Let the Autumn Festivities Begin!

Today is the last day of summer vacation here in these parts. Tomorrow school starts, and I must admit I am a little sad that I won't have a classroom of children to teach. I keep looking through the ads in the newspaper and drooling over school supplies. This time of year causes me to dream about bouquets of newly sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks waiting to be filled, and minds ready to be written on with new information. I am definitely wired to be a teacher, but I am taking this year off, as God seems to be leading a different way this year. Despite not being in the classroom, I am looking forward to the Autumn season here in Medford. As I thought about it this week, I realized that I have not been here in autumn since 2004- 6 years ago! There are so many things to look forward to....raking leaves, husking corn, high school football games, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin EVERYTHING, hot tea every morning, sweaters and comfy jeans, dancing in the rain, and day after Thanksgiving shopping with Mom!!! I plan to make the most of this season :)

This week is the kickoff-the first football game happened on Friday (and South won!), Saturday I had my first pumpkin spice latte, and yesterday I husked corn :)

I think one of the reasons that autumn/fall is such a great season is because it signals a fresh start of sorts. The beginning of the school year offers a new hope and eagerness for learning, making new friends, buying new clothes, and creating new memories. Even though I am not in a classroom this season I am looking forward to learning many things this year and creating some great memories. Learning doesn't just take place in the classroom (in fact most learning takes place outside the classroom) and as a lifelong learner I find joy in discovering the creativity and goodness of my God as I learn more about this world He created. I hope all you out there in bloggerland will join me in learning and making some great new memories this season. Let the autumn festivities begin!

Family Quotes

Sometimes I wish that the whole world could hear the conversations that happen at my house. We would make a great reality TV show, I'm telling you. For your enjoyment.....a few quotes from the last 24 hours:

"Get out of my way or I'll run you over with my walker!" (a disgruntled 83 yr. old man said this to my mom at the nursing home she works at, because she wouldn't let him go outside!)

"You could go to Afghanistan." -Papa

"You could raise goats." -Andy

"You could wear a turbin." -?

"You could bring goats home for mom to milk." -Andy

(this was part of a conversation we had while discussing my sisters travel plans when she goes to school in Europe this fall. The goats is only funny because my parents have been drinking goat milk but none of us kids like it :(

"It would be more fun to throw up in the ocean than in the toilet." -My dad (trying to convince me that it would be fun to go to beach for my birthday next weekend even if I still don't feel well).

Hope this made you smile :)

A portrait of my day...

I stole this idea from somebody else's blog, so I can't take the credit, but I like it so I am going to copy the idea :)

Outside my window: two hammocks strung between the tree, an old sailboat mast, and a giant 2x4 that my brother and friend put up for us to enjoy lazy summer days and nights!

I am thinking: I wish I had more energy and better health to be at a party tonight, but I don't so I am left at home pondering how to spend my evening.

From the kitchen: the smell of boiling peach syrup is wafting into my room. Mom has bought over 300 lbs of fresh peaches in the last week and h

as been canning, making jam and syrup, and giving them away. Yummy!

I am wearing: jeans that I can't decide if I like, and a grey shirt with flowing sleeves that my brother Andy says look like wings :)

I am reading: The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Very thought provoking and inspiring.

I am hoping: that I will soon find out what these health issues are so I can get back to normal life and have energy and not be light headed.

I am hearing: the loud thundering of the dryer that sounds like a rocket ship ready to take off.

I am creating: a surprise for someone special :)

One of my favorite things: chatting on the porch swing with an old friend (which I did today!)

A few plans for the rest of the week: work, get blood work done, read, brainstorm ministry ideas for church, eat lots of peaches :)

Some pictures of this week around here:

