"Middle Miles"

The author of Hebrews writes, " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus........ " Hebrews 12: 1, 2a. One of my personal goals is to someday run the Seattle marathon. That is a huge goal for someone who hasn't run for 20+ years. There are things in my life that have to be changed in order for me to accomplish that goal. First, I must get back to the gym. Second, I must lay out a plan to increase the length of my "runs". Third, I need to change once again my eating habits. And last, I must prepare myself mentally and spiritually to run the race to its finish. In speaking with others who have either run a marathon or done the Seattle-Portland bike race the hardest part of the race are the middle miles. The ones after you have started and before the final push to the finish line. Although it seems like a daunting task I know that I can do it. Not because I am so strong, but because I know that "cloud of witnesses" in my life will be there to cheer me on, just as they do everyday. There's my Momma Dede, Dad, Pop, Grandma Carol, Nana, Daddy, & my friend John. They are the people in my life who have gone on to be with the Lord. They along with my still on earth family cheer me on. Years ago I read a book by Joyce Landorf called "Balcony People", in this book she wrote about the people in our lives that are in the here and now who cheer us on, but often we forget about those who have reached heaven before us. We each have a "cloud of witnesses" to cheer us on.

Now what does this have to do with the Deepen Our Roots campaign. Two years ago we started a race to build the Rod and Randy Re-Creation Center. We find ourselves in the middle miles. We have started the "race" and we are almost to the finish line, but not quite. We still have several miles to go. Maybe our muscles are sore, maybe it hurts to breathe and our mind is saying "hey, you got this far, its' okay to stop now........" We have run a very good race up until now, but we need to finish the race. Jesus our brother is cheering us on but so are Jane Bishop, Bill Holmes, Emily Boyce, Bill Biggs and Larry King. They join with the others who have gone before us. There names are on plaques all around us so that we can remember who they were and how they are part of the history of Washington Cathedral. They are saying don't give up now, you can finish this "race". So if you have pledged keep on going, if you have had trouble keeping up with your pledge, don't give up. And if you haven't started yet, join the team. This race is different from the Seattle Marathon, that race has only one winner. When we finish we all win. We all cross the finish line at the same time and along with us are the children, the community, the hurting in mind, body and spirit, and the generations to come.

A Tribute to Bruce Blake

Another person from our church who is a part of the construction team is Bruce Blake.  Bruce is one of the tall guys in the choir and is married to Pastor Naomi Blake.  Bruce grew up on a dairy farm where he learned a little bit about most everything.  If you have ever been around a farmer than you know that they are can people who just have to figure it out and get it done.  Bruce took that skill into the construction trades and became a supervisor on some very big construction projects.  While a member of Washington Cathedral he received a dream to start a consulting company to the construction industry.  His buisness just took off.  Bruce has invested a lot of time into the recreation construction project.  He brings a lot of expertise to the design and the implimentation while working with the Architects and contractors.  In fact, this ltask of building this center has been his second job for a long time including every phase of construction.  Only God knows how much money we have saved as a church by the investment of time from those who we pay tribute to weekly.

"This is the day the Lord has made!"

What a glorious day it is today! The sun is coming out and the fog is rolling away! On the building site there are sounds of hammers and equipment being used. The smell of fresh lumber is mixed with the smell of concrete curing. The south wall is getting taller and taller. One can see the footings that have been poured. Progress is being made. The rains have been light so that the concrete could cure properly.

What an exciting time!! We want to thank all of the people who made our Permit Celebration a success, especially the ushers for the fourth Sunday and the DOR Follow-up committee.

Tribute to Rob McJunkin

Another person who has worked on the new Recreation center is Rob McJunkin.  Rob worked long hours on the tractors in preparing the site for construction.  At one point he came out of very dangerous accident when he rolled the giant tractor that he was operating.  Rob works for Mike Roth and Mike works for Kent Halvorson.  Both of them were just happy that Rob came out unhurt even though they lost a tractor in the accident.  I also was so thankful that God watched over Rob not only for his sake but for the sake of his wonderful wife Nancy and his daughter Anna.   Nancy is a junior high school teacher and a member of the Washington Seminary Board of Directors.  Anna is a dynamic leader in our youth ministry.  She has an incredibly positive influence on all the other young people from our church and in the community.  Both are incredibly vibrant Christians that just draw so many of us closer to God. 

Rob has quite a story of God's grace doing something amazing in his life.  He is  also one of the people going down to Honduras to help build a school for the children who live and work in the city dump.  Rob also worked very long hard hours in moving the dirt because this was not only his job but his church family. 

One of the reasons Halvorson construction has built so many churches is that Kent has designed his company to take advantage of all the volunteerism that arises in a church and allow them to stretch the value of every gift.  What an exciting team God has formed to build this new recreation center.  Next week, I will tell you about another one.