hello? is this thing still on?

Wow, it's been a while since I've written anything, and SO much has happened in the last month. I'll be as brief as possible:

My wonderful parents came to visit...our first Montana visitors!

Two weeks later Jonathan and Jenni came!

The next weekend Nathan's mom visited!

All this time we were waiting to hear about a potential job offer in Pagosa Springs, CO. We finally heard on June 27th and we will be moving back to Colorado this next week! It's been quite a whirlwind and we don't anticipate things calming down for a while yet. We will both be working at Snow Wolf Lodge just south of Pagosa Springs. This property is owned by Summit Ministries. Nathan will be an assistant property manager and I will be doing administrative work/cleaning/cooking. The property was once a Young Life camp and can house around 200 people, so we'll definitely have our work cut out for us! We're very excited for this new adventure!

We finally got to go backpacking (we figured we couldn't move away from Montana without enjoying the outdoors!)

It was really fun and beautiful! We camped at two different lakes, fished, hiked, got eaten alive by mosquitos! It was great to be able to bring Saul with us, and he really enjoyed himself! Of course, our two-man tent which is perfect for the two of us became a little cramped when adding a 60 pound dog! We made it, though, and are now at home packing and enjoying our last days in Montana.

what a weekend...

The snow is finally gone (knock on wood.) :) Things are starting to get green and the fields are absolutely beautiful! Nathan and I went for a mini vacation on Saturday (we called it a "vaca") to get out and find more reasons why so many people have summer homes in Red Lodge, MT. We made a giant loop, going along the Chief Joseph byway into Cooke City, then into Yellowstone National Park, and up through Mammoth Springs and Gardiner to Livingston and then back to Red Lodge. We were gone for 11 hours. We were very tired when we got back, but it was a full, rich day. Here are some pictures to highlight what we saw:

The beautiful sunrise

Pronghorn by the side of the road

Strutting grouse

Strutting turkey

A pond along Chief Joseph byway




A sign outside the restaurant where we had breakfast in Cooke City

(the snow was NOT all gone there)

Yellowstone - find the bison!

Our first Grizzly bear!!!

(75 yards off the road)

Another bison (they were everywhere!)


Elk! (the first elk we've seen since we moved)

Another pronghorn by the road

Don't ask...no, we didn't go down this road!


What does THAT mean??

Well, now it's ALMOST like you were there with us...almost.

april...showers?

Ok, ok...so if April showers bring May flowers, then what does THIS mean?

Oh yes, these pictures were taken this morning. April 28th, 8:24am...

The Branding

Every year, cowboys all over the West look forward to the Spring, where they get to brand the new calves. They drive the cattle in on horseback to a corralled area, separate the cows from the calves, then rope, wrestle, brand, and vaccinate the calves. The smell of burnt calf hair brings the experience all together into one delightful aroma. Or, so the cowboy might say.

For the new guy, the aroma is somewhat less pleasing; it smells a little more like cow crap on his hands and nasty burning hair and flesh smell penetrating everything down to his skivvies. The wind enhanced my experience as "new guy" yesterday, by blowing such an aroma right into my face all day.

My first branding! I didn't know what to expect, who would be there, and how much I might stand out among all the cowboys in their complete get-up. I had heard it was a bunch of fun, lots of food, lots of laughter, just a great celebration of what the Lord had provided for the ranch. Who wouldn't want to go?

Shelly with her camera, and me in carharts, a t-shirt, and a broncos ball cap, arrived shortly after the festivities began. With hundreds of cows bawling gosh awful sounds, and calves screaming bloody murder, we entered the scene by the corrals. Two lines of cowboys, real cowboys, stood at opposite ends of the open corrals, the calves all herded in the circle of corral panels. Two ropers on horseback were attempting, time and again, to rope a calf by the two hind legs and drag them out of the cluster of newborns. As a roper was successful, he drug the calf through the mess of other calves. A cowboy in one line would grab and pull on the rope, while a cowboy from the other line would grab the tail on the calf. Together, they would pull in opposite directions, flipping the calf on its side. Then, in one fluid motion, the two cowboys would get down and pull the calves legs back, keeping it from moving anywhere while another group of cowboys would come with huge needles and shoot up the calves. Then, the brander with the hot iron would come and burn the ranches mark on the side of the calf. As I watched a few calves have this encounter, I figured it might take a little technique, but the cowboys made it look pretty easy. I watched a couple of times, then nervously felt obligated to join the line.

