tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80101550186849769622024-02-02T19:28:42.945-05:00Epic Tales of My OdysseyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-7558998761925014122014-04-22T11:33:00.003-04:002014-04-22T11:42:47.132-04:00100 Happy Days - Swiper No Swiping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6Lech-W0drbje46Rd0xml7PQ0dauPTc5u90LoE30_TvebeYfNHTuWcyAzPu7EhJk4mDqgR_eTslBkA4uCLorl7ONiwR3xsZhb0GA4JL6V6AAM9lCrScRkriGaJGCIUHM7nW7-5hTAl8/s640/blogger-image--585437231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6Lech-W0drbje46Rd0xml7PQ0dauPTc5u90LoE30_TvebeYfNHTuWcyAzPu7EhJk4mDqgR_eTslBkA4uCLorl7ONiwR3xsZhb0GA4JL6V6AAM9lCrScRkriGaJGCIUHM7nW7-5hTAl8/s640/blogger-image--585437231.jpg"></a></div>Sometimes in life you come across something just when you need it. I like to think of it as God giving you a high five, saying 'yup, this way!'<div><br></div><div>As you may know, I get headaches or as my friends like to say "I'm keeping my headache on" since they often last for weeks or months without end. In the grand scheme of life, there are definitely a lot of things worse that I could have to deal with and I truly am grateful that this is all I have to carry. But sometimes I let the pain win. People say it shouldn't be a win/loose situation and maybe it shouldn't but the reality of the situation is still the same - it's me against the pain, who will win? Recently I've been letting the pain win; I never see it staring to win, starting to sneak attack. Then I look back and realize I haven't been that ridiculous, smiling, silly, giggly girl that I know I am. There are a ton of highly amusing things in life every day and when I realize I am missing them, something needs to change. <br>
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Sometimes it reminds me of Dora the Explorer when Swiper is sneaking up
on her to steal stuff. Sometimes he snags stuff, other times he's
thwarted. In the end, they always get their stuff back and Swiper is sent on his
way with the simple words of 'Swiper no swiping'. Swiper responds with an 'Oh man!' and quietly sulks away, always to return another day. Yes I know Dora is a kids cartoon and not meant to be some great insight into Katie's life but who's to say its not still true? Pain is my Swiper; I'm not going to let him win. He will no longer steal my joy but I will fend him off by being conscious of my happiness. I know he will be back but I will be ready.<br>
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Yesterday while out walking I decided to make it happen, to focus on being happy, on the little things in life. Then today, I come across <a href="http://100happydays.com/" target="_blank">100 Happy Days!</a> it's a challenge, if you will, to find joy every day for 100 days and document them. You all know how much I like taking selfies so clearly I am jumping on board here. 100 days, 100 pictures, 100 moments of joy. So join me on the challenge with pictures or moments of your own or come find me and lets make some joy together. My pictures will find their home in my facebook album of #100happydays so check them out or check out people's joy around the world through all the social media platforms.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGij3Zu95O7vSVWLqybI1k22lV-TpM8J38qSCoHZbboFrnwAZ1fNsEm8SaoB760xpwmzngTCw6ZrfFRc9cLk8FLTQM8l80xnkzU7zkaxwZ8JrorVxlxjuvb_Uy-dQYVj1_uDqjNTQijU/s640/blogger-image--615390399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGij3Zu95O7vSVWLqybI1k22lV-TpM8J38qSCoHZbboFrnwAZ1fNsEm8SaoB760xpwmzngTCw6ZrfFRc9cLk8FLTQM8l80xnkzU7zkaxwZ8JrorVxlxjuvb_Uy-dQYVj1_uDqjNTQijU/s640/blogger-image--615390399.jpg"></a></div>I was really happy to see some sheep yesterday which started this journey and highly amused to see the explosion of some of their haircut on the side of the road. (See top photo)</div><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-32184007445301397312013-10-28T22:04:00.000-04:002013-10-29T22:07:35.258-04:00This community is awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I love Montana. Sometimes simple statements are all I can come up with but I think you get the picture. I've been calling this year 'my year of firsts' and I am so thankful and excited that there are so many people here that are excited and willing to share this things with me. In case you hadn't heard, I shot some guns a couple of weeks ago, because you know, that's what people do here, or so I am told. I am terrible at it and quite frankly it was quite alarming but I am glad to have been able to experience it. Before I shot this gun, I had never ever touched a gun before, this was a fact very hard for people here to believe. I had to convince them that I honestly didn't ever know where to get one if I wanted one at home.</div>
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I saw this snake while walking down the road the other day. That was certainly a first. While I have seen snakes before, I can't say I have ever seen one on the side of a road. He was just chilling there sunning himself on the side of the road so we just said hey to each other and moved about our days.<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlyzwLnDhcAG8cq7e5Nd0NwkJPUHPTWcd-Y-BjGgkrTj_DHSl1_ZHGNcQ0OQLrQBfBt9wILsbeeP-1qPpbF4aZkm6UCebVN3oDjo94PpQhiBBmgOfHoNndyLY7py4E2FOU8kL4ynEW3c/s640/blogger-image-880882671.jpg" /></div>
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People in town kept telling me I was on the front page of the paper and I was super confused because no one would tell me why, but kept making a big deal of it. I finally see the paper and determine it was a group picture of me with some of the kids from the youth group I help with, after we collected food for the food pantry. I'm still not sure why everyone in town kept acting like I was the only one on the front page but I guess they were just excited they knew someone on the front page. I am also so proud of the kids as they collected 900 lbs of food for the food pantry where I volunteer. It was a huge help and made big change to the shelves that were getting pretty empty with the upcoming holidays and government issues.<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9vBkoTlPfiWUZOVe9Mc8U0jan8OPsn-C1ofRRh26DUzZYPHBgssjydsN3p0WqQzVqxpoiNNVbyNaQLMWrg5Vjz-KeCu9yCOENP7EVSol8RJvAVOP-GCLBS5Jtzvx0RI-JxRrjUZx4-Q/s640/blogger-image--1189577689.jpg" /></div>
