August 2010

Whitaker pic from the McChord Air Expo

Catherine enjoying her mom at the Air Show

Andrew readies the M240B machine gun at the Air Show.

Rich

The Whitakers are moving into August and our 8th year living in the Pacific Northwest with new opportunities on the horizon.  Our calling to start new churches is still at the forefront of our minds and hearts because God's church is the hope of the world.  Our family joined Discovery Community Church in Tacoma this Spring where Rich is working to facilitate a church health assessment and strategy development.  Rich is also coaching a church planting team led by Soong-Yol Hong.  Their vision is to plant a multi-cultural church, called As One Community, in Tacoma with an anticipated launch date in October.  Truman is off to start Steilacoom High School this fall as a Junior and is currently enrolled in a boxing class at Fort Lewis (now called Joint Base Lewis-McChord).  Andrew is enjoying his summer and will start the seventh grade this fall.  He recently purchased on old 16mm projector from an antique store and he hopes to buy a film to play on it soon.  We're not sure what to do about school for Catherine this fall.  With a birthday of 3 September, she's too young to start kindergarten...so Cheryl is exploring preschool options.  Rich's brother Rob along with wife Cristin and daughter Lucy arrive for a weeklong visit on the 21st.  Rich gets to take that week off and we're excited for a break and visit with family.  Before they arrive, Rich is headed to Atlanta from 10-13 August for a planning conference, part of his job as Deputy Commander for the 1st Joint Mobilization Brigade.