The first couple of calves, I sort of got a hang of it, or so I thought. Calf #3 was a big one, 150 pounds or so, only roped by one leg, fighting for it's life to stay with the other calves. Luckily, I had Clint, the retired professional bull rider, as my partner. I knew I was in trouble as the calf turned sideways and the rope got wrapped around the two of us, the horse still pulling. "Pull the tail! Just pull the tail!" Clint yelled, as I tried to man handle the calf from going anywhere (yeah right). Somehow, we got the calf down, but it all happened so fast, I'm not sure how it happened. Phew! Okay, so I didn't do too well, but the calf was down and no one was hurt. Calf #4 continued with Clint yelling, "pull the tail!" I was pulling the tail until I felt bones cracking and separating, but the bloody calf was still up. a few calves later, it suddenly donned on me that I wasn't just supposed to pull the tail straight back, but away from the calf, thus twisting it to its side as the other guy pulled the rope the opposite way. It helps to use the mind every now and then, to assess the situation and realize the effects of one's cause. The next twenty calves were alright. New guy did his job, no one got hurt, and the cowboys got to thinkin' that maybe it was okay to get new guy as a "pardner." But, apparently new guy didn't fully understand the entire process. Once again, a big calf, roped by one leg, flailing all over the place, hooves flying. I made my move, aiming for the tail and doing my best to pull on it. "Pull the rope!" "Just pull on the rope!" I let go of the tail, grabbing for the rope. The big calf, running wherever it seemed the safest getaway on 3 legs, twisted us up in the rope. It might have well been a bull, the way it was bucking and fighting, throwing its hooves at everyone around it. 4 cowboys got it down eventually, with me still standing there, holding the rope like I was told. A deep breath, no help needed from new guy (obviously), I walked back to the line. Now, this "line" might feel like the line at an amusement park for the cowboy, like a line to get on the next roller coaster ride or something. For me, it wasn't much like that. It was more like "The Green Mile," or something maybe a little less dreadful, but only a little. I stood there, dumbfounded as to why that went so wrong, then came the period of "instruction." "When de calf comes out wit de rope on de right side, if yer on de right side, ya gotta grab de rope. De other guy grabs de tail. So ya cen flip em. It's not about muscle, it's about tekneek." "Yeah, I think I'm a little short on...tekneek." Helpful information? Yup. Could I have used it earlier? Yup. But then it wouldn't be as fun to watch new guy klutz around like a calf trying to walk for the first time. Plus, with new guy around, it makes the other real cowboys feel good about themselves and their abilities. That's why you don't ever tell new guy the best or proper way to do something until after he really messes up, because then it becomes less fun for everyone. One of those important lessons I'm apparently learning.

Anyway, The branding wasn't all that bad. They were right about the good food. Maybe, just maybe, when that aroma of burnt flesh and hair comes again from the hot brand in the springtime, it will smell good to me...but then again, I'm not sure I'll really ever be a real cowboy. I'm still learning how to be a carpenter. That's hard enough.

Shelly had a lot of fun taking pictures and watching new guy entertain everyone. She's already excited to watch new guy again next year...


Side Note: Cowboys are men to be respected and appreciated for what they do.

easter in montana...

