Luis Palau Article

Willamette Week, a rather "liberal" paper in Portland, published an article (here) on the Luis Palau ministries. LP is where Allan works as the multimedia producer. The article is already stirring up a lot of controversial discussion in the comments. I was impressed, though, with its message, and more importantly, with the level of integrity and heart revealed by the Palau team. Congrats guys!

Launching Counseling Site

I am excited to let everyone know about the new venture that my family is undertaking! This spring we have kicked off Kristi Cash White Counseling, my private practice that is focused on the mental health of children and families. I have a great office in North Portland, just about five minutes from my house.

Please check out our new website: Kristi Cash White Counseling and subscribe to the blog on that site for fun and informative posts on counseling, parenting, kids issues, and mental health.

See you at the other site!

How Not to Dispose of a Whale

At the Oregon coast right now there is a sad little whale who was washed up on shore and found his final resting place. As always, there is some discussion as to the best way to move such a large and smelly carcass. That same discussion back in 1970 led to a rather hilarious, albeit messy, result.

Kid Interview

Over on Facebook, there is a trend to put up all sorts of notes - "25 Random Facts About Me", "High School Memories", etc. This one I thought was especially fun, so I thought I'd put it here for the two of you who are not on Facebook (and should be). I interviewed Trinity & Connor about their most beloved mom.

ages:
Trinity - 8
Connor - 6

1. What is something mom always says to you?
T - "Get your coats, bags, & lunch boxes out of the car!"
C - "Go pick up your room."

2. What makes mom happy?
T - when kids make stuff for you
C - Valentine's Day cards from your kids

3. What makes mom sad?
T - when Fiona has a poopy diaper (uncontrollable laughter)
C - disobeying you or punching you in the face or kicking you [note from the mom: my kids have not ever actually punched me in the face]

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
T - she tickles me
C - tickles

5. What was your mom like as a child?
T - always got Jeff in trouble
C - the best kid in her family!

6. How old is your mom?
T - 36
C - 36

7. How tall is your mom?
T - As tall as that lamp, no...about as tall as the t.v. At least five feet?
C - Ten feet.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
T - doing crosswords with Grammy (Connor's response to that: How is that one of her favorite things to do? She HAS to do that. Grammy doesn't know all the answers.)
C - spending time with her kids

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
T - watching Dora with Fiona
C - spend time with Fiona; I have no idea, cause I'm not there!

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
T - a supermodel
C - being rich
[mom note: I love my kids!]

11. What is your mom really good at?
T - cooking, typing on the computer, and crosswords
C - playing with her kids

12. What is your mom not very good at?
T - I don't know! Driving - I'm just kidding; you're not good at talking to people - I'm just kidding
C - beating me

13. What does your mom do for a job?
T - play therapy
C - a long time ago she worked for the church

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
T - chocolate
C - pizza

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
T - when you help us clean our room and your room
C - when you lift something heavy

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
T - a monster - I'm just kidding! a mom with big eyes
C - Spongebob

17. What do you and your mom do together?
T - paint pottery, go to the movie theater
C - go to the donut shop (but we've only done that once)

18. How are you and your mom the same?
T - we're both girls
C - we both have sixes in our age

19. How are you and your mom different?
T - we look different; your hair is darker, you have brown eyes, ears pierced, a scratch on your forehead, and freckles and you're much, much bigger than me
C - I paint and draw more than you

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
T - I came out of your stomach, what do you think?
C - that's what I was going to say!

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
T - he's a Christian
C - that he's an artist

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
T - Grammy's house
C - Uncle Jeff's house

Catalyst & Culture

Earlier this week our family hosted L.V., a great guy from Catalyst, an organization which focuses on developing the next generation of church leaders. L.V. has been traveling around the country, spreading the Catalyst vision (and for those of you vanagon lovers, you must check out his sweet ride!) These are some observations he has developed about Portland, based on his time with many of our city's great church leaders, including Rick McKinley of Imago Dei.

* Individualistic Spirituality - the people that settled in Oregon made it to the END of the Oregon Trail - they traveled the furthest, beat the odds, and did it themselves. They settled as far away from the east coast as possible. The real spirituality of the great northwest is found in it's beauty - nature, wilderness, all that is before the eyes. "I don't have to conform to what everyone else is doing...I don't WANT to conform."

* "There's no verse for this one..." - no formulas or standard answers for people here. Some crazy stories and questions from people that would shock the "southern baptist culture."

* Time Tested - not interested in the fad or pop culture of church. If it doesn't stand the test of time and lead to real spiritual transformation then it's rejected. Must be real, and real is identified by long term impact. Are you willing to to share your life along with your message?

* Patient - a culture that is not anxious or reactive to getting caught up in "what's next."

* Church planters beware - your "model" created in a strategy room will NOT work here. Success is organic and often looks very different than what is initially planned.

* Rick, is the northwest a spiritually dark place? "Well, I don't know what 'dark' is. I mean, if you think about silicone enhancements, fake tans, fancy cars, and empty commitments to discipleship, well, then, that's dark to me. These people know where they are and that they don't like church or Jesus. The greatest hindrance to the church is the unconverted converted."

What do you think? Are his observations on track for Portland?

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Update: Here is the rest of LV's article highlighting his Portland visit.

Year In Review

A rather forthright friend just spent a chunk of time reading through all of my 2008 blog posts. He suggested I change the name or at least add a subtitle because it is “neither about music nor about your life!” Hmph. That had me glancing through this year’s prose, being reminded of what a full scene this act of the musical was.

When 2008 began, I was nursing my baby-child and completely and utterly sleep-deprived. It was not a pretty picture. By early spring the sleep deprivation began to manifest itself in (greater) forgetfulness and disorganization; I’m afraid this hasn’t gotten any better. Wallet - lost, replaced, currently lost. Keys - lost, found, currently lost. Wedding Ring - lost, replaced, found original, both currently lost. Depressing, I tell you.

Late spring brought two events that are highlights in my year. First, a trip to New York for the Women in Ministry conference and some fabulous sight-seeing. Second, a trip to the Pepperdine lectures with my mom. I love, love traveling and these fun exertions gave me a much needed boost.

Summer brought activity and energy and excitement! All of my family together for the first time in years...PUMP Summer Program with its amazing kids, loving youth groups, and fantastic interns...a car accident...a beach trip with my three dear childhood friends...the Olympics!...FaithQuest...The Luis Palau Festival at Portland’s waterfront...a beach get-away with the family...good times.

Early fall seemed to be all about politics and back to school and picture taking (our favorite photo time of the year). I also had the great opportunity to take a month sabbatical, where I spent time reflecting, rejuvenating, and talking with my family and my God. But late fall had very difficult parts to it...Cascade College announcing its impending closure...three little girls I know having terrible, frightening diseases...a baby having surgery on his skull...financial troubles for friends...unexpected death. It has been a season of prayer and reflection.

A monumental personal event of the year, though, happens today for me - this last day of 2008. As of midnight, I will no longer be employed by the PUMP Church of Christ, but will now minister again as a volunteer. This is the church that the Lord led us to plant with six amazing people at the beginning of this decade. I’ve been on staff for seven-and-a-half years, wearing more hats than I could describe.
I absolutely love this ministry. I love my friends in this church family and those in the community who do not yet know about the hope found in Christ. I love the amazing work that PUMP has done for so many hundreds of children, adults, and families, and I love the dream of who PUMP can still be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

What’s to come in 2009? I can’t imagine. But, with my family, friends, and Lord with me, I am content in heart as I watch the clock strike midnight to see what happens next.