Pastor Russ and Susan are back, I can’t believe it, wasn’t it just yesterday that they said ¯see you in three months, and here we are the three months are over, the kids are starting Sunday School and the lefse makers are working magic in the church basement and the best part is, we survived!every one of you could have seen what I saw and feel what I feel right now about this group.

When Pastor said he was going to be gone three months, I have to confess I was a little worried. I played the "what if" game a lot, "what if" this happens, "what if" that happens, "what if", "what if". Well the "what ifs" probably did happen, but you know, as God's people we worked through all the "what ifs" together.  Now the leader of Burke's flock is back to guide us, and I am personally excited to see what seeds the Spirit has planted in Pastor Russ, and how they will be passed on to us.

The last three months for me were filled with so many ¯ how did I see God moments, and I wish I could share all of them with you, but there’s not enough room and really, you don’t want to hear about all of them, so I am going to share two of them with you.

My first one of course is the birth of our first granddaughter Isabella.  She has filled Gary and my heart with such a love and joy that is unexplainable. When I look at Isabella I thank God for His crafty works, and for all the love He gives us, and how He makes it so easy to pass that love on to others. What an awesome God!

The second ¯ how did I see God moment was the mission trip to Tennessee with Jacqui, Will, Kaylee, Logan, Kyle, Tim and one of the greatest leaders ever, Kim Dietzman (if you get the chance ask Kim about Hanner Montaner), and I wish

These kids are not the future of Burke, they are Burke! They took a very unpleasant situation from the time we arrived in Tennessee, until the time we left, and made it their own. They worked in conditions as Kim said ¯some people from this church would have turned around and left, but our kids held their heads high, praised God, and represented their church with dignity and love.

Ok, one more God moment, our Vacation Bible School was awesome, to see the joy on all those little faces. They opened up their hearts and invited God in, they opened up their minds and listened to all the stories the great leaders told, and they shared the love they have for God with everybody around them.

I am so proud of all God’s children at Burke, God has done us well and I thank Him for that.

Hugs and Prayers,

Your Ministries Coordinator

Karen