When we moved out here in January, we left everything we had ever known, and everything we were confortable with. The greatest challenge for us has been the distance from our family. We have liked the church we've been going to from the very beginning, but it wasn't until yesterday, Easter, that we truly felt like we belonged. There is one family in particular who adopted us from day one. There are several smaller families in this one large family (kind of like the Friesemas in WPCC) and we were invited to spend Easter with all 30 of them. What a blast! Amazing food, wonderful company, great activities, warm weather. Here's how our day went:

It is tradition at our new church that the men make a big breakfast at the church on Easter morning, so Nathan and I went to church at 8:00 and I sat in the sanctuary and read as the men prepared breakfast. The food was really good, and the fellowship was unbeatable (except maybe by the fellowship of the afternoon!) The Easter service was wonderful, and Nathan and I even sang in the small ensemble that did special music! After church, another tradition is that a "family picture" is taken of those who attended church that day, and then we headed to the Nelson Ranch to join the whole Nelson clan for their Easter festivities! Everyone brought a little food, so in the end it turned out to be a feast! After the meal we took a break and had an Easter egg hunt! This is not just for the kids...there were several hundred eggs hidden...enough for 9 for each person there!

I don't think I've hunted for Easter eggs in a really long time...so it was pretty fun! Then, I wish I had taken pictures, but we had an egg toss. With this crowd, it was pretty intense, and hilarious! (Nathan caught one over his head and it broke!)

Then we went inside for dessert and most people headed home. We stayed along with about 10 others, put on our "muck boots", walked though deep mud and cowpies to the pond, and went fishing! It was so beautiful there!

We have decided that Easter 2009 has been our best day in Montana!!

If it's this beautiful now, I can't wait until the snow is gone and everything is GREEN!!!

Getting Past Tax Season...

In the past several months, Shelly and I have shared in hearing so many stories from older couples; how they began with so little, persevered through the hard times, and were able to make a good life for themselves. Though we have no clue as to what may come in the times ahead, Shelly and I are finally at a place where we are embracing, with gratitude, a season of having very little, persevering through some hard times, and hoping that some day, we too will be sitting around a dinner table on a Sunday afternoon, looking back on our story with the same twinkle in our eyes, the same half-cocked smile, that we have seen so often.
A couple of weeks ago, we found out on a Sunday night exactly what we owed in taxes for 2008. Being self-employed all last year, and Shelly not being taxed on any of her tips, we were confronted with a figure due to the government which was far greater than what we had to our names. We made a decision to trust the Lord, recognizing Him as our provider, believing He had not led us to Montana to simply fall on our faces. Monday morning, we had to pay what was due for the month in utilities, bills, and groceries...more than we had expected. Yet, once again, we chose to trust that no matter what, the Lord would take care of us. With a blizzard raging outside, I was called off of work for the first snow day of the year ("snow day" is not a term commonly understood by Montanans)...less money in the paycheck. We trusted the Lord. An hour later, Shelly received a completely unexpected phone call from Wells Fargo, asking her if she wanted a job! The paychecks became just enough to cover the taxes.

We can explain pivotal moments in our lives away as simply coincidences, or just plain"luck." I just can't do it. There are too many coincidences, too many times when things shouldn't work out, but do. I cannot deny the intimate, loving acts of God in my life. Sure, we suffer. Sure, things can be harsh, even vile in this world. Even though I just don't understand why bad things happen, I know that the Lord works all things for good for those who love Him. "Good" has a different definition to Him, but it is in those mountaintop experiences in our lives where we have some time to stand in awe of how there wouldn't be mountaintops without the valleys, the falling rain, the depths of disparity. We could easily move on to the next valleys, the next source of worry and anxiety. But I hope I don't. I hope I get it through my thick skull that if what I believe is really real, then God will take care of all of us no matter what...for He is slow to anger, quick to mercy, and ABOUNDING in Love. May we all find a little more joy as Spring comes, knowing that all of it, all of life, is meant for learning about who God is, and longing to know Him more as we see His love for us beyond the fallenness of this world.

spring is coming...

I know spring comes every year, and it won't fail to come again this year, but waking up to yet another 3 inches of snow after a beautiful, warm weekend is a little discouraging to say the least. Growing up in Colorado, I'm kind of used to the weather teasing me like this, but we haven't even seen the ground underneath the snow since we moved here two months ago! On Saturday we finally were able to see the dirt road leading to our house, and there were the first green blades of grass by the side of the house, just out of reach of the snow cover. We were so excited that spring was finally coming...and then it snowed again. Everything is white, and gray, once again. We will just have to wait a little longer. Spring is coming. I know it is.

subbing: day 2...

