Fair Day
What’s better than 4 mommies-to-be enjoying fresh hot scones and a Garth Brooks wannabe on the side stage?? We all had such fun at the Puyallup Fair on opening day this year. Always budget conscious we packed our lunches but still enjoyed all the “must haves” at the fair! We did a lot of walking (always good for exercise!) and a lot of eating (maybe not so good!). We all took turns petting a 2 day old piglet and several amazing dogs at the dog exhibit. We also walked through the pavilions and window shopped. We contemplated putting the ladies on the Extreme Scream but decided that was probably not using much wisdom, haha! While each young lady is taking steps toward becoming more independent and walking through difficult life choices, we can’t ignore the opportunity to also have some fun together!
Family day.
Early in the morning the ladies at New Beginnings awoke to the sound of their cell phone alarms. After a morning stretch and a big yawn they made their way to the kitchen to pack their lunches for our day at Fort Worden. Fort Worden once guarded the nautical entrance to Puget Sound. It is now a state park and has many huge abandoned concrete batteries which were constructed in 1897 (http://www.parks.wa.gov/fortworden/history.aspx). Fort Worden is also close to Discovery Bay, the YWAM base that our family attended in 2009. All of us packed into two mini vans and made the two hour drive to Port Townsend (home to Fort Worden). We all had fun playing on the beach, picnicking and exploring the old batteries. When we finished we headed to YWAM Discovery Bay to watch the School of Performing Arts graduate and perform the dances they were taking to India. We arrived home late in the evening feeling tired but full of joy from the day’s excursion. Our family enjoyed showing the New Beginnings ladies a piece of our lives from DTS. The day trip was a fun way to share life together!
Sundays at New Beginnings….
“If there is anyone else here who feels led to be baptized, please stand up”, Pastor Lance said after baptizing eleven church members who had previously signed up. Rachel and Colleen looked at one another and began to speak quietly. After a moment they both got up and proceeded to the front to be baptized. David and I followed to offer support and were surprised to see that our daughter, Malia had also joined the line of those waiting to be baptized. It was a great day of celebration! Not only did we have the opportunity to pray for Colleen, Rachel and Malia, but to actually baptize them too. All of us had tears streaming down our cheeks and were thrilled to see the work that God had done in these ladies’ lives.
A few Sundays prior to the baptisms, church service was just getting started when Colleen, Charles and Cianna scooted into our row. I waved hello and focused my attention back on worship. However, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a giddy young lady doing a very familiar “happy dance”. I looked over again and saw Colleen waving her left hand….she was wearing a beautiful engagement ring. “Charles proposed to me this morning!” All of us currently living at New Beginnings were sitting together and began hugging Colleen and offering words of congratulations. I am sure that we made quite a scene in the middle of our congregation!
This past Sunday, after a particularly difficult week in the house we were reminded of God’s faithfulness when 4 of our past residents and their babies came to church. All of us combined took up two full rows. We invited them for an impromptu BBQ after church and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company! We also took the opportunity to celebrate David’s birthday. He was particularly touched by Rachel’s card to him which simply stated, “Happy Birthday, you’re the best dad ever”.
We love our Sundays at New Beginnings. It is a day we set aside to attend church together and partake of God’s word as a family. We are so thankful for all of your prayers and financial support. We love serving these young ladies and without your help would be unable to do so. Your partnership is making a difference. Lives are being healed, renewed and restored every day. Thank you!
All for His glory!
