New Year Wishes

In this world
of Uncertainty and Instability, 
may the New Year bring you
the Joy, Peace and Satisfaction 
that comes from
discovering New Life
as a follower of Jesus Christ.

 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2012

To You and Yours

 

 

I really like this photo, as it reminds me of childhood winters in the Midwest.  I found it online and I believe it was taken in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Hope your Christmas is filled with its true meaning and your New Year brings joy and happiness.  -RK

Christmas Eve Church Service Celebrates The Culmination Of Advent With “Festival of Lessons and Carols”

Kay Lynne and I just returned home from the Christmas Eve Church Service at our church, St. Andrews Lutheran in Bellevue, ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who changed the world forever. Pictured above is the choir and orchestra processional.

We have expectantly awaited Christmas Day for slightly more than a month during the season of Advent on the Church calender. The word advent means “coming” or “arrival” and is observed in anticipation of Christ’s coming to earth as a babe in a manger.

In celebrating the Festival of Lessons and Carols, we joined with many churches in observing an historic format for worship to honor the birth of Christ. The Festival tells the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus in nine short Scripture readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas Carols and hymns.

Our service included the participation of our church chancel choir and brass and strings ensemble, which added a wonderful sense of celebration. We concluded by lighting candles and singing several Christmas Carols.

Now we are ready to enjoy the full meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the coming to earth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. In not too many minutes it will be Christmas morning.

Come, Lord Jesus. We are ready for your arrival.

Talli’s 3K Time Places Her First in Her District This Year, And Hayley’s Band Wows in Oregon State Univ. Competition

We were in Oregon this weekend to watch our granddaughter run in the Centennial High School Invitational Track Meet in Gresham on Saturday and then to spend this Easter Sunday with our son Gregg’s family worshipping at their church, Newberg Friends (Gregg's sermon was spot on) and then enjoying a wonderful day together.

Talli, a Junior, ran the 3,000 meters in a time of 11:08, which is only seconds off of her personal record. Though she came in third in her heat (among contestants from all over Oregon and Washington), her time was good enough to place her first among all varsity 3K runners in the 6A Pacific Conference of which her school is a member – a fabulous achievement.

In the photo above, I caught her (at left) in the last turn before the final stretch of her race. At that point she was slightly in the lead, but strong kicks by the two gals with her just nipped her at the wire. Click on the pic for a larger image – you can see the intensity of competition. Both the boys’ and the girls’ track teams in her school, Newberg High, placed second overall at the Invitational, where over 50 high schools participated.

Granddaughter Hayley, an eighth grader, traveled to Oregon State University for a day last week where her Middle School’s Advanced Band received an “excellent” rating – the highest you can achieve – in a competition among schools from all over the State . Hayley is the first chair clarinet player and performed at least one solo, if not two, if I recall correctly. A pretty good week for granddaughters.

Of course our third-grade granddaughter, Aubrey, is a happy, super-good student and has been occupying her time with horseback riding lessons and piano lessons. Sure was great to catch up on all the kids’ doings and to have some quality time with Gregg and Elaine.

And a Happy Easter to all! Christ is risen. Allelujah!

The Digital Story of the Nativity

The Christmas message remains the same, but the method of delivering it changes with the times. I copied this from my son Gregg's facebook status, because it can't be shared too much. Gregg said his church shared this during their worship service today. Just click on the arrow to play...

A New Decade

Family Time

Earlier tonight we enjoyed Christmas together with one son’s family who've been in Oregon for a week or so. We’ll look forward to a celebration with the other son’s family when they get back home to Oregon from California where they are enjoying the holidays.

Pictured is grandson NJ, looking dapper and a little "preppy" in a new outfit. He zoomed around our condo pushing his portable, interactive “gadget pack” that has music, toys and a phone – a Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa. The boy is a gadget-lover to be sure, and now he can “take them with him”. Click on the pic for a larger image; his eyes reveal the fun he's having.

Nothing like Christmas time with family for this grandpa who’s still full from dinner and grandma’s incredible home-made apple pie.

A Very Merry Christmas To You

Merry Christmas!

Raphael's "Nativity" gives us the real story of Christmas -- the Incarnation.

A Life of Thanksgiving Rather Than Just a Day

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.”