{Mom and some of her beloved peaches}

{Tomatoes from the neighbors-mom is canning them too}

{My brother and friend sleeping in the hammocks}

Chicago Misadventures

Life doesn't often go the way we plan...I'm pretty used to that. This past week was just another example. For weeks I looked forward to going with my little brother Josh to Chicago to help him settle into school at Moody Bible Institute. I worked hard to pay for it, made a list of all the people I wanted to visit, drooled over the many Chicago restaurants/food to catch up on, and thought about all my favorite places in the city that I wanted to visit and take Josh. Well, the trip happened and Josh is at school, but it certainly didn't go as planned. Tuesday evening: August 17th (with rain and giant hail pouring down and soaking us and all our luggage) Josh and I boarded a red eye flight to Chicago, via San Francisco. Thank goodness the weather (that had grounded earlier flights) lifted just in time for us to take off. We flew into SF at sunset and saw the Golden Gate Bridge glowing in all it's splendor. After a layover and another long flight we landed on Wednesday morning at 4:30 a.m. That day was exhausting as I tried to help Josh work out money, insurance, health forms, etc to get into school. It was very surreal to walk around the campus on which I have so many memories, but not see more than a couple familiar faces. It is Josh's turn now, to make memories there and I have no doubt he will make some great ones. Armed with his fedora hat, umbrella, and guitar he is bound to have an impact on Chicago and visa versa. The next day and a half, as Josh attended orientation sessions I was able to visit with old friends and it was wonderful. I had hoped to have 4 more days full of city fun, however, Friday afternoon while having lunch with a friend I nearly passed out for no apparent reason. For the rest of the trip I felt dizzy, lost my appetite, and was very weak. I spent most of my time laying on the couch and only ate applesauce and soup....no deep dish pizza for me :( thankfully I had friends and family to take care of me, but it was quite frustrating and a bit scary to be feeling that way away from home. On Monday I said goodbye to Josh and left him to fend for himself in that big city. Praise God I made it safely back to Seattle, where my dad and brother, Andy, met me. We had grand plans of exploring Seattle and visiting friends in Bellingham and British Columbia, but because of my health most of those plans had to be scrapped, sadly. While my dad finished his business conference, Andy and I decided to try seeing a few sights. We made it to the space needle, but shortly therafter I began to feel faint. I told Andy we could go to the museum of Science Fiction, but he had to push me in a wheelchair the whole time. He did. It was awesome, and we had a good time. After a quick visit to the African Children's Choir office in Bellingham (where I got to reminisce a bit and see items from my tour, including my kiddos costumes that still smell like them!), we headed home. Andy drove the whole 10 hours as Dad and I were not feeling well. What a kid! I am now home safely and happy to be in my own bed. Still not feeling myself, but Tuesday the doctor will run some tests and help me get better :)

So the trip didn't go as expected and I wasn't as adventurous and busy as usual, but it was still good. I still got the chance to visit with old friends from college, professors, and meet new friends (from Africa!). All in all it was a good trip. And Josh is at college, which is the most important thing. So I am thankful. I've just been looking back over pictures from this summer. God has given me a good summer. I've worked hard, spent time with some very dear friends and family, enjoyed Oregon, taken a few trips, and been blessed. On the hard days and in the rough times I look back and realize I have so much to be thankful for...

A few pictures from last week...

{Josh ready for the City!}

{My friend Jimmy from Kenya}

{The REAL Deathstar from Star Wars!}

{My mode of transportation around Museum of Science Fiction}

{Seattle Space Needle-Wahoo!}

Back To School Shopping

I don't know what my parents felt like when they sent me off on a plane to college, but maybe it is something like I am feeling now as I help my little brother Josh prepare for his freshman year at Moody Bible Institute (my alma mater). I'm excited for him and nervous for him. I made him a packing list and checked it twice, I bought the plane tickets, I signed him up for classes, I have given him all the pointers on what to do and what not to do (like don't be the boy who sits in the plaza and plays your guitar...but hold on to your wallet and don't lose your ID). Today I took him shopping and it was probably one of the best shopping experiences ever. He is worse than a girl. Fred Meyer was our first stop (well after I got my Starbucks iced coffee to get me through our escapades). Up and down the aisles we roamed picking out school supplies and necessary, well, necessities for college life. I picked out the practical thing

s like highlighters and notebooks, while Josh picked out the impractical things like a ruler that folds up into a little square like Jacobs ladder. 8 spiral notebooks for 96 cents?! Now that is a deal. I commanded Josh to pick out 6 colors for his 6 classes. See the colors below:

He proceeded to choose his colors based on the following criteria..

