Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I have been really enjoying my time in Oregon. I had been running at 180 miles per hour and it has been so nice to be blessed with a time period to "rest" and "regroup". A group of us got together for Thanksgiving and I was proud that my bread rolls from scratch and homemade pie crusts turned out!! As I feel so blessed and at peace during this holiday season, I cannot but think of how different my next few Thanksgivings and Christmas' will be...

A Year Ago...

'But if you travel here, you will feel it all, the brightest and the darkest...'
The Future of Forestry'


Almost exactly one year ago today, I was starting my journey back to the States from Africa. I can't believe how fast this year has gone! In March- I decided that I really needed to set aside some time to pray and meditate on where God is actually leading me to go. As I prayed, I asked for some clear, big sign on whether to stay in the States or go back to Africa-nothing. As the day rolled down, my heart quieted down and I was actually able to listen to God instead of doing all of the talking. "This is what I've called you to do since you were a little girl. Why are you asking for a sign? Don't you already know the answer?" If I would've gotten a "Big sign", then I might have felt that I was being forced to go back and this may have grown to resenting God. This is where my path leads, I know this, and I accept it, and I love it. So, I am now in the process of going back to Cameroon for a 2 year period to continue the physical therapy school that Pat has started.
These last few months have been crazy! I have visited churches from the Midwest and Canada, I just finished a 3 week intense missions training course at Colorado Springs at MTI, and I am now heading out to Oregon for a few months for some down time before I hopefully head back to South Dakota and then Cameroon in early 2011. I feel pulled in all directions and stretched beyond my capacity, but God is here...and I am at perfect peace amidst the storm...

The Road Back Home

Well-I've finally made it back to South Dakota. A few small road bumps of breaking out with a rash and someone stealing my identity a day before I left- but I've made it! Here's some snapshots of the changes in scenery...


Exiting Klamath Falls, Oregon

Exiting Oregon

Nevada entering Utah

Just west of Salt Lake City. All the white stuff is salt

Just east of Salt Lake City

Western WY

Eastern WY

Near Fort Colins, CO

Endings in Oregon

Wow-these past few weeks have flown by so fast. As much as I'm looking forward to being close to home, I'm really going to miss the people and the mountains here. The last weekend here, we went hiking at the lava beds just south of Klamath falls. All these caves and formed by hot lava.
These are some main things I've picked up about Oregon or love about Oregon:
1. I LOVE the cascades-they are amazing!
2. The Redwoods and the coast
3. When I went to New England there were so many words or phrases that we never use in the Midwest-not so much true on the West coast. People from all over the country live in Oregon. Only about 1 in 5 patients actually grew up on Oregon.
4. West of the cascades people are more 'liberal' and 'hippi-ish' and the ranchers and farmers live east of the cascades and are in general more conservative. In general, Oregon is more new agish in mentality.
5. Medical necessity of pot is legal in Oregon. There are so many abuses of drugs and people just wanting to be served instead of doing work to heal themselves mentality.

BFFs

I got to spend some time with my two bestest friends, Danna and Danielle on Memorial Day weekend. I drove down to Sacramento where Danna lives and Danielle flew in. It was so good to be with both of them. As we get older and our lives change, it's hard to say how many more times we'll all be able to meet together-which is sad, but exciting that new chapters in all our lives are beginning.
A little over a week left to go in Oregon. In some ways, I'm ready to go-to start the next chapter. In other ways-I really like the adventures I've been able to have here, the workplace and the friends I've made.
The cool thing about traveling is that you meet so many cool, new people. The bad thing about traveling is you are always saying goodbye...

Good times with the 'rents.

Last weekend, my parents flew in to visit! My dad used to be the kind of person who has our whole vacations planned. I remember going to Disney World in 5th grade and having a printed out itinerary as to what rides we are going on which day and when we were supposed to take our bathroom breaks. This time Dad told me "we'll see what we want to do when we get there. You plan it."
It was so fun-we drove down the Redwood highway, drove up hwy 101 on the coast, went to a vineyard,shopping, and going to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Pippen's favorite part of the trip was getting to see the ocean. As soon as I took him off his leash, he sprinted circles around me. Mom got a few pictures of him running with me on the beach with his ears flying behind him.

Redwods

If you ever want to be reminded of how small you really are in this big big world-go to the Redwoods and look up at these magnanimous trees. The pictures don't even come close to showing you how awesome these trees are. God is awesome!

Catching up

I've been a lazy blogger as of late. These last few weeks have been fun packed with all sorts of fun stuff. I went to Portland, OR and got to see the Webers (Rick used to be senior pastor at Oak Hills). Portland has a LOT of versatility in people and things to do. Besides the frequent rain, Portland was one of the few places I've been to that I could possibly see myself living.
The next weekend was spent flying out to Sioux Falls to see my baby sister graduate. Now all of us sisters are all 'growed up'. It was nice to be able to see Webers and visit people back at home. It made me see all that I miss about living close to home. It made me see how much I miss having close Christian community.
This weekend, my parents are coming and we're going to visit the Redwoods! I'm excited.

Rogue/Umpqua Scenic Highway

Today, I drove the 'Waterfall highway'. Driving and hiking took a total of 10 hours- I think I hiked about 3 of those hours. I saw maybe 3 other hikers actually on the trails. Other than that, it was just me and Pip. Everything was green and so beautiful. I felt like I was an elf walking in Rivendale. I'm loving Oregon more and more. I can drive any direction and have different landscape, hiking trails and things to explore. I can't believe that I am 5 weeks done with being in Oregon! It's going by so fast!

