We are so enjoying being here in the Centralia/Chehalis area. The community is great. We have learned to find our way around and don't feel like strangers anymore. We love Life Center! Derrill and Michal are such a great pastors and taking great care of us. The congregation continues to grow in our hearts and we know and feel their acceptance and love.
Our oldest grandson has been here for a year serving in Life Center as an intern in the first year of the program. He is loved by the folk in the church and has decided to remain here. He has become an integral part of the leadership with the youth. We see the fruit of the solid foundation laid in him by Mari Lou and Jeff as well as his growing up in City Bible. Ryan Iverson, Life Center's youth pastor, has been Ed's mentor. We have see such tremendous maturity in Ed since moving here.
We are traveling very little these days. Just a little here and there but we are content to be used of Him in whatever way He indicates and He continues to provide our needs. Marion leads the team putting together an "Institute of Biblical Studies" for Life Center and the community. The target for opening is September. Also, we are supervising the TRAKS (membership) classes for Life Center. So we are managing to keep busy ministering and are very happy.
Since January, Marion has been substituting in the Chehalis, Centralia and Winlock school districts. In April she began a 3 month temporary position as a "Intervention Paraeducator" in Washington Elementary School next door to the City of Refuge in Centralia. It has been interesting and educational. Time has changed the educational methods (especially math) and the kids are not as disciplined but Marion has managed to meet the challenge. It has worked fine. School is out as of June 18th. We will see where we go from there??
Lew has been teaching in the Intern program, doing whatever his hands find to do, ministering wherever and whenever he is asked. He also looks after the home front, enjoys keeping the yard up and does his walk everyday with the dog. He has experienced some health problems which have been disconcerting at times but the doctors are working with us and we believe! He had an MRI recently - the specialist wants to take a look at his brain to see if the problem is "silent strokes" or the beginning of dementia. So we should have a diagnosis within the next week. We would appreciate your prayers.
The financial crunch is our biggest challenge but we have managed so far - HE is faithful! We end every month with the bills paid and we haven't sunk! We put the house up for sale in January but nothing has come of that so we will continue plodding along. Marion's "ducks" are not lined up in a row most of the time now. Every day is a new adventure. Don't know how we will handle the future - BUT GOD! Daily He provides the need, while we are holding our breath!! Marion does at times become "weary in well doing". Then HE gives her a word, she looks beyond the circumstances and sees HIM who is her help and strength and we go on. Thank YOU for loving us.