Blue-for his favorite class

Black-for the evil class that he will hate

Yellow- for the sunshine class that makes him smile

Green- for the class that help him grow the most

Purple- for the class with the pretty girl that he is attracted to

Red- for the class that causes the most spiritual warfare

Okay Josh...that is great!

I left him mumbling about pretty ladies and spiritual warfare to search for an eraser for his new shiny silver dry erase board. The nice lady with the name tag was showing me to the correct aisle and asked if I had lost some keys. I assured her I had not, but felt sorry for the poor people who would come back looking for them.

We moved on to 3m hooks and bedsheets. I asked Josh all sorts of questions about colors, and hanging things on the wall, and offered bits of nice older sister advice, while he.....carried around a giant Woody the cowboy (Toy Story 3) doll that he'd found, and read random quotes to me from a mini book of wisdom that he's picked up along the way.

I told Josh as he was checking out that I wish I could follow him around at college with a video camera to see how his college experience goes. I'm pretty sure it would be a hit reality show. I think I might hire somebody to follow him with a video camera and take pictures :).

As we arrived at the car Josh fumbled through his pockets and realized he had lost the car keys somewhere along the way (and he'd also left his water bottle chilling on some shelf). As we walked back through the store I realized that I had spoken too hastily to the woman with the lost car keys...thank goodness she wasn't the person at the customer service desk who handed them over to us. We walked out and I informed Josh that I would be driving from that point forward and I mumbled on about how he's going to get into all kinds of trouble in Chicago. He will probably get kidnapped by crazy people who will hold him for ransom until they get tired of him singing at the top of his lungs and let him go!

Our second stop was Target, where I enjoyed watching Josh try out all the pillows, contemplate polka dot sheets or black sheets (he chose black thank goodness), and take 20 minutes to choose which travel shampoo and toothpaste he wanted. I love my brother.

Tuesday I am getting on a red eye flight to deliver him to Chicago and help him settle in at Moody. I have no doubt he will fit in and do very well, but my motherly nerves are still frazzled thinking about how he will find a good job, learn to manage his time, make good friends, and succeed in his classes. If it is this bad with my brother....what will it be like when I have my own children. O dear......

The moral of the story is that I love my brother and I'm proud of him. I will miss him, and I wish him the best in the Windy City and in life...welcome to adulthood!

Angela's Epic Adventures at Crater Lake...

Of all the places in the world to be stranded, Crater Lake is probably one of the best I can think of. And no that is not a hypothetical statement. That is exactly where my dear friend Maria Imig and I found ourselves stranded yesterday; sitting in wooden rocking chairs, overlooking one of the most nationally recognized scenes of beauty in the United States.

It all started when Papa told us we could take the Taurus up there and he though it would be just fine. I wasn't so sure, but with no other real options we decided to go for it. The drive was gorgeous and car was just fine...until 5 miles before the lake. It suddenly lost all power and white smoke began pouring out from underneath the hood. Just my luck, and just what I feared might happen. We pulled over, as did the people behind us. Of all the people in the world who could have stopped, it just happened to be a young, extremely good looking, wonderfully friendly man from New Zealand, who is a teacher on holidays. Unfortunately his girlfriend was with him, but nonetheless I was happy. He asked me to pop the "bonnet" and grab some water from the "boot." I obliged. We couldn't do much until the car cooled off, so our NZ friends gave us their phone number and headed off, while Maria and I laid a blanket out in the woods and settled in. She read Psalms out loud to me, while we munched on carrot sticks and imagined what our course of action would be if we saw a bear (jump up and run for the car or jump up, grab the blanket, and run for the car?).

Several other nice folks stopped, but we just waved them on. When the bugs forced us out of the trees we got back in the car and pondered our fate. After 45 min of letting the car rest, we put water in, but it still wouldn't budge. A family from Alabama stopped and two kind brothers checked it out (well one brother checked it out while the other told terrible jokes-what note do you get when you throw a piano down a mine shaft? A flat minor!). We discovered the transmission fluid was gone, but even after putting in a half quart the gears still would not budge. So we grabbed our stuff and piled in the suburban of our new Alabaman friends, and listened to their corny jokes the rest of the way to the lake. After calling my Dad and my brother's friend, Russ, who is living with us, Maria and I spent the rest of the day waiting to be rescued from one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Papa thinks the car is toast. That would make three cars in one week that have pretty much bitten the dust. O dear God what are you doing?! He must have something up his sleeve. While we waited for Russ to bring transmission fluid and a trailer, Maria and I read and soaked up the view (Well, I actually chronicled the day's adventures so I can record them in my memoir someday, which Maria assures me she will buy many copies of to give her friends for Christmas!)

