Forty Eight Wonderful Hours

Four months ago, Claire and I were here at Laurelwood Baptist in Vancouver, Washington, the church that first commissioned me into missions 34 years ago.

Today we were back, but with Dave, Tyler, Lara, Judah and Asher too!

All those years ago I sure never thought about a day when I might be sitting here next to my grandson for a worship service. 😉

While we were all in the main service, Claire was over in kid's church next door, sharing with them about her upcoming ministry to the JV Kids. They were super responsive and she had a great time with them!

This church gave me one of the deepest, richest and longest friendships of my life. How special to have Michelle here this morning too. Her dad was the pastor at the church all those years ago, and he and his wife too came to be here at Laurelwood with us today.

After church, we all headed to my favorite fast food restaurant, Burgerville USA. It's just not a trip to Vancouver without a stop here! How fun to introduce my grandson to this experience.

I was definitely in one of my happy places right here!

What a rich gift to be with all these dear ones for even a short time!

The Watson's have had a profound impact on my life, and still continue to as they bless and minister to me and my family. They mean the world to me.

And no one has taught me more about prayer than Jan. I am deeply indebted to her for not only modeling a life of prayer, but praying diligently for me and my family for so many years now.

"How I love you Jan, and am so thankful for your gift of prayer and faith!"

Before long it was time to say goodbye to everyone. Tyler, Lara and the boys were headed to Salem to meet up with some JV staff who are on home assignment, and then were continuing on down to Eugene to spend a few days with my parents.

Claire too was headed down to Eugene, but with my dear brother who came to pick her up in Portland near the airport before Dave and I flew on to Colorado.

"Mike, Thanks for loving your niece so well by driving two hours each way to get her and return her to Portland!"

It was a short, but oh so sweet 48 hours of love and life in Portland!