it.

In front of the Kern’s church in Bellevue grows this specimen plant, whose name I believe is Pieras Japonica.

Notes Along a Busy Road

West Coast April Snow, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, “WOW what a RIDE!”

On Sunday after church we drove to Crestline, spent Monday running some errands, doing laundry and packing. This morning in Ontario we boarded a plane and flew to Seattle, where we will visit with friends and help Harold and Pam Kern celebrate their 35th church anniversary.

The flight was smooth and beautiful. Somewhere along the way we passed this area of snow-covered mountains, and of this spectacular peak I snapped a picture.

After we had claimed our baggage and waited a few minutes at curbside, the Kern’s pulled up, we loaded in our things, and off we went to lunch at Bahama Breeze. a neat, tropical looking restaurant featuring food typical of the Caribbean. Great place. Great food.

Our children sometime express caring concern because of the busy lives Jerry and I live. I thought of them and of our calendars, when in the Skymall magazine on our flight today I read the paragraph with which I opened this post. Nifty, huh.

Not long after we had arrived at the home of the Kerns, had been shown to our bedroom, and had hung our clothes, I came into the living room and was met with this sight. Zzzs filled the air.

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My devotional blog is here.