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This past weekend we went to the Lutheran church to worship. After worship we helped clean up the church yard a bit followed by a potluck. I have never been to so many potlucks in my life. That is apparently a thing here. Pretty much any and every gathering ends up being a potluck. It is always delicious and a wonderful time of fellowship. This potluck however was followed by a hay ride through town, pulled by two horses!</div>
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This was an incredible way to end the afternoon. These were the kids we were on the hay ride with and I'm not sure who was more excited, them or me, but for the record, some adults went on it too.</div>
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The weather was very nice to gently break me in to this winter with temperatures in the 20s and just a dusting of snow. <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei8N8kEqKzYMr8SOhz8lXZKvAgh1Y6cmK41DSfyPUXJ5msTFF2hVCGrRrBMAIbTkmAOso99XXgt4GRMkJfE7HNihEyZqbeKk6LGGcgm3RS6aDGw4Dr9a-Hw25NQ8E1_NSFDoJ9M29ooA/s640/blogger-image--1818551233.jpg" /></div>
So as the first snow falls and gently swirls and blankets the ground, it seems to have muffled all the sounds and thoughts swirly though my head. I have a deep sense of peace and calm. Those feeling always comes with the first snow for me, it's pretty, it's novel, it's changed the scenery and it changes me a bit too.<br />
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Life is good, love is strong. That's where I'm at and I hope you're there with me. <br />
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Sending you peace that passes understanding.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-17201946481817660672013-10-27T14:28:00.000-04:002013-10-29T21:35:45.126-04:00Presbytery at Whitlash<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We went to presbytery this past weekend in Whitlash, Montana. It is quite a small town so I was highly amused by the this huge garbage can on the way, bit of a juxtaposition if you will. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant garbage can!</td></tr>
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Also people are really helpful in Montana, they even give you directions on how to use the toilet paper in the rest stations on the side of the road. The most helpful and friendly vandalism I have ever seen. </div>
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This is the road to Whitlash. You turn down a gravel road drive for 30 miles down a gravel road, all of which look quite similar to this.<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yaR3CmDrMbopkcjxolFideo954NiKISBFxgl7rsd0KSN4efPabhUwSsmgztDNIEm8G6BtrVyx2TA5k5iYEhbphRQayU5QqXIUqz0MO83YkzY6BDorVtgKnR1-CEul4v1_TdyQbGGe4o/s640/blogger-image-818976777.jpg" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious carrot cake and super cute picture of their church on the cake.</td></tr>
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The church presbytery was held in was the Whiltash Community Presbyterian Church which has 12 members. It is a super cute little church that was celebrating 100 years of existence!<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWtHU4T3Oxf8iSuFIH7cGBVhnU40_cfR8COe5jdvUMcLsAzKnW_rJqOtUy-HRL9-IemlyUFi6WoUNAK_oWeMNN5E49dED_I8WXiXsDiNBvV40VizXPMR5c-nV-GltJfQUOpYVZnV2GdQ/s640/blogger-image--1510242284.jpg" /></div>
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The actual town of Whiltash contains 6 people on most days, on days the one family has their kids, the population goes up to 10. And I thought Chinook was cute and small? Another fun fact, they get their eggs and meat from the mailman. And then there is the sign post in town telling you where all the families/ranches in the are in which direction. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey look a deer!</td></tr>
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Presbytery here is what I imagine church government should be. It was a lot of fellowship and worship, and a small amount of business. No fighting, no arguing, just working together to follow God. It reminded me that I am Presbyterian, it's a good thing, and it can work. I had an amazing time and truly appreciated the time to get to talk with some of the pastors of the state.</div>
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So as the sun rises, I am reminded that my time here is still just beginning. I have come to know a lot of people in the community, been loving my jobs, and truly felt loved and embraced by the town. Yet I know I still have much to do and learn.</div>
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Sunsets and sunrises both look the same if you don't know the direction you are facing. As I seek to follow God's direction for my life, I turn towards the son, soaking in this warmth, eagerly embracing the journey of a new day.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com0Whitlash, MT 59545, USA48.9083386 -111.2530312000000123.3863041 -152.5616252 74.4303731 -69.94443720000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-15804573605155352012013-10-20T14:27:00.000-04:002013-10-29T22:08:01.128-04:00Wildlife museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Sometimes in life you have this overwhelming desire to take pictures with animals (or maybe that's just me) and they don't want to cooperate. Going to a wildlife museum solves that problem. Case and point all of the follow pictures. I had a ton of fun taking selfies with the animals as I'm sure you can tell from the pictures. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey there Mr Bear!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww, look at the elk! Kisses!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racoons, on my head?!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited face and moose!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww, look at the baby!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our 'we're serious' face</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks confused so I was confused with him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses little goat!</td></tr>
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Last but not least is the buffalo jump exhibit. This exhibit is seriously amazing. If you are ever in town you should stop by the museum if for no other reason than to see this. Historically speaking, buffalo were chased off the side of a cliff by a man in a pelt and after the buffalo fell off the cliff, if the fall didn't kill them, the natives could kill the buffalo much easier than out on the plains.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo falling to his doom!</td></tr>
