Mom's Visit

Just dropped mom off at the airport. Was great to have her here and run around the state for the weekend. Here are a few of the pics. She even went to sushi with me last night! Love and miss you all.

Siesta Key

Today I spent the day on the Gulf side of Florida at a beautiful white-sand beach, Siesta Key. Yeah, I had a bit of a siesta, mostly just a time of relaxation away. I stayed in Tampa last night and will again tonight to take the drive time off and visit with Drew and Allison.



So the adventure to Siesta Beach was a test of preference. For those of you coming to visit (Mom, Sara, and Alisa very soon and Billina in Dec.), I had to check this place out to see if it was worth the drive...yeah, I think so. The sand is white powder and the water is clear. The beach stretches about 6 miles so though it is crowded, you can find peace and quiet this time of year.

Florida...still acclimating. The weather is turning fall...finally. Last week was HOT and still humid...I mean hot! Eihty-six degrees at 9 PM! And then yesterday I walked out the door at 6:30 for my morning run and suddenly, COLD! Cold here can be 50 degrees, but the humidity makes it feel so much colder. The weekend its supposed to warm up again giving Mom and I good beach weather.

I really am enjoying the fact that it is late October and I can still go to the beach. Not that I've spent a whole lot of time there, but I'm embracing the gift of Florida. Still homeless and looking for a comfortable place that feels like me. Love and miss you all.

Gas Buy Down---GraceRiver Church

Today was our first official event with GraceRiver Church (http://www.ridetheriver.org/) called a gas buy down. I'd never heard of such a thing, but we teamed up with a Hess gas station and paid $5 off the top of the first 127 cars to come through for gas. It was a great "splash" and well recieved by most. We pumped gas, handed out waters, cleaned windows...served the community.

Elizabeth and Gina chatting with UCF football players.

Our first customer...no I did not ride off without a helmet! Just wanted a picture on the Harley!

Fast and Furious

Well, that went much smoother than expected. The gang came over and had me out of my condo in about 5 hours. I've already unloaded and nested in my temporary space with the Rudloff family. A few more photos to add to the moving file!

Moving Day!

Oh I can't even believe the title of this post! Yuck. No wonder I've learned to "travel light!" I'm curious though...wonder how many countries/cities I camped in over the course of this year. I'm tired............................

Life has been so busy these past few weeks and I feel behind in communicating with you all either over the phone or email. We have just finished some major conferences, back to back weeks and now suddenly I realize I'm packing up my belongings. My landlord has been kind enough not to put up a stink about the contract, thankfully. I had been staying in hotels during the conferences and when I came home again this weekend, I realized how bad the smell in here really is. So, I'm outta here! Vagabond...maybe? Somebody want to write a song for me? I can hear it, a fiddle in the background!:) LOL Did Willy Nelson have a song like this?

Last night we (Mary Kay, Greg, Judy, and Mike) went out to Boston's for fish-n-chips and then to Jeremiah's for some really tasty coconut italian ice. mmm

I just got home from a 10 miler this morning. Feels great to be in running shape again, but I'm not so sure about the upcoming long runs...18 miles! My marathon partners, Erin and Sandra, are great to run with. Erin is our coach and keeps us on pace. We spend so much time talking during our runs, we often forget we are running...most of the time!

Sandra (making Erin pretty) works part-time at a sushi place so after our speed workout last week, we had some phenomenal sushi...I know you don't believe me, but this was succulent. Full of flavor! I'm seriuos, it's my new favorite food! Sunset roll and Malibu roll.

Oh, yes! The weather here is BEAUTIFUL. Perfect temperatures, not too humid, I'm headed to Siesta Key next Friday for a much needed mini-break! It's one of the top-rated beaches in the world...I'm checking it out to see if it is worthy of the 2.5 hours to take my visitors from the NW to. I will definately post pics next weekend!

Ok, I've avoided packing as long as possible!

The Battle Within

I don't know why, but my head and my heart cause so many of my battles! I tear up at the idea of having to wrap all my stuff up in boxes again and live as a transient until I can find another place, but I'm left without much of a choice. The Rudloffs (Bill and Beth-Katie and Evan) have opened their extra room to me so I don't have to run out and find another place under pressure. I know I HAVE to move and am disgusted at the idea of mold spores in my lungs, but overwhelmed with the hassle and not having my own place and the reality of the price of houses/condos/for sale/for rent down here!

Saturday was a 12-miler and it felt great. Maybe in the midst of all this frustration, the intensity is relieved through the run. We have been going on our long runs early on Saturday morning while it is still cool and they have been wonderful...it has actually surprised me how much I am enjoying it!



