Home Stretch...

Well, look who decided to give a little update. My apologies, there really hasn't been much to share. The fourth of July intensity was high at NBNE, we had gigs upon gigs, with 5 Wind Ensemble concerts as part of the mix, which I like because I'm playing oboe, but the manpower required to get the whole band set up and torn down is a lot for us to deal with.

I took a short weekend trip down to Stamford, CT from July 4-5 to relax with Aunt Barbie and Uncle Bob, that was very nice, as always. I good soak in the hot tub eased my tired limbs, and Barbie and I got to scoot around in my Saab for ice cream and other tasty errands.

Then from July 7-11, in the midst of more gigs, Carlton and I got to teach Vacation Bible School at the Chapel of Hope here on base. We taught the music rotation all week, to three different age groups. Every evening at camp they learned a new song, and on Sunday at the Protestant service we "performed" our whole repetoire to a loving audience of parents, friends, and the hundred Officer Candidates who come to chapel every week during their rigorous version of boot camp. The theme of the week was "Outrigger Island" and our songs were written just for the event, as part of a packaged VBS that any church can order. It was really awesome to see God's work in these kids' lives and Jesus on their faces. It reminded me that we must come to Christ with the heart of a child. They really are pure and fearless you know, and have hearts that can love like no other. So that was a great week of communion and testimony with some of Newport's most precious citizens. Here's some in action:


Socially and spiritually I am praying for more support, as Carlton is still my only friend here, I miss having women in my life! As one of four girls I never thought I'd say that. SO I'd love to find a women's bible study like I had in SD, or at least some regular fellowship that can keep me accountable, growing, and grounded in Christ.

Last Saturday I went north to Massachusetts to visit Jackie S., my chaplain from NU. We had a nice dinner and I fell asleep watching Eddie Izzard give his hilarious history of just about everything, including Anglicans. Then on Sunday I went to Jackie's very urban parish, St. Paul's of Brockton for both her Morning Prayer and Eucharist services. She has a small, eclectic group of worshipers and an extremely talented organist who is an improv wiz, he's only 14 and will be attending Interlochen in the fall. The parish offers a free lunch to the poor six days a week, and is looking to expand it's services to include a day center for those who need a place for rest, resource, and encouragement. I pray they will come to know Christ in such an environment, and I believe Jackie and her parish are making strides in helping that to happen.

After church we ate lovely Greek omlettes at a diner and ventured up to Quincy, MA, where the Adams National Park offers awesome tours of the houses and history of both John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Unfortunately the tour did not include any Sam Adams, but ended with a dramatic thunderstorm.

And, in fact it has been raining - pouring really - for the last two days, culminating with a pretty scary power outage last night here on base. It was so dark and quiet, luckily I had contraband candles to light, and a bible to snuggle up to. Welcome to New England!

Of course yesterday's big event was Emily and Richard's wedding in San Diego. Notice, I was not there. Alas the Navy said 'no you cannot possibly go, we need you here to play your oboe for a Captain's retirement in the morning.' And so I stayed, and played this morning for a really great man, who incidentally was the skipper of the USS Blue Ridge before coming to the Naval War College, the ship our friends in the 7th Fleet Band cruise with. So it was special to him for us to be there.

Family has sent me some really beautiful pictures of the wedding, which I will eventually compile and put on my own photo page. In the meantime here is the link to Kate's photos. Here's one from Dad:

And of course one of the kids:

Alright I'm off to go schmooze down at the Newport Yacht Club, Aunt Barbie has been hassling/encouraging me to sign up for crew... it's how she met her husband! Everyone's got advice for me... I love it. God bless and if you are in SD I'll see you in a mere 7 days!!! Much Love, Jenny