Waiting...

Sarah says that she never wants to travel with me. It hurts a little, but I guess she has her reasons. On my weekend trip to Oklahoma, I arrived without my luggage for the third time out of the last four times that I've traveled. Both of my return flights were cancelled due to weather in Chicago, so I had to call in to work and reschedule my flight for the next day. In order to get back to Rochester, I went through Denver, where I had an unexplained delay that caused me to miss my flight to Rochester. So, I got back exactly 24 hours later than planned.

The trip itself was great as I went to the wedding of Amanda, a special friend from nursing school. It was great getting to see her, catch up with friends, and help out at the wedding and reception. An added bonus was that Caleb was in OKC to play for a concert at the same time! In fact, he flew in about 45 minutes after me and Peter B. picked us up from the airport. The three of us got to visit and enjoy the art displayed at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

For most of the time, I stayed with Mindy, Josh, and 8 month-old Kailey, whom I met for the first time. Mindy is also a close friend from nursing school.

Kailey gives the best, slobbery kisses to her mama, but I stole one!
The night that Mindy was working, I stayed in Shawnee with a family from my church there. They have a lovely place in the country, so the girls and I enjoyed spending time outside with the mosquitos and new kittens while we listened to frogs and played the guessing game. It was fun to see friends at church as well.

All put together, however, I would say the theme of the last several days was waiting. Waiting in the airport, waiting before going to Mindy's, waiting at OBU before going out to the families house, waiting at OBU (napping in the car) after church before going to get ready for the wedding, waiting for a few hours at the airport before my flight was finally cancelled, waiting in Chicago after just missing my flight... Some of that waiting did create reading time. I finished A Long Way Gone: memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah, which I recommend to anyone interested in that sort of issue. When I thought I was tired of talking on the cell phone, walking around, and reading, I started reading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller and didn't set it down until I was nearly half finished!

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To add to the waiting theme, I had a fun evening planned today with Liz, the nurse extern working with me this summer. First, we were going to Rachel's to swim. Due to the rain, we chatted and looked at Rachel's Mercy Ship photos instead, which was great. Then, we were planning to go the parade at 6:15pm before going to a L'Abri lecture at 7:30pm. Well, the parade was not over until past 8:45pm! I kept beating myself up for parking where I couldn't get out until the parade was over. I had no clue parades could last that long. Saddly, we missed the lecture.

Something I keep planning to do is take photos of barns, because there are so many neat farms up here with barns. I still haven't done that because...well, I just haven't. Some friends and I went on a gorgeous 25 mile bike ride at Lanesboro a couple of weeks ago. Here are a few barns that we rode my in the path by the river.

Meeting God

The Hunter and the Woodman

A hunter was searching in the forest for the tracks of a lion, and, catching sight presently of a woodman engaged in felling a tree, he went up to him and asked him if he had noticed a lion's footprints anywhere about, or if he knew where his den was. The woodman answered, "If you will come with me, I will show you the lion himself." The hunter turned pale with fear, and his teeth chattered as he replied, "Oh, I'm not looking for the lion, thanks, but only for his tracks."

Aesop's Fables

How often is this how we approach God? We talk about Him, read the Bible, read books about Him, discuss Him with others, but when it comes down to really meeting with Him... Why might we shy away from that? Being in His presence makes us see ourselves for who we really are. It's not necessarily a comfortable experience, because it requires change. Sometimes it is easier to let others such as pastors or authors seek God for us and tell us what He says, but is that what God desires?

Susan: "Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
Mr. Beaver: "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King."

The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die." Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:18-21

...This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. Isaiah 29:13

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord. James 4:8-10a

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Cuties

Here are the cuties (Ernest in black, Ellie in brown) that were born while I was at home:) ...and Larry, who is a whole week older!

The Wolf and the Goat

A wolf caught sight of a goat browsing above him on the scanty herbage that grew on the top of a steep rock; and being unable to get at her, tried to induce her to come lower down. "You are risking your life up there, madam, indeed you are," he called out. "Pray take my advice and come down here, where you will find plenty of better food." The goat turned a knowing eye upon him. "It's little you care whether I get good grass or bad," said she. "What you want is to eat me." ~Aesop's Fables

East West HOME is Best

Words cannot describe the way I feel. Maybe some photos will help portray the beauty that swept me away on my walk yesterday and convey the peace and joy of being HOME! Never before have I seen so many Lace Cacti in bloom at once!






Greenthread or Golden Wave cover the burned areas from last June's grass fires.

Purple Loco on a hill.

The girls and I had a little fun...

Anna and I scared up a few deer, then, a moment later, Queenie came running our direction being chased by a coyote! After a bit, we yelled at them, the coyote paused, then Queenie was after the coyote!The yucca are in full bloom.