Those well known words of King David were expressed in a Psalm and described in I Chronicles, as the ancient Israelites placed the Ark of the Covenant – containing God’s glory – in a tent that David had made expressly for that purpose. The people were asked to thank and praise the Lord God regularly and to do so as well with harps, cymbals and trumpets.

Today, in our culture, we set aside a day to be with family where possible and to thank our God for our blessings. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Kay Lynne and I today wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

There is one word in the chapter mentioned above that stood out to me as I read the passage. The word is “regularly.” It’s wonderful that we give thanks on this day, but how much better it would be if we gave thanks regularly and not just on one day.

I continue to be troubled by the fact that we in America have so much, and people in other areas of the world have little or nothing. As my wife often muses, “why should we be so blessed simply as the result of an accident of where we were born, when others are born in poverty?”

It’s a sobering question for a mostly happy day. We may never have an adequate answer, but we can at least do a little bit to help alleviate the pain in our world. And we can start right here in our neighborhood.

I’ve often seen ministers at this time of year use the sermon title, “Thanksgiving is Thanks Living.” It seems to me that “thanks living” must at least be about helping someone who needs it when we have so much.

“Trick or Treat”

Earlier this evening we answered the doorbell and there in his pumpkin costume was grandson “NJ”.

Grandma gave him his (non-edible) treat that quickly dropped into his pumpkin “pail.” The boy was more anxious to find Buddy, our dog, to play with. “NJ” and Buddy are quite good pals now.

Pic above is of grandson, mom and dad (and a pumpkin scarecrow) taken at a Trick or Treat party at Country Village a bit earlier in the evening. Is there anything better than a kid having fun on Halloween?

"Tis the Season...

Sometimes photos are just too cute for words. Grandson "NJ," above, last weekend enjoyed his first experience in a real pumpkin patch. I'm told he spent quite a bit of time making friends with his favorite halloween gourd.

I think dad and mom had as much fun as "NJ" checking out every corner of pumpkinland in order to make just the right selection to bring home.

Now dad gets to test his skills once again as a jack-o-lantern carver. I hope "NJ" realizes that it's getting close to "trick or treat" time. I'm sure he'll get the hang of it real quickly after visiting a house or two. That should be a "slam-dunk." Btw, the photos were taken by mom & dad, and they sure turned out super.

More Pics From Our Family Weekend

Just about all of these photos were taken this past weekend by our niece Kate Keethler who was kind enough to post them on SnapFish for us, from where I “stole” them. :-)

Some Koskelas at the Mariners - Giants game. Jamie, Nathan & Doug in front.

Hayley, Gregg, Aubrey, Elaine & Talli at Ballard Locks

Talli, Hayley & Aubrey near Ballard Locks. Are they gorgeous, or what?

Danielle, Kate & Rick Keethler at the M's game.

Kate and her friend Cameron (from Utah) at the M's game.

Aubrey gets the shot just right with Elaine's guidance. At the Ballard Locks.

Gregg and Nathan near the Ballard Locks

BFFs Kay Lynne and sister-in-law Danielle at lunch overlooking the Poulsbo harbor.

The Koskela-Keethler girls: Talli, Kate, & Hayley with Aubrey.

Nathan and Aubrey at Chinook's.

Talli and Nathan at Chinook's.

Hayley and Nathan near the Ballard Locks.

Kate at the original Starbuck's near Pike Place.

The Koskela brothers: Gregg & Doug at the Ballard Locks.

Shilshole Marina near Doug & Jamie's home with Bainbridge Island in the distance.

Easter Weekend in Oregon

Just got these pics from Gregg via email. They reflect our fun weekend in Oregon with Gregg and Elaine and granddaughters Talli, Hayley and Aubrey. Gregg gave a great sermon on Sunday (will try to post on it later) and we had a wonderful meal together in the afternoon.

Above is Hayley showing her Easter-appropriate “resurrection” bun; next to her is her friend, Casey. Do you know why the rolls are so named? Because when you bite into one, there is an “empty tomb” inside. Yikes, what you can learn on this blog! Below is Aubrey getting ready to color Easter eggs, and below that is the beautiful finished product.

