Monday Sabbath

Hi there,

It is Monday. One of my favorite days of the week. Why? Most people can't stand Monday mornings. My schedule is different than most people. There are pros and cons that come with weekly timeline in pastoring people. I love my job as a Family Pastor. It is hard work in almost every sense of the word. One of the biggest blessings is discovering God more and allowing His grace and truth to transform my life. Mondays are my days to set aside for physical rest, spiritual renewal, and solitude.

I love to pray on these days, read my Bible and other books. I journal my thoughts and feelings and that helps me rest too. I need it today! You see for the past 2.5 weeks, I've been working hard and long to prepare our church ministry leaders for fall discipleship ministry. What an emotional and spiritual journey! Last night Pastor Wes, Katrina, Pastor Ryan, and myself spoke about fall discipleship transitions to about 85 church members. The 2.5 weeks of hard work payed off as we boldly painted a picture of single-minded purpose for our Wednesday night's discipleship ministries. I hope all of you can find a one day a week to unplug and spend time with Father God and your love ones nearest you. It is so hard when our days are planned 5-10 weeks in advance. I guess we need to plan down time.

God has been training me to spend down time with Him and Katrina. Now amount of reading or writing or TV can replace my time waiting on Him in solitude. Katrina adds a huge dimenions of health to my life. She loves me for who I am.

So, I'm hanging out at home today. Going to mow that back lawn and I might go for a bike ride and pick up a bike lock and an attached water bottle. Here is a pic of my new ride. I ride to work Tuesday - Friday. Feeling the cool breeze on the way to work at 8:15a.m. is refreshing. It's about a 9min ride over 1.5miles of mostly flat subdivision asphalt.

Grace and Peace, M

Around The House

On July 16 Katrina and I danced in our living room! We were joined by great friends in packing up the dearest Eagles Nest and moving 1.5 miles northwest to our new home (yet to be named) on Duluth Street. It was hot, just below 100'F outside and much warmer in the tin-box U-Haul rental. Like my brother Matu, we were blessed with the oldest U-Haul in the Tri-Cities. It was a 5speed diesel beast from the 1980s. Good thing I clocked 3miles in total distance for the day. Hey, for under $40 bucks you just can't beat it!

I find it hard to write in words how grateful I feel about this new home. Katrina and I often catch ourselves praising God together for this over-the-top gift! One of my favorite parts of the house is the back deck and pergola. Weather permitting, I bring my Bible and journal out back and soak in the morning rays and view the green mature landscape. Oh, and I fight off the pesky squirrels with our automatic airsoft handgun.

Baby Ellie's perfect arrival!

Congrats to my awesome brother Matu and sister Jen on their becoming...parents! Ya! Katrina and I were shocked with joyful news this past Sunday morning. Matu called and left the best voicemail ever: "Jen had baby Ellie this morning before 5am!" I rushed to call Matu back in all my excitement. He answered from Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA. Baby Ellie and Mom were both healthy! She weighs about 6.5lbs and 19 1/2 inches long. She is the cutest little doll this side of the Great Lakes. I say perfect arrival because so many family and friends were able to travel over Labor Day Weekend to celebrate with Matu and Jen. Before we left town on Monday, Katrina and stopped by Matu and Jen's new house to hold Ellie and celebrate with her proud parents again. She seemed so small in that big house. Katrina loved her little wrinkles. What beautiful baby girl. Katrina and I join the rest of the fam and friends in shouting Hallelujah to God in the Highest for His good and precious gift....Ellie Anne Henshaw born with speed 9-2-07

Memorial Day

Marc and I enjoyed this past weekend with dear friends. We all converged on The Dalles, OR and had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. So great, in fact, that it has become the first annual "Memorial Day at The Sady's". We plan to go back! :)

We met up with Sam and Jenna at Sam's parents' place in The Dalles. This place is a wonderful retreat. Sam and Jenna treated us to an extravagent dinner at The Columbia Gorge Hotel (thanks DaddyBob for the gift certificates!). It was so fun to go on a double date with Jenna and her husband. We all dressed up (they left the little one at home with grandma and grandpa) and we feasted for almost 3 hours. What an experience. Felt a little bit like a fish out of water...but it was so fun. I think I most enjoyed the Sorbet with Champagne to "cleanse" our pallets before the main course!

The Sady's home is located in the most beautiful valley in The Dalles. Their home truly is a retreat. Sam, Jenna, Nathan and Marc went for a hike Monday morning (as I slept and tried to get over a blasted cold that hit on Saturday). The weather was beautiful, the food delicious (thanks to Toni!) and the friendships even better. Marc and Sam enjoyed some frisbee golf, while Jenna and I soaked up the sun reading our books and magazines. Ahh...

I am constantly amazed by God's divine plan. He put Jenna and I together as roommates, at Trinity Western University, 11 years ago. We roomed all 4 years together. 7 years after graduating we are still close friends and able to enjoy our friendship and now with our husbands. Oh praise God for His divine nature.

We had a great weekend and came back rejuvenated. What more could you ask for in a 24 hour get-a-way!

On the Hunt for a House

Tomorrow is a BIG day. We are meeting with our dear friend Carol to sign papers to purchase our first home. We truly are blessed as this house has been a gift from God. Carol has been uber generous and we are so grateful.



The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 car garage, master bath, living room, family room with gas fireplace and a backyard (with trees). Finding a house with a backyard and mature trees is a true find when you live in the desert. So we are all the more excited. Praise be to God!



It looks like the move in date will be July 16th. Which also means there will be rooms for friends and family to come and visit. And a nice backyard that is fully landscaped with a deck (did I mention it had trees too?!). Friends (and family)...come visit!!

God of Abundant Blessing

It has taken me a while to get into the Blog scene, but here I am. Or should I say, here we are. Marc has been wanting us to join the world of bloggers but I have held back. Cautious maybe. Tonight I was inspired though. I saw posts from friends in Ontario, Canada and my heart ached for them. I love reading my friends' blogs (who are all over the world) and seeing pictures of their precious little ones.

God of abundant blessing is a fitting title for my first entry. Marc and I have almost been married 11 months. What a fantastic journey we are on. Each day presents itself with new situations and scenarios. We are learning more and more about each other and how we work as a couple. I am blessed to have married the man of my dreams.

We live and work in Richland, Washington. Maybe not a big deal for some...but when you are a Canadian from the East, Richland is a long way from "home". How in the world did I end up living in the desert? Oh that's right...I fell in love. And there is no way I would go back.

Marc is an associate pastor here in Richland and I teach at a public elementary school. Life is full and busy for us. We are in the process of purchasing our first home and are tremendously excited about it. God of abundant blessing!

That's all for now.
K&M