There are moments when life snaps into focus. If we think about it, we'll capture and reflect on them. (Think...our first moments of life in the delivery room, school graduations, weddings, and anniversaries) Those are momentous milestones that should be acknowledged. But other times these moments happen almost by accident and take us by surprise.
Last week, we traveled to Camp Pendleton California to bless our son Matthew, a Marine now deployed to Iraq. Carlene put it this way:
The rain stopped long enough for us to snap this picture. One comment from a fellow
soldier brought some humor to the tearful moment. "Dahlman! Did you bring the whole family tree
here to send you off?" Click. The contrasting weather went along with the roller coaster emotions.
God in His gracious way hand brushed a rainbow
in front of us as we drove down the hills of Camp Pendleton.
My heart is full of joy for the wonderful way the weekend unfolded.
Later that evening, suddenly for me that "life snap moment" happened. When we were about to take our final picture before Matthew boarded the bus, I remembered he insisted we all stand behind him. Just as the Lord stands behind us.....and we stand behind each other.
Scripture is filled with encouragement that we are not alone. There are references to great clouds of witnesses, angelic visitation and support, and the intercession of saints partnering with God to affect time and eternity. Jesus surrounds us with songs of deliverance and promises to never leave or forsake us....and the rainbow, God's note to Self:
Genesis 9:16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
On Monday, February 23rd, Carlene, our daughter Danielle, and myself will leave for Nairobi and Eldorat Kenya. We'll work with various mission groups, churches, and medical clinics where my cousin Bruce and his wife Kate have served for 15 years.
We'd like to invite you to surround us, and send us on this venture. We'll meet for Worship at the River THIS SUNDAY, February 22 at 6PM at our customary Troutdale Community Center location. (Yesssss....after nearly 3 months of not meeting!)
Let's celebrate the sometimes obscure but momentous moments of life, and remember the many who have gone before us, and those who now, stand behind us.
Blessings,
Darrell and Carlene
soldier brought some humor to the tearful moment. "Dahlman! Did you bring the whole family tree
here to send you off?" Click. The contrasting weather went along with the roller coaster emotions.
God in His gracious way hand brushed a rainbow
My heart is full of joy for the wonderful way the weekend unfolded.
Later that evening, suddenly for me that "life snap moment" happened. When we were about to take our final picture before Matthew boarded the bus, I remembered he insisted we all stand behind him. Just as the Lord stands behind us.....and we stand behind each other.
Scripture is filled with encouragement that we are not alone. There are references to great clouds of witnesses, angelic visitation and support, and the intercession of saints partnering with God to affect time and eternity. Jesus surrounds us with songs of deliverance and promises to never leave or forsake us....and the rainbow, God's note to Self:
Genesis 9:16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
On Monday, February 23rd, Carlene, our daughter Danielle, and myself will leave for Nairobi and Eldorat Kenya. We'll work with various mission groups, churches, and medical clinics where my cousin Bruce and his wife Kate have served for 15 years.
We'd like to invite you to surround us, and send us on this venture. We'll meet for Worship at the River THIS SUNDAY, February 22 at 6PM at our customary Troutdale Community Center location. (Yesssss....after nearly 3 months of not meeting!)
Let's celebrate the sometimes obscure but momentous moments of life, and remember the many who have gone before us, and those who now, stand behind us.
Blessings,
Darrell and Carlene
