Tuesday: Drove to Yakima with a stop along the way for a pre-Approval conversation with one of our Word and Sacrament ministry candidates. Grateful for former Trinity, Nampa member Ruthann for hosting me.

Wednesday: Noon Lent worship at Central Lutheran in Yakima (with Ruthann playing cello) followed by soup lunch and conversation with Pastor Ann Murphy. We worshiped in their smaller (lovely!) chapel.

Evening soup supper and Lent worship at Immanuel, Grandview, led by Pastor Jake Schumacher.

Thursday: Day in Wenatchee – Our fourth retired rostered leaders gathering-this one at Celebration in East Wenatchee, catching up with Celebration’s pastor, a pre-Approval conversation with one of our synod’s ministry candidates, and seeing the construction at Grace, Wenatchee with Pastor James Aalgaard.

Friday: Cross Country Skiing with Cluster Dean Pastor Dennis Hickman and his brother in White Pass.

Saturday: Day Off which ended with a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at Christ Lutheran, Yakima.

Sunday: Wonderful morning with the saints of Christ Lutheran in Yakima. This congregation on the west side of town is served by Pastor Chris Peterson (celebrating 25 years of ordination Wednesday!) and Deacon Kathy Sebree. Neighboring and neighbor love are in the DNA and I loved hearing about their ministry with and for local veterans, working alongside Camp Hope (ministry for those experiencing homelessness in Yakima), and their summer VBS.