This morning, the girls and I picked Lamb's Quarters, a plant that we blanch, freeze, and use like spinach.

Favorite Books

What are your all time favorite books or books that you highly recommend that I add to my reading list?

Here are some that I have enjoyed most through the years:

Bruchko--Bruce Olsen
The Cross and the Switchblade--David Wilkerson
The Price of Freedom--Alex Domokos
Hidden Rainbow--Christmas Carol Kauffman
A Child Called "It"--Dave Pelzer
The Lost Boy--Dave Pelzer
A Man Named Dave--Dave Pelzer
The Hiding Place--Corrie Ten Boom
God's Smuggler--Brother Andrew
Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy--Marie Chapian
Where is God When It Hurts--Philip Yancey
My Utmost for His Highest

There are so many others that I'm not thinking of now, but each of these came to mind because of the impact they have had on me.

Mother's Day

At the grocery store, I was chatting with the checkout ladies. As I walked away, one of them hollered out "Happy Mother's Day!" It caught me off guard; my little snort laugh was not exactly the appropriate response! Well, Mother's Day isn't for me yet, so my thoughts turned to my own wonderful mother.Today a friend of mine through the Elder Network went with me on a drive to Lake City, which is on Lake Pepin, a widened part of the Mississippi River. We went to a tea room there for lunch, which was FULL of two groups of women, a Red Hat club and a bus group from Rochester. It was good for Bev to get out and experience life beyond the gossip of her senior living apartment building. We talked about many things, including Bev's childhood. Her mother died when she was 5 months old. During her childhood, she was mostly seen as a burden to her grandparents, father, and other family members who helped raise her.

I am thankful that I have a mother. Mama and Daddy make me and my brothers and sisters feel loved and wanted. Mama rarely lectures to teach a lesson. Most of the things I have learned from her are from the way she lives. She is always careful to respect Daddy. She cares for her parents. She cooks, cleans, gardens, teaches, and works on the farm. Mama lives one of the most unselfish lives of anyone that I know. I have a lot to live up to. Thank you, Mama!

Jenny Friend

It makes me smile to think about the fun times and thoughtful conversa-tions that Jenny and I had this week. Jenny and I met when we were a few months old, and she has blessed my life ever since. What a great time I had showing her around my Minnesota tromping grounds.

Since the weather was gorgeous, we decided to borrow Sarah's bike and rent another so we could enjoy the outdoors and explore Rochester and the surrounding trails. The friendly guys at the bike place recognized me, and Jenny confirmed to them that I had bought the bike from them that was stolen in the fall. Well, because of that, the guy decided to let us use the bike for free for the day, saying he was sure we would take care of it and return it. "Just bring us a pack of beer, or if that's against your religion, some pop," he joked. We decided to make a stop at the Gingerbread House to get donuts for them on the way back:)

Jenny graciously endured the lengthy tour of Saint Mary's Hospital and the downtown Mayo campus. The best part was when she graced the halls with "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" on the grand piano, which is below the man on the wall in this photo. It was fun to watch people turn, stop, and listen as the message of the music and familiar words behind it reached into their present circumstances.

Other things we did include listening, talking, laughing, talking, cooking, walking, talking, spending time with friends, Jenny playing keyboard and me playing flute, visiting...you get the idea. Contrary to what most of you imagined, we managed to keep out of trouble. We only got into one real fight, which involved licking a pan... Thank you so much for the great visit and encouragement, Jenny!

For the rest of you who have expressed interest in coming to visit, let this be a reminder to you that you that I am only here until August, so book your tickets!!!

Land of 10,000 Lakes

Olmsted County, where I live, is the only county in Minnesota with no natural lakes. So, to see the lake country, a couple of friends, Kate and Maurita, and I drove up north to Itasca State Park.

We went hiking and kayaking and just enjoyed lots of time together. I saw a loon for the first time! For some reason, I have always been fascinated with this northern bird that lives on and in the water. Most loons cannot take off from land and are not good at walking, but swim and dive they can. They have very distinct calls and a unique plumage. I didn't take this photo, but it gives you an idea of what they look like.

Itasca State Park is also where the headwaters of the Mississippi are found! It officially starts where water drains out of lake Itasca, the lake where we were kayaking. Below, my friends are crossing the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi.

Fire towers such as this one were used in the early 1900's to spot and locate fires. The person in the lookout had a wheel to use in order to get the direction of the fire. Using the direction reported from another tower, coordinates could be determined in order to identify the exact location of the fire. Around 1950, airplanes mostly took over the job of locating fires, though a few towers are still in use. Early towers were simply in the tops of trees, but those such as this one were designed like windmills in order to tower above the tree tops.

Photos of Paul Bunyon and I are coming...