It was a damp, chilly day and we had to put the dogs outside on the porch for a while during the egg coloring. They begged to come in by looking pitiful at the door. Above is the neighbor’s Pom-Poo, Shadow, at left, Gregg and Elaine’s Jack Russell Terrier, Jack, in the middle, and our Cav, Buddy, The dogs were just like kids – they wanted to be part of the action, too. Their ploy worked.

Nathan Meets Curious George – Just Like Dad

Curious George was one of our son Doug’s favorite “friends” when he was a young lad. Curious George is aptly named, and so it becomes a natural way, through stories, for very young boys to learn about their world via this loving, inquisitive monkey.

Of course Grandma and Grandpa had to introduce new grandson Nathan to Curious George on this, Nathan’s first Christmas. I love the photo above, in which Nathan appears to be interacting (“curiously”?) with his new friend. I wish I knew what he’s saying; any ideas?

We remember, back when Doug was little, how Curious George had to always come along whenever we went out anywhere. In fact, I believe we lost the monkey one time on a long trip and it was very traumatic for Doug until we got another Curious – er, “found” him one day. Have fun with George, Nathan; your daddy sure did!

All this serves to remind us how wonderful it was to be all together as family during the Christmas season. Hayley, your gift finally was delivered to us, and it’s on the way to you.

Celebrating Doug’s Birthday at P.F. Chang’s

Our immediate family last night enjoyed a wonderful dining experience together at P.F. Chang’s in Lynnwood. We were anticipatorily celebrating Doug’s birthday, which is just ahead, while we were all still together for the Christmas holidays.


The photo above, taken by Jamie while we were waiting to be seated, shows our three wonderful granddaughters doting on our wonderful new grandson, their cousin. From left are Hayley, Talli and dapperly-dressed Nathan (Mariners outfit and trendy blue jeans), and Aubrey. By-the-way, Nathan was in perfect form while he was awake and then, as if on cue, slept soundly all through the dinner.

After dinner, the wait person was kind enough to take the second photo as we scrunched around to get everyone in the picture. From left, moi, the birthday guy, Elaine (peeking over us), Kay Lynne, Aubrey (peeking around Grandma), Gregg, Hayley, Talli and Jamie (Nathan was still asleep under cover in his comfy, transportable car seat/carrier).

The background music during the evening was from the 80’s when Gregg and Doug were in high school and junior high respectively, so of course, being the competitive young men they’ve always been, they contested to see who could identify the artist and song title first. I’m not positively sure who won, but if Gregg didn’t, he certainly knew a lot of them.

Doug, your choice of restaurant and your tailored selection of entres were impeccable, and the enjoyable time all together was irreplaceable. We all had a fabulous evening!

Happy thirty-mmphth birthday, son!

A Very Merry Christmas To You, As Weather Shapes Our Observances

For about 360 days out of the past year, living where we do – on the side of a hill overlooking the waters of Puget Sound – has been a most pleasurable existence. We often wake up watching eagles, red-tailed hawks or cormorants diving for piscatorial breakfasts.



But for the last five days we’ve been trapped in our enjoyable setting by ice, 15-inches of snow and freezing temperatures (see last several posts). I’ve not been able to drive the car out since last Friday. The photo above, taken three days ago, looks out into the trees in our snow-smothered back yard.

Ice and snow on our steep driveway (down) followed by the excessively inclined egress road (up), has kept all vehicles away from our location. Finally, weather reports are beginning to indicate that it all may melt enough for us to get out by tomorrow. We hope that’s true, as both of our sons and their families are planning to arrive beginning tomorrow in the late afternoon.

For sure, this has been the most “out of the ordinary” Christmas season in memory. Eating a Christmas Eve TV dinner last night while watching the networks’ feeble attempts at celebrating this holiday was a first for us. Thank goodness for Public television and for Christmas Eve Service broadcasts from some of the world's great Cathedrals.

We’ve almost always been with family of some sort on Christmas Eve. But not this year. We’re certainly not complaining, however, as we’ll celebrate in a day or two with our entire immediate family. And, if weather permits, we may even be able to get together with our extended family at my cousin’s home near Point-No-Point.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but for the last six months or so, I’ve been writing a bi-weekly column in our local daily newspaper, the Kitsap Sun. It happened that today was my turn in the rotation. Some reflections on the wonder of Christmas are expressed in the column. If interested, you can click here to read the online version.

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours from Kay Lynne and me.