☀️Supreme Sun
Friday, September 30, 2022 - Vol. 01 No. 19
Here’s another issue of the Sun to help you cast off into your weekend.
☀️Do you know where your liberties have gone?
Mount Rainier is majestic. The San Juan Islands are sublime. But one of the best things about Washington State is that we don’t believe the State is God. Perhaps it doesn’t seem that way. Our governor has taken “emergency powers” to heights that might give the old Olympian gods altitude sickness. But the supreme law of our land (under the U.S. Constitution) is the Washington State Constitution, and before declaring any of our rights it acknowledges our limitations of power:
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution. (WA Constitution - Preamble)
It is certainly possible to be more specific than “Supreme Ruler of the universe” (some of us know His personal name and His Son’s name), but we could do much worse as a starting point.
There are at least a couple things to note here. First, the banner over our state rights and regulations is thankfulness. What we have, in our laws and responsibilities and freedoms, are gifts from someone else. They are unearned, undeserved, to be received by all without distinction, and for which we are “grateful.”
Second, this Gift-giver has authority. He is recognized as “the…Ruler” and even as the “Supreme” Ruler. None are higher; supreme identifies the superior, the one who is the most important, the most powerful. Men ordain rules, but there is a higher court. In last week’s issue of the Sun we pointed out that without an objective, transcendent reality we are doomed to arbitrary lawlessness no matter what words are used. What good news that the Supreme Ruler exists.
Who knew that politicians could be so preachy? We might expect to hear this sort of language in a church. But the government herself starts with submission to this Higher Power.
The last couple years have incited more non-lawyer people to (re)read the laws of our land. It turns out that many things in the State Constitution and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) are ridiculous, petty, and dangerous. Many of those problems stem from an inconsistency with the Preamble.
“We, the people” are only people because we’ve been made people. The Maker made us in certain ways (starting with male and female) and to treat one another in certain ways. The first commitment of good government is thankful submission to the Supreme Ruler, just like our Constitution says. If there is no Supreme Ruler, then there is no consistent basis for laws, and no protection of our liberties. The state only wishes she could be so powerful.
☀️Walker’s Coffee Company
by Maggie Rothenberger
Coffee is such a prized liquid that it boasts a national day in its honor. From its introduction to the West in coffee shops that hosted social and political discussions, to whatever coffee maker is on your kitchen counter, the drink undeniably holds sway over a large swath of the population. “Let’s grab a coffee sometime,” is tossed about frequently, “I need a coffee” is a common saying, and it is almost always a sign of love to bring someone a coffee drink. Coffee is used as a relationship building tool across cultures; Darrel and Abby Walker are using their espresso stands in Marysville to do the same.
Walker’s Coffee Company has two Marysville area locations. The original was opened in 2004, just off of State Avenue near Value Village and E&E lumber, a year into the Walker’s marriage. Abby Walker worked in espresso shops for ten years before they opened their own stand, and has rooted knowledge of the inner workings of coffee stands. In 2005 they opened a stand off of 72nd Street near Arlington, and expanded it in 2016. These stands are a staple of Marysville coffee, offering a variety of drinks and treats—their mini donuts are absolutely delicious.
For Darrel, the stands are all about creating relationships with the local community. He likes to tell people, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.” He moved to Marysville in 1985, when he was in second grade, and has been involved with the Marysville School District since that time, whether as a student, athletics coach, or PE director. His network reaches through and beyond Marysville, and solid relationships with community members were crucial for completing the remodel of the Arlington stand despite difficulties with a contractor.
When I asked him what makes Marysville unique, Darrel highlighted that we have facets of both a big and a small town, and there are benefits to each. With small businesses working to recover from the struggles in 2020, he suggests that residents give back to the community by loving the good parts they see around them, and investing in something good of their own. The Walker’s know almost all the local stand owners and other small business owners, working to strengthen relationships so their work can extend further into Marysville. As a family, their motto is, “See a need, meet a need,” which is precisely what their business does as well.
So, next time you’re in the mood for a coffee, or some mini donuts, or a lotus drink, or just want to build some relationships, swing by one of the Walker’s stands and say hello!
☀️Fall Events
Pumpkin Trails Quest, a family scavenger hunt on three Marysville trails through the month of October. Read more about it in this North County Outlook article or visit the event page on Facebook.
Coffee Klatch with Mayor Nehring, Tuesday, October 18, 10:00-11:00am at City Hall.
☀️Friday Fun
Bald is beautiful?
