Last week some very generous partners helped us attend a pastors and wives retreat in Cannon Beach, OR, with other ministry leaders from the Northwest. The speakers for the week were a couple from Iowa with a very successful, large church that has planted other churches in the area. As usual, what you see isn’t necessarily what you get: both husband and wife lost their first spouse when they still had little ones at home. We also met a pastor who works full time and preaches at a struggling church. Ten in the congregation on Sunday. And church planters who’s church is planted and thriving who now need a new assignment. And missionaries who live in Western Europe and travel to teach at Bible schools in Romania and Iraq. Also as usual, everyone’s testimony is amazing. It was an answer to prayer too, because I had just told Chris that I would like to attend a marriage conference before we leave for the field. I was envisioning the expensive kind that takes place in stadiums, but God had other plans. This little retreat was just what we needed. Considering I am tied to my baby for the next few months, a big conference is sort of out of the question. God always provides.

Susanna was a doll. She took her naps in the cafeteria and chapel, with bright lights, voices and clapping. She spent most of the time in her carseat in the stroller, and some of the time on me. Lots of people held her and she didn’t seem to care. One night, she slept in the moby through a bonfire on the beach.

On our way down, we were lucky enough to have lunch with the Browns who were visiting the states to take their daughter to college and see some family members. Spending an hour with them was just what we needed to get some motivation to make our phone calls, finish our classes, and get to Spain.