Once again, I apologize that it has been so long since the last post. Shasta is fast approaching and we had company all week! I will pick up where I left off last week. Monday night was the mother-daughter event and it turned out to be a great time! 24 moms and daughters were present and enjoyed facials, foot soaks, trivia games, and prizes. I had great feedback from many of the families, so thank you for your prayers surrounding that event! I hope do have more of these in the future. Wednesday morning, Chris picked Chad Hardy up at the airport. He attended Gordon Conwell with Chris and was a groomsman in our wedding. Chad preached to the jr high students Wednesday night and they had "man time" the rest of his stay. Friday night they went to see the Mariners game (Chad's first trip to a major league game EVER). The Mariners lost but they still had a blast. I was having girl time while the boys were out. Some great friends came over for foat soaks, dinner, Scene it, movies, and more food! Chris and the staff are in full swing Shasta prep. We leave exaclty one week from today. Please be in prayer about this week at camp. Also be in prayer for Chris as he is the camp speaker. He will be preparing sermons all week. Mary Kay is still going well and the recent fund raiser was a huge success! Thank you to those who gave for your support! I am looking forward to the day all of these products will be delivered. In other news, Chris and I have a new nephew! His name is Cohen and we can't wait to meet him!! These upcoming weeks will be very busy. We start with Shasta.. the next week is family camp, mom, dad, and memi come up that weekend, middle school camp after that, Matt and Mandi for the weekend, and last but not least vacation bible school. Then hopefully vacation for the Taylor family! Thanks so much for your prayers! Pics to come after Shasta!!

Pics: Baby Cohen and the bags I was able to fill for the domestic violence shelter!

Here is the link for Chris' sermon Wednesday night
http://buddydogproductions.net/blog/ He did a great job! Enjoy!

It was a busy week in the life of the Taylors. Shasta (summer camp) is approaching quickly and Chris has been preparing like a mad man! We leave in two weeks. Let's skip back a few days and talk about the weekend! Friday, I spoke at the widows luncheon at Alderwood. I was very blessed and encouraged by the women's feedback afterwards. My main goal was to encourage them and make them aware of the need of their wisdom in the younger generations of females. I shared my experience coming up through a mentor program and hope to see some of them get involved. They are a great group of ladies! Thank you for your prayers surrounding that event! That afternoon, Chris and I packed up and headed out to Larrabee state park for some more camping and hiking. We were prepared for the cold this time because we invested in some 0 degree sleeping bags! Friday evening we hiked a short two mile trail since it was getting dark. The view point was beautiful! Saturday morning we hiked the Oyster Dome trail which was 6.5 miles round trip. Personally I think it should have been named the Death Dome trail because it was the steepest hike EVER! It was all worth it when we made it to the top. You could see the whole Samish bay! Plus there was an adorable little chipmunk up there that kept climbing up Chris' leg. Sunday was church day and Chris and I are LOVING being able to attend services together! That afternoon we hoped around to lots of different graduation parties. We are so pround of our seniors! Last night was a much needed date night to Mac Grill (thanks for the gift card mom) and to see the Avengers... again. Needless to say we really like it. Tonight is the Mother-Daughter event at church so I will be running errands for that most of the day. Please pray for a great turnout and a wonderful time of fellowship for these moms and daughters. Chris is taking the boys bowling then back to studying. Chad (Chris' friend from college) will be coming in from Canada on Wednesday and staying with us through Sunday. Lastly, this is the last week for my Mary Kay fund raiser and if you would like to give to purchase products for the domestic violence shelter please message me for details! The deadline if Friday! More updates to come! We miss everyone back home and are greatful for your many prayers!

pics: 2 mile hike viewpoint (first 3 pics), Oyster Dome from the viewpoint and the top, Chris' new best friend Mr. Chipmuck playing king of the Mountain.

pics:

Chris did a great job once again preaching Wednesday and Thursday night! We had a pretty full weekend again! Chris went in to work for a bit on Friday and then we headed over to the DMV. After a long wait, a trip back home to pick up more information, and another wait, we finally got our new licenses! We are official Washatonians! Now to get the cars registered here, get new plates, and switch over our insurance! One step at a time. Saturday was hiking day! After a trip to Sports Authority and getting some new gear with my birthday money we headed to Discovery Park. We hiked the South Beach trail, the North Beach trail, and the Loop trail. Totaling about 4 miles. We did a shorter hike since we got a later start. Also, we heard there was a lighthouse on this particular trail and we wanted to see it! That evening we stopped by the Best Western hotel where the junior high students stayed as part of their service weekend to say hello to everyone! Sunday Pastor Steve preached a wonderful sermon on Cain and that afternoon we attended a get together for the highschool leaders! We were blessed to enjoy dinner, frisbee, paddle boats, fishing, and great fellowship. We are back in the routine today and as Shasta is approaching, Chris is staying very busy! Friday I will be speaking at the widow's luncheon so please be praying about that event. Monday I will be hosting a mother-daughter event at the church for the highschool ladies and their moms! I am still collecting donations to purchase products for the domestic violence shelter so if you would like to give please contact me via email at hales2489@netscape.net . More updates to come! Thanks so much for keeping up with us way up here in Washington!