Drew and Allison came over from Tampa this weekend for a visit. Remember, they are the couple I knew from Portland...Allison and I worked together for a short bit of time at my last job and Drew and I spent 3 weeks at Malibu in Canada on the same team, leading the high school kids. We met Friday night out at Celebration (the town Disney developed) for dinner. The weather is getting "cooler" in the evenings so we sat outside. It feels like vacation...the atmosphere and warm weather. Saturday night we went to Universal Studio's City Walk...lots of restaurants-Hard Rock, Emeril's, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville- and had dinner. Living around and near all these tourist attractions has made it feel like vacation...in some ways!

In the midst of all of the commotion...I am sad and I miss so much. It doesn't change that I am here and feel right about being here. Never the less, I am still grieving the change and loss. Oh, the battle within! Love sent to you all!

I FINALLY washed my car!

That's right! I finally washed the bugs from Texas, the red dirt from New Mexico, and the pine needles from Vancouver off my car. It is cooling off down here and people are starting to show up outside. I have met a few more neighbors, but unfortunately the meeting with my upstairs neighbors, Famie and Benny, was due to a water leak. Yes, they had trouble with their AC or something and right after Labor Day weekend, I had a bucket full of water dripping from the entry to the laundry room and water "sweating" out of the walls and door frame. So what does that mean here, MOLD! Or so I am guessing. And I think that has been the smell I continue to deal with. My co-workers started an intervention group and keep bugging me about moving out. Oh how I want to get away from the smell! Oh how I don't want to move again this year! I have been moving physically and emotionally since January! AHHH to no avail, such is the theme for 2006 (of course with lots of exciting things in there too!). So, I talked with my landlord, condo management company, and handy-man about 3 weeks ago and nothing has happened. A letter has been written and will be mailed tomorrow giving them 7 days to fix the problem. I don't know what's going to happen. I told my mom I am just tired right now. I don't have the energy to deal with yet another "furniture-moving-apt" problem. Ok, I think I'm done complaining! :)

Tomorrow night a few of us are going to see Elizabeth in a S.T.A.G.E. performance, "Once upon a Mattress" based on the "Princess and the Pea" children's story. She works at Disney (remember I can't tell you what she does) and also does many shows and musicals. The play is at EPCOT. Though we will be bussed in and won't get to walk around the park, I will still get a glimpse of the park. During the next few months they have a food and wine festival going on. EPCOT is the park that has all of the restaurants from around the world inside. You can have dinner in Italy and eat dessert in France!

Things here continue to be super busy and I'm getting more and more comfortable with my job. I am still learning etc, but I at least have a bit of an idea how things work now!

Tomorrow is "Thursday Morning Prayer with Margaret." I don't know if I've told you about Margaret yet, but she is 82, lives about an hour west of Orlando, and a wonderful woman. When I came down for my interview in May, I met Margaret and spent a morning praying with her, Greg, and a few other pastors. When I was introduced to her she said, "So this is the face that I have been praying for!" It is a priveledge to meet with her weekly and pray.

I'm off to finish my chores tonight! Love and miss you all!

A day by the Pool

Well, ok, not a day but a good hour or so. Saturday morning was my 8 mile run (Whew, am glad to get that over with, but here come more!) and after I drank a gallon of water, I grabbed my towel and headed out to the pool. NOTE: I have never sweat so much in my life and have realized how easy it is to get dehydrated quickly down here! Leah and I had a phone date so I took my phone with me, snapped a silly picture, and figured out how to email it to myself! Today was my Grandpa's birthday and he is doing better. It is Sunday night, I'm all over the map here, and I need to head to bed...not sure if I'm ready for Monday, but when are we ever ready for a Monday. Maybe Starbucks will help! :) Good night my friends and loved ones!

New New New

A few new posts!!

Moving Right Along

These weeks seem like they are flying by. Soon mom will be here to visit, then Sara and Alisa to celebrate our 30th birthdays (though I am still 29 ladies;)!!!), then Billina right before I come home for Christmas! Whew! I'm looking forward to it. Some more new news...Greg returned from Brazil on Wednesday. He was speaking at the same conference as the one in Costa Rica only this time they all met in Brazil. It sounds like I may have opportunity to go to Brazil in January for a youth forum. I will keep you posted. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend, some more exploring, and hopefully giving my car a bath. It hasn't had one since arriving...it rains every afternoon and I don't want to be out in it! Have a great weekend!

New Faces

I am finally getting on the ball and getting my camera out for some new shots. Tonight we had a GraceRiver "cookout" (not BBQ down here!) and I informed them I would be snapping pictures so I could introduce all of you. After talking so much, here a few faces to put with the names! These are all folks that either live or have moved to Orlando to be a part of planting a church in SE Orlando where houses are going up like mad and people are moving in from everywhere. I learned from my flight buddy (chatty guy on the plane on my way home from Nashville) 800 some odd people are moving to FL every day! Any of you have plans I need to know about?!?!?