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I had an amazing time in the museum. Life is what you make of it. Have fun anywhere you are, it's contagious and even if people think you are crazy (like I'm sure some of you are now thinking that about me) enjoy every minute of it.<br />
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God says "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14) and since we are made in his image, I too proudly say I am who I am, that silly, weird girl that finds joy and laughter in all places.<br />
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Sending you peace, love, joy and laughter from Montana.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com0Chinook, MT 59523, USA48.5899222 -109.2312312000000248.568916699999996 -109.27157170000002 48.6109277 -109.19089070000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-66210340328528592462013-09-29T14:00:00.000-04:002013-10-29T11:11:31.928-04:00Sugarbeet festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So one of the attractions on the list of things to do in Chinook is the Sugarbeet Festival. This is apparently what a sugarbeet looks like. </div>
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There used to be factory in town that procesed them into sugar, never knew that was a thing. But the town school's mascot is named after them so that's fun and who doesn't like festivals. There was also a Sugarbeet decorating contest, cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTjg-VgqMyjdNthKjMN7R9jQEO5dj9VCMX-5wPWVozlqL9LVwqOa7jcsb3XxGs7fXKN26JCPOv7Q2s8wPrst3vdN24jAzJciLMdF5j9mjQbOZ8UhgM_xwXil6RP3_IBwsFnCJ2Ltksyo/s640/blogger-image-1996837917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTjg-VgqMyjdNthKjMN7R9jQEO5dj9VCMX-5wPWVozlqL9LVwqOa7jcsb3XxGs7fXKN26JCPOv7Q2s8wPrst3vdN24jAzJciLMdF5j9mjQbOZ8UhgM_xwXil6RP3_IBwsFnCJ2Ltksyo/s640/blogger-image-1996837917.jpg" /></a></div>
The kids at the high school also get a day off school so each class makes tangier own float. Their rivals at the home coming game the following day this year was the badger hence the caged badger.<br />
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The band also played and marched. Look at how tiny the band is, yet still impressive considering how the size of the school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWcrUpwVyhcx7mFfjuJ6lNtTI7uYWFLOTEFnmf6q7qJEdTPHaUVA_yjSmEodu9Ub0nk9I9bw4rWi99NyAqHrLbguqHSVcUdGm3TPmRvODVK-vGefsi3iGafdl8ONrq3XRfiSdfrk3iQA/s640/blogger-image-1156299320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWcrUpwVyhcx7mFfjuJ6lNtTI7uYWFLOTEFnmf6q7qJEdTPHaUVA_yjSmEodu9Ub0nk9I9bw4rWi99NyAqHrLbguqHSVcUdGm3TPmRvODVK-vGefsi3iGafdl8ONrq3XRfiSdfrk3iQA/s640/blogger-image-1156299320.jpg" /></a></div>
The festival had two parades; one with just the high schoolers and a slightly larger one the next day with various groups. So this is what I learned about small town parades: they turn around and come back and you watch the entire parade again. I am not joking. They turn, go around the block so the seniors at their appartments can see, then proceed down the first street again. I was told this ahead of time but did not realize literally everyone stays and watches the second time around. So I stopped and watched the entire parade a second time.<br />
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JUMP, which is the youth group I work with, also had a pie fundraiser during the festival. Ooo, look at all the yummy pies! And this was not all the choice either.<br />
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Also super fun event was the reenactment of a bank robbery. It was really impressive; the guys were climbing on roofs and shooting off guns, riding into and out of town on horses, and it was even staged at the Wells Fargo Bank. These were some of the guys from the reenactment during the parade. They were giving out fake money to kids.</div>
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In summary, it was a really awesome weekend, filled with friends, community and some amazing small town charm.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-39831598056336231902013-09-23T21:55:00.001-04:002013-09-23T21:55:57.843-04:00People say there is nothing fun to do in a small townAnd I say Oh nay nay. One should definitely go to the county museum. Behold the wonders. <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Ginormous elk head sticking out of the wall</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZsMwo5lK-Y51iK4qBnKWX9JmfW9rVqepY5bp9yqnKDfjU7TJFGbTI7_r9BYC9OwbdAxjRE9aiVqfBqqnVx8Y4tFpf6_dmla8dAcM5HY0XQaB3sxoJCI6x7B5r-EY9AOwUUS2_jE6WeM/s640/blogger-image--1455458146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZsMwo5lK-Y51iK4qBnKWX9JmfW9rVqepY5bp9yqnKDfjU7TJFGbTI7_r9BYC9OwbdAxjRE9aiVqfBqqnVx8Y4tFpf6_dmla8dAcM5HY0XQaB3sxoJCI6x7B5r-EY9AOwUUS2_jE6WeM/s640/blogger-image--1455458146.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this awesome buffalo coat that I bet would keep you quite toasty even in the winters out here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHv2zLX6b8OVppvMKPZooqaLtPMLF9Cx30y6GJ9d-lpve4b8peKvACnxjMOtdMR5apNydHvSkRVvse-7lJ-J8f2pnbY5qa0sJlolr3X10hUfe8JnYVaWEtuf4yoIyD4czyYwZj0JulcM/s640/blogger-image-988672506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHv2zLX6b8OVppvMKPZooqaLtPMLF9Cx30y6GJ9d-lpve4b8peKvACnxjMOtdMR5apNydHvSkRVvse-7lJ-J8f2pnbY5qa0sJlolr3X10hUfe8JnYVaWEtuf4yoIyD4czyYwZj0JulcM/s640/blogger-image-988672506.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Man am I jealous of whoever was around 75 million years ago to take this picture! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjp-rMlhsB8i7ihuInB2VBSHzav1azxIOL695Jv2S7d7yxKcmZijA0nyidr6RDYZTRG0DNHqn27L-rCoH1oisj4gbnZ79j2FHMD4GfxUDgdMID3SGqWu2BroNlHw7wNFTvEpnBrhHnJY/s640/blogger-image-2087206124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjp-rMlhsB8i7ihuInB2VBSHzav1azxIOL695Jv2S7d7yxKcmZijA0nyidr6RDYZTRG0DNHqn27L-rCoH1oisj4gbnZ79j2FHMD4GfxUDgdMID3SGqWu2BroNlHw7wNFTvEpnBrhHnJY/s640/blogger-image-2087206124.jpg"></a></div>JK but there are a lot of dinosaur bones in Montana and that is seriously awesome. Like for example the Gorgosaurus which makes me think of the Gorgs from Fraggle rock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIylYl3SEr_xiWFgst-074fcZnZlKFyOeNFO07pdveLpxB60E-YN_GGrnrRnmptYUS8Q8gdNdJFLkPwnucXkLHuICpBwqbL_vr4BRJOwdfP66nMuOGkY7DjmdufhvMqQfUQ4Q7X_cjPzE/s640/blogger-image-744624785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIylYl3SEr_xiWFgst-074fcZnZlKFyOeNFO07pdveLpxB60E-YN_GGrnrRnmptYUS8Q8gdNdJFLkPwnucXkLHuICpBwqbL_vr4BRJOwdfP66nMuOGkY7DjmdufhvMqQfUQ4Q7X_cjPzE/s640/blogger-image-744624785.