Timberline Lodge

Melissa and I joined our friends Eric and Dalene Stasic and their family at Timberline Lodge this last weekend. Eric and Dalene had rented a bunk house that has 8 bunk beds in a large room. The space was perfect and we had a wonderful time at the lodge. Both Eric and Dalene and Melissa and I were married at Timberline and it has a special place in all of our hearts.



Melissa and I both love spending time with the Stasic's and appreciate their commitment to raise their family under God's principles. Their children: Gideon, Mikale, and Jordan are a joy and we always enjoy getting the opportunity to be a part of their life. We can only hope that we do as good a job as the Stasic's have in raising their family and we appreciate their generosity in inviting us to join them in a wonderful weekend.

On our way home we stopped at Trillium Lake as this is the spot I proposed to Melissa. The sun was streaming down from the sky and it was just gorgeous to be outside. We had a clear view of the mountain and soaked in some sun before returning home.

Invest Wisely, End Poverty

One of my fellow grad students Andres introduced me to a new website called MicroPlace. https://www.microplace.com/ The purpose of the website is for everyday people around the world to make micro loans to people who have no means of obtaining money. The loans are typically small in amount (less than $200 US) and the loan is repaid with interest in 3-5 years back to you. The loan is used by the working poor to purchase a sowing machine, seeds for a garden, goats, cows, pigs, or equipment that is needed to open a business or build a revenue stream. The website highlights several wonderful stories of how microfinance has helped many people get back on their feet and provide a life for their families.

This is just one of the stories below:

"Consider the story of Puja Patel, a single mother who lives with her four children in a village in India. With a $50 loan, she bought a sewing machine. She made clothes, sold them for a profit, and repaid the loan with interest. She was also able to save some money to buy books and send her children to the local school. This is microfinance in action." https://www.microplace.com/learn_more/microfinance

I love to hear stories about business's that are helping the less fortunate around the globe. Instead of putting your money in a savings account throw a couple hundred dollars into an investment that can change a life for someone who really needs it - and when it is all said and done you get your money back! God is good and has blessed us beyond our means and this is just one small way we can help and give back. I am a banker and lend money to business's in the Portland Metro area and I love to see a good investment that is working to help our friends overseas.

Seattle - We're Off

Were heading up to Seattle this morning for a good friends wedding Noel and Kristen. We are looking forward to getting out of the city and up to the bigger city! We always have a good time up in Seattle and it's so close the drive is not all that bad! Be praying for Noel and Kristen and their special day. We'll take lots of pictures.

Newest Member.....

We now have a new member to the Sackett family. His name is Mr. Rags. We believe that he may have some Philipino in him, but are a bit unsure of his decent. Somewhere in southeast Asia has been our best guess. Mr. Rags came to us from my mother in law Barb. Barb has two dogs and they were not getting along with each other so we have decided to adopt Mr. Rags. We will see how it works out with our Philipino friend. Melissa and I are both allergic to pets - especially dogs and cats. Mr. Rags has been staying outside and has our fenced in yard to run around and play. He Also has a special dog house under our deck for when it rains. We might keep him and we might find a new home for him. As of right now he is our dog and we are enjoying having the furry little guy.

Godspeed Rick and Faye

Our friends are leaving tomorrow for Africa on a journey to Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan with another couple from our home church Imago Dei the Tyson's. As they head out on their mission we want to make sure we are all praying for their journey and what God has in store for them in this far away land.

I was reflecting today on what Jeff shared with our congregation this morning on why he and his wife have chosen to go to Africa. His first response was that Jeff, Michelle, Rick, and Faye are going to Africa out of love and in so they are modeling what Christ modeled for us. God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die that we might have everylasting life here on earth. The calling that we all have as God's children is to love first and model our love after the love that Jesus himself shared with the earth. To care for the folks in the margins of life and the least of these. We will be praying for Rick and Faye and for the Tyson's as they embark on a new journey and a place that does not have a lot of hope. Our prayer is that God will be the hope and the rebuilding of community in this war torn country.