Funny Funeral thoughts from Olivia

On Monday we took our kids to a funeral home. Tiffanney's Grandpa went to heaven last Tuesday and we went to say goodbye. It was an interesting experience, having our kids there. We kept prodding them to see if they had any questions about what was happening and they were both pretty close-lipped, except for when Olivia asked why he didn't have any legs(she couldn't see them because half the casket was closed). So I started explaining the process to them, that there would be a service and then he would be buried, etc. I could see them both trying to process things and then all at once a lightbulb went off in Olivia's head. She started to look around excitedly and asked, "Is this heaven?" Oh, the things kids say.

Summer Plans

Tomorrow we'll be unveiling our plans for this Summer at church, but for you loyal blog readers, I'll give it to you first.

1. Summer Camp- We're going to the combined district camp at Silver Lake this year. I've never been to Silver Lake, but I've heard the campus is amazing, plus it's always a pleasure to be able to work with Tyrone Rinta and the team. June 23-27. $195
   
1. As a fundraiser, we'll be holding a silent auction/ice cream social on June 1st. Tiffanney and I took about 35 letters to different businesses yesterday in an attempt to get some things donated. If we get something big donated we will probably have a raffle at the same time.
   
2. Oroville Missions Trip- I had the opportunity to sit down with Mark and Kristy Schaufler during the NWMN Conference this week and hear their ideas for this trip. It sounds like we're going there to be a blessing to the community and serve people. Putting together a backpack full of school supplies can be just as powerful as a human video or a testimony. But if you can put both together, it's an amazing thing. Late August (not sure of the dates) $225
   
1. Churchwide Garage Sale- This year we're thinking about having it during fourth of July weekend. Last year we raised almost $1,000 and took two loads of stuff to the thrift store. Fun times.

In between Summer Camp and the Missions Trip we'll have 6-7 weeks, which is awesome, but I'm thinking that maybe we'll go camping or something. We've gotta do something right?

-Jeff-

Jeremy Johnson knows my name!!!

I'm a bit of an introvert. Right now I'm at the NW Ministry Network Annual Conference and, while I love coming to these events, I have a hard time mingling in the lobby afterwards. It's not that I don't know people, it's a lot better than a couple years ago, it's just hard for me to walk up to someone and start a conversation. Case in point: I'm sitting up in my hotel room blogging instead of eating downstairs with all the other pastors.

Right before the service last night I was talking to some people and a guy walked by that I just knew that I knew from school, but because I wasn't positive what his name was I didn't talk to him until Tiffanney prompted me to after the service. Turns out that we had a pretty good conversation once I worked up the nerve to talk to him.

After the service we went out to eat at Red Robin. Everyone from the conference went to Red Robin. My Senior Pastor knows everyone, so he introduced me to people, but it was a little awkward. When our meal was finished as we were walking out we saw Jeremy Johnson in the lobby, and (since my Sr Pastor knows everyone)we went over to talk to him. As I was getting ready to introduce myself he looks at me and says "Jeff... Graham, right?" I was pretty amazed. He asked me how things were going and all I could squeak out was "I'm reading your book right now." That's it. No profound words of wisdom. He joked about how there were some things he would have liked to change, and then he started talking to Bekah and I didn't get to talk to him again. But it was fun that he knew who I was.

I debated whether or not to write this because I know there's a good chance that he will read this blog at some point and I didn't want to seem pathetic. Do I seem that way? You can send me a comment and let me know. Also, Jeremy, if you're reading this, please send us some words of wisdom, so people know that I'm not making this up.

-Jeff-