Today was pretty much the same as yesterday, but I was able to interact a little more with the students. And, I helped a girl with her geometry homework...I think Mrs. DeVeaux would be proud of how much I remembered! I don't have any more subbing jobs lined up, but I should be getting called again pretty soon...

subbing: day 1...

Well, I was pretty much paid to sit and read my book today. The teacher left excellent notes, and plenty of work for the students to keep them busy. The kids were good, so all I had to do was relay the message, sit back, and supervise. All in all, it was a good day, and I think I'll go back again tomorrow.

update...

Well, I have a job...sort of. Tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday I will be substitute teaching for the Computer Apps/Business Math teacher! Am I nervous? Yes. Am I excited? Yes. Am I scared out of my mind? Only sometimes... :) I'll let you know how it goes.

Nathan's out snowblowing the driveway since it's been snowing all day (snow day tomorrow? Don't count on it.) He's still working hard with construction, and learning to like it a little more. The work is getting easier as he gets used to the guys but the commute will always be the hardest thing for him...and me. 1.25 hours one way...ouch! He's a trooper though, and is taking care of us so well.

That's the newest from this end. 'Til next time...

the power of a list...

I think I've finally figured out how to stay sane while not working...it's called a list. Sunday evening, with the help of my oh-so-handsome hubby, I sat down and wrote out a list for the week. On it are things like "call so-and-so," or "check mail," but it also includes very important things like "organize the filing cabinet" and "order pictures for my photography portfolio." (My favorite is "practice signature" for when I get pictures printed off so I can sign them...) Because of this wonderful thing we call a list, yesterday was so much more fulfilling than the past couple weeks combined (ok, that's maybe a bit of an overstatement...but not much.) I was able to check several things off the list, and even do things that weren't on it!

The most exciting part of the day was when I got to go to the high school and help with the band and choir classes. The piano player at our church also plays piano for the high school choir. The director was to be gone yesterday and she asked if I could come and help since I have expressed an interest in substitute teaching and possibly being the accompanist for the junior high choir in the fall. The director was very open to that idea and "he is very anxious to meet" me (according to my piano playing friend.) So, today my list of things to do includes another trip to the high school to meet him. I am really hoping to work there in the fall, so keep your fingers crossed! Anyway, the classes yesterday went very well and I am proud to say that I was not as intimidated as I thought I would be. The kids were very respectful when I asked for their attention, and they seemed to like me. As much as substitute teaching is out of my comfort zone, I think it will be fun, and a good way to meet some of the young people around here.

Even though I may have found the trick to avoiding insanity, this has still been a rough few days for both of us and a rough couple weeks for me. We were both really homesick this weekend. We miss our family. We miss our friends. We miss our 380 square-foot cabin. We miss living at Summit and all the community we had there. The saying is true...you don't know what you got till it's gone...

thoughts in the life of the unemployed...

In honor of Black History Month, I decided to read a book about slavery. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs is the one I chose. Jacobs, being a former slave herself, brings a very harsh reality to slavery. It's not that I didn't know how horrible slavery was, but I have never heard it from a slave's point of view. As I read this book, I was often sickened by the cruelty of certain slave owners ("cruelty" doesn't even come close to describing what they did, but I couldn't think of a horrible enough word for them.) I wanted to pick out a couple passages from the book to share, but there were too many to choose from, so I hope someday you'll pick the book up for yourself (from your local library, right, Jess?) and be amazed at some of the things slaves had to endure. Don't be afraid to look into our nation's past and realize the horrible things we did, if for no other reason than to determine that we shall never return to that state again.