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So clearly I pretended to be one and took my picture with a skull. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVZ3j996MIbDdCKUerFCGBsI8nH-G9nM87j7yQKSNrPJURfqDM9pcDI1hbVbuvPsxqBCgWB6ixlwzakpl0eXrFPQnhZP-3B8thBKFFZIXtPKzWAiqhdYnfKr6xuFVjujGAUJJz69fPik/s640/blogger-image-776014579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVZ3j996MIbDdCKUerFCGBsI8nH-G9nM87j7yQKSNrPJURfqDM9pcDI1hbVbuvPsxqBCgWB6ixlwzakpl0eXrFPQnhZP-3B8thBKFFZIXtPKzWAiqhdYnfKr6xuFVjujGAUJJz69fPik/s640/blogger-image-776014579.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also speaking of skulls, look at the size of that work horse skull. It's huge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17rQpqb65hoiu8kFF90zXRaKHU822RvWDXL3dpMjNNBuHRo6APXFd-TVk5O7xF8vzfj6_3mdUsP-KIemmFbvBClMGIYGVKZ0YjsRZKlqSpVpD-_dMYsqZJlOH_Pa9bLw59R02H_d7LUg/s640/blogger-image--1018862844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17rQpqb65hoiu8kFF90zXRaKHU822RvWDXL3dpMjNNBuHRo6APXFd-TVk5O7xF8vzfj6_3mdUsP-KIemmFbvBClMGIYGVKZ0YjsRZKlqSpVpD-_dMYsqZJlOH_Pa9bLw59R02H_d7LUg/s640/blogger-image--1018862844.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div>And last but not least, a picture of camera that while similar to my phone in that if does not have any cell reception, it would be undoubtedly more difficult to post pictures for you all if this was all I had to use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEFROcK5o5dvGwzdrcnfMae0yE6MGU3R7APHx_lXoOfNVERcR2lNnYoWSvtsaEpRg19uMnnNWa9nkMZnCKCgz0pRloM9l7M-l4Fn1QRB4JQ1m4dZ0bRysiyB2PYf75OeQ4AfVDppnYPI/s640/blogger-image--672225077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEFROcK5o5dvGwzdrcnfMae0yE6MGU3R7APHx_lXoOfNVERcR2lNnYoWSvtsaEpRg19uMnnNWa9nkMZnCKCgz0pRloM9l7M-l4Fn1QRB4JQ1m4dZ0bRysiyB2PYf75OeQ4AfVDppnYPI/s640/blogger-image--672225077.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Big thanks to the Blaine County Museum for endless entertainment and for being FREE so it makes it even more awesome. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So to sum it all up, life is good and even the dumpsters are happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc09FWMYaJH4qcRSbX6nbkSDsB85bPFs_2ftOy2twvEX0Wpa4A4cuVsNylRb_HgoWcS2bCVPGbkRT0dTFQAQm7JHtGE0YmUn75nnMa8v970DOIKLH3AJbNUsYjAoUlg97IudVq3oFlwgg/s640/blogger-image-90128317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc09FWMYaJH4qcRSbX6nbkSDsB85bPFs_2ftOy2twvEX0Wpa4A4cuVsNylRb_HgoWcS2bCVPGbkRT0dTFQAQm7JHtGE0YmUn75nnMa8v970DOIKLH3AJbNUsYjAoUlg97IudVq3oFlwgg/s640/blogger-image-90128317.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com0Chinook Chinook48.587362 -109.235981tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-41670822486792411302013-09-14T12:14:00.001-04:002013-09-16T00:28:37.244-04:00Musings and mailings<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiIykDiKICcNY_RoOpM9uwAgJNnLPhznuDFFi-Y_yKnwgE4w6JViaUASoQHjruYb6LEwN3f8gG4La0HUGrEsFx6iW2UKQtjWvak1iho3Tnl6jTrFT8syuuFJVOxdy-Uoqy79Cq3FIJQ8/s640/blogger-image-178959949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiIykDiKICcNY_RoOpM9uwAgJNnLPhznuDFFi-Y_yKnwgE4w6JViaUASoQHjruYb6LEwN3f8gG4La0HUGrEsFx6iW2UKQtjWvak1iho3Tnl6jTrFT8syuuFJVOxdy-Uoqy79Cq3FIJQ8/s640/blogger-image-178959949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>So tomorrow officially marks 3 weeks in Montana. People are asking just this weekend if I am getting settle in and getting used to town, if I am finding things okay now. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EZt__M2OVDp8FO4-9VpFBOWgG5lxbIwdm9ZYIcjriaX_1rtjRfMz_pb4Hd2CIStrd1vylFAZKy38Sikyl3Y1396neHI3GrgdLiQcLm3gFomvVgTbMBm8OSbjTARQ6f4t532iU4SVnW8/s640/blogger-image--446881668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EZt__M2OVDp8FO4-9VpFBOWgG5lxbIwdm9ZYIcjriaX_1rtjRfMz_pb4Hd2CIStrd1vylFAZKy38Sikyl3Y1396neHI3GrgdLiQcLm3gFomvVgTbMBm8OSbjTARQ6f4t532iU4SVnW8/s640/blogger-image--446881668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That question always makes me smile every time. Yes, everything is gorgeous and everyone is friendly but also town is tiny. I'm pretty sure I explored the entire town the first couple days here. The Chinook website calls the town "small town charm, big city ambience." I'm not quite sure there is anything big city about Chinook but I love them all the more for thinking there is. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EZt__M2OVDp8FO4-9VpFBOWgG5lxbIwdm9ZYIcjriaX_1rtjRfMz_pb4Hd2CIStrd1vylFAZKy38Sikyl3Y1396neHI3GrgdLiQcLm3gFomvVgTbMBm8OSbjTARQ6f4t532iU4SVnW8/s640/blogger-image--446881668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAcdmbK2cO_2TAmlwLgGGH6IFp_pq3yanGP3XKHXy-yLg2DHswA8AE9HEA4ZTzv7O3VEuj0YD56d9UoUP4Lj9Af_K59T9mKP4Nb_dMglLoJkHb7UfLirBzF16Cj3eoldlfKjZS4cvwEU/s640/blogger-image-1622526795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAcdmbK2cO_2TAmlwLgGGH6IFp_pq3yanGP3XKHXy-yLg2DHswA8AE9HEA4ZTzv7O3VEuj0YD56d9UoUP4Lj9Af_K59T9mKP4Nb_dMglLoJkHb7UfLirBzF16Cj3eoldlfKjZS4cvwEU/s640/blogger-image-1622526795.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">People have asked what I'm missing most about NJ other than people and I must say it was the smells. At home, the wind always smells like water, whether its the ocean or the bay or the river/creek/lagoon etc. As I'm sure you can imagine from the picture above, it smells like hay or horses or cattle (I have to keep reminding myself to use the word cattle because every time I see them I think 'Ooo cows!' But that is apparently wrong. Aka cattle not cows). </div></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiIykDiKICcNY_RoOpM9uwAgJNnLPhznuDFFi-Y_yKnwgE4w6JViaUASoQHjruYb6LEwN3f8gG4La0HUGrEsFx6iW2UKQtjWvak1iho3Tnl6jTrFT8syuuFJVOxdy-Uoqy79Cq3FIJQ8/s640/blogger-image-178959949.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">While there is no water close by, there is a library! Which as I'm sure you can tell by the excited face with my new library card above is super exciting. They also are part of the digital library so I can now borrow books from Nj and Mt at the same time on my Nook! 10 books potentially at a time instead of 5, my mind is exploding at the thought. