Fashion Update - New hat and glasses

A few weeks ago our good friend Stephen ended up in Terrace. In addition to supporting my new hat and glasses he was also in the area to support the new conservative candidate for our riding. You may notice that he is doing a much better job of looking generally content with having his picture taken with more young conservative party supporters than I am of looking comfortable with the question of "does an eagerness to take my picture with this guy make me look like a conservative party supporter?"

We thought about using our 10 seconds of conversation to applaud him for his decision to apologize for Canada's legacy of residential schools, or to press him about Canadian divestment action in Darfur. In the end we said nothing but an awkward "it's a pleasure to meet you" and then "...it's been a pleasure to meet you". I hope the placement of our almost touching but not quite hands doesn't suggest otherwise.

[amanda's piping up..."do you think we should let our american friends know this guy is the george bush of canada?"]

life happens....while we're busy making other plans....

we're been busy laely trying to make some future plans, but we've also been trying to have some fun & adventure in the now.
here are some summer highlights.

hiking misty sleeping beauty...

...visiting rob & carol on whidbey island, off the coast of washington state...

rob & carol's house, in coupeville complete with an inspiring vegetable garden & movable chicken coop

...a summer day in gasworks park, seattle...





...overgrown sundae in william's lake...

...all dressed up for a kansas city society wedding...

...hastings family reunion...

...the end...

leap

this photograph, taken on our recent visit to whidbey island, seems analogous to our current stage of life.

we are pondering stepping into the unknown...

(an excerpt from a letter i wrote recently to a dear, far away, friend)

...we are continuing to process & plan for the next steps in our lives. terrace is so beautiful & there have been many, many positives to our life here. we've been active-hiking, biking, running & playing on a soccer team -we've had a lot of fun with daniel's parents - & we've continued to deepen our friendship with one another.

but its been a struggle in other ways & we've felt restless.

last week we interviewed with mennonite central committee (MCC) & were accepted for a three year service term. we're now at the stage of looking for a placement & are looking at southeast asia. we feel excited, but also quite nervous about the three year commitment.

we really want to rest in the Lord & trust Him if He opens the doors for us to serve with MCC, but terrace feels so safe & our life here so cozy & the idea of leaving our families & friends for such a long period of time is scary. i'm trying to remember that even if we don't choose the "right" next steps (if there is such a thing) that God will not abandon us, but will be with us, even in the midst of the struggles & challenges & our fears.

...I think He may be asking us for a leap of faith; please pray that we would have the courage to jump...