Carmen and Alejandro. I met Alejandro through involvement with Cuba while still in Vancouver. They moved their family from Tampa to Orlando about the same time I moved down here. Their oldest, Maggie, works at the Resource Center with us. Carmen is a fantastic cook...the best pico de gallo!

Greg and Mary Kay. Greg is the one who "interviewed" me in Costa Rica. They have been so gracious in my transition to Florida.

Mike and Kathi. They are some of the few that actually lived in Orlando previous to July of this year!

Bill (and Beth not pictured) with their daughter Katie. Bill and Beth helped me furnish the new place and Katie and I share a Napolean Dynamite bond!

This is Phil and Janann. They have three boys Caden, Gabe, and Blake. Phil is the life of the party and Janann keeps it under control! They moved to Orlando from Lakeland (between Tampa and Orlando).

Meet Ken and Sheila Love. Ken was the lead pastor of a church in Ohio and they moved to Orlando over Labor Day weekend. Ken drove a u-haul down...I'll know better next time!

Steve and Erin. Erin in the daughter of Greg and Mary Kay. They moved to Orlando over Labor Day as well and are former residents of Bradenton, the gulf side of Florida.

Ken, Phil, and Nate (wife Elizabeth not pictured). Elizabeth works for Disney and was at a rehearsal during the cookout. This picture is not posed!

Erin again and this time with Mike (wife Judy not pictured). Mike works at the Resource Center also. He is our finance guy.

Meet Bray. She works for Disney although she can't tell you what she does! ;) Those Disney folks keep it top-secret!

A Really Old Photo

I believe Uncle John took this a lllllllloooooooonnnnnnnnngggggggg time ago when we were camping/fishing/picnicing at the Rogue River. It makes me laugh and I thought it'd be fun to share some laughter with you! I'm lovin' the hair...I think that was actually a perm! Isn't it just beautiful behind me though...aaahhh nature.

A New Post

I have longed to write to update all of you on life here, but for some reason come up short. I don't have access at home which is limiting. I had a great time in Nashville last weekend with Lauren. She had free tickets for us to go to a concert all day Saturday and the rest of the weekend we buzzed around Nashville, Hillsboro Village, and Franklin. Downtown Nashville wasn't too impressive, but the other areas were nice and fun to see. We went to visit Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman as well as Tim and Faith, but neither were home!:) Strange to see their houses, beautiful, but nothing outrageous. I think I thought it would be some great experience, but it wasn't. I was glad to see Lauren and also got to visit with Chuck, Val, and their daughter Riley. (They were the youth pastor and family at Vancouver.) I was so thankful to get to stay with them while visiting.

I am still in much transition. No longer physical, but mental and emotional. I was just remembering again this morning on my drive to work, the way I've been feeling lately is so similar to alot of what I was feeling in my second month in Costa Rica. A lot of wondering and curiousity of what has happenend and is happening. I am watching the Lord build community around me even as I type this and opening new doors of opportunity. One exciting announcement and a request for prayer. Every year Florida holds a State Youth Convention where all the youth come together for 3 days of conferences, worship, and time together. This year they are in transition of leadership for the conference so it is currently being pieced together. Because of this they have open slots for speakers. I was just asked this week to speak at the high school girls general session. I'm really excited! The topic or question is "Are you a student of influence?" and our weekend theme is "Identity Crisis!" I'd love your prayers as I begin to think through.

Miss you all so much. Sending lots and lots of love!

Tropical Storm Ernesto

I have been waiting to see what Ernesto was going to bring, but it has settled down and we are expecting rain and some wind today. Kids are out of school as a precaution, but business continues as usual. I want to write more, but need to get to work. Will be in touch more...having writer's block this morning!

A Post...FINALLY, I know!

Yes, life has been busy here with work. This job has a steep learning curve and I still feel like I'm at the base of the mountain! I have wanted to write and update all of you, but my only access to the internet is here at work or the coffee shop (which I haven't been to in weeks!). Once 5 o'clock rolls around, I am out the door and need to get away and unwind. I came back tonight though, now that everyone is gone and I can catch up on email and posting!

I spent last weekend with Allison and Drew in Tampa. I worked with Allison at Brad's office and spent time with Drew at Young Life's Malibu camp in Canada. They moved here about 3 years ago and I had stayed in loose contact with Allison. I called them up right away when I knew I was headed this way and they invited me over for a weekend. They took me to a pizza restaurant that was straight out of Portland...an old house turned restaurant, various booths, old record covers used for menus (I had "We are the World" yeah Stevie Wonder!), and your typical Portland servers! Kind of alternative on the edge of grunge. I loved it! Saturday, we sat around the breakfast table for a few hours !!! and then went to a beautiful beach, Ft. Desoto, on the gulf side. Warm, white-sand, sunshine, and a few sprinkles! It was just wonderful to see some familiar faces and reminise. It was much needed time away!

