Paige Kelly Gets Baptized!

By Jay Kelly

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St. Peter's in Rome

Some building thoughts:

But seriously folks, some irony of pagan Rome...

Greens at Roman Coliseum

My first colossal try at video...

Bellingham Mission Team Send Off

By Jay Kelly

Just a short video blog of the Bellingham Mission Team being sent off last weekend...



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“We Hiked up Koko Head!!!”

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12: 18-24)

In a vacation that my wife (Naomi) and I took to Oahu, Hawaii, at the end of June, we and her brother (Bryan) hiked up Koko Head Mountain on the Eastside of the island. If you are unfamiliar with this mountain, Koko Head is a mountain summit in Honolulu County that climbs up to 151 feet (46.02 meters) above sea level (http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=7772456). To say that the hike was difficult would be an understatement. I thought I was going to die. As you hike up the mountain, only walking on discontinued railroad spikes, one starts to really ask themself: “What in the world am I doing?” However when you reach the top, you see one the most beautiful views one could ever see. We (myself and my wife, her brother, Bryan, could do this hike in his sleep) were sore for days and we both agreed we would never do it again but at least we could say that we did it one time in our lives.
Despite how trying of a hike it was, it did remind of my life as a disciple. As we climb or live from each day to the next, there will be times of doubt, questions, and challenges; but for those who persevere, there is a great reward waiting for us (Revelation 21: 7). Let’s all hang in there till the end no matter how high the “mountains” in life become.

Some Thank Yous...

Lynne, thank you for how much forgiveness you've given me, for enduring the headaches I've caused you of late;
Ariel, thank you for being resilient, patient, and esp. for the hugs;
Stephen, thank you for your determination to be a man ruled by conviction, not whim, even though whim is tempting; thank you for "going for it"
Ron, thank you for all your comfort--you are like Barnabas;
Jay, thank you for the craziness;
Mark, thank you for coming here;
Daren, thank you for staying here;
Alex, thank you for your humility;
Darin, thank you for your pure love for God, which "Shines"
NW leaders, thank you for your trust;
Greg, thank you for being my friend;
Bruce, thank you for the laughter;
Wedgewood BT, thank you for the insight!
God, thank you for the beautiful people you've put in my life...