315 Easton Road is now full...

Talitha Brauer moved in a week ago. It's nice to have the house complete. Leah, her 22 month old son (Jonah), Talitha and I are are getting settled in together. Art and English were Talitha's majors at Hillsdale College (http://www.hillsdale.edu/) so we now have lots of great art around the house.

Parking Ticket in Manayunk, PA

Bethany and I are working out of the office today in a cute part of Philadelphia called Manayunk. We had breakfast at LeBus (http://www.lebusmanayunk.com/) and are now at a coffee shop called Bucks Country Coffee Co. (http://www.buckscountycoffee.com/). The weather is so beautiful- it's the perfect day to work off site.

We were watching the meter closely for this whole morning. Bethany went to the car to put in a quarter and there was a parking ticket for $20.00 on my windshield. We probably had missed it by a matter of 2 minutes. Bummer.

My friend, Meg, is serving in East Africa. Her latest newsletter quoted the words that have been in my head and heart recently.

“Why is it that I think I must get somewhere, assume some position, be gathered together, or separated apart in the quiet of my study to pray? What is it that I feel that I have to go somewhere or do some particular act to find you, reach you, and talk with you? Your presence is here- in the city- on the busy bus- in the waiting room; in the home- at dinner, in the bedroom, in the family room, in the car in the parking lot, at the stoplight. Lord, reveal your presence to me everywhere, and help me become more aware of your presence each moment of the day. May your presence fill the non-answers, empty glances and lonely times of my life. Amen" -Robert Wood A Thirty-Day Experiment in Prayer

Meg then reflected, "I used to feel guilty about the fact that I so often doubt God’s presence and power but I’m beginning to realize that I need not fear my doubt. If there was no doubt there would be no need for faith.” These words ministered to me and I hope they do the same for you.

(This picture is of the Schuylkill River in and the Philadelphia Zoo hot air balloon.)