San Fran

There are a couple things that i know for sure - I love travel, and i deeply love people.

The last several weeks have been a little chaotic. I had made the decision about a month ago that it was time to move on and quit my times at the Nines and start to look at some other options. I'm not sure what that meant then, and i'm still uncertain what the means now. It's strange like that - every time i've made a major life decision that i've been at total peace about, i typically have little idea as to how it will play out practically.

Before quitting i had planned a vacation with the beauty pictured above for her 30th birthday. After a little debating on location, we settled on San Francisco for October 2014 - and what a fun trip it was. Well, fun when we weren't at the hostel I had foolishly selected. We figured as long as we didn't touch the walls and avoided the bathroom as often as possible, we would be fine. Apart from that, I think we both thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz, infamous Cable Cars, Golden Gate, bike riding, eating, Ghiradelli chocolate, Blue Bottle coffee, time with good friends? What more could we have wanted? (okay, maybe an actual hotel with a 'safe' shower...and by that i mean sanitary).

I love time with quality friends. Linda is one of those friends where you can pick up where you left off, there's no pressure, and she's not afraid to honestly tell you exactly what she thinks. I love her for that reason. She's an excellent soundboard for life's questions, rooted and real, fearlessly committed to Jesus and isn't afraid to talk about it. She's a safe place to be, and loves fun as much as I do. We might love fun and jokes and the show "Miranda" a bit too much. We are both very different, but appreciate that about one another. Linda teaches me a lot about finding a balance in life.

I really enjoyed San Fran. Mostly because it was several days of quality time with someone dear to me.

I'm back in Leavenworth now. Perfectly timed with my favorite season of changing colors. Its strange being back in my hometown, that i love dearly. Every time i come home i realize i have one foot in this world, and one foot in my life in Portland. I just love each for such different reasons. Leavenworth has been the place i've come back too after the last couple major transitions in my life, and this time is no exception. I am starting the conversation of big questions related to what i desire the trajectory of my life to look like, and where i feel the Lord is guiding me.

I'm not sure what's next, but I am confident and excited for what the future holds. In the meantime, my prayer for this time and space i have away from the reality of work, my roommates, my home life, is that i would dig into Jesus. This for me usually looks like spending time with books that inspire me, reading my favorite blogs, writing, long walks in nature and some gym time. It will look like finally paying attention to my hip and taking the time to strengthen my hip flexors in preparation for my next 1/2 marathon in December. It will look like coffee and honest conversations with people that i love dearly and feel the same back. IT will look like silence, and rest, and an occasional nap.


Just a few more snapshots of our fun....