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhMyKycBv3DLO31HU35WAyCZvSxGo_jOhhFtFfcFqCD4rfWWqKaVztcqD16oVECwHRlrPj2VmOl93Ddk4BgyCTV07d0v7SC7Gf7u-fP3HfYINESHanu_ZAISDJqU0a69R05tHGOXJgLA/s640/blogger-image--1167869653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhMyKycBv3DLO31HU35WAyCZvSxGo_jOhhFtFfcFqCD4rfWWqKaVztcqD16oVECwHRlrPj2VmOl93Ddk4BgyCTV07d0v7SC7Gf7u-fP3HfYINESHanu_ZAISDJqU0a69R05tHGOXJgLA/s640/blogger-image--1167869653.jpg"></a></div>Also this past week on Monday, I got a ton of books that I will be using throughout the year. I'll be helping out tutor some math this year at the high school and I just admit I was more excited that I should be at getting 3 math books. I know, I'm such a dork, but you love me anyway. And yes, that is in fact the Virgin Mary behind my shoulder. I didn't realize she was there until after I took the picture but I really enjoy the fact that I got photobombed by the Virgin Mary. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb0XtjbzXDHIFmCRFAWv8vm56Nh41QsrJJxbvKfj1VqS2CddG2vU8z_bBQshLtWzxnZ9qsix09ete7oZKTICTmzN5PwFDjLYm68fcHgRI3MzPew3zwRtw5KCmhyyp5zu3zHA9pu7mfhE/s640/blogger-image--1146190023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb0XtjbzXDHIFmCRFAWv8vm56Nh41QsrJJxbvKfj1VqS2CddG2vU8z_bBQshLtWzxnZ9qsix09ete7oZKTICTmzN5PwFDjLYm68fcHgRI3MzPew3zwRtw5KCmhyyp5zu3zHA9pu7mfhE/s640/blogger-image--1146190023.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also, mail is fun, like this postcard I got from Colleen! So if you want to be cool like that, feel free to send me a nifty postcard or other such mail like shenanigans @ the following address</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">PO Box 231</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chinook, MT 59523</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com1Chinook Chinook48.587245 -109.235893tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-90200274326542274772013-09-02T00:06:00.001-04:002013-09-02T00:06:21.234-04:00Montana!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Montana is epic. The first two pictures are from the drive into Chinook from Billings. There really isn't much between the two places as you can see by the pictures but it is also a really nifty drive because you really get to see almost every type of geography the state has to offer.</div>
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I am loving every minute of life but I've already learned a few things that I'm not sure I ever expected. I
guess that's the thing about learning new things, sometimes it just
happens and there is no preparation. I think a lot of times in life I've
set out to learn something specific or at the very least acknowledging I
have very little knowledge about some aspect of life. I think this is
the first time I've truly been surprised about what I have been learning. I
came into this year knowing I had a lot to learn about the physical
area (flora, fauna, geographic stuff etc) but I honestly didn't think
that there would be a difference in the way we define city.</div>
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When I was flying into Billings on the plane, they made the announcement that we were approaching the city and we would be landing in a few minutes. Looking out the window, I see nothing but beautiful landscape so I'm thinking, "No, we can't be approaching a city, there are no houses, no suburbs surrounding the city." So we land and there's no announcement about what terminal baggage is in, I'm thinking "hmm, that's odd" well as it turns out there is only one, hence no announcement. </div>
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I am from the city. This is a statement that of course I disagreed with the first time I heard it. City? Me? No, silly, I'm from the suburbs. New York, that's a city, Philly, also a city, Newark and Camden, sure. Toms River, not a city. Then it hits me. Billings is the largest town in Montana, as in the ENTIRE STATE, and it is roughly the size of Toms River. Relatively speaking I suppose I see why it would be called a city so relatively speaking, I am now from the city.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYimxb7DZ9Eg8oZWn60aFFBmnLJ0b9EClp4GvdpgCTQQA8WeI_ZMHaQdG4G58a9iChnH5DQzhlINqPQy_USwIKdXbR3h4DptNFZf0zgvGffS0cRG98ONygBRNLQzq8gQdI_OTcC5jK0Y/s640/blogger-image--933869612.jpg" /><br />
This city girl is excited to be spending her year in Chinook. I crossed a "highway" to get to this sign. AKA, I walked across a two lane street with absolutely no cars or trucks on it or in sight at the time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9u0-PzkLBL39_Nj4luR5szjzTmMzjdq3R54_KEwsdega7qkP1Fq-vC0EIq2XCijgJqcV7TZPka4MJ1X9KIlScVXSyjKChybNwIZwtiKODF251NBzC4SnXrneBnO9O4PZih7FRfWL2HY/s640/blogger-image--1754112359.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the Chinook water tower and I'm super cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52YzA-BMrkCwFRMoa8oGvRUsZiWcTXIkVMPpMHKO_R2ln1jeBK8Y4nCFR_MvWkUv-mryFzxOPlIwDonoE15C_m0RwD0xqWtmJPMwek8gJJZB5A0BnfF-7sVROTIfveGPmw4U4Bt4FLbU/s640/blogger-image--757106433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, I have horses who live down the street!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbkxCAKcCBy_K8KjJ-5asXhatSpAOC3eaxmGwFB4g13k9PgazUCj2NVKqYTV8asS-YH66IdUwikg7W3ReY0ULohTmNxaksqTRumZyt8WaHYopdSh-NVWGFiJ3R61UU4Z6zNb-vEyVGSU/s640/blogger-image--210626391.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view looking down the street at the end of town</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-23821559229418842312013-08-26T20:00:00.000-04:002013-08-30T00:26:41.279-04:00It's not always the destination we remember but how we got thereThe task of getting us oriented for our coming year of service fell to
the wonderful Young Adult Volunteer Alumni, or YAVA,as well as the YAV
staff. We spent a week at the Stony Point Center figuring out how we fit into
this grand scheme of living out our faith, serving, and being served. If it sounds like a daunting task, I'm sure you're right. It has
got to be unbelievably difficult to get 70 some odd people ready for
various placements in various cities/countries all in one week so hats
off to all of them for getting it done. <br />
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Orientation: the determination of the relative position of someone or something<br />
