Cycle Oregon

Last weekend was the kickoff of the 25th annual Cycle Oregon event which started in Bly, Oregon, traveling to other smaller communities in Southern Oregon, and ends again in Bly. Because my Grandma was a event co-coordinator, when she called and said 'I need help!' the family put on our big boy pants and came running. Cyclists began pouring in on the Saturday before the start day, and I was hauling luggage for these folks all day. And I mean ALL day. 8 am until 10 pm. I got quite the sunburn/tan. All in all the event went very well, with only a couple hiccups. I made a quick trip to Lakeview while on that half of the state as well. I have to see all the family I can if I make the long drive over!

More people than Bly has seen in a LONG time!

These were only half of the tents

While I was home I also saw a lot of amazing sights that reminded me how great God is in all places.

Choices

When one of my closest friends came home, hung out for a night, and said some things to me that I have always wanted to hear, it really made me question what I'm doing with my life. He travels, a lot, and wants me to go with him. Right now I can't afford it, but could meet up with him later. But when these plans cause me to stop and ask 'How is this affecting my faith?', I have to consider all sides. This friend is one of my most trusted fellow college graduates, a person whom I have admired the entire time I've known him, yet he does not believe in God the same way I do. I can safely safe I love this friend, and he feels the same, but is this what God really intends for me?

Top of Tablerock

We have different paths in life to choose, and while I've traveled down a lot already, I do know that this one could be a big game changer. Should I stay on the path I've been traveling, save up for a mission's trip or a field school? Or wing it, move to South America for some time and see where that takes me? Praying for guidance and some sign of what I'm meant to do, where I'm supposed to go...
...

Being Guided

Today, while eating my happily-home-made omelet with mushrooms, grilled onions, and tomatoes, salami and cream cheese, and my thick slice of Swiss cheese, I was perusing the web and listening to KLove. The music was calming, the food filling, and the article I had found very interesting. What had I stumbled upon, you might ask? It was an article about the finding of a box of bones on a small island in Bulgaria called Sveti Ivan. On this island, some archaeologists had came to believe that the bones, or at least a few of them, of John the Baptist were buried. Reading the first few sentences, I noticed a change in the song, and before I knew it, my eyes were closed and tearing up, I had the chills, and my right hand was in the air.

Natalie Grant's 'Your Great Name' continued to play, and it was after the feeling had gone away that I decided if that wasn't a sign from God, then I don't have brown eyes. I have been looking around for different Biblical Archaeology digs, skimming some across Europe, venturing so far over as Ireland, trying to stay closer to Egypt. Never had I thought that Bulgaria would be in my future. Now, with God's help, I think I'm going to try to find a dig in that area. While I probably won't be directly associated with information regarding John the Baptist, I would love to act on the feeling that I had while researching that article.

I've had some tips from friends about attending Grad school and/or traveling the world. Go on a Missions trip in the area that I am interested in studying first, maybe take a field school. Then, once I decide I do like it there, find a Professor that specializes in that area and let myself be known. With some luck (and a lot of prayer), I could possibly get in with a Graduate program related to that part of the world. :)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Little Ed

Elizabeth David is the most adorable little thing I have ever seen!! She's so stinking cute, and when I went home for a day and got to play with her, I fell in love with the little turd. :)

Bonked her noggin

Sidetracked by mom's phone

Oh the pictures I'm going to get!

Love Calvin and Hobbes x)

Mom thought she was asleep and left...

My niece is freaking cute, gotta love her :)

Accidents

On Thursday, June 28, one of my close friends was in a motorcycle accident. A girl ran a stop sign and hit him, which of course put him in the hospital. Ending tally of injuries till today: a fractured scapula, 8 fractured ribs, a slightly punctured lung, a bruised kidney, a slightly lacerated liver, tons of road rash, and his right knee was opened up pretty good. He had no broken bones, no vertebrae damage, no head damage...call me crazy, but God absolutely had a hand in this. Within a few days, Jeffy was walking by himself, and the Monday after the crash he went home.

Still smiling

Putting the hoops back on...

Kate and Tegan

Visitors!

Signing papers

Add caption

Oh Jeffy...

The pose

Brahim brought a Maxim...

Road rash

Few days of healing and stitches

Needless to say, he had a ton of friends and family come in to say hello and give their best wishes. Jeff is definitely loved by many, and we all can't wait to see him healthy and running around again!