Howdee Hoo

It has been way to long and I apologize. Having a healthy wife is great but she can also wear you out. I have newsletter I have been working on for a few days and hope to get it out this weekend. It will have a more in depth ministry update. Wanted to bring up to speed on Caroline. She went to the US Consulate and was turned down for her student visa because it is so late in the school year. We are pursuing visitors visa now. Please keep praying.

Last Saturday, Faith had her 7th birthday on the beach. The weather was perfect and the day was a huge hit. Many of her friends from school attended the party. Michelle did a great job planning and executing this party. Funny note: after several games, cake, and opening presents, all the children ran with speed to the water, only to discover the water temp to be 58 degrees. It was a quick retreat. The top game of the day was chasing waves as they pulled out the running from the next wall of white water as the next wave approached.

Back during the Christmas break ,I began one of the coolest projects of my life. A good friend who is a Navel meteorologist helped me shape my first surf board. Chuck lived for years in Hawaii and learned the craft of shaping from some of the top shapers on the North Shore. We worked on it a couple hours a week for two months. I must confess that Chuck did most of the work, he just let me get my hands on the foam and get a feel for the technique. The board turned out awesome, it even has the Harbor OB logo on it. I shaped it specifically for the waves at Sunset Cliffs. It is a super fast board and holds a solid line deep in the pocket of the wave and should be a barrel riding machine. (see side column pix)

Uncle Ken by M. Huster

This week my Uncle Ken went home to be with the Lord. This has been a very hard time not being able to say my final good-byes being here in California and my family back east. My dad is one of seven children and my Uncle Ken and Uncle Bill have been the only ones who have moved on from this life. My dad is the baby of the family so I didn't know my grandparents. Thankfully, God meets even our emotional needs. He gave me 6 wonderful Aunts and Uncles including their precious spouses to be my "Grandparents." Another Grandfather has gone home.

Here is a list of some ways he impacted my life....

He always made me feel pretty and told me I was his favorite niece. (really he told all his nieces that.)

He always listened to me talk, even when I was really young when most adults want you to be quiet.

He faithfully came to visit us often even if he only stayed 10 minutes. (He stayed longer as he got older.) Inside family joke!

He loved beautiful cars and taught me to appreciate and love them too.

He taught me how to drive a five speed when I was twelve years old while vacationing in the mountains!

The day of my mom's funeral, he let me drive one of his prized cars...a candy apple red restored Cutlass.

He always had funny stories to tell.

He loved to work crossword puzzles.

I spent every summer at his and Aunt Sue's summer mountain house.

I loved the smell of his pipe.

He loved to take walks.

He taught me how to "properly" wash a car.

He taught me never to buy a car that was an odd color and also never to buy a car where the door handles and side mirrors don't match the color of the car.

He was a military man and taught me what true patriotism is.

He loved his country.

We always enjoyed going "out to eat" as an extended family...the Connor's plan their vacations around the best restaurants!

He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

This list could go on forever. My Uncle Ken was my friend and more like a grandfather than an uncle. He loved me and always made me feel so special. He gave the best hugs and always made time for me. He will be greatly missed.

I love you Uncle Ken. What a glorious time you must be having with our Lord, my mom, your parents, your brother, and your 2 sons. We will join you soon for this life is short. As Aunt Sue said, you are probably kicking the tires and checking things out. Maybe the Lord will put you in charge of the Royal Chariots!

Your loving niece,
Michelle

Living The Dream

So, this is how everyone else lives? It has been so good having a healthy wife and learning how to live with a new family dynamic. The whole way I build my schedule has changed. At 2:10 each day, I would normally be picking of Faith and Isaac, but not anymore. Little things like Michelle picking the kids up has been huge. What is really cool is seeing Michelle love and minister to folks. The Lord has open doors for us to walk with folks who are going through tough situations. We have even been able to be a part of some huge spiritual break-throughs, which is so cool.

We have precious girl staying with us for a few weeks. Courtney is walking the healing road from past abuse. Please pray the Lord would continue to fill her with the true of His love for her and that the lies which have had such power of her life be dispersed. It is so encouraging to see a live transformed right before your eyes.

On sad note: Michelle's uncle Ken (Connor) passed away yesterday. Michelle was very close to her uncle Ken loved him dearly. She has found great comfort in knowing that his faith rested solely on the complete work of Christ. Ken loved working on old cars, which leads to Michelle's aunt Sue's comments, "He's up kicking tires in heaven now."

Praise: We have were offically approved to rent Ocean Beach Elementary for our worship. This week, our launch team will begin to transition in an Act 2 home church model. Church planting is so humbling but sooo good.