BETHEL!

We are in New York this week to visit the 3 Bethel branches, and attend our Hindi special assembly day. We are so excited because for some of us it is our first chance to tour the facilities.

Here we are with an Indian sister we met in the lobby of Patterson, Seetamah. She is also here with about 30 people from the Hindi group she attends in L.A. They just had their first public talk a few weeks ago!

Amanda, ME, and Rachel, in the lobby of Wallkill.

Amanda, Zane, ME and Kyle. Kyle was our tour guide. He is also from Illinois and has been friends with Rachel's family for years. And if I may say, he was the coolest tour guide that four people from the Hindi group could have ever had on a Wednesday in April of 2007! The absolute BEST!

Seattle, WA

You might be from the Pacific Northwest if:

You feel guilty throwing aluminium cans or paper in the trash.

You use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.

You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.

You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.

You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.

You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best and Veneto's.

You know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye.

You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon and Willamette.

You consider swimming an indoor sport.

You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.

You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast : rain followed by showers."

You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just an adjective.

You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the clouds.

You put on shorts when it gets above 50F, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60F, but keep the socks on.

You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.

You knew immediately that the view out of Frasier's window was fake.

You measure distance in hours.

You carry jumper cables in your car and you know how to use them.

You shop for things you know will look good under a raincoat.