block.party

we had a party.  a block party. 

in orting at the slaugher's house.

whitewater is a church.  

but it is also a beautiful expression of the church.

the people of God

the citizens of the Kingdom

the children of a great Father

the rescued from death

people of all different ages and sizes and backgrounds.  

people who get along, and people who like to be mischievous

people who are goofy and people who like to act really, really cool.  

moms and dads who love each other

who are wonderfully hospitable

who are committed to each other

who set an example of marriage and dedication to the work of God

this is the church. 

it's really beautiful. 

we're learning to be missional

to reach out

to love ordinary people in ordinary places.  

i don't have pictures of strangers to share, but there were many there, i promise.  

there were many people there who have never heard about Jesus being Lord.  

and we got to invite them to a feast.  like the one that we'll have in heaven

we shared our lives with them

played with their kids

ate their food

laughed, watched a movie, sang songs with them

i feel like if Jesus were here on earth (which he is, technically, but you get what i mean), he would have been there with us loving the people of orting the way we did.  

last night kindra and i were talking on our way home from portland (pics to come) and we were both suddenly struck by the way that Jesus has provided whitewater with a special ability to express his heart, to love his people, to be free and vulnerable in our struggles, to eat together, to live together, to love together.  

its kind of amazing how many of my prayers are being answered through this little group of people.  i wish i had pictures of each person to share and of each smile and of each moment.  but these few will have to do for now.  

thanks Jesus for whitewater and all of your glory in us.  

to quote ricky-doo, "that Jesus, he's somthin' else, isn't he!"