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Why yes, that is how I think of the word orientation, but hey, what can I say other than I'm an engineer, but the fact of the matter is, it still applies. My orientation in life is determined relative to not only God but the people around us. Or to be totally geeky, God is my coordinate system, who gives meaning and placement to my life, but without relationships to other people, I'm just a point in space. God has placed so many other people around us (other points in space) and with that connection between us, we become a vector, having direction as well as magnitude, we become substantial.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKRWgiDbD3pPx66_2niaXhoogmNySoEsqtOQYfuTyESa4pK5jHjPzbRO0_3zlifY-IwMe0bEiOKS4-XC5O-uJbvDD19e6xg_FEJUjZB_eihlcSqy4elxUv5qB7euuvC3aV-BGoQwBdTg/s640/blogger-image--1161401155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKRWgiDbD3pPx66_2niaXhoogmNySoEsqtOQYfuTyESa4pK5jHjPzbRO0_3zlifY-IwMe0bEiOKS4-XC5O-uJbvDD19e6xg_FEJUjZB_eihlcSqy4elxUv5qB7euuvC3aV-BGoQwBdTg/s640/blogger-image--1161401155.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I forget that this is the way we are made. In college after the Search retreat, they asked us to stand up and say what we learned that weekend. I don't think I'll ever forget the words I said that day "This weekend I learned I can't do everything on my own" but sometimes I forget to live that out. I think the most important thing orientation has taught me is that exact sentiment, I can't do everything on my own; I need God and I need other people. Meeting the other YAVs serving this year as well as knowing there are so many YAVA creating a net of love and support is a wonderful, comforting, amazing experience.<br />
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I'm an introvert by nature and I truly enjoy spending time in solitude but we are made for more that just that. In the words of Toby Mac "I was made to love, and be loved by you" It's something I need to remember and I hope as the year progresses, I will seek to live out that love and embrace the love of others.<br />
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I leave you with some fun highlights of the week, some of which I didn't get pictures of so you get awesome drawing version!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwviTlyZhsOiRJx3yYaDvjUnD4pJQHdLf9216jZHoHd74oimwCRY6fTfGi13wCowZwkbqbubegkwvOQPP8OyMTDS8z47HPCUohFZ96_Vko0UOxlAPjR1Qr7iuXmMxUxDruPHqqm2nLZts/s640/blogger-image--1219932161.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stony Point had pigs! They were super cute and were working on getting the fields ready!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKRK9W3ngJpQETMnYet63PjFuquUzjoR1_8QbBw5aoMiPuowIHqxkXGv1rtiyahH4a8mQnWzB6XDugf2E2xTd07lmcuyiCflFhQGd3IDlonJS3VxCowyuenB89lr5E0PX7crcrkjUUQA/s640/blogger-image--1621491129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4llVtzgNikT1Upl7vVCUWwk4eCwHcTXw_engAIaebASWfioU46WRgHg8Aheqfik5QFjOJjGsPPOX_q0en-9kLAGz0pIR6WeSNBC9cxT3ogbrCwhHrnzanP-D1OYdOm4Kvrx5r1PUCEts/s640/blogger-image--1229614803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Audry, and Colleen after our walk to the lighthouse nearby. I am truly honored that we could be there for Audry's first lighthouse experience since apparently Kansas doesn't have lighthouse, who would have guessed?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zHxybRB6NecJGpYKVYtgU9wfz35HIrWKlOGa6goHgV5VWxd7Xal8GNdvR57Dymj2h1EarqDkgn6NAHJlMZNr0BFBCqXsCu2PlDJxQqEh_leyGuXjHtdrPlEGX8SpMhZ-GBzKCgBN6fw/s640/blogger-image--1159341014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zHxybRB6NecJGpYKVYtgU9wfz35HIrWKlOGa6goHgV5VWxd7Xal8GNdvR57Dymj2h1EarqDkgn6NAHJlMZNr0BFBCqXsCu2PlDJxQqEh_leyGuXjHtdrPlEGX8SpMhZ-GBzKCgBN6fw/s640/blogger-image--1159341014.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colleen and I put our feet in the ocean one more time before heading out to orientation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7aNc941LZG8W0ngVa1faJ9yWAJYLmzfyPKSVaWqdxRmcZjys85Fst97ouGv70wFfkLsG5rQ5fXTXPWnA7CQ40c4zpytkhoisFYelH8044E5qoddCUAu8E_9EHY1hVIcqBoh-HUwwczE/s640/blogger-image--433889716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7aNc941LZG8W0ngVa1faJ9yWAJYLmzfyPKSVaWqdxRmcZjys85Fst97ouGv70wFfkLsG5rQ5fXTXPWnA7CQ40c4zpytkhoisFYelH8044E5qoddCUAu8E_9EHY1hVIcqBoh-HUwwczE/s640/blogger-image--433889716.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to a Quaker meeting in the meditation room at Stony Point during a storm and it was an awesome time of being still, and knowing that God is God and I am not as well as a time of community, peace, and refreshment for the day.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKRK9W3ngJpQETMnYet63PjFuquUzjoR1_8QbBw5aoMiPuowIHqxkXGv1rtiyahH4a8mQnWzB6XDugf2E2xTd07lmcuyiCflFhQGd3IDlonJS3VxCowyuenB89lr5E0PX7crcrkjUUQA/s640/blogger-image--1621491129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJeDamPZIRxijbupEHpLwXL3-19WcW-t1E022LU1nl-ajzx_n4-Y0gu58rH4v1gRmBa7Mc2hUZPUM9FqGx60GkiqLKsAPtdMiXGpgIWA7pwq87Hm4q3pXPIuFLPl9wIa1KbdVo87G7J0/s640/blogger-image-842911369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJeDamPZIRxijbupEHpLwXL3-19WcW-t1E022LU1nl-ajzx_n4-Y0gu58rH4v1gRmBa7Mc2hUZPUM9FqGx60GkiqLKsAPtdMiXGpgIWA7pwq87Hm4q3pXPIuFLPl9wIa1KbdVo87G7J0/s640/blogger-image-842911369.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathryn is a Zumba instructor so she taught a class for us. It was incredibly awesome and I loved every second of the dancing and the amazing faces she makes.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwviTlyZhsOiRJx3yYaDvjUnD4pJQHdLf9216jZHoHd74oimwCRY6fTfGi13wCowZwkbqbubegkwvOQPP8OyMTDS8z47HPCUohFZ96_Vko0UOxlAPjR1Qr7iuXmMxUxDruPHqqm2nLZts/s1600/blogger-image--1219932161.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-82669464245889549042013-08-18T21:04:00.002-04:002013-08-18T21:05:27.231-04:00Pieces of New Jersey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBojQOWFRfsFHivieFFa9GQF6F6iKGAdZO-DEOTh4_CcG0u4pWG6e5cbQz9bcEM_jHr7mueFPbkSm72PwqdKVQHD5CPKml3z8Xfl0MW8HclOsH1_81WUU8qtPLq_IUMKVOBqH5Xocq7c/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBojQOWFRfsFHivieFFa9GQF6F6iKGAdZO-DEOTh4_CcG0u4pWG6e5cbQz9bcEM_jHr7mueFPbkSm72PwqdKVQHD5CPKml3z8Xfl0MW8HclOsH1_81WUU8qtPLq_IUMKVOBqH5Xocq7c/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-QZ02dhiFUfzBVP1QFicpw60M-XIPUT9ZvSQ8i6D8aUKvMKv11j061lNVIz0jSqswYxRH8Ggr73qcTSf0I0FAfO6bADZwyIumVKC6Jbtdyr5XpxzXIZB_cT36tIWdwiYy7wH0KxGEAs/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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The time has come for the list. What list, you ask? Why, it's the list
of things that are classic New Jersey that I wanted to experience one
more time before leaving the east coast for a year. The list is in no