I also just finished another book (I still don't have a job, so this is what I do with my time.) The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. This book I would not recommend to everyone, but it is considered a classic. I'm still trying to decide what I thought of it. Any recommendations on what to read next? I'm on kind of a classics kick, so try to stick with a classic... ;)

Life is really a funny thing. We have our moments of being so excited to take on the world and make a difference, but more often than not, we end up settling for a predictable 9-5, Monday-Friday, pizza and a movie on Friday night, church and a nap on Sunday kind of life. Where does it change? When do we accept this new idea of what life is all about? Being at home by myself so much lately, I have begun to think about this, and I don't yet have an answer. The bank is hiring again for a part time job...should I apply? Where's the meaning in counting cash and persuading people to get an account that better suits their financial needs? I want to do something that means something. I don't necessarily mean I want to change the world, but maybe just a little corner of it. I always wanted to live in Africa...where did that dream go? Did it ever really die, or did it just get buried under "real life"? I don't know the answers to all this, but I want to. (If you have any words of wisdom for me, please feel free to share!) All I know is that I want to live a life with some purpose behind it. I have always loved those that no one else loves. I want to think I would have been one of the kind slave owners who helped set their slaves free and treated them like real people instead of a piece of property or livestock to use and sell for my own gain. Would that have been me? Will I ever really know? Harriet Jacobs describes the slave as inferior, but only because he was made to be that way by the white slavetraders and owners. If you treat someone like they are stupid, or inferior, or less than human for so long, they will begin to believe it, and then they will begin to be it. I hope someday I have the chance to show someone who is stuck in that lie just how capable they really are.

Anyway, I didn't mean to be depressing today, but I thank you for sharing in my thoughts!

10/12 Pitch

I may not be afraid of heights, but I sure like to keep my feet on solid ground. This realization was instilled in my brain quite quickly with my first roofing job. Maybe a 10/12 pitch isn't the steepest roof around, but I'm not sure it really matters when you're standing on any angled surface thirty or forty feet off the ground!
My first day on the new job consisted of nailing tongue and groove to 32" spread log rafters. After putting tongue and groove on as high as we could reach, I got to learn what a "toe board" is (a long 2x4, nailed to the roof so your toes have something to catch to slow you down just before you fall down and go boom). Lesson for day 1: Tool belts are handy, especially when the surface you're standing on is too steep to set anything on. Also, roofing kills your ankles, toes, and back.
Day two began with a big fork lift with an extendable boom, dropping trusses down from above, with 3 of us standing on 4" wide walls, trying to stay balanced while the wind rocked these huge trusses back and forth. The rest of the day was carrying 4x8' sheets of OSB from the stack on the fork lift, onto the roof, over to the next roof, where I kept doing a face plant because the roof was so steep I couldn't get any traction. But at least I had a tool belt. Lessons for day 2: (1)good balance does come in handy, (2)always check your cutting depth on your saw before you cut, so you don't cut through 4 sheets of OSB all at the same time (oops!), and (3)"new guy" will be blamed for everything that goes wrong.
Day three was insulating, driving 8" screws, more sheeting, and more picking on "new guy," also known as "Richard," who "new guy" replaced because "Richard" was making mistakes all the time (as was "new guy," hence the new name of "Richard"). Day 3 lesson: "Richard" still gets blamed for everything.
Finally, day four. More sheeting, more insulation, and rolling out "paper" (waterproof barrier). What did "Richard" learn? (1) don't cut a sheet of OSB and lay it down on the roof unless it's going to be nailed to the rafters immediately. Or else someone, like maybe your boss, will come along and fall through the roof, cuss you out, and make you go clean up all the trash around the house. (2) If you want to get off the steep roof because you need to stand on solid ground for a while, cut a sheet of plywood and lay it down on the roof, but don't nail it. Then, maybe someone like your boss will step on it, fall through, cuss you out, and make you get off the roof to go clean up trash. Works every time.

Really, the week wasn't all that bad, but I did make a few mistakes and learn some good lessons along the way. Don't worry, my boss is okay, and I don't think he's going to fire me anytime soon. For now, it's Friday, I have a 3 day weekend, and I won't be back on a roof until Monday.

saturday morning...

Praise the Lord for weekends!! For the last three days I have been the only one of the four of us not working...a big change from Diana being the only one working. Needless to say, one can only do so much cleaning, the dog can only go for so many walks, mom only has so many ideas on what can be made for dinner, and (now don't be too shocked) one can only watch so much M*A*S*H, so I've been going a little stir crazy. I don't think I have appreciated a Saturday this much in a while. This morning Nathan and I got up before the sun just for the purpose of taking some pictures in the morning light. So, since things around here are not too exciting, I'm just going to include some of the pictures from today...with commentary when needed! Enjoy!

