The storm clouds were rolling in on the Oregon coast and the wind was whipping up a storm but these windjammers were determined to catch the wind and ride the waves.
You can't see it but the sun was shining just off to the left, illuminating the colors of the kites. It was quite a spectacle, I happened to be at the right place at the right time.
Summer Conference is held at our Church in Salem Oregon. Set up high on a hill our Church grounds known as Macleay Christian Retreat, encompasses 30 acres of land that has been put to very good use.
Every year for 10 glorious days we gather for a special time of fellowship and fun. Where the emphasis is placed on making it a blessing for the children and the young people, with many activities and games planned throughout the day, like swimming, volleyball, soccer and face painting, cookie making etc.
In the evenings we gather to hear God's word, where we are reminded of our high and holy calling in the Church and why God has given us a place like Macleay.
What spoke to me was the Church is Jesus most precious possession. It belongs to Him and He has bought it at the price of His life. He is zealous for His Church and we belong to Christ and His Church only when we ourselves live a crucified life just as He did while here on earth.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25
April 29, 2008 will forever be a special day in my life. It is the day I became an American citizen.
That morning Michael, David and I headed to Portland to the CIS office for my citizenship interview/exam. Later that afternoon I was sworn in to become an American citizen. The ceremony was simple, yet very touching. The CIS director in Portland spoke to all of us, the 26 new Americans-to-be from 14 different countries. Then we took our oath of citizenship, and in a blink of an eye, we became American. We said our pledge of allegiance to the flag for the first time with a new meaning.
This was a very meaningful event for me. Although I have called the USA my home for almost 16 years, I am now a real American - in the words of the director of CIS - as American as the most direct descendants of the Founding Fathers.
I am grateful that I was able to move to the US together with my parents in 1992. America is, and has been for many generations, the greatest country on earth, one that people from all over the world, who are seeking liberty, opportunity, and hope, set their eyes and hearts toward. As someone who grew up in the then-totalitarian Russia, I place a great value on the freedom available to all here in the USA. The prosperity that is within reach for the average person is by far a different standard than what I am used to growing up. Yes, of course, there are problems, but as I keep in touch with some of my friends back in Russia, I understand they would gladly trade theirs for ours...
Yelena
With the warm weather right around the corner, what better way to spend a sunny afternoon then to take a walk in the park.
Thanks, Rich, for the Birthday Card!
During the months of May and June, Oregon celebrates the Iris. This flower faithfully blooms during this time of year. We had a fun time at the Keizer Iris parade, where our Davey had the oppurtunity to ride on one of the floats that his school has sponsored.
