Canyon Creek Church | Mill Creek, Lynnwood and South Everett, Washington
This Week's Sermon
Di Beals_Connection Pastor
I am driven, energetic and I spend a LOT of time in my car; three kids in multiple sports make sure of that! I grew up in church, but truly gave Jesus my heart, my life and my future while I was a student at Northwest University. I am an “all or nothing” person, so I have not looked back since. While at Northwest, I met a guy who was like no one I had ever met. He was cute, athletic, smart, motivated and funny, AND he loved Jesus! Two and a half years later that man asked me to be his wife, and in 1992 I married Brandon Beals. I graduated from Northwest with a behavioral science degree, but somewhere in those college years I felt “called” into ministry. Actually, I just genuinely fell in love with ministry of any kind and over the years I could not fathom doing anything else with my life. Inspiring others to live for Jesus and to chase after more of Him is what brings me fulfillment and joy. I feel like MY calling is to help other people find THEIR calling. Over the years God has been so good to Brandon and I, I am so grateful for a life of purpose and a best friend and partner to share it with.
After serving in ministry at the churches we grew up in and getting married, we spent 7 incredible years as youth pastors at Bethany Christian Assembly in Everett. During that time, our beautiful daughter Rachel was born. In 2000 we went on a crazy adventure to California where we spent 4 years at Calvary Temple in Modesto. It was there that our twin boys, Judah and Elijah were born. We had a great time in Modesto, growing an amazing youth ministry called Phenomenon and traveling ministry teams around the country. In 2003 we made the riskiest leap of our lives, following a crazy dream to plant a church in our “hometown” Mill Creek, Washington, and thus Canyon Creek was born.
After 7 1/2 years at Canyon Creek where I serve as the “Connection Pastor,” I can’t help but shake my head at how God works. Our family’s life is an adventure, and we’ve only just begun!
Married To: Brandon on June 19th, 1992.
Children: Rachel Lynn born September 25, 1996. Judah Michael and Elijah Austin born on December 11, 2000.
What I Do For Fun: Take pictures, drink coffee, practice yoga, lift weights, watch my kids play sports, cook, go to movies, and do anything with my husband and kids (especially if it involves a vacation!) I also run almost every day...I'll be honest, I do not enjoy it, but I don't hate it anymore either! And I might as well put "driving" since that is what takes up most of my free time!
What TV Shows I Watch: House, Fringe, and Chopped. I also like So You Think You Can Dance, and love to have the Food Network on in the background of any mundane household chore.
What Movies I Recommend: My all time favorite movies are Spiderman 1 & 2. I also love inspiring movies like Remember the Titans, Friday Night Lights, and Dead Poets Society. And the Burbs, that is a funny movie.
Where I Like to Travel: Hawaii, Cabo, New York City, and San Francisco. Someday I would love to go to Switzerland, Italy or Greece (or preferably all 3!)
What I Like to Read: Bible, various fiction(I like to make my way through the bestsellers at Borders), and cookbooks! I also love Women's Health Magazine and I am currently reading "The Hunger Games" Series and "Breath" by Keri Kent.
What I Eat: I love Italian food, Mexican food, Thai food, and I LOVE crab! Give me chips and salsa though, and I am a happy girl.
What I Drive: An Acura MDX which I LOVE! (which is good since I spend so much time in it!)
Where I Shop: Banana Republic, Express and Target are where I end up most, but Kenneth Cole is by far my favorite. I used to say if I ever won a shopping spree I'd want to spend it at Kenneth Cole, but this year I DID win a shopping spree there! I had a blast shopping for designer clothes for FREE!
What I Drink: My current favorite hot drink is a grande non fat extra hot vanilla latte. And when I say hot I mean burn-your-tongue-HOT! But I also love water, cranberry juice and apple-chai infusions. I am a beverage girl all the way!
What I Want For Christmas (or someday): A maid? Can I ask for that for Christmas?