I found my first shed! (And it was bigger than any of the ones Nathan has found since we've been here!) :) We have seen so many bald eagles since we moved. Before this year I had only seen one in my whole life, and now I don't even know how many I've seen! This one was just close enough to get some good photos! (I had to crop them to get these ones, but he was still pretty close!)

job update

Well, I didn't get the job at at Wells Fargo. No problem, that just means I have more time to find something I really want to do...not just the first thing that presents itself...although it was kind of nice to think one of us would have work so soon. So, as we both look at the next weeks to maybe months of unemployment, we are planning on making the most of it. This week (we were going to start today, but I'm a little sick) we are going to try to get out every day and do some hiking, or just something outdoors. This will hopefully keep us from overwhelming boredom. If this was summertime, there would inevitibly be more to do, but then again, we probably would have both had work right away if this was summer...hmmmm. However, we are not completely without leads on jobs. Nathan will hopefully have his Independent Contractor's License in another week, which will open the door for him to advertise his new business. There is also a couple at church who sounded interested in hiring him for some landscaping (namely, building a rock wall, which you can do in the snow.) For me, I have thought for a long time that I would love to be an accompianist for a school choir. When I found out that our piano player at church also plays for the high school choir, I thought I would ask her if she needed help, or if she knew of any way for me to do something like that in the future. She said she would put the word out, and that it actually might work out for me to jump in for the junior high choir because the present accompianist isn't very reliable. If this opportunity works out, I would be so excited! Also, she encouraged me to consider being a piano teacher as there are only two in the area and they are both teaching as many as they can take. That, my friends, is an intimidating thought, but a definite possibility. I also hope to find a way to sell some pictures here in town.

Work is on the way

Shelly was supposed to hear from Wells Fargo today about the teller job opportunity. Unfortunately, they didn't call yet. We should find out the status on the job tomorrow, given that they have made a decision one way or another. As for me, I have spent so much time trying to work out all of the necessary details in starting a business and applying for an independent contractor's license that very little time has been left for finding work. Fortunately, Adam made a call to a friend today, who offered us some work to do tomorrow...very similar to Summit-type work, actually! Instead of crawling under a little cabin, I'll be in a crawl space digging a hole for a pump and a french drain. It's a good thing I'm used to tight spaces now, I guess. Any kind of work is a blessing from the Lord!
Friday will be reserved for coyote hunting and searching for shed deer antlers. We have seen a few bucks in the area with only one antler, so we are confident they have started dropping their antlers. It will be fun to begin building up another pile of sheds so I can try my hand at making some functional items out of them! We'll give word when we find out about Shelly's potential job.

big houses and waterfalls

What better thing to do on a snowy Sunday afternoon than blog?

...I couldn't think of anything either...

(Right) This is a picture of the front of our new home! (It's a little different than our 380 sqaure-foot cabin, I assure you!)

(Below) This is the back of the house. Mine and Nathan's bedroom window is the top left one. We have a beautiful view of the wooded back yard.

It's been snowing pretty consistently now for the past couple days, and everything is so...well, white. When we got here things were pretty, but it hadn't snowed for a while, so things were just kind of dirty looking, but now it's all clean, pure white again. We are so blessed to be living here.

Nathan and I went for a hike the other day (and Saul got to try out his mountain legs.) We saw a frozen waterfall off the main road and decided to hike to it to take pictures. There had been a fire in this area this summer, so we were walking over tons of fallen logs, but it was worth every bit of it, and Saul was such a trooper!

This was the view from the hike. If you follow that pass there, it will lead you straight to Yellowstone National Park! (The road, Beartooth Highway, is closed this time of year, though.)

This was the frozen waterfall! It was amazing! There was water flowing inside that we could see and hear.

My buddy and me!

Short update:

I have an interview at Wells Fargo tomorrow (Monday, January 26) at 11:30!