It is nice to be here close to some cities I want to travel to see. I got a cheap flight to go visit Lauren Heerlein in Nashville (and Chuck, Val, and Riley-former youth pastor and fam from Vancouver) over Labor day weekend. Lauren has a whole list of things to show me around town and I'm so excited! I don't know what it is about Nashville... some sort of charm to the city. I'll post some picture of the city...I need to do the same with Orlando!

I will post again soon! :)

Looking through recent pics...I had to include this pic. This is from my going away BBQ at home. I was able to catch it before Jackson escaped the girls!

Soon-to-be-parents. I hear tomorrow is the big day! Congrats to Ram and Andrea! We will finally get to hear what this little guys name is!

What a difference!

What a difference a few pieces of furniture, cooking utensils, and my bed makes! I spent the majority of the weekend unpacking all the boxes and other than 3 boxes of books (which don't currently have a place to sit) I'm unpacked. It feels good. I came home from church today and read a book on my couch! I explored some more yesterday and met a gal for lunch at Tijuana Flats. Tonight, I'm sitting in the Resource Center using the computer and just signed up for the Disney 2007 Marathon! I don't know if I'm crazy or not, but Greg, his daughter Erin, and another gal, Sandra are training as well. Now that I've clicked on the "submit" button, I'm feeling excited. I hear it is an easy course (if there is such a marathon) because it is flat and you run through all 4 theme parks. It will be a great way to see all the parks and a wonderful distraction.
Until next time...Happy Monday!

It's Here!!!

Quick update. My belongings arrived late last night at about 10PM. Thanks God and thanks to Katie, Bill, Colin, and Travis for the help unloading and comic relief. I was so glad to have others there, especially at night. Next time I do this, I know what I won't be doing! What a mess, but so grateful and glad to finally put this behind me. So, when you come to see me now, I have dishes to set the table for some wonderful food and conversation. Appreciate all your prayers and thoughtful concern.

Just talking and thanking you today!

Hello! I am doing well here and feeling more adjusted, more settled in the office, finding community and watching God draw a group of people together from all over the country. I continue to experience people who are really looking out for me and caring for me.

Do you ever have those times in life where the web that is created around your life, all the complexity, all the things that don't make sense and then through time, some are brought into clarity. Personally, after all the time of wondering (and what felt like wandering) what and where life was taking me, I have such a peace in where I am stading right now. Seems to come in waves throughout life, but is good when it comes. This past weekend we had a group gathering with folks here and those moving here who will be a part of the church plant. What a great group of people, it will be fun to be a part of what is forming.

Having said that, there are still moments when I am alone and am aware of it. I think not having a tv in the background or furniture all around makes me more aware. I sat at the dinner table a few nights ago and wished for company...to take my dinner outside and sit with folks. Good news though! I've spotted a neighbor who was quick to run into her apartment just across from mine, but I'll catch her next time to introduce myself!:) Also, I've been working out in the condo workout room and have met a couple gals there. So, I'm meeting people!!!

This blog has given me a real opportunity to "speak" my heart in ways in the past I have not had opportunity or maybe I should say have not taken opportunity. As my captive audience, I thank you for listening. I have grown so much in learning how to be courageous and speak. Something that was totally necessary to make the move I just made. Sometimes I lack the courage to say what my heart truely feels for fear, being vulnerable and being held accountable to my somewhat passionate perspective. What a great experience it has been for me though! In some way I hope and pray you are encouraged and blessed as you read and follow along.

I keep moving forward, always moving forward, with the knowledge of a history full of people who have led and encouraged and cared for my life in deeper ways than I'm sure each of you will ever know. Some of you make me laugh really hard, some of you listen intently as I process aloud, some of you talk to God on my behalf, some of you push me along, and you've all held my hand and/or heart at some point! Their are patterns and laws in this universe that are known and their are those that go without any pattern or way of knowing. One that we do know is that of the cycle. Sort of what goes around comes around. In this case, the way that you have touched my life...might it also be done to yours!

Slowly Adding Furniture(@ Work & Home)

Hi all! Work is definately keeping me busy. We are getting closer to finishing everyday even though it feels like boxes keep showing up and old files appear out of nowhere. Here is the view from my desk!

My dining room table was delivered yesterday. Now I can sit and eat dinner at the table! I've been following the news about Castro stepping down from power tenatively while he recovers from surgery...it will be interesting to see what plays out if he doesn't make it through. I've been trying (with others) to make plans to go to Cuba this fall...we'll see.

Many of you have been checking in on me this past week...thank you. I hope my posts on this blog don't sound depressing!:) I am surviving just fine. Sure there are emotions attached to all of this, but a deep sense of rightness (if that is a word) is present. Thanks for checking on me! I feels great to know others care so much!

Off to go get dinner!