Trip To San Diego

Whew! What a weekend! Its been a while since I had a good ol fashioned road trip. My brother, grandpa, mom, and I all piled into grandpa's white Buick for a 1,ooo mile jaunt down I-15 for my cousin's wedding in San Diego. 30 hours in the car over the past three days - I think I am cured of road trips for a while.

We drove to Las Vegas on Friday and stayed the night. I had never been to Vegas before, so my brother took us on a mini tour down on the "strip" and Freemont street. (Not my favorite place in the world). We left at 6am on Saturday and drove the remaining way to San Diego.

The wedding was simple but very beautiful and well worth the investment of the drive. Ian's band played softly in the background and their pastor admonished them - "God brings two together so that they can do more for the Kingdom of God together than they could ever do alone"..., "provoke each other to pursue and cultivate the will of God...", "remind him of what God has placed in his heart.." They pledged their personalized vows under the glow of white lights adorning the willow tree behind them. The reception was on the basketball court that had been transformed into a cozy atmosphere by huge white ball lanterns strung across the court. I am so proud of my cousin and his new bride. I really felt like I could stand in agreement with their decision. It was such a blessing to spend a few hours see my aunt and uncle and other cousin that had flown down from Oregon.

Bright and early at 5am we packed back up the Buick and headed 1,000 miles north, straight home. I would have liked to have spent more more time in San Diego seeing some of the sights (primarily the OCEAN), but maybe some other time....

Congratulations Ian and Julie!!!!

Yellowstone with Friends

This weekend I have been graced with the company of some very dear friends that I met in Singapore two years ago. They are missionaries to southeast Asia and are based out of Singapore. Deborah and Cornelio came to see me in Blackfoot! And since it was Cornelio's birthday yesterday, we took a surpise trip to Yellowstone National Park. It has been over 8 years since I had been to the park, so it was blast to see it again myself and to show it to people who have never experienced it before. We saw lots of critters - more than I had ever seen in previous visits. Hundreds of buffalo, several elk, deer, cranes, and a coyote.

Cornelio, Deborah, and me - enjoying each other's company.

Enjoying pita sandwiches at Old Faithful

Powder Puff Derby

This is Barbie, er, I mean Jonnie. She is my sister...



And this is my dad...
And my "little" brother...

Back to Jonnie...
This is Jonnie's car. Well, one of her cars. The other one isn't so, um, pink. And it isn't so noisey.Wow, is that rust?
And this is Jonnie's multi talented husband - Kevin.
And this is Jonnie's first crash that she didn't get a ticket for :-D

Wow sis, all those years of backing into the trash can in the driveway and hitting parked cars in the parking lot really paid off! I had no idea you were practicing for your first demolition derby! She managed to get through without breaking a nail...You go Girl! I am proud of you!

Seasons

Without knowing what hit me, September burst through the door without a warning. Not that he is an unwelcome guest, as I have always loved the crisp coolness on his breath, but I certainly was unprepared for the sudden arrival. School is back in session, the state fair is half over, and the geese are well on their way of mapping pit stops on their way south. It seems that things all around me are changing and shifting, and yet I remain still. I love the definite seasons of Idaho. The glowing intense romance of Summer always yields to the tap on the back from Autumn requesting the next dance with creation before Winter comes in silent and relentless monotony where life seems so distant. However, Spring, with her sweet song and somewhat unreliable predictability, forces new life and resurrection from the dead, as creation is once again awakened as deep calls unto deep.

Not long ago, as I was sharing my heart with the Lord, I heard myself questioning Him as to why nothing in my life changes. I confess, I have wasted much time in my life comparing myself to others, which is always a no win situation. However, this time I was honestly laying my heart before the Lord seeking Him for direction in my life. It seems, by outward appearance, that everyone around me are "moving on" with life: getting married, having kids, changing jobs, graduating, etc. People are going through their life seasons and I feel like I have been stuck in a rut for the better part of ten years. Why are the things I am believing and praying for not coming to pass? Sometimes the sheer restlessness and frustration bring me to tears.

Then the Lord, in absolute confident reply to my question, "The change is happening in you. You are the change. Continue to believe Me, for it is My work to do in and through you, and what I have begun in you, I am faithful to complete."