Descanso Gardens

We spent a couple of hours at one of Dan' favorite 'retreat' spots in this area. The doctoral students take one Friday a couple of times a year and listen to the Lord. Here are some shots of our time there; Dan's favorite spot in the woods, the roses, coi pond, sun dial and the car parked by the gorgeous blooming pink trumpet trees. Later Mike Olson stopped into have a sit in the backyard and catch up with Dan. They are long time buds from Papua New Guinea days.

And now the rest of the story!

Last summer Dan and I spent 3 weeks in South Korea. During that time we visited the DMZ between N and S Korea. I took a photo of Dan at the Uniting Painting by Raran Lurie and just today learned more about the man and the painting. Here are photos of Dan, what the painting looks like in S. Korea, then one of the United Nations version, Greek, and Jerusalem. Ranan Lurie appears twice in the same 1999 Guinness Book of World Records, representing two very different categories. He holds for 20 consecutive years the title of “The most widely syndicated political cartoonist in the world,” as well as being a scion to the oldest recorded living family today: "His family is directly descended from the royal house of the biblical King David and can trace its genealogy back to the 10th century BC." Check out the Uniting painting at www.UnitingPainting.com

Ashley's singing group wins!

My God-daughter, Ashley Rene Thaxton loves singing and has such a wonderful talent. (Ashley is in the front row 3rd girl from the left, behind the award--the beautiful young 16 year old!)

Students from Pasadena's Soto Voce choir joined sweltering Renaissance Faire crowds Saturday April 12 for a command performance fit for royalty.
The eight sophomores and juniors from the Marshall Fundamental School choir were invited to sing before the faire's queen after winning the faire's first-ever Madrigal competition.
Hundreds of student choirs across Southern California applied, but Soto Voce "had it perfect," said Colleen Russell-Elkins, who doubles as the faire's musical director and public relations director.
"The songs can be complicated because our modern ear is not used to the tonality and the harmonies," she said. "These kids blew me out of the water ... When I listened to their audition, I got chills."
That's no small compliment, coming from Russell-Elkins, who minored in Renaissance music and has studied the romantic Renaissance-era songs known as Madrigals for more than 20 years.
"It's beautiful music. It's almost addictive," she said, noting the songs were sung for fun or entertainment in the courts of wealthy families.
Soto Voce, which first formed this school year, sung an authentic Italian Madrigal called "Fa una canzona," or "Write me song," written by Orazio Vecchi during the Renaissance.
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School won the grand prize during an award ceremony for the first annual Madrigal Competition (a short love poem that is sung) during the Renaissance Pleasure Faire April 12. 2008 in Irwindale.

Donkey Ollie and Monrovia Street Fair

Last night Dan and I took Betty Sue Brewster with us to the Monrovia Street Fair. I had just completed a CD presentation for Destinations ministry and was scheduled to deliver it to Ramses and Mariam Ibrahim at their table on Myrtle Street (here they are working their table).

One of the most fascinating parts of the evening was seeing this baby watch the DVD "Donkey Ollie", the story of the donkey who carried Jesus into Jerusalem in preparation for the Last Supper. The music and animation are wonderful, I recommend it for all kids. www.donkeyollie.com

My sister Charlene and cancer

The first born in our family, Charlene, was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma last month and had a blast of chemo that nearly ended her life (according to doctors in Ann Arbor, MI). I stayed in hospital with Char for part of 6 days and got to see God restore her health - just this week her daughter sent me the photo of Char getting ready to go home on the 10th. Yes, we are praising the Lord and trusting Him to bring Char thru the remainder of her chemo regiment.

Ryan Shaw Waking the Giant

Here is a brief description of Ryan's new book. He and Kelly will be back in the States for a few weeks this summer so we are looking forward to spending time with them here.

In Waking the Giant, there is the emerging of the next generation of “message bearers” (Shaw’s term for missionaries). This fourth generation message bearer follows in the steps of Mills, Mott, and Cunningham as he presents students with a vision of serving Jesus in places where the least access to the gospel exits. Shaw doesn’t just write and think about the task, he is modeling abandoned devotion to Jesus as the key to global proclamation.

