I got to go back to my cottage for almost a week, this time with the company of so many family members and even a few friends from high school! Our time included laughter, food, cards, and many other good things.
0 Comments
Dear Pa - Putting up your picture in my room made me pretty sad today. I'm glad I got 18 years to love you. Dear Friends - Ya'll need to kindly get your keisters over here pronto. I cannot wait to run into each and everyone of your arms screaming. Dear Samuel - Today, you moved all of my trunk into my third floor room, moved three desks so I could get a good one, and sat on my bed for about an hour because I was too stressed to let you do anything. If my gratitude could outweigh my guilt, I'd be super grateful. #workingonit Dear China- I had a good cry over how much I miss your beautiful city today. The wooden handles, buses, the 10th floor of the hotel, honks and honks and honks.
Father, I don't understand why you had me go to China and experience all of that love and beauty if not to return again. My heart is aching, Jesus, I'm sure a minute reflection of the ache that you feel to return to earth, where your beloved remain. If this love is not meant for me to return to this city, God I accept that. I ask you to grant me wisdom and discernment beyond what I have ever received, so that I know how to love and serve you well through this passion that is rooted deeply in my soul. I give it back to the giver of all things. Here are some bits of sunshine that shone through the icky cloudy day today:
...reading Alexi's blog. ...wrestling with my mom on my bedroom floor. ...the men at VanZeelands who came out into the parking lot to fix my rattly muffler, no wait, no charge. ...potting succulents and houseplants. ...watching old home videos and hearing my Grandfather's and my father's voices for the first time in years. ...listening to this band. ...eating with chopsticks for dinner. ...the authenticity with which Maddie speaks. ...a voicemail from Sam, of Mrs. Weaver saying "Dear, turn off the phone, I'm sure Becca does not want to sit there and listen to me cluck over her mustache." as she draws mustaches on a picture of Sam & I on her iPad. ...reading Harry Potter 4 for about an hour and a half. ...ummm, Parks & Recreation because I am developing a deep love for that show. This is where we got to cook dinner every night. Life here is incredible. Oh, Oh hi. I get really excited about s'mores. Then I look like an ad for graham crackers or something. lakepinetreessunsetshorizontaltreessweatshirtsmountainsbeauty My sister really killed it at photography this week. One of my favs of the bunch. Rachel and I at Cobalt lake, right before we laid on a rock in the sun, eavesdropping on 70-year-old women. Let's drive to awaken the dawn.
One of my favorites. Pine trees and wildflowers and sunshine. When I see this, I'll want to go back. Yeah, we watched a Grizzly take a bath and scratch its back on a rock Jungle Book style. #nofear #butkinda Let's go to Grinnell! And take photos of every wildflower on the way practicing with unfocused photos! Whoa, baby there's a moose down there! Saw this guy within the first hour of our hike. That there, is a glacier my friends. Or at least what is left of one. This one here is called Grinnell Glacier. The beauty of the first sight of it actually made me cry. Well, thanks Mr. Big Horned Sheep for being our trail guide and giving me this nice little shot of your rear. We look like the sign, so we must be ready! I just, I just, I just. I just love pine trees like nobody's business. Especially when mountains are involved. Cracker lake, you have my heart. Indian paintbrushes, glaciers, blue blue water, and green grass. Windy bliss. So sometimes we forget to bring cards on our overnight hike and this is how we amuse ourselves. Mornings are my favorite.
My sister and I had the opportunity to FINALLY road trip it out Montana and hike in Glacier. I took a zillion photos and videos, so I will be sharing them with you in four parts! The last will be a film... get pumped. We stopped at Theodore Roosevelt National Park along the way! Here's a picture of us at it below. Some people think we look like twins. Some can't tell we're sisters. We both think the former is a compliment and the latter is pretty much the most confusing thing on earth. Or it may be due to the fact that I'm a giant. Driving on in on some curvy freaking mountain roads. Hey Glacier heyyyy! Rachel took this during our first hike out of Two Medicine. My hair makes my head look like its #onfire. "OOOH! People with tripods!" aaand I throw the car in reverse and hop out into the chilly 6am air, grabbing the sweatshirt that my sister was using as a blanket and leaving her in the car for about 15 minutes. Thank you, Jesus, for golden sunrises, still quiet mornings, and the abilities to capture a bit of your glory.
Tonight
...I am aching to see my friends... especially Holland and Alexi because reading their blogs kinda makes my heart hurt, but in a good way. ...I keep questioning this season in my relationship with God and worrying that it's not good enough. ...I cleaned the bathroom and my bedroom while listening to Harry Potter, just like high school. ...my sister and I talked on the phone for almost an hour because we just can't handle the distance anymore. ...my mother cooked us real food thanks to her garden filled with tomatoes and zucchini. ...I cut my hair all off because I was feeling antsy, even though I knew I'd miss the long curls. #itgrowsback ...my fingers are covered in blisters and cuts from trying to clean my chacos, sad but true. ...I'm anxious for it to be tomorrow so that I can make popovers with Lara - girl's been gone too long! ...I'll probably sleep on the couch because I'll fall asleep watching friends and its a thousand degrees upstairs. ...it is raining outside, which makes me once again miss Holland. Now that we've come full circle, it's time for salsa, blue corn chips, & friends. |
Archives
December 2022
I'm guessing I'll have it all figured out by the time I turn 30.
|