particular order and there are a few things that made the list but
didn't get photographed so they are going to start off the list. <br /><ul>
<li>Say hi and bye to friends and family (if I didn't make it to you, consider this my personal virtual hi and bye)</li>
<li>Take a dip in the ocean/beach it up</li>
<li>WAWA! </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKcraULddE4oApi9FKXHbhzo-UWRQ9Bv6lbFQO6nWqbqGoPQOKrLgSYwznw_3yISr8p5VnT_ceiFKadpDNW_4vp6kMBDZxxM4mFd2sGHArEqtKxpYG5u9SI-IhecePNoEaKg2-37K69U/s1600/blogger-image-65940005.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKcraULddE4oApi9FKXHbhzo-UWRQ9Bv6lbFQO6nWqbqGoPQOKrLgSYwznw_3yISr8p5VnT_ceiFKadpDNW_4vp6kMBDZxxM4mFd2sGHArEqtKxpYG5u9SI-IhecePNoEaKg2-37K69U/s320/blogger-image-65940005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffing my face with delicious hoagie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqO4DN6X9z4i7LqoilhJ1xx6ivv0ABDbGJDF2JWmDQAj3nY8txcvuAyo1ITSOH8PeEH13xncK508HqySqsjkyRfNJFMhs3vlEWU01sJwV2jmJIZQ5Vp8f__me39T_lhAM5JdmUr4cBtU/s320/blogger-image-1813913513.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach tea, smokey turkey with honey mustard and spinach, and of course pickles on the side</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLcCQyfzkkWAYghAuzUg38JyEwpXCCuCcfQGEL4TZnjkeJ0WB6aTBnHc5CZfYhqc3vNNv5FpXd0VS37_gOyiLjma1-8JSKXnuDryvzvMQ7FuyG2Fzq5o2YJcsehkuJ862f1ux-CjnPAs/s640/blogger-image-1574487977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Have dad make french toast! This one was made with peach bread from the Amish market, thanks to Kim for the bread!</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLcCQyfzkkWAYghAuzUg38JyEwpXCCuCcfQGEL4TZnjkeJ0WB6aTBnHc5CZfYhqc3vNNv5FpXd0VS37_gOyiLjma1-8JSKXnuDryvzvMQ7FuyG2Fzq5o2YJcsehkuJ862f1ux-CjnPAs/s640/blogger-image-1574487977.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLcCQyfzkkWAYghAuzUg38JyEwpXCCuCcfQGEL4TZnjkeJ0WB6aTBnHc5CZfYhqc3vNNv5FpXd0VS37_gOyiLjma1-8JSKXnuDryvzvMQ7FuyG2Fzq5o2YJcsehkuJ862f1ux-CjnPAs/s320/blogger-image-1574487977.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<li>Ride my bike and watch the sun set over the bay. </li>
</ul>
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNfI58g_85Ta43lj9AggWBKfE6WN1M6PYnWLX8KwpfF6c5rsBShki6NMBjKt7S1li6WpgwTNneYNRAia4f2mCD8iB1LkkcIV2QDT0fyFNALIK0W5OW2oMAHYc0PUyBAxlL82yrYTakp4/s320/blogger-image--1946837019.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<ul>
<li>Surf Taco! Baja bowl as modeled by Jamie with Kevin in the back using the magic new soda machine (it's touch screen and has magical selections)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFxai0UnzSXY0IfMm2bY8ZdrSyPEDMAHdCCNsTxCVcbCdUaOgZGqklH5oGyOONgliwvEeY8dJtL3TAtxmTcMZrISKIO5QqGkIpmRj2Vq8KZ5wfoL27iJ0cMnLE8JnZUR_kRC5RUNfs9U/s1600/blogger-image-1104236785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFxai0UnzSXY0IfMm2bY8ZdrSyPEDMAHdCCNsTxCVcbCdUaOgZGqklH5oGyOONgliwvEeY8dJtL3TAtxmTcMZrISKIO5QqGkIpmRj2Vq8KZ5wfoL27iJ0cMnLE8JnZUR_kRC5RUNfs9U/s320/blogger-image-1104236785.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQxjUd0Qx_F3-fQLvgS2uXytKwDLL_wmHGh2Ec2bHDbNXLDHpfUvtpPGxFv3CffNcHwKZmoOuzFAN1t84v92C7WnUzADpzPN0uikGWVT4a08-ByeMCl3rPaBXygTcEDzf0P0gFoZ4R_8/s1600/blogger-image-698740146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQxjUd0Qx_F3-fQLvgS2uXytKwDLL_wmHGh2Ec2bHDbNXLDHpfUvtpPGxFv3CffNcHwKZmoOuzFAN1t84v92C7WnUzADpzPN0uikGWVT4a08-ByeMCl3rPaBXygTcEDzf0P0gFoZ4R_8/s320/blogger-image-698740146.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li>Eat some pork roll! Yeah, I enjoy a piece every once in a while so I
officially got my one piece a year in, the rest of the pan was for dad. </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4_D98zwnAQP3u74Fw9dzKQ4FKlYQceBv4XQPr0HnM8XBkPjNB_f7vYX_6QIz6b3Mo3On3_k67sTO4C4YQWKrzW3_GRFshKQo_kPPmb4p18cdSgjza8z1PwrF_Ve-rqcqQ5sZbh7tCdQ/s640/blogger-image-1059004364.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4_D98zwnAQP3u74Fw9dzKQ4FKlYQceBv4XQPr0HnM8XBkPjNB_f7vYX_6QIz6b3Mo3On3_k67sTO4C4YQWKrzW3_GRFshKQo_kPPmb4p18cdSgjza8z1PwrF_Ve-rqcqQ5sZbh7tCdQ/s200/blogger-image-1059004364.jpg" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V0VNAj39jX-HaeKkOtJ5NXbM5HPN7EmyL0dHJnifagJpjm1sYzLN_hFVg30V5xDh-JbAKjx1d4Nbex_vLN3mk4NOaP44QUNr9AKUmXEPdVdVOfPJ2TjNHkmkLqhlivSSdm0aoM8wz6U/s320/blogger-image--1885616176.jpg" width="320" /> <br />
<ul>
<li>Get stuck in traffic on the bridge while it opens! Okay, that wasn't
really on my list of things to do but as it turns out, it did in fact
happen in the last few days and is pretty much a standard of living on
the island, so here it is none the less.</li>
</ul>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV7L9gRPo3fi-iA_8oEPF-TjwJ-2F2Wv2gVlb9rSv-Cn7DN9LBNQ7MQnrWWOdNLCiYFIFO4e6MhhJGTKATJRD30b5W8Kpdyvjq-mBrlHUmYXs2DVwKJiEC5tzde1b7vPWJuTL3Ne0TaQ/s640/blogger-image--1656590825.jpg" /><br />
<ul>
<li>Go Kayaking down to the lighthouse. The current was crazy strong but we made it all the way.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-QZ02dhiFUfzBVP1QFicpw60M-XIPUT9ZvSQ8i6D8aUKvMKv11j061lNVIz0jSqswYxRH8Ggr73qcTSf0I0FAfO6bADZwyIumVKC6Jbtdyr5XpxzXIZB_cT36tIWdwiYy7wH0KxGEAs/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-QZ02dhiFUfzBVP1QFicpw60M-XIPUT9ZvSQ8i6D8aUKvMKv11j061lNVIz0jSqswYxRH8Ggr73qcTSf0I0FAfO6bADZwyIumVKC6Jbtdyr5XpxzXIZB_cT36tIWdwiYy7wH0KxGEAs/s320/IMG_1396.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, we're holding the lighthouse in our hands, sort of...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GE8oqEWqV5hIAprJsgTLamZcz-nquSVdhrPYYnunetykyD2H7N7uDFhCzboBNM6byAw09J64BpMV3No-xyDAUutyzy9mCEN7K4HPkheXrKHRn3PNlpqMuI5OQ_kOXLDTrlq_vnwyIP0/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GE8oqEWqV5hIAprJsgTLamZcz-nquSVdhrPYYnunetykyD2H7N7uDFhCzboBNM6byAw09J64BpMV3No-xyDAUutyzy9mCEN7K4HPkheXrKHRn3PNlpqMuI5OQ_kOXLDTrlq_vnwyIP0/s320/IMG_1408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just chillin' in the back bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBojQOWFRfsFHivieFFa9GQF6F6iKGAdZO-DEOTh4_CcG0u4pWG6e5cbQz9bcEM_jHr7mueFPbkSm72PwqdKVQHD5CPKml3z8Xfl0MW8HclOsH1_81WUU8qtPLq_IUMKVOBqH5Xocq7c/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBojQOWFRfsFHivieFFa9GQF6F6iKGAdZO-DEOTh4_CcG0u4pWG6e5cbQz9bcEM_jHr7mueFPbkSm72PwqdKVQHD5CPKml3z8Xfl0MW8HclOsH1_81WUU8qtPLq_IUMKVOBqH5Xocq7c/s320/IMG_1412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and I managing to pose nicely for a photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul>
<li>And last but not least, by any means - Go to Sonic with Jamie.
