Ordination

The best of both worlds. There is a tension in being the Church. On the one hand it is valuable to have recognized and set apart leaders who represent the unity of the church in the world. Through ordained bishops order is maintained and God's people are represented in the laying on of the Bishop's hands. This is the top-down reality of the church. It ensures, usually, that not just anyone can bless sacraments and baptize those coming into the church.

On the other hand it is necessary that those we are close to recognize our giftings, passions and calling to the ministry that the Bishop does not necessarily know in the same way and with the same familiarity. This is the bottom-up reality of the church. It ensures that gifts are recognized and confirmed.

At Josh Wilton's and my ordination to the Presbyterate ("Priest" or "Pastor") both of these realities converged to make the service truly meaningful. It was very special to have so many family and friends who have known me on such different parts of the journey come and affirm what God is calling forth in me.

The service itself was held at Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church in North Vancouver on Spetember 7th. We followed up the packed out service with a reception downstairs. My only regret was that I couldn't spend more time with all who were able to come and bless our two families.

Josh and I along with our wives and Baby Eli (Wilton) will be heading to Victoria in January to begin the preliminary steps of a new church plant there. For more information on this or to be a part of our prayer team please email us. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends.

The Enchantments

So these mountains really are all that they are "cracked-up to be." They are as beautiful as the competitive back-country permit suggests (they only let 20 people in per day and people register 9 months in advance to get one of these precious spots). The mountains are accessed out of Leavenworth, WA. In August, we met up with our friends Ponch and Kristen, camped along Icicle Creek, won the permit lottery to get in (we were one of 2 groups who got to get in this way) and were then on our way. The total trip was about 20 miles. Up one steep pass (Aasgard Pass-gain of 2200 feet in 3/4 mile and it took us 3 hours to do just this part) through the popular Enchantment Zone and then dropped down the other pass to the trail head where my sweet parents were waiting in lawn chairs to pick us up. We would highly recommend this trip. Extremely craggy peaks, tamarack trees galore, numerous glaciers and lakes full of glacial silt, goats, marmots, martens, squirrels, crazy fun friends, great weather.... it all truly was enchanting.

Andy and Crystal Lake.

Ponch and Andy near Inspiration Lake.

Ponch and his goat friend.

The mama goat and her kids who just lept onto the rock that we were sitting on and tried to gord Katie. Katie looked over to Ponch for support, but he was busy taking this photo.

Withrow Annual Family Beach Trip 2008

This year we decided to do something different.... instead of staying in our usual OR Coast cabin we braved it and went camping! It was awesome, windy and cold. Full of yummy food, card games, beach walks, salmon fishing and hikes. We had 3 sites, numerous tents, an RV and a yurt for our home for a week in July. It was awesome! We stayed outside of Ilwaco, WA near the mouth of the Columbia River at Cape Disappointment State Park (We were NOT disappointed).

Looking south into OR from the Column in Astoria, OR.

Photo of the lighthouse that Erin and I hiked to.

Ahhh... Cousin Erin and the lighthouse.

We call them Smore Betters because they are WAY better than traditional smores. Chocolate wafer + peanut butter + marshmallow = goodness.

Ummm.... yummy.

Hanging by the fire. Note yurt in the background.

They fit him almost too well.

Rachel by the beach. So precious.

Nathan by the beach. Also, so precious.

What we do.

Ohhh... the McDonells!

Well as many of you know, this has been a big summer for the McDonell family. We have had many great changes.

First, both my sister AND my mom and dad moved to Quincy, WA. Yes, they do live 3 houses away from each other.

Second, my mom retired. I am so happy for her and my dad. They go to mass everyday together and then go swimming and by that time they come home for lunch and take naps. They are so cute.

Third, my sister got married! She married her boyfriend of 7 years... Andrew. Their wedding was loads of fun. See photos below.

Fourth, my brother and his wife are having a baby! I am SO excited and happy for them. This will be the first grandchild for my parents (even though my dad has been mistaken for a grandpa for the last 25 years).

Mom and Dad at the reception doing "prom pose." Note Dad's hat. Don't worry he didn't wear it during the ceremony (but he did wear it every other moment the whole weekend).

Mom at the reception. She is what she refers to as "peaked." I think she is partied out.

I am not sure what my sister said that made Dad laugh so hard during the Father of the Bride Dance, but it was pretty cute.

And of course, there is never a set of wedding photos complete without one of Dad eating.

Us pretending we were at prom.

They are so cute.

Laura and her new husb.

Laura... so pretty.

Us at the rehearsal.

5 Years of Lovin

Welp, we made it to our first big anniversary... the big 5th! Yhessss!!!! We had a great time celebrating each other, our commitments and our togetherness by attending a conference about marriage by Gary Thomas (highly recommend his books and conferences), spending time with some of our greatest friends and visiting the spot where we were wed... Hovander Park. We can still fit in our wedding clothes (we'll see how long that lasts...), so we thought we should get some good use out of them. Wearing them each anniversary has become one of our traditions. We got some funny looks at Trader Joe's...


To love! And to all of the joys and struggles that come with being in community with another!