In nine short chapters you move from a look at the 200 year history to the student movement, to current trends, to barriers facing the emerging generation, and then to a plan for becoming God’s vehicle in the world.

This book is a quick read that you will be drawn to reread and share with others. Shaw has an easy style as he moves from past, to present, to future student movement issues. The weaving of Biblical truths and personal experiences throughout give the reader a sense that it is written by a godly young man who indeed feels the throb of the heart beat of God for the nations.

Waking the Giant presents a growing sense of awareness for the critical days we are living in with a challenge to answer the call to action. It provides lists of materials, resources and recommended reading that can be used to go beyond what is presented in the text.

Salaam Suite by Paul Livingstone

March 15, we attended the 25th anniversary celebration of Frontiers mission. There were some 700 people there and it was a grand time. I was so surprised to see Christy Graham as last contact was when the high school graduation in India of Bill and Sandy Lottis' granddaughter, Angeli Olson with Christy's daughter.
Great fun.

World traveler house guests

This week Judy Taber and Betty Sue Brewster arrived in town and we had the joy of providing housing for them. Judy had just returned from several weeks in Africa and Betty Sue returned from 3 weeks in China and Mongolia. Plus our pink jasmin bloomed this week!

Chuck Kraft honored

March 12 we attended a dinner to honor the 39 years of service to Fuller by Charles Kraft. A book was done and presented as well titled "Paradigm Shifts in Christian Witness". His kids did a power point that contained a black and white photo of SWM professors in the early 80s. They are from left; Pierson, Kraft, Glasser, Wagner, Gilliland, seated are Shaw and Clinton. Darrell Whiteman co-authored the book with Chuck Van Engen and Dudley Woodberry. Dean Gilliland sang and Roberta King played the thumb piano.

Arabic ministry continues

Magdy and Suhita were in town for the weekend enroute to Cairo, Egypt for his father's 90th birthday. They are very encouraged with the progress of their ministry in Tucson, Arizona among Arabic speakers. Georgia attended a service whre Magdy spoke and the group sent them off with prayer.

Memorial for Stan Shaw

Feb 27, 2008 was the memorial service for Dan's dad. Here are a few photos from the celebration as Dan, Toni Joan, and Rick shared. The pastor did a wonderful homily from Heb. 11 about "by faith..." and then various friends of Stan and Toni from the area shared thoughts about Stan. He will truly be missed by family and friends.

Stan Shaw gets his 'Oscar'

Yes, on the very day of the Academy Awards, Dan's 91 year old dad is finally with the Lord. Stan had a stroke on Feb. 13th and did not regain consciousness. He died at home Sunday morning Feb. 24th. Here is a group of photos of Stan with his wife Toni, his daughter Joan w/ her husband Jess, and Dan and I at various times. We spent Christmas with them in Hemet, CA and as we were leaving Stan held Dan's hand and pronounced a blessing on his only son. We have so much to be thankful for and rejoice in the homegoing of this godly man.

Gamble House in Pasadena

Yesterday I took a tour of the 1908 Gamble House (some 3 miles from our home). It was spectacular, can't wait to take Dan so he can experience the 'woods' used in the home.

The David B. Gamble house, constructed in 1908, is the internationally recognized masterpiece of the turn-of-the-century Arts and Crafts Movement in America. Built for David and Mary Gamble of The Procter and Gamble Company, the house is the most complete and best preserved example of the work of architects Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, who made a profound impact on the development of contemporary American architecture.

Greene and Greene broke sharply from the academic traditions of their time, using nature as a guide rather than the dictates of popular historical styles. The design of The Gamble House, while in part inspired by the wood-building vernacular traditions of such cultures as the Swiss and the Japanese, is a unique statement drawn from the life and character of Southern California. Wide terraces and open sleeping porches facilitate indoor-outdoor living, careful siting and cross-ventilation capture the cool breezes of the nearby Arroyo, and broad, overhanging eaves shelter the house from the hot California sun. Wood is celebrated in the Greenes' use of articulated joinery, exposed structural timbers and shingles which blend sensitively with the landscape.