After getting some dinner at the Rim Village we sat outside on the veranda watching the sun disappear behind the mountains. As it slipped away, the mosquitoes came out in full force. It was nearly impossible to keep from being attacked. So with our hooded sweatshirts on we twirled, and swatted, and walked trying to keep from being eaten alive. Around 8pm we knew Russ couldn't be far so we stood by the road on some boulders, in a field of wildflowers, singing all the praise songs we could remember the words to and watching for our knight in shining armor.

Meanwhile, 5 miles down the road our rescuer had found our car. Not knowing if we were by the car or at the lake (or he thought, maybe looking for wild berries in the woods?), he parked his truck and shouted my name over his PA system several times so that "An-ge-la!" echoed through the woods for miles. Eventually through a text message and some broken up phone calls he found us. We were elated to see our knight in shining armor come around the corner on his white steed (okay-a giant white Ford pickup). We snapped some pictures of the lake at sunset and headed off to find our poor Ford Taurus.
Even in the pitch black we could see the fading hazard lights (of course I left them on and killed the battery). The three of us took turns holding a flashlight and pushing the car uphill, trying to get it on the trailer.

After 15 minutes or so with no success, we saw headlights in the distance and flagged down the poor unsuspecting couple. They were enthusiastic to help to be sure-but they turned out to be completely drunk. So even with a drunk girl in a skirt and stocking feet, with a cigarette in one hand..and a drunk guy with a rope and a shovel we were getting nowhere. Long story short we finally rolled the car so it was facing downhill and got it on the trailer. After thanking our enthusiastic/creepy helpers and telling them for the 14th time that we didn't have any beer (like they needed more!), we were off. Happy, tired, and covered in mosquito bites and transmission fluid, we crammed in the cab of Russ' truck. After a long day, we munched on skittles, like little kids, guessing which colors we were holding, and sharing stories about our lives. Falling into bed at midnight, I thanked God for His protection, our knight in shining armor, good friends, and this always adventurous life!

Adventures in Bend with Jenny

Last week my friend Jenny asked if I would like to meet her in Bend (Central Oregon) for a mini vacation. After a very hectic, emotionally draining month I jumped at the idea. God, in his infinite goodness provided a free place for us to stay with some wonderful people, and a rental car for me to take (so I didn't get stuck on the side of the road in one of our beater cars ;). Wednesday I left Medford and Jenny left Portland at exactly the same time. We drove the beautiful mountainous roads to Bend and miraculously arrived at exactly the same time.

Thanks to some wonderful new friends, and Bend locals, we found some of the best places around to enjoy the scenery...

Around every bend in the road (no pun intended!) we found ourselves gasping at the beauty of God's creation and stopping to take pictures...

After missing the turnoff to our original destination we found ourselves at Elk Lake where we rented a canoe for the afternoon and paddled around basking in the sunlight, with a view of the rugged snow capped mountains...

From Elk Lake we drove back to Todd Lake (our original destination) and hiked around the lake through meadows of purple, pink, and yellow wildflowers, with snow covered mountains on either side...
It reminded me of Switzerland or some other exotic place...

Thursday evening we headed to the Old Mill District for dinner. I had butternut squash, gorgonzola, hazelnut ravioli and tiramisu on a patio overlooking the Deschutes River, with Mt. Bachelor in the distance. What a glorious day.

Friday we headed downtown to peruse the shops and walk along the river, through Drake Park.

For lunch we found ourselves at 'The Crepe Place.'

While I was eating the most delicious crepes of my life (one with chicken, mozzerella, and pesto; the other with marionberries, and vanilla frozen yogurt) we got quite a show from a local cross dresser. Please note the person sitting behind me in this picture...

