finally....

I feel like I need to post. And I've got an overwhelming feeling about having to write about so many things.....the task seems daunting. So, I'm not going to write about my trip now. I'm instead going to show you pictures of the bread that Renae and I are baking this afternoon-
We've decided to open a bakery after I teach for a couple of years and she works wherever she will. Then, we'll open up a small bakery and make beautiful, delicious snacks that will bless anyone that comes near them. Also, what if I took fresh bread to my class every friday morning....and my students would have a wonderful warm breakfast. It'd be great.

NEW YORK CITY!!!!

Hello, my friends, from the Big Apple!!! Just wanted to let you all know I'm safe and sound- although, booming with stories for everyone. I'm watching the news where they're talking about an explosion on the east side of Manhattan....a block south of the Chrysler building. good thing I'm here in my hotel room. :)

Martha came to visit me in Milwaukee- unfortunately, I don't have any horizontal pictures of her and it's taking a long time to flip them tonight- so I'll put one up later.....it was so great to see her. I got a little hair trim too....which was much needed!

This is my aunt Ruth and I the night before I left for NYC. She made me a great drink out of limes, sugar and liquor. I'm not sure what she put in them, but they went VERY well with our fondue. :)Here's a photo of me in Little Italy- the fire hydrant was calling my name....so we thought I'd better get a photo with it.These are two of my new friends, Emily (left) and Stefanie (right). They're a lot of fun- we've been all over the city together.....having a wonderful time! I'll put up more pictures when I get them on my computer.
Stefanie and Emily figuring out our next stop in the subway...Ray and I on a bus in Harlem....Times Square...
Yesterday was very eventful. We (5 of us girls) were nearly mugged in the Brooklyn subway, threatened to be arrested, and witnessed a child crossing the street and being hit by a car in times square. It's been surreal.....

More pictures and stories to come...

and you give yourself away

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

These words have brought me great comfort the past week- I'll always remember that point on the mountain when I really listened to these words and understood what they mean. It's been such a joy to see God's faithfulness ....his timing is impeccable, his grace unfathomable. And honestly, my heart races when I think of the third and fourth lines, "the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace". Are you having trouble? Worried about different things? Turn to Him and TRUST.......no kidding. That's all you have to do! He provides- and brings more comfort in those times than we could ever imagine. And we all know what it's like to be in that close relationship with our Father....and when we're there, we wonder how we ever survived without Him.....and then we realize that we were merely "getting by". There's so much more! Take those ten minutes today to invest in that relationship!

A Day of Rest

Yesterday Renae and I "studied" and "read" here at my quiet house......and on our study breaks, we baked bread and coffee cake. yummo!

As some of you know, once in a while I like to pretend that I'm on a cooking show when I'm in the kitchen. I'll talk to the "camera" and explain what I'm doing. Well, yesterday I was "going to set the yeast aside"....and then finished creating my beautiful ball of dough. I was forming it into smaller loaves when I moved something aside and found the bowl of festering yeast.....!!! Typical. So, I had to pour liquified yeast over an entirely formed loaf of bread and work it back in. It was crazy- very messy....but it did turn out just fine. I fact, I should probably put a picture on here later when I get back from work......

Camping Trip '07

I've been wanting to post these pictures for a couple of days now. It's been tricky to find the time- with everything......I met some of the ladies from work at the Starlight Lounge last night....fourth of July celebration the night before....and working during the day.

In any case, here are a few pictures. As many of you know, photos don't do justice to the beauty of God's creation. The first morning, in Denver, we ate breakfast at "The Market". Chris made friends with a baby falcon that was hanging out downtown....
Pretty cute little guy. (The bird, not Chris.......)

This is a picture of our campsite. Mike backed the car in through the trees with careful direction and we set up camp-
You can see the river on the other side...
And here it is- this is where we got all of our water from- and then ran it through a filter to make sure we didn't get sick. It was amazing to be able to fall asleep to the sound of this every morning. We also tied our water bottles and cooler to logs and left them in the river to stay cold. Worked like a charm.
The men were good about letting Renae and I have our try at gathering and sawing logs for the fire. It was hard work! Notice the determination on my face- and the continual support from Chris. Additionally, I think this may have been the only log I sawed through.


Sunlight coming through the trees- check out Nate's website for more of these awesome photos.
Nate and I at the campsite- gangster style...
We were able to hike up into the mountains and have quiet times a couple of the days. Here's me reading from Psalms- an amazing thing to read when you're in the heart of the mountains and streams. David really knew what he was talking about!
Renae and I somewhere on Mt. Evans
Here's Mike on our hike. ha. (it rhymes).
This is all of us on our way up Mt. Evans.
Here's some of the wildlife we saw- a baby big-horned sheep with his mom and brother, mountain goats, and a marmot...We also found Chris burrowing into a snow pile.....
The lake was FULL of these ice chunks-
and icicles like these
This is Nate and I on top of Mt. Evans- the view was amazing....
Needless to say, it was a beautiful trip.....exactly what I needed to rest and re-energize.

Happy Birthday, Creach!

This blog goes out to my dear friend, Carissa Martin, who turns 24 today. Happy birthday, Creature!!!! I find it very appropriate to have this post dedicated to Carissa, for she has been a great source of encouragement and strength to me and my walk for the past couple of years.
I met Carissa the summer after my Sophomore year of college. Luck of the draw, I was "thrown" into an apartment for a summer with three girls I knew nothing about. Other than the fact that they were all in Campus Crusade, I had no idea who they were or where they were coming from. Likewise, they knew nothing of me.

Carissa and I fused immediately. We were kindred spirits from day one, staying up late to write our "first book", encouraging each other in our journals and writing, leaving notes in dry-erase marker on the bathroom mirror, pretending to be storm chasers together, etc.....

***** Just found this post....will have to finish tomorrow.

left it on the mountain top

"The things of the earth will grow strangely dim as we trust in God's glory and grace"

We came back last night from the most amazing camping trip of my life. Chris, Mike, Nate, Renae and I loaded up Friday afternoon and headed for Colorado. Our first night was spent in a Denver at the Hyatt downtown....we didn't feel like setting up camp in the wilderness at 2 AM..... so we opted for luxury the first day.

To be honest, our wilderness campsite was much more "luxurious" than any Hyatt will ever be. To be in and among God's raw creation- SURROUNDED by mountains, rushing rivers and streams, wildflowers, wild animals, snow, trees, trees, trees, boulders, etc......simply amazing. My good man, Nate, took plenty of pictures. I'll be posting later this week when I get ahold of some of them. I can't even explain to you how refreshing and inspiring it was to be out there. The five of us had plenty of times in the stillness of God's creation, alone on a mountaintop, to read, pray, and reflect on the strength and goodness of our God. I'm excited to share more with you. Hope everyone is well! I am!!!!!