Nathan is applying for his Independent Contractor's License, and the guys are hoping to have work here sometime in the next couple weeks.

counting blessings

How often do we use the ever-so-cliche "Count your blessings"? How often do we really follow that advice? Well, today we had a very literal reminder. Here are our counted blessings for the day:

11 wild turkeys (as we drove through a neighborhood in town)
250 dollars from our credit card company (just for being us...and using their credit card a lot)
17 whitetail deer (a treat for those of us who are used to only mule deer)
200 square feet of ice chipped away from the driveway (thanks to Adam and Nathan)
7 days of living in a wonderful, beautiful place (and being able to enjoy it job-free)
2 fantastic people to live with
1 job application filled out! (I applied at Wells Fargo as a teller today...)

So, if my math is correct, that's 488 blessings today! I would highly encourage this literal method of counting blessings sometime.

Saul also lost at least 3 teeth. Another countable blessing? Debatable.

Humphrey Bogart on life

I guess we all know that we have to grow up someday, sometime...maybe... However, no one warns you that growing up is hard to do! Grown-ups are always held in such high esteem. They're the epitome of "cool" becuase they can do what they want when they want, stay up late, eat out and pay with cash (my dad always did that so naturally it's a cool thing to do). What us unsuspecting on-the-verge-of-grown-upness youngsters don't realize is what it takes to get to this seemingly unattainable level of "cool".

Moving 600 miles away from our families was one of those hard steps toward adulthood that is two-fold. On one hand it has made me wonder what we were thinking leaving the comforts of our familiar stomping grounds, and the ever oh-so-good meals provided by the culinary wizzes we call our mothers - and Grandma! There were so many reasons to stay in Colorado...family, friends, our cute little cabin, familiarity...we were comfortable. But, after thinking more about moving away, some dreams started to surface, and we started to realize that at this point in life, our dreams were too big for Manitou Springs. Our comfort was hindering us from stepping out and taking a chance. Today as Nathan and I sat in Bogarts Restaurant (if you are a Humphrey Bogart fan I highly recommend checking this place out!) we started talking about the things we were truly excited about in life, and just being here has inspired us to start pursuing what we are passionate about. I have loved photography for so long now, but my insecurities have held me back from really getting good, or from believing that some of my current pictures are good enough to sell. So, I hope to share some of those pictures with you along the way...feel free to comment on them (I only want your honest opinions, though, as this is the only way I'm going to get better!)

The most challenging yet exciting part of our talk today was discussing our desire to really live in a way that reflects the church of Acts. Living with another couple gives us the opportunity to share all things in common. I know this is going to be the most difficult thing about living here. Naturally, we are going to want our own way, but we hope to learn how to choose our battles, but most importantly, really learn what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves. It seems easier when we're talking about the people next door or down the street, but what about those that live right down the hall? As I'm writing this, I realize that this is like a second chance because I know we didn't do it right the first time when it was with our families (sorry mom, dad, and Sam...) We want to know how to live selflessly, and I think that is one of the reasons we are here.

Just another step in this journey. Well, we need to go unpack and organize our books (and I think Nathan thinks I've been blogging a little too much) so goodnight loved ones!

ups and downs

Well, moving is fun, but it definitely has its ups and downs. Last night I had my first reality check. Diana and I were unpacking dishes, and it hit me that this is all real. I guess once the dishes are unpacked, that means you really live somewhere. I really missed good ol' Colorado (and everything/everyONE that goes with it) and I was unsure that I really wanted to be here. We don't have jobs, we're living in a house that isn't ours and still has a lot of things belonging to the homeowners, we're living with another couple, etc. It all kind of hit me as the dishes were being unwrapped and placed neatly in the cupboards. Not to mention, Saul started limping on his left front leg again.

This morning brought happier times, though. I started this blog, which made me feel a little more connected to those I love the most, and we went for a hike! Here are some pictures from the afternoon's adventure!



I went snowshoeing for the first time!

(Above) I thought it looked like a couple of mice were trying to make snowmen! :)

(Right) This is a picture of Nathan and Adam (Adam is hiding in Nathan's sunglasses, though...

This is Adam and Zuke (Zuke is the furry one) Saul couldn't come because of his leg, but hopefully there will be many hikes like this to come!

Here's to a good day in Montana...