In The Gamble House, furniture, built-in cabinetry, paneling, wood carvings, rugs, lighting, leaded stained glass, accessories and landscaping are all custom-designed by the architects, in the true hand-crafted spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement. No detail was overlooked - every peg, oak wedge, downspout, air vent, hardware and switchplate is a contributing part of the single design statement and harmonious living environment. The house is a symphony in wood, with interiors carried out in teak, maple, Port Orford cedar, redwood and oak; each piece artfully selected and hand-rubbed to a satin finish. Iridescent glass adorns doors, windows and light fixtures which change color as the day passes and diffuse subtle patterns of light throughout.

Providence Mission Homes celebration

On Feb 5, 2008 we attended the PMH dinner in honor of retiring board members. Jac and Mercedes Gribble started PHM in 1972 to provide housing for missionaries on furlough or needed leave. Dan has been on the board for many years and as he and Karen stayed in PMH when they arrived in Pasadena in the early 80's, he has a warm spot for the ministry they do.
Pictured from top to bottom are the board including; Vic Springer, Marve Eyler, Janna McConnell, Dan, John and Ruth Pentecost, Dick Goddard and his wife, Carolyn Repco, Paul Springer, Paul and Betty Winter, Phil Foxwell and Chair of the Board Lee Merritt.
3rd row is Betty with Lee, Doug and Janna, and Dan speaking as Dan and Ruth Fuller look on
4th row was significant for me to be part of because it was the wonderful group of Christians, committed to assisting missionaries, actually praying for the ministries and work represented.

Remembering David Allan Hubbard 1/23/08

Fuller Seminary is celebrating her 60th year and on Jan 23 President Mouw organized a special chapel and luncheon to honor Dr. Hubbard, FTS President from 1963-93. Pictured here from top to bottom are photos of Charles Fuller w DAH in 1963;
DAH with his final hand shake with Fuller's Chair of the Board, Sam Reeves after the '93 commencement service;
Speakers included Rob Johnston, Bill Pannell, Mary Hubbard Given, and Sam Reeves.
At the chapel Dan interacts with Ralph Winter, Paul Pierson, Ralph Winter and Chuck VanEngen with Rich Mouw,
Bobby Clinton with Rich Mouw and a shot of the table with a baseball theme including a huge hamburger and peanuts and Cracker Jacks!
It was a wonderful time of remembering a great man.

2008 Doo Dah Parade

A mock "Rose Parade" is the annual Doo Dah Parade here in Pasadena (it was usually held on Thanksgiving weekend but changed this year to brighten up the grey days of winter!). Rick and Suzanne went with us this year (a first for them, and Dan or I hadn't been in like 15 years or so). The overriding themes were politics and religion. See the baby in the flag drapped shopping cart, he's running for President "put a baby in the white house". These were just some of my favorites; Howdy Krishna, the Pope, Billie Savitri, the Stogie Men (just smoking big cigars!), Nixon x 2, and the bagette drill team. The men in black wer just marching to music!

Teaching LAMP in central Los Angeles

This week I met with the InnerCHANGE group in downtown LA (got to take the Metro and subway-great experience). After the session Jonathan took us for lunch to MaMa's Hot Tomales just down the street and across from the famous McArthur Park. The food was great and MaMa (Sandi Romero) is such a joy, she runs the restaruant as a training center and sells local art and crafts.

The session with the InnerCHANGE group was the first in a series we will do on language learning using Tom and Betty Sue Brewster's LAMP method. The group will learn Spanish in the community where they live and work with the planned result being "good news" to the people.

Thaxton women visit us

Rachel, Ashley and Colleen came for a quick visit on their way to music practice this afternoon. Ashley will be 16 on Jan. 19 and is taller than both her mom and I (I'm standing on my tip-toes). Seems like only yesterday when she was wearing the balloon hat I made for her.

We made the StarNews 1/12/08

Yes, this was in March '07 when we were on the east coast. Such fun to open the paper this morning and there we are with John Smith!

PRODOLA academic council meeting

Georgia works part time with Dr. Charles Van Engen and his newly formed doctoral program to train students in Latin America. The photo is a shot of the academic council for PRODOLA. You may check it out on the web at: www.prodola.org
The second photo is from last week end when we enjoyed dinner at Van Engens with Peter and Corine Larson who also work with PRODOLA. Chuch and Jean introduced us to a form of dominoes called Mexican Train. Great fun.