WASHINGTON (AP) — The Energy Department says motorists can expect gasoline prices to remain close to $4 a gallon through next year. Oil prices should remain well above $100 a barrel through 2009, says Guy Caruso, head of the department’s Energy Information Administration. Caruso told a House hearing in Washington on Wednesday that crude oil prices are likely to average $126 a barrel next year, $4 higher than this year. He said gasoline prices are expected to peak at $4.15 a gallon in August, but won’t go down much. The agency projects gasoline averaging $3.92 a gallon through 2009.
My brother-in-law Kris has started his new gig with SitePen, helping the web become all it can be. Truly, I do not know if I have met a more intelligent person than Kris, and I’m thankful his (and Kari’s) genes are part of our son’s makeup. May Dutch be as smart and wise as his uncle Kris!
We are on high ground, with power and very blessed, yet there are thousands displaced by the storms and flooding, whether stranded at the coast without power and fuel, or the flooding all over the region. Keep the people of Pacific Northwest in prayer as communities try to respond and recover from the worst flooding since the famous one of ‘96 (some say this is worse is some areas).
Today my good Brazilian friend Celso Nascimento will wed his bride Tatiana in Sao Vicente, Brazil (Brasil). It would be difficult to find a more godly man than Celso and he certainly has waited for God’s perfect choice for his bride.
I first met Celso while on a short-term missions trip in Sāo Vicente in 2002, and we quickly became friends. At that time he was a new assistant pastor to an American missionary-church planter and being raised up to be the native pastor of a new church there (Capela do Calvário de Sāo Vicente). In our outreach on the streets in the slums he was my translator, although I quickly learned he possessed better unique skills in communicating the Gospel and God’s Word that I did. And to see him at work in loving people — I was the one being ministered to. So I sought every opportunity to let him loose to speak and teach and encourage him in those short two weeks. A year later I was back in Brasil, this time in Curitiba, and we again formed a team. Email has kept us in constant contact since then, and he remains a close friend and near the top of my prayer list. His humility, love for people and sensitivity in communicating are only a few of his special qualities. Celso is a man of deep Christ-like character, and I thoroughly enjoy reading his monthly newsletters and stories of faith and humility and God’s power at work. {Read more about Celso here}
Here’s to all God’s best as they begin their life journey together. Wish we could be there to celebrate with them.
Our Dutchy Boy is finally crawling–for real! No more crazy side stroke army crawl sliding thing, this is the real deal. We are so proud of our little boy. He brings so much joy to our lives. Love, Mama
Six years ago Kari was stuck in Birmingham, AL with about 15 others coming home from a short-term missions trip in Brazil. Their plane was rushed to land and all their items left on-board for four days in wake of the World Trade Center attacks. I was on a runway in a plane in Atlanta headed home with about 40 others (in our group), and we too had to halt our travel plans. We all walked off the plane, confused, checking voicemail, looking at the TV monitors in the airport, trying to figure out what was going on. (To the right is Kari holding up a paper the next morning in Birmingham.)
September 11th, 2001 will remain an historic day in the annuls of our young nation. While the event impacted our entire country, and thousands died, the widespread turning to God we saw in the immediate wake of 9/11 faded away. It seems people wanted answers and solace and freedom from the pain and grief (all good things), but didn’t necessarily want God.
A few weeks ago Dutch started saying “Ba ba ba …,” over and over.
Tonight he said what appears to be his first official word: “Dadda.”
He said it clearly over and over, and added “Babba” to it a few times. (Perhaps that’s Kari’s nickname?) Now that he’s asleep and we’re playing Scrabble, I miss giggling with the lil’ Dutcher. Happy to be his Dadda.
A fire across the Molalla River, the start of which was no less than 300 yards as the crow flies south from our house, is starting to come under control of the emergency fire crews, in great measure thanks to these two helicopters.
Here’s a video of the helicopters. How thankful we are for their effort.
UPDATE: Friday night about 7:30pm the helicopters ended their focus on the hillside and the fire was under control. A few hot spots remain Saturday morning, but all is well, and in fact no homes were evacuated.
Friday night we played Scrabble outside while keeping an eye on the progress. How many people do you know have played Scrabble while helicopters circled their home? (Soon I’ll post a pic of Dutch gazing at the choppers as they zoomed overhead at low altitude.)
Here is my desk right now. Yes, it is a mess, but will be organized at the end of the day. Today is my last day of full-time work at Kamph Construction. For the past 2-1/2 years I’ve worked with long-time friend Ben Kamph to oversee and construct numerous excavation, underground utility, and development. I started as a laborer on the sewer & water utility crews, got a few hours on some equipment, but after about 6 months moved into the office full-time to serve as a Project Engineer, utilizing my civil engineering background and other work experience in like positions at two previous large general contractors (Granite and Swinerton Builders). I will continue on as a consultant of sorts, finishing up specific duties and adding input where needed.
