Summer's Over

As I took a walk this afternoon while babysitting a little 8 mo. old girl, I couldn't help but revel in the beautiful weather we are having. It was still warm out, but that very distinct, slightly cool Autumn wind has definately kicked in. It made me grateful that I took advantage of the last of the summer weather while I could and went white water rafting in Maupin, on the Deschutes River last Saturday.
I've been back in Bend exactly one week today and am finally feeling settled again. Some of my good friends from Mustard Seed Fellowship helped me move the last of my stuff on Sunday, what a blessing! It's amazing how quickly things go when a bunch of people are helping, it would have taken me all day, and I couldn't have moved some of that stuff alone. Thanks guys!

Canyonview Camp

Having spent the last eight weeks at Camp, I thought I would post just a couple of pictures. Camp is awesome. The second picture here always reminds me of Genesis 3 for some reason. And the last picture is a perfect image of the saying "like father, like daughter." That's all I have to say.

rainy day

I awoke this morning to the sound of rain pelting the roof, and as I lay there on my mattress (my bed is already packed up) snuggling up in my comforter I was tempted to be annoyed by the rain, for today I must pack all my stuff into my car (I was going to use Norma's truck - but not in the rain) and take a million trips back and forth to my storage unit. As these thoughts began to overwhelm me I suddenly remembered something - I like the rain. It's true. I do. I love going for long walks in the rain, it's very soothing. So, right then I made a decision. I decided to go for a walk in the rain, a walk to my favorite little bakery (the Sparrow bakery...mmmmm!) and get some coffee and a delicious ocean roll. So that's exactly what I did. I got up, grabbed my (really cute) orange umbrella, and walked to the bakery. At first it everything seemed chaotic (the cars rushing back and forth, splashing water everywhere as they sped through puddles) but as I looked more carefully a beauty began to emerge, a rythm of its own to which every noise and action only adds to the wonder of it all. It was lovely. After my coffee and ocean roll, as I was walking home I began to think about how much our attitudes affect us. For some reason it reminded me of one of my favorite poems:

The Road not Taken
By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim because it was grassy and wanted wear; though as for that, the passing there had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay in leaves no feet had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference

I have always thought of this as referring to physical choices, decisions we make, etc. And perhaps it is talking about that, but today I realized that we can also choose to take a different "path" simply by changing out hearts and attitudes, and it really does make a difference.
It is still raining outside. I still have to move today, and I'm still not done packing, but I'm no longer dreading it and I'm not longer annoyed at the weather, but am rather enjoying the beauty of it all. And that's a good thing.

Smith Rock

Today Linda, my friend Michelle, and I hiked up Misery Ridge at Smith Rock State Park. We had such a great time! Jolie, Norma, and Charis came to Smith with us too, but decided to chill in the park while we hiked. That's such a great hike, challenging, but not too long. I should go there more often. Anyway, it was really fun.

Earth Day

April 22, 2008. Earth day. It's Spring right? I thought so too, but Bend seems confused as I woke up to an inch of snow on the ground. And this isn't even that uncommon this year, it's been snowing off and on all week. Enough already. Next December I'll be begging for it, but not now thanks. But that's okay, because I've already had a lovely day anyway, and it's only noon! hehe. My day started early this morning, meeting with some lovely ladies from my community group at backporch coffee. So fun. After that I went on over to Townshends tea shop to meet up with my dear friend Jennie. We just chatted, caught up with each other's lives a bit, and played a couple hard core games of pick up sticks. She totally beat me both times. That's a tough game, I don't care what you say! hehe. Now I'm procrastinating from actually working (cleaning my house that is) but it's all good! I'll get there eventually...I think.

bon voyage

So after all the planning and saving and researching, the day finally came when three of my wonderful friends (two together and one with a group) left for some amazing adventures...on two different continents! My cousin Abby is leaving with the Mandate School to go to Cambodia for a month (I think) helping teach English and sharing the gospel! How cool is that? While at the same time, my two wonderful friends Alycia and Julie are heading for a wonderful European Adventure (Czech, Italy, Austria, France, and England!) and meeting up with my own dear brother Andrew! Have fun you all! and be safe! Meanwhile, I'm staying here, but don't feel sorry for me, I have tons of fun stuff planned (not that I wouldn't love to be going, but we can't win them all!)

the "girlz"

Snow weather!

Today was so fun! I woke up and there was no snow on the ground, but it was sleeting a bit. Then I went to church and when we got out there was like 4 inches of snow, and now (after snowing all day) we have 8 or 9 inches. The cool thing is we were already having a chilli/guitarhero/game get together with the girls from our youth small group, and we all went outside and did some spontaneous sledding/pranks. Invoke the mead! It was a blast. Ahhh...nothing beats a fun and refreshing Sunday! (These pictures are actually from a week or so ago, but they're still snow pics!)