Family Updates, Mission Updates

Pressing on in the PNW

Following the productive and exhausting world training tour I documented in the last couple blogs, I have now reengaged in life in the PNW (Pacific Northwest). Shortly after I returned, our oldest son Adam and his wife Sofia and their little girl Joanna (11 months old) arrived to stay with us till early July. As all the family converges for Andrew and Ivy Jo’s wedding (June 14), we are delighted for these days when we will all be together.

Grandma is loving time with “Jojo.”
Sweet times with son and granddaughter!

However, far from a vacation, ministry opportunities continue in the PNW. I taught at a men’s breakfast at our church on May 16 as we studied Philippians 3:12-16. In this passage that is closely linked with the previous text, the main point Paul emphasizes is: Acknowledging but not focusing on past failures or successes, let us press on in the Christian life toward Christ. We enjoyed lively interaction and sweet fellowship around God’s Word.

Then, a couple days later, Adam, Andrew, and I, joined by good friend Justin Salter, took a hike up to Muir base camp on Mt. Rainier. 5000 ft of elevation gain, all through snow with crampons and ice axes, followed by the descent, tuckered us out! But the hardest part was dealing with the intense sunburn the following five days. Note to self: expired sunscreen does not work!

Ascending some steep, snowy portions of Mt. Rainier.
Eric, Andrew, Adam, and Justin (left to right) at Muir base camp, 10,000 feet elevation.

While we were recovering, Adam and I prepared for preaching this past Sunday. He preached from Psalm 17 at our home church, Littlerock Community Fellowship. Meanwhile I preached from John 15 at Olympic Evangelical Free Church. I missed not being able to hear Adam preach at our church, but heard he did a great job and I’m very proud of him. Now I’m turning my attention to the next series of preaching assignments: June 7 at Hope Community Church on Matthew 7:7-12; June 14 officiating Andrew and Ivy Jo’s wedding, preaching from 1 Peter 4:8; June 21 at Littlerock Community Fellowship on Luke 22:45-62. Never a dull moment, and I’m thankful for opportunities to serve the Lord and His Church.

You can watch or listen to my May 24 message here: https://oefc.org/sermons/connected-to-christ/

Here is video and audio of Adam’s sermon from May 24: