Meaningful Weekend

This past weekend was packed with some meaningful and emotionally powerful events. 

On Friday we attended the BENefit for the Ben Towne Foundation.  Our good friend Kristen's nephew passed away almost 3 years ago after bravely battling Neuroblastoma cancer for over a year.  He was just 3 years old.  In his memory, his parents and family established the Ben Towne Foundation to help support pediatric cancer research so other parents don't have to go through what they did.  We went to the launch of the Foundation last year and this year we learned how much has already been accomplished from the Foundation's efforts.  The Foundation helps to support the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Seattle Children's Research Institute.  The Center is trying to change how pediatric cancer is treated.  Ben's parents spoke along with some of the researchers who are leading the way with this innovative research.  It was a very moving and special evening.  We encourage you to visit the website to learn more.  While you're there, be sure to watch the special edition of The Soup that was created just for the BENefit.


Then on Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to the Seattle AIDS Walk on Capitol Hill in Seattle.  We joined a team with fellow church members and walked with our good friends, Heidi and Jesse.  It was a fun neighborhood walk and a beautiful day.  They had an AIDS Memorial Tent where they displayed parts of the AIDS Quilt which was cool to see.  They also had an eye opening timeline of how AIDS has progressed in the last 3 decades. 


Finally, on Sunday morning our church launched 2 new campuses.  The main campus is in Bothell and this past weekend they started campuses in Sammamish and Seattle.  We are helping to launch the Sammamish campus by serving as usher captains.  Church is being held at Skyline High School which is an awesome facility.  The kids that go there are lucky!  We had a strong turnout for the very first Sunday and we're excited to see how many new people on the Eastside develop a relationship with Christ and find a new church home.  The Seattle campus is taking place on UW's campus in Kane Hall.  If any of you are looking for a dynamic, non-judgmental church that really "walks its talk" then we encourage you to check out one of the campuses.  

Whew!  Weekends are busy in the fall, but there's lots to look forward to.  Happy Fall everyone!