end of summer updates

Our garden has been very fruitful this year. I just went out and gathered a basket full of large zucchini's, a bunch of tomatoes and spaghetti squash. There is so much more out there to gather! We collect about 9 eggs a day and lots of goat milk. This is the best garden I've ever been able to make. "Thank you Lord". He says in His word that if you are doing His work He will give you the provision that you need to do it. I have seen the truth of this. I'm sure you have also.

We know that we are to be prepared to go whenever and wherever God directs us but, in the meantime we are loving being together in this beautiful area. We are completely content to let God steer our ship and place us wherever He can use us most. We trust Him. "God help us to trust you more".

We had pretty much given up on the Liberian adoption until this week. It is starting to move forward again. We are surprised and excited. Patrick and Simeon have just been given a case worker.

We've met up with another home church in our area. All together the little living room is pretty full. The bible, fellowship and worship times are so rich and living. I know that you would like it.

Labor day vacation part 2 and Tim's vacation

We went to Leon's brother and sister's house Tuesday and Wednesday. We got to spend some time with Kaleb, our nephew. Kenn has lots of horses that my children got to learn about. Thursday we headed out to visit with the Swanson's and we stayed at their house the next two nights. Friday we visited with the Simonatti's.
After leaving them we went to see Beth Fadel and spent some time with her. It was a very special time of getting reacquainted. We looked over photo albums and walked up to the park. I am very thankful to Beth for giving us this time. We felt close again to Tim like we haven't felt in years. That evening we went to a quiver society meeting in Portland. Brita made some amazing coconut, yam soup with sticky rice. "Thank you Brita". It was comforting and encouraging to see that our friends are still walking with the Lord.
My sister Erin called us Saturday morning to tell us that Tim breathed his last earthly breath at 7am that morning.
Saturday morning we were able to attend a picnic where some of the children from IAM Childrens Family Foundation were singing. We met there a girl named Brenda who's mother and father have died. She and her brother need to be adopted. If we are not able to adopt Simeon and Patrick due to the Liberian government's new policies we are open to adopting Brenda and her brother. We would need an advocate on the adoption side of things as well as funds.
After the picnic we headed home.

The Croteau's had taken excellent care of the yard, garden, plants and animals.
Yesterday Ephraim bought another milking goat who should give close to 1 gallon each day. The goats he currently has don't give enough anymore and need to be bred and kid again.

Tomorrow morning at 4am we are driving to Portland again to attend Tim's memorial service. I know that Tim planned most of it so being at it will be like being with Tim.

Labor Day

We left Tuesday morning before 7am. We drove to Roy and Louise's. We slept there three nights. While there we took our bikes to Clay Canyon. Clay Canyon has two very steep dirt trails that go down into a small canyon and back up the other side. There is also a cable swing tied to a tree about 75 ft up with big knots near the bottom to hold onto. We had a thrilling time running full speed, and propelling ourselves off of a stump and over the canyon.

We had a great band practice with Brock Dittus and Mark McCary. We got to meet Brock's new bride and spend time with Holly McCary. The next day we met the Westcott's and the Simonatti's at a park in Portland. We got to meet two tiny boys who were created on purpose by God for good works which He planned in advance for them to do. They were Enoch Simonatti and Iylan Westcott. I was mainly counting to six the whole time that we were there so we decided to visit with them more the next week. Thursday night I went to girls group with Christy Simonatti, Marla Dimmick, Annette Fordyce, and Charissa Swanson. We have been
meeting now for almost 14 years. Nine months pregnant Annette Fordyce is due to labor today, Labor day. I look forward to meeting this new proof of God's creative power and innocent beauty.
On Friday we travelled to Skamania to attend Xfest for a couple hours. We tried to bless folks by offering up our hearts and efforts in the music God lets us make. During one of the songs God especially made His presence known. He didn't have to do it but, He is so perfect and sweet. I was bathing in His smile.
We visited the Flechtners, Westcott's, Jeanie Sherman, Mccarry's, Dittis', Henshalls, Bree, Nicki, Maes, and others.
From there we went to the Cannon Beach Conference Center to meet with my mom, stepdad Wayne, brothers Kevin and Chris Collins and thier families. I met my new darling nephew Cannon who is has only been born 6 months. I loved him the instant I saw him. It seems like he is a little version of my brother Chris. We had talked on a deep level with some of my family. I was reminded of the necessity to speak the truth in love in some instances. I actually was called on by the Lord to do this and although it wasn't easy, it was good.
We spent the night at my dad's after leaving the conference. I caught up on some of my lost sleep. Leon played a show at the Satyricon. He got to see Nate Allen and Tessa, Mr. Baxter, Todd Fadel, Tony Panick, Dennis Childers, Carlon Way, Tyler Hentchel and others.
Tonight we go to Leon's brother and sisters house, Kenn and Pat. We plan to see the Westcott's again on Thursday and the Simonatti's on Friday because Leon wasn't able to see Randy yet. We would like to see Tim Fadel and family before Tim goes to walk in the real lands where we can't visit him yet.