The transition is somewhat bittersweet for Kari and I as I’ve been able to work with and enjoy the daily interaction with a very close friend in Ben, and Kari has been able to spend time with his wife Zephyr. We’ve known eachother for more than a decade now, and that friendship will continue for life. Kari and I will return to classes at Multnomah Biblical Seminary in ten days from now, as I finish up an MDiv degree in the next couple of years, God willing, and Kari wraps up her MAPS.
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Okay, enough news about us nobodies… The real news is that Dan Patrick is leaving ESPN. Today is his last radio show after 18 years with the sports supergiant. I will listen as possible starting at 10am PST as I conclude my own last day of work.
For those of us who grew up watching SportsCenter, Dan became one of our trusted friends. Teaming with Keith Olberman, Patrick (his real name is Daniel Patrick Pugh) delivered the best sports highlights and quick-witted commentary the world has ever seen. Just as we missed the “Big Show” when Olberman left SportsCenter and ESPN, so will we miss it again as Dan Patrick heads off into his next stage of life, apart from ESPN. For 18 years he has been “en fuego.”
As a civil engineer I marvel at and enjoy observing many transportation structures perhaps not noticed by the common person. Kari’s heard my spiel numerous times about asphalt pavement and why it cracks and unravels in particular ways, and each time a cross a bridge I think of the forces of tension and compression and moments and torque and stress and strain taking place as our axles make their way across.
Last night when I arrived home we heard the sorrowful news of a bridge with multiple decks that failed in Minneapolis, toppling into the Mississippi River below, taking scores of cars with it. There is no confirmed number of injuries and fatalities so soon after the event.
When I heard about it, I immediately paused to pray for clarity and wisdom for the rescue workers, and for peace and grace for the families of loved ones lost or missing from the tragedy. And then I thought about how would blame God for allowing something like this to happen. My mind thought of Bethlehem Baptist Church and their response of love and compassion and mercy in the community in Minneapolis, and the pastoral and preaching ministry lead by John Piper, my favorite preacher and author. His clarity of thought and speech and conviction in the Gospel have illuminated my mind and soul for almost a decade now. So I ventured over to Desiring God and there I found John Piper’s commentary: Putting My Daughter to Bed Two Hours After the Bridge Collapsed.
Piper notes that right after the bridge collapsed their family was gathered for evening devotions, the text according to their predetermined plan was Luke 13:1-9. Certainly a relevant passage in light of the evening’s events. On the blog he comments:
Jesus implies that those who brought him this news thought he would say that those who died, deserved to die, and that those who didn’t die did not deserve to die. That is not what he said. He said, everyone deserves to die. And if you and I don’t repent, we too will perish. This is a stunning response. It only makes sense from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God.
All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world.
The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind’s attention and my heart’s affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God’s message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world.
We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.” When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.”
Talitha said, “Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him.” “Yes, Talitha,” I said, “I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall.”
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I said, “You know, Talitha, that is true whether you die in a bridge collapse, or in a car accident, or from cancer, or terrorism, or old age. God always keeps you, even when you die. So you don’t need to be afraid, do you.” “No,” she shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her. “Good night. I love you.”Tonight across the Twin Cities families are wondering if they will ever kiss a loved one good night again. Some will not. I am praying that they will find Jesus Christ to be their Rock and Refuge in these agonizing hours of uncertainty and even loss.
The note ends with Psalm 71:20: “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again.”
May God appear infinitely merciful and gracious and kind and willing to come and be the Comfort all the families in the Twin Cities need.
The two Greek words de ("but") and Theos ("God") are the first two words of Ephesians 2:4: "But God, who is rich in mercy..."
Because of God's great love and grace extending to us in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, redeemed and able to know, love + enjoy God more fully, ever-increasing and forever.
This site contains the thoughts and conclusions and journeys of the Patterson family -- Jeff, Kari and Dutch -- who have experienced the front-end of God's amazing grace, and continue to delight in His unfailing love.
Read more about us, and what we hold most precious.
AP News, June 11, 2008
My brother-in-law Kris has 
Today my good Brazilian friend Celso Nascimento will wed his bride Tatiana in Sao Vicente, Brazil (Brasil). It would be difficult to find a more godly man than Celso and he certainly has waited for God’s perfect choice for his bride.
Six years ago Kari was stuck in Birmingham, AL with about 15 others coming home from a short-term missions trip in Brazil. Their plane was rushed to land and all their items left on-board for four days in wake of the World Trade Center attacks. I was on a runway in a plane in Atlanta headed home with about 40 others (in our group), and we too had to halt our travel plans. We all walked off the plane, confused, checking voicemail, looking at the TV monitors in the airport, trying to figure out what was going on. (To the right is Kari holding up a paper the next morning in Birmingham.)
A few weeks ago Dutch started saying “Ba ba ba …,” over and over.
A fire across the Molalla River, the start of which was no less than 300 yards as the crow flies south from our house, is starting to come under control of the emergency fire crews, in great measure thanks to these two helicopters.
Here is my desk right now. Yes, it is a mess, but will be organized at the end of the day. Today is my last day of full-time work at 