Seriously, it was delicious. While I realize there are Sonics around the
country, it just won't be the same without Jamie or a nuclear power
plant in the background.</li>
</ul>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Y_3nwKL7wk70PdrKFe6j1xD3Um2Vn2rPM1Lf0l17J4zEPkaOV4sSRBRW0mXzUJRm50BCOwP0wahMv90yoIHdDnZgkyfTkF5y_V4zn1SJ_xvzYl-_fs65NGUo0LMzianR0ZMYiBIRqxo/s640/blogger-image-52328774.jpg" />I've come to realize that a lot of things on the list involved food, and you know what, I'm okay with that. Food is delicious and I'm not apologizing for enjoying and savoring both it and the people with whom I got to experience the joys of eat these amazing foods. With that, I leave you with a picture of my last dinner at home - Roy Rogers biscuits with honey, scallops, and tofu noodles.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDea2b85Kwlw6zEHoSkCI8Ungg6xrHLiXnXmFbjDiVUGyx69iVVJ5zHjmVRbJG1xjsudor_HI9skbu3-6SCRjZ2FLGm_qG1lkDF7YL00xsZx6eaw8X4QLZPhj71EPvY9Tbv7QTMMBFrs/s640/blogger-image--1380096348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDea2b85Kwlw6zEHoSkCI8Ungg6xrHLiXnXmFbjDiVUGyx69iVVJ5zHjmVRbJG1xjsudor_HI9skbu3-6SCRjZ2FLGm_qG1lkDF7YL00xsZx6eaw8X4QLZPhj71EPvY9Tbv7QTMMBFrs/s640/blogger-image--1380096348.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also please note the awesomeness that is my dinosaur pasta scooper from Ikea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As my time winds down until I leave for orientation (down to hours in fact), I am so excited to be starting my journey that I am sure will be filled with epic adventures as well as God's love, wisdom, and guidance. Colleen and I leave tomorrow for orientation in NY where we will spend a week before parting ways on Monday when I will fly out to Montana and she will be driving to New Orleans so please keep our travels in your prayers. <br />
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PS Just thought you should all know that I am also super excited to be spending a full week with Colleen before we depart. You are all probably jealous of me that I get to spend a week with her (and if you are not, you should be) but I have to get my Colleen time in too before we leave. So here's to one last road trip!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4_D98zwnAQP3u74Fw9dzKQ4FKlYQceBv4XQPr0HnM8XBkPjNB_f7vYX_6QIz6b3Mo3On3_k67sTO4C4YQWKrzW3_GRFshKQo_kPPmb4p18cdSgjza8z1PwrF_Ve-rqcqQ5sZbh7tCdQ/s640/blogger-image-1059004364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-33787692012317312532013-08-12T14:27:00.002-04:002013-08-12T14:27:59.139-04:00The Countdown Begins!First of all giant thank you to all who supported my fundraising campaign! My current total at last count is 2500 of the total 3000 I need to raise so a giant woot for reaching my initial goal of 2000! For the visually oriented of those of you, here's a graphic representation. And in case you don't recognize the shape, that is in fact the shape of Montana, but of course you all know that right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGooQXKmKjit9cJ_0hPDR2IbCztlMyau_cetJOaFdPYAAgIfGHiet1ilHZ1m5LH8LX2RO6V4A_m8oEfV22maZy-NepBnNOw5smvbi2vFf_pBNYNOec9sFBf230VSXI1rVil-f7ZYM4uMw/s1600/ClickHandler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGooQXKmKjit9cJ_0hPDR2IbCztlMyau_cetJOaFdPYAAgIfGHiet1ilHZ1m5LH8LX2RO6V4A_m8oEfV22maZy-NepBnNOw5smvbi2vFf_pBNYNOec9sFBf230VSXI1rVil-f7ZYM4uMw/s320/ClickHandler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If you haven't received a thank you in the mail yet, it should be winging itself to you shortly through the postal service. So while you wait, here's a picture of me making the excited face for you with the opportunity to give you a virtual high five; just place your hand to the screen and bam, instant high 5!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3c2A7kYQrU9Jt7DA3DnGQGpUJ8GGMjgjinkm3_ZdfYvRbwEwVHtvKtyVZbjdFvoXeejNRMPxxHv9C7fq3EennFRff_ltxc_z9lkj9SdFBPBlu9z2D3Vn0MYr__iM0_2I1FqPsXrIv6k/s1600/Photo+on+2013-08-07+at+18.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3c2A7kYQrU9Jt7DA3DnGQGpUJ8GGMjgjinkm3_ZdfYvRbwEwVHtvKtyVZbjdFvoXeejNRMPxxHv9C7fq3EennFRff_ltxc_z9lkj9SdFBPBlu9z2D3Vn0MYr__iM0_2I1FqPsXrIv6k/s320/Photo+on+2013-08-07+at+18.18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So I officially head out to orientation in one week from today. While it seems crazy that the time is finally coming when I will be out of the state for a year, I am unbelievably excited to be starting this journey and promise to update much more frequently. In my final days in the state there are some quintessential New Jersey things I want to enjoy once more before leaving so stayed tuned in the coming week to find out what makes the list but feel free to leave some comments on here if you have some suggestions.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com0Seaside Park, NJ 08752, USA39.9183278 -74.08288390000001339.8208763 -74.244245400000011 40.0157793 -73.921522400000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010155018684976962.post-8186451443745190122013-06-05T08:33:00.000-04:002013-06-05T08:33:38.892-04:00Katie’s going to Montana! Help support a Young Adult Volunteer!Dear Friends,<br /> I am excited to share with you that I have been chosen by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to serve for a one year commitment as a Young Adult Volunteer. I will be serving in Chinook Montana which is a small town of about 1500 people and is located about 30 miles south of Saskatchewan, Canada. Throughout my year, I will mainly be working with the 7th through 12th grade youth to encourage them and help them understand how to live a life that reflects Jesus’ teachings. Though the details are not finalized on exactly what that will entail, I will possibly be helping out with the weekly youth group, teaching bible study, helping with a weekly prayer breakfast, tutoring, and mentoring. <br /><br />
“Brothers and sisters, I beg you, present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our God” (Romans 12:1). This is one of my favorite passages and as I go out this year to serve, I seek to live out that challenge in living my life so that God will find it pleasing in his sight. After graduating from college in engineering and not having a clue where my life was going with different doors being shut, I ended up spending a lot of time helping out with the middle schoolers at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River. Through my time with them, I have probably learned more from them than I have ever managed to teach them but I will forever be grateful for that time. In part, it has helped to know that God does in fact have a plan, that God can and will use our time and talents in the here and now, even when we question our own abilities. As I continue to discern where life is taking me, I am ecstatic for this opportunity to go out and use the gifts God has given me while continuing to learn and grow.<br /><br />
Through my year as a Young Adult Volunteer, I will be a part of a group of 70 other young adults that will be serving at 16 different sites throughout the United States and globally. As part of my commitment, I am required to raise $3000 with $2000 raised by July 1 which, as I’m sure you know, is swiftly approaching. <br /><br />
<b>How can you support me?</b><br /><b>Your Prayers</b>: Pray for me and the people whom I will live and serve this year.<br /><b>Your interest in my year of service</b>: Follow my experiences through reading my blog online (right here! Good job finding me!) or ask me to speak about my experience when I return.<br /><b>Your Financial Gifts</b>: Give a tax-deductible contribution as a one-time gift or in installments over the course of my year of service. You can give online or through check. Please include “<b>Katie Brendler E052125</b>” in the comment box online or memo of checks with checks made out to PC(USA).<br /> online: <a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/give/E052125/" target="_blank">http://www.presbyterianmission.org/give/E052125/ </a><br /> sent to: PC(USA) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700<br /><br /> If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through email, phone, or blog. Or if you want more information on the program check <a href="http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/">http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/</a><br /><br /> In the wise words of the apostle Paul, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3). From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your love, time, and toil in making me into the person I am today, enabling me to go out and serve.<br /><br /> In Christ’s Love,<br /><br /> Katie BrendlerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331783426185674989noreply@blogger.com0Seaside Park, NJ 08752, USA39.9183278 -74.08288390000001339.8208763 -74.244245400000011 40.0157793 -73.921522400000015