This tall man, who'd obviously had breast implants, was wearing jean shorts, and a colorful bikini top, along with 4 inch bright red platform shoes. In his hand he had a leash with a cat on it. The whole town apparently knows him/her because as they walked by they would say "Hi Frank," to which he would reply "It's Monica. I'm going by Monica now." They would ask about his fake pet cat (and his real pet cat) and he would ask where they were going and where they were coming from. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing as he sat two feet behind me and had these conversations. Life is always interesting.

Thank you Jesus, Jenny, and Bend for a lovely, much needed vacation :)

A Brand New Princess

VBS has started off better than I could have ever hoped for! We are praising God for his hand upon us and the 170 kids who have been in attendance...

Yesterday we welcomed into God's family little Rachel (a second grader)! After story time she approached our photographer and started asking questions. Amber was able to pray with her to accept Christ and she was very excited. Today I ran into Rachel at game time and told her how excited I was that she is now a part of the family of God. "Did you know that you are a real princess now?" I asked. "No" she replied. "Well the Bible says that Jesus is the King of Kings and when you asked him to be your savior He adopted you as His daughter. So that makes you a REAL princess!" At this she beamed and the girls around her became very excited. That is when I got the idea to make Rachel, the new princess, a crown. With the help of one of my creative staff assistant we made Rachel a pink, glittery princess crown that said "I am Jesus' princess." She wore that crown with pride and a great big smile.


During the end assembly I had Rachel stand up and I announced to the whole crowd that she was now a part of God's family and the newest princess. When I looked at her and across the room my skin began to crawl with goosebumps. At that moment I realized that all the time and effort we have put in, all the planning and thinking that I have done...has all been worth it. That one little girl made it all worth it. God is faithful and his love is MIGHTY. Thank you for your continued prayers this week!

Let the High Seas Adventure Begin!

Hi Ho Hi Ho... It's off to sea we go! After months of planning and organizing our High Seas Expedition Vacation Bible School sets sail tomorrow. As Director I got myself a nice tricorn hat with a white feather and I am ready to man the helm and direct the crew. We don't know exactly what to expect, but we anticipate at least 250-300 kids. God is at work and we are excited. Please pray for me and my team this week and for the children that will be on board with us.

Bon Voyage!

Convenient Destruction of Vows

While Browsing at Staples Office Store today I found something that made me a bit sick...


So I took a picture of it...


Is it really this easy to renig on "till death do us part?" I realize that there is more to it and the process can be long and is always painful and ongoing. But I saw this today and thought to myself..So one day I decide I don't want to be married anymore so I jump in my car and drive on down to the local office supply store where I pick up a "how to" to DVD (as if it were Pilates instructions), a packet of forms to fill out, and voila! Wow.

Lifelong marriage relationships are becoming more and more rare to the detriment of our society. The list of problems caused by failing marriages could go on forever. I will spare you. When the going gets tough it's easier to quit than to stick it out. The root problem of many marriages today is that people aren't as careful in who they choose or in taking the time to build a solid friendship from the beginning.

With that in mind, I am excited about a new group that my friend, Michelle and I have started at church. When I was high school I was very involved with the youth group and I was a leader for several years in the junior high group. In fact, I was Michelle's leader. Now, many years later Michelle is older, wiser, and married. I am older, wiser, and well....an experienced world traveler I guess you could say. Michelle and I decided to start up a girls small group at church to give girls an outlet to talk and to give us an opportunity to mentor them as they grow into young women.

Proverbs 31 is our jump off point and we've begun to go through and look at the characteristics of a godly woman. the girls made notebooks...


In these they take notes, glue in handouts, journal, and doodle. Next to the Bible, it is becoming somewhat of a life manual on what it means to follow Christ, make hard decisions, stay pure, and choose Mr. Right. We hope to see these girls making good decisions and someday loving, respecting, and honoring their husbands as they do Christ. I don't know half of what there is to know out there, but I do so love being able to share what I have learned and experienced with others! This is my challenge to you...don't horde all your knowledge, experiences, and wisdom - share it with the people God has placed in your life. You have much to offer I am sure.