We're leaving for Czech

Thank you to all of you who are praying for us. We are very excited that the time is almost here. We are leaving tomorrow, July 7. Check our Czech blog for updates at our training facility, at camp, and at follow up in Tabor (with the Czech youth group). http://czgscc.blogspot.com/

Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July! We started the day off with a run (at least I did :) and then rode our bikes into Portland from Gresham with my parents. It was a nice, relaxing 22 mile ride. Needless to say our butts are out of shape.

Then we celebrated with our friends the Jenkins, at their new home in Vancouver. I am excited to have some friends in Vancouver. They already said I could come over for dinner when I have long days at work.

Troy's Motorcylce

Troy was keeping this a secret from our parents (because my dad said he would have to give back the truck if he ever got a motorcyle). This picture was taken a year ago in Florida. Now that Troy has moved to San Diego our parents know about his tricks (he needed their help moving). So I was thinking about this and thought I would share.

Party's Galore

We have been to so many Graduation parties this summer. It is so awesome to see such success. Especially because we know that not everyone makes it :( This was Jami's grad/birthday party. Her and her family have long been friends of the Dickey's.

Happy 30th Oscar!

Oscar turned 30! We celebrated with a SURPRISE Disco Party (since Oscar was born in '78). It worked out well, Oscar was surprised. Thanks to all the people who helped pull this off, especially getting Oscar out of the house!

Young Life Happenings at Bay

So here is a collection of photos from our Young Life Club. We meet every Monday night in Vancouver- We are a Hudson's Bay Club. The exciting pictures are from our recent 80's skate night at Golden Skate (Looks just like SkateWorld did 20 years ago!)

Czech Retreat

Learning the camp song and making our journals.

Please pray for our team! So many things: Czech students will come to our camp. We would be ready for camp with lots of fun activities and good english teaching ideas. That we would make connections with the students that would remain after camp. For our travels. And that we would raise our financial support.




We also went for a hike at Angels Rest and had a campfire. We roasted hot dogs and smores. Yummy!

San Diego, even if we Bust!

At the beginning of the month Troy would be making his transfer. After living in Jacksonville, FL for 3 years, he had to make the move across the country (for the 2nd time) to San Diego. He was given lots of notice of the move, but only a few days to actually make the move. He was authorized to leave Jacksonville on Friday and had to be in SD by Monday AM. He ended up being able to leave one day sooner. I, being the good sister (and wanting to take a trip) arrived in Jacksonville on Thursday morning. Troy was able to leave a bit sooner, picked me up at the airport, and we were on our way. This gave us 3 1/2 days to cross the country.

We were overloaded, as Troy had all his belongings in his truck and trailer. Our parents were a day ahead of us driving his car. To make a long story short- we got delayed in Ocean Springs, Mississippi for more than half a day. We were just outside of Mobile, Alabama when we had a tire blowout. I was very scared because I was driving (in the middle of rainstorm- remember the tornado was a few days later). I had no idea our tires were bad, and I thought Troy didn't either. But it turns out our dad actually offered to get Troy new tires and he said NO, they would be fine. So we were forced to stay in Mobile for the night (scary) and look for a tire store in the morning. The closest one that had the tires we needed in stock was 40 miles away in Mississippi. So we unhooked the trailer, drove to Ocean Springs. They had some problems. We went back for the trailer and finally left Mobile at 2pm the next day. Praise the Lord we were able to leave a little early!

We ended up making it in time. Had lots of fun, did lots of driving, and took pictures of all 7 states we entered (some twice!)

Troy is now flying a new (to the Navy) helicopter in San Diego. He will be there for the next three years.

Happy New Year!

We did our 6th annual scavenger hunt this year. The scavenger hunt is a tradition oscar started in college, and usually, as the administrator, has not been able to participate in it. But we scaled down bring in 2008 with a much smaller group, Guys vs. Girls. The girls won by a long shot. Our teammates were Don and Sarah Jenkins and Jeremy and Tauni Farrell.

I don't really have any of the guys scavenger hunt pictures because they used a phone.

Christmas Festivities

We had a great holiday break. Troy was home from Florida, and we got to see lots of people we hardly see anymore... Starting with my Aunt Kay and Adriane, and Eric. Adriane is a star runner at Santa Clara University. She recently set a school record in the 6K!




We spent Christmas day with my family and then later joined the Ekstrom family for Christmas Day dinner. Yummy! Shelley even had a craft project for us after dinner- making Christmas balls.


We went to Sutherlin for Christmas Eve with Oscar's family. Troy even came with us. We left the day after he got in from Florida, and apparently his body hadn't adjusted to the time change because he slept in a chair most of the night-- while all the festivities were going on. Our niece, Celine, is playing a Christmas song on her flute and you can see Troy sleeping in the background.

Seattle Marathon, 2007

I ran the Seattle Marathon over the Thanksgiving weekend. This was my second time doing this race- I beat my time last year by 23 minutes. With a time of 3:15:52, I ran an average pace of 7:29. I came in 1st in my age group (out of 169) and 7th overall (643 women). I beat my Portland time by 10 minutes, which is an flatter course. It was definitely fun to compete in this race, but now I have a much harder time to beat next race.

We went up the day before the race and walked around Downtown Seattle. We had lunch by the pier at Red Robin, and dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. We got to go to Pikes Place and look around--- lots of people were out shopping.

Thanksgiving at the Rethwill's!

My first Thanksgiving were I was the cook. Luckily my mom and dad are close by and could give me lots of help. If you have never brined a turkey-- you have to. It was so good. The meat is so tender and moist.
Oscar's Mom and two brothers came up from Sutherlin with their kids, Oscar's sister and husband came from Beaverton, my parents, and Oscar and I made 19. I have also never cooked for 19 people.
They all stayed the night and the girls went shopping the next morning. Not too early, but we were still able to get some good deals. This was my first Thanksgiving in Portland in 5 years and I was really looking forward to shopping in the big city, but end up pretty disapointed with the sales. Not much I couldn't live without.

Growth Group Retreat!

Our growth group spent the weekend in Lincoln City over Veteran's Day. We had beautiful weather! All but one couple from our group was able to join us, which is great considering the family growth situations most of them are in. The pictures are: first- the Rethwill's, second- Don and Sarah Jenkins, and third- Paul and Karyn Meier and Preston and Coby Knifong.

Halloween at the Farrell's

Oscar and I spent Halloween night at the Tauni and Jeremy's. Can you tell what our costume is? Tauni is such a good cook- she made us Taco Soup and Beef Stew, plus yummy pumpkin desserts and hot cider.
I was never really sure what Jeremy was- either a male nurse or a surgeon. I think male nurse :)

Young Life Pumpkin Carvin

You may not know this, but Oscar and I, along with two other gals from my school and thier husbands have started a Young Life Club at my school. We meet every monday night for Club- where we sing and play games, win cool prizes, and give a short talk about God and how He has been part of our lives. We have a great group of kids and have a pretty good turn out so far- for starting from scratch. This pumpkin carvin was one of the fun things we did before we officially started club. Don't they look good?

Football at Western & Irene's Birthday at Olive Garden

We started the day off with a trip to our Alma Mater, Western Oregon University, to watch our friend Sammy Cook slaughter SOU. The game ball was delivered in a helicopter. We enjoyed the company of the Cooks, the Vavreks, and the Dickey's.

After the game we went to Olive Garden in Eugene. We met up with most of Oscar's family for a great dinner celebration. Then, back up to Troutdale!