..."can I have this?"

Bright-eyed, dirt on cheeks, full of energy, the two little girls came running up to the porch, to sound the bell we hear every day at about 5 pm. I laugh as I walk to the door, knowing the chaos about to pour into our home. When I asked God to make this our home, feeling less like a temporary house, I did not have this in mind. I chuckle. 8 and 6 years old, our neighbor's kids, they come over to check in and play most days. I pray we get to see them grow up into women who love and delight in the the "One true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent". As I sit on my bed this morning, I can hear one of them in her backyard, filling the neighborhood with the sweet sound of children's laughter, welcoming in the ease of a saturday.

We have had quite the week. Moving into the house, hosting several Destino events, a full work week among other crises. Yet, it is well with our souls. We are so thankful. I, Kayla, feel stretched and beyond myself, yet without striving & stress. Thanks be to God.

Austin's brother, Tyler, is in town this weekend. They are shredding up on the mountain today, a long-awaited escape for A in the midst of responsibility here.

I am taking ballet on friday nights. Most of you know, dancing remains a life-long dream. I am enjoying the challenge, though it is so hard!

Last week, as I met with a student in my house, the girls came over again. Chay came into the living room holding a handful of cookies asking, "can I have this?...". After talking about manners & not spoiling our dinner, I stopped and thought about how grateful I am that they could always come to my house for a cookie. If nothing else, I hope we can be a place to escape for a cookie.

Here are some photos from the house (before we moved in) and an overnight we took up to the mountains (to save some sanity)...

It was freezing, but we couldn't miss out on the view of the mountain at night.  Warm coffee helps most things.

Sun peeking in on an early, relaxing morning.

The back patio of the house...where we hope to hold LOTs of barbeques. 

this is it! the front of our house.

Inside, the kitchen.

Living room, where we fit 14 comfortably on wednesday night for Familia dinner with Destino.

First night in the new house!

Our first night in the Umatilla house brought excitement and thankfulness. Austin & I hope so deeply for the community potential in the neighborhood. We have already met several neighbors, all of which have been warm & inviting. One even praised God that we were there, as they have been praying for years for believers to move into the neighborhood! How amazing is our God. When following God to this house, we never could have dreamt for words like those.

Here are some photos from last night! After settling in from church, we sat down and ate tacos from the taco stand outside a carwash just a few blocks away. Gracias taco-guy! 

Creating and sharing of art...

"The creating and sharing of art in community should be one of the hallmarks of the church. These actions can become corporate practices that would not only illuminate the different ways we see God working in the world, but also exercise the rusty creative muscles of believers. Let’s strive to be more imaginative, inventive, and inspiring."  - Redeemer Arts blog, Redeemer Church in New York City