If you are in the Dublin area, you are invited to a fund raising BBQ this Saturday, 12th June.  We'll fire up the BBQ at 5:00 PM, but come whenever you can!  The England vs. USA World Cup match will be on at 8:30 PM so you wont' miss a thing!

Sarah is heading to Guatemala for three weeks in August and will be working with a team of eight college kids.  She will be working with some of the many street kids in this 3rd world city to do what she can to help them, love them and share with them.  The BBQ will be lots of fun with lots of food;  any donations will go for expenses involved in the trip.

Hope you can come by and share in the fun - we will even teach you a cool outdoor game called Kentucky Corn Hole!  What?  Never heard of it . . .  you will, it's the new rage in Firhouse!  Give us a ring if you need directions or more information.  Donations for Sarah Laughlin can also be made online at www.latinlink.org - be sure to designate funds to her. 

These early days of summer have been filled with the smells of BBQ's and Puppy breath!  Last Friday we climbed the Dublin Mountains to a place known as the Hell Fire Club (long and disputed history) for a BBQ with our Tribes Kids Clubs.  We had 22 kids and half a dozen leaders ascend the steep hillside on a perfect day.  I have been to this get spot many times, but I have never been there on a day that wasn't filled with stiff gusty winds - but it was calm, warm and sunny - a perfect day!

Many of the same kids AND all their PARENTS are invited to our final event tonight at our local community centre.  This will be a night to chat, play a few games and enjoy grilled burgers and sausages together.  We are expecting around 50 or so and are making the preperations now.  Let's see, I need . . . a grill, burger/sausage buns, red sauce, brown sauce, mustard, tomatoes, cucumbers, crisps, fizzy drinks, cups, paper plates, etc, etc!  We will also be showing a video presentation of all the year's events, especially for the parents - good times.  New friends.  Relationships.  

 
(This picture is of Sarah and the supplier of 'Puppy Breath'  - new guide dog in training pup Yani)

Yesterday was the last Mums & Tots gathering for the summer.  27 Mums came and cramped the room with little ones and sounds of laughter and yes, the occasional tears 2 year olds make!  Lots of new friends that we treasure - another video presentation and plans for summer teas . . .  starting today! 

This is Kathy writing this week's blog . . . Just a little over 2 months ago we received the shocking news of my sister's massive brain stem stroke.  As we flew out to California to be with her and the family we had very little hope for her survival. On the flight I felt the peace of God as I cried and prayed knowing that her life was in His hands.  I know that God would still be good if he had chosen to take her home to heaven but I am thrilled beyond measure to watch (from afar) her recovery! (See pic below)

In the last post Tim mentioned that Pam had taken 7 steps during physical therapy.  These were assisted steps with bars and the therapist steadying her, now she has walked 30 feet, still with some support but she is getting stronger every day!  She is now eating regular food (feeding herself) and although she still has a tube in her stomach she is eating enough on her own that they will be able to remove it soon. She is talking more and more, as a matter of fact she made our mom's day yesterday when she answered the phone and heard Pam say 'Hi Mom'!

One of my favorite stories from one of Pam's friends, happened shortly after she had the trache tube removed so that she was able to speak.  Her friend was reading Isaiah 40:31 and Pam mouthed the words right along with her so she stopped reading it and Pam completed the verse aloud on her own! "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Pam is working very hard in her recovery and although she still has a long way to go we are praying for and expecting a full recovery! 

In this picture, our son Mark is with Pam in her rehab room in Redding, CA - about a 2 hour drive from home.  The next step will be for Pam to move to a facility in Chico, CA - about 25 minutes away, and finally back to her own home!  The move to Chico could come within the next couple of weeks.