Kayaking

On Friday I went kayaking with the group of women I met at Crater Lake. It was a calm, peaceful trip with a beautiful view in the background. So I decided that wherever I end up in the States, I'd like for it to be near mountains and some sort of lake or river to kayak. Soothing to my soul...

So far so good.

I've been in Klamath Falls for almost 4 weeks! Yikes- it's going by so fast! Everyone is so nice over here. I'm still in awe over the weird weather here. I can go on a short run and have it be nice and in the 60's go to cloudy and snow and back again. There are so many trails and fun things to do outdoors.
Last weekend, I went to Sacramento to visit my friends Danna and Ho for my birthday. The drive was so beautiful and it was fun to see friends again. I can't believe that my time here is going by so fast. My weekends are filling up with fun things to do- and I just found out my parents are coming to visit me!!!

Crater Lake

My first weekend here, I decided to go cross-country skiing in Crater Lake. The drive was beautiful as was Crater Lake. There was a trail that went right along the lake. The weather was a bit windy at times, but temps were a nice high 30s and low 40s. At one of the viewpoints, I started talking to some ladies that were snowshoeing the trail. I went further than them, but caught up to them right at the end of my journey anyways. They were all 40-60+ years old from Klamath Falls and do group outings to enjoy the outdoors. They asked if I wanted to go kayaking with them some Friday in Klamath and got my email. Isn't cool how God puts certain people at the right places?

First Day in Oregon

I made it! a little over 1800 miles and I'm here. Nothing too exciting about the drive except going through Wyoming after the blizzard hoping that I-80 would be completely open by the time I got there. Note to self: make sure you have a full tank of gas when going through northern Nevada/southern Oregon as there are NO towns or gas pumps there . Driving out west is different than driving out to South Carolina or New Hampshire. It gets less 'busy' with towns. Most of the drive is without cell reception and you hit a bit of desert.
Above is a picture of Pippen and my new house. The weird thing I've noticed about Klamath Falls is how things are dispersed in terms of housing. The area I'm in looks a bit sketchy- paint chipped garages that are caving in, a bullet shell in my front lawn, junk yard back yard and an actual car junkyard a few blocks away. Then, I go less than a mile and I'm right at the Yacht club, the Klamath lake houses and beautifully kept up parks and spectacular views (like the one I took above-only a mile away from where I live!) Pippen and I went on a beautiful hike, see deer pass right in front of us and just smell the pine trees. I know is sounds silly, but the smell of pine trees is truly aromatherapy for me. :)
There is always a bit of culture shock and I never expect it being that this is still the United States. It is against the law to pump my own gas. The last gas pump guy I talked to told me it was to create jobs for Oregon people. I went to a grocery store to get stocked up on food and nothing was where I thought it should be. I felt lost- I had to ask one of the employees if it was OK to get wine because it's against the law to buy wine on Sundays where I'm from. As I handed the cashier my credit card and driver's license she commented on me being from South Dakota. I told here that this was my very first day here in Klamath Falls. She told me "well, welcome home". I think I'm going to like it here.

Next stop is....

These last few weeks have been a bit crazy. I have one more day in Canby and then Pippen and I are headed out to Klamath Falls, Oregon! I'm excited! I'm just south of Mt. Hood, tons of hiking, Ocean, mountains, and sun. 13 weeks here and then I'm headed back to Canby end of June. These last few days have consisted of packing, cleaning, organizing and whatnot. I've downloaded some thriller books on tape to keep me awake for the 1750 mile drive over there. When I go on these long trips I always like to start really early (4 AM) so that I can drive with a sunrise. My two favorite albums to listen to to start me out on my journey are "the Everglow" by MAE and "Takk" by Sigur Ros. 'The Everglow's whole album is a journey and goes along in a story-like fashion. Sigur Ros uses a non-literal language (volenska)to express concepts and you can just feel and see growth and a journey. I would highly recommend both :)

?Readjusted?

It's been over 2 months since Africa. I don't know how to explain it. Ever wonder what the Pevensie kids went through culturally when they entered Narnia and then when they had to go back? In Narnia, you looked different than everyone else. There were things that you could do to make a dramatic change for the better- you could actually see that you were a part of something that was bigger than yourself- and for some reason, you were chosen to do it. There were times when things just didn't make sense and it was frustrating 'this would never, happen in London'. Then, to go back to be small, just another person in the crowd. Everything makes sense, but now you have this bigger picture of things. You yearn for Narnia, and yet for this home on Earth at the same time. It's like you have two different persons who belong in both completely opposite worlds...and it's confusing...
My memories are starting to fade. I look back at pictures and remember those dear to me that are so far away. I've forgotten things that really bothered me when I initially came back in the States. And part of me is relieved that I don't have such a strong intrinsic struggle....and yet the other part of me wonders 'should I really be ok with this part of my culture again?' So I go back and forth between adjusting and trying not to adjust. I like how things make sense, but I also yearn for the adventures I once had in my 'Narnia'. Is that selfish? I don't know.
Two more months in Canby, MN. These next 4-5 weeks are going to once again teach me to have trust in God and patience that He knows what He's doing. I'm hoping to go out to Oregon coast. All these different travels, they're leading me somewhere- to some place I will call home. I'm just not sure exactly where that will be. Or will I ever truly find a 'home' on this earth? We shall see what this New Years has to bring...