Good afternoon dear Seattle saints,The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere where we live was last Thursday, December 21st .  It marks the point at which our hemisphere is tilted the farthest away from the sun during the entire year.  The nights are long and the days short and this day it the pinnacle of both. Interestingly enough…the sun in itself has not “moved” but rather the earth becaus...  Read More

Dear Seattle Saints,It’s a sunny Saturday in December which we do not take for granted and the temperature is above average for the month.  Such clear skies bring to mind the lyrics of a Carol sung often this time of year. It was a poem written by Edmond Hamilton Sears in 1849 and set to music by Richard Storrs Willis a student of Felix Mendelson.It Came Upon the Midnight ClearIt came upon the mid...  Read More

Dear Seattle Saints,As I have contemplated this Christmas Season, I am reminded of one of our dear saints who went to be with the Lord, this past year.  Her name was Sis. Louise Fisher.  She, along with her husband, Bro. Don were among the founding members of our congregation back in the late 1950’s.  When we moved to Seattle (the first time) in 1997, Sis. Louise was in her late 60’s.  She had tau...  Read More

Happy December,Over our years in Seattle (nearly 15 when you combine both times we’ve lived here), I continue to be amazed at how short the days get during this month.  On December 21st is the Winter Solstice during which, in Seattle, the sun will rise at 7:54 a.m. and set at 4:20 p.m. for only eight hours and 26 minutes of daylight.  I suppose we could be discouraged that the sun will not set aft...  Read More

Dear Seattle Saints,It is wonderful to back in Seattle after a two week trip working with our churches in the Philippines. I have enjoyed the beautiful sunshine we have enjoyed over the Thanksgiving weekend thus far but I must admit that the 45 degree drop in temperature from the Philippines was a bit of a shock. (High of 90 in the PI – High of 45 in Seattle)  The good news is that no matter the p...  Read More

Happy Saturday from the Philippines.Our week has gone well here and we are looking forward to a good Sunday.  This week we were able to visit our branch churches in Parista and Maragol on Tuesday with snacks and fellowship in both locations.  I reminded the saints in Maragol that I was privileged to bring a donation from the saints in South Korea on my first trip to the Philippines in 1994 which w...  Read More