Weeks of Blessing

Wow! Time sure does fly! Since my last entry, which was ages ago, I have traveled from Florida back to Montana, and on to Oregon. The time seems to have gone by so quickly, but not without my utmost gratefulness for God’s daily blessings, and amazing surprises. I thought that I would spend some time and share the highlights with all of you!

June 17, 2005 – My friend Dana flew down to Fort Myers to drive back to Montana with me. The evening she flew in a group of us went down to Fort Myers Beach for dinner and my final walk along the beach. It was such a blessing to share this part of my world with a friend from college, the amazing friends I have been blessed with while in Florida, and to return to my sanctuary while in Florida (the beach) to reflect and give thanks to God for all the growth over the past year.

June 18, 2005 – Dana and I arose bright and early to begin our 6 day trip back to Missoula for the Alpha Omega Fellowship House reunion. Our trip was relatively uneventful, lots of hours in the car, but a great time of conversation and catching up. Other highlights along the way are as follows:

• -Southern Barbeque with Dana’s Parents in Chattanooga, TN
• -Fun campground, small tent, and interesting neighbors in Missouri
• -Birthday party and great visit with my Grandparents and extended family
• -Beautiful mountain drives while staying with my Great Aunt Dorothy and Willis
• -Mt. Rushmore, The Corn Palace, and of course, Wall Drug!
• -Babies, mini-golf, ice cream, and honking the horn while driving through tunnels in Wyoming with Dana’s friend Tiffany.
• -Picture: Dana at Mt. Rushmore

June 24, 2005 – My Birthday! The big 23! Dana and I drove from Thermopolis, WY to Missoula, MT for the first day of the AO House reunion. We arrived in Missoula just before dinner and quickly began to catch up with friends we have not seen for a year or more. It was so fun to see so many familiar faces and to hear what God has been doing in people’s lives over the past year or so. Man, God sure is busy! I can’t think of a better way I would have liked to spend my birthday. Picture : My Grandparents and I in Iowa

And as normal AO House tradition goes, following dinner the girls gathered in the Dining Room for a dance party! Note to self – Dancing is an essential part of the female spirit. Indulge whenever possible!

The following day a large group of us floated the Blackfoot River and had a BBQ, with more catching up of course! Then a terrific surprise that evening!

My friend Garrick came over to the house to join in the festivities. Garrick and I had not seen each other in a few years, and I think we were both surprised to see each other. We talked for a long time into the early hours of the morning catching up on life, decided to climb the M at 4:00a.m., attempted to watch the sunrise while up on the mountain, and finally returned to the AO House in time to have morning lattes and get ready for church. All in all, a really blessed time and the renewal of an amazing friendship! That afternoon most of the people from the reunion began to clear out and many good-byes were said, but many memories were made as well. Thanks be to God!

Picture: Trail to Selay Pass (sp?) in Glacier National Park.

The week after the reunion was much more relaxed. I made it my personal mission to do most of the things that I used to do while I lived in Missoula. So in between visits from other friends still living in Missoula, I climbed Mt. Sentinel and Mt. Jumbo, walked the river trail, visit the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, hung out in my favorite coffee shops downtown, attended the Saturday morning farmer’s market, and read in oval at the university while soaking up the sun! And, thanks for another blessed day with Garrick, I also got to enjoy Glacier National Park! It just doesn’t get better then this does it!

July 2, 2005 – On Saturday my Mom, Patrick, and Lacey flew into Missoula. I picked them up at the airport, we rented a car, and traveled to our family’s cabin at Georgetown Lake. There I spent a lot of time sleeping, and sleeping, and reading, and then sleeping some more. However, I did not go without appreciating the beautiful mountains, lake, and small town 4th of July parade. Happy Independence Day!

July 8, 2005 – Lacey and my parents headed to Billings, MT for some medical check-ups and will flying out of there back to Portland, OR. In the meantime, I again hit the road and drove from Missoula to Portland. The drive was long all by myself, and let’s face it, eastern Washington is not the most scenic drive. However, I love the Colombia River Gorge and the drive provided good time to think, pray, and listen to music. All in all, relaxing.

Picture: Self-picture on top of Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.

July 9, 2005 – Today I find myself hanging out at home, catching up on e-mails, and working on the final logistics for my trip to Haiti. God is so good and a number of times in the last few weeks he has reminded me of His power and ability to carry me when I trust in Him. The reality of my trip to Haiti is slowly beginning to seep in more and more and I find myself nervous, excited, joyful, overwhelmed, and full of praise all at the same time. Such a weird combination of emotions! And again and again I am reminded of a scripture that God put on my heart when I first moved to Florida, and where the name of this blog comes from.

Psalms 139:7 – 10
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.”

Such a beautiful promise!

Well, that’s what I am up to right now. I will be in Portland for a couple of weeks hanging out with my little sister, finishing logistics for Haiti, and enjoying God’s goodness!

Again I thank each of you for your support and pray that God is working in your lives in amazing ways. If there are specific things that you would like me to pray for, please e-mail me and let me know. I would be honored.

Until my next entry, God is good, and many blessings to you all!