Summer Update

Marty & his friend Matthew have been working with a kids camp this summer teaching them about gardening. They planted corn and basil next to the church using compost from the church's neighbor and are currently planting a "you pick" garden next to the community garden. Marty hopes they will bring their families by in August and September to pick some of the things they planted together.

This is one of our first roses this summer! We were so proud of it. What a beauty. The front herb and flower garden have had to have a lot of strength this summer with all the painting going on. Our landlords painted our house and their own and it has been a work in progress for the past two months. Nothing like waiting for sunshine, only to have to stay inside with your windows closed and people passing by all the time. Needless to say it's been a bit tense. But, they have done a good job and the house needed it. I'll post a pic later of the end result.

Garlic! Marty just picked 60 heads for us. He planted them back in Oct/Nov and they were ready to harvest this week. Matthew also got 60, so there is definitely more room in the garden patch to plant more things!

Here's a more personal note to the garden. Our littlest gardener is petting (touching?) a bunny for the very first time. Franklin the bunny lives next door and our friend Michelle brings him out for a run in the vegetables every once in a while.

And last but not least, Marty and I are expecting a baby in February! It's still early, so we don't have a lot of information. But we're starting to meet with our midwife this week and should have an ultrasound by the end of the week. Please pray for us when we cross your mind. Hope you are well. Missing you, Sara & Marty

He did it!! - Congratulations Marty!

Friday Harbor, WA

    
   


   


    

   

   


        
Marty and I got away for a couple of days this week. We highly recommend taking a ferry every once in a while to feel the salt air. We were able to visit with some of his old friends from SP and enjoyed the wintered beaches and lovely b&b. On the way back up, we stopped at the Tulip Route in Mount Vernon, where our friend Sara lives. Just before the tulips are ready in late April, daffodils steal the show. If you look closely, you can see just the beginnings of yellow peeping out of the daffodil's hulls.

Act 2 mural - a dream for living

Our youth finished this mural with the help of a good friend who has done several murals in El Salvador. Today there was a "gallery-like" opening for it and the time spent was really special. Lots of people came into the youth room and played games, ate together and talked about the vision of the church as a whole. Good times.

Notable

It's snowing here today... but it's the beginning of growing season for Marty. Who else would have mushrooms growing near their desk and close to the bathroom? haha. Check it out. He ate them as an appetizer for dinner. I guess I'll try them next time. There's a part of me that likes buying them labeled at the grocery store... what about you?

Part II

These are Marty's teas. He made peppermint and mint/hibiscus/lemon/ginger. That's Marty checking on the cookie samples and me sewing with my Singer! Don't be surprised if you see some of these under your tree :)

All Hand Made Sale

Our church had a great time at last week's handmade sale. We had everything to pick from. The youth made wooden tools for the kitchen, cookie dough, cheese, lavendar eye pillows, homemade teas, hand knitted hats. It was a great time. Marty did the teas and I did the paintings and eye pillows. It was really fun. I learned to sew again, after my eight grade debut with the taffeta teddy bear!