Two days, Six Hundred and Forty miles!

Two days ago, 28th of August 2010 I departed Portland and was on my way East! Desiraé and I stopped at Latourel Falls on the way out, which was awesome! She took dropped me off just off I84 in Biggs, OR, but not before a good lunch at the Full Sail Brewery in Hood River. I stood on the corner of a side walk near the on ramp for I84 with my white board that read "East!" and watched Des drive away. One of the weirdest feelings ever! I felt to vulnerable, but confident as well.

I stood there for all of about 20 minutes, which felt like 6 days and all of America was just driving past me, but eventually a good man in a huge, brand new red F-150 slowed up to me and yelled through the passenger window, "throw it in the back!" (referring to my oversized backpack). His name is Willy, he's an almost retired trucker and experienced hitchhiker! He was the perfect first ride. He knew what all of America looks like and he knew that there are good people out there. He was going to Moses Lake, WA which as about 3 hours from Biggs. I had heard and read negative things about hitching

in Washington, like, like it's as illegal as you can make it, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get so far east and north! We talked some, not a ton, but enough. He told me a lot about the country we were passing through, he shared a little abut his family and I shared some about where I come from. One time, out of silence he asked if I went to church growing up. "Yes", I said. He followed with, "So, I suppose you know what's comin'..." I chuckled a little bit and we continued to talk about Jesus stuff. He told me about his journey with God and how he just can't get enough church. It was wonderful and very

encouraging. We dropped me on the near the truck stop in Moses Lake and drove away. I couldn't have asked for a better first ride. Thanks Willy.

With my sign still reading, "East!" I set up shop under a stop light at a four way stop near the on ramp. This is Washington, not friendly to the idea of hitchhiking, I knew my best shot at not being ticketed would be to stand on the sidewalk and hope for the best. I stood there for about an hour, which felt like 6 weeks and the whole world was driving past me. In Oregon, people would take the time to look at me, but not hear, mostly people just ignored me. But alas, eventually a young women, I'm guessing about my age, was stopped in the left-hand turn lane across the street from me shouted from her window, "Hey man! I'm going to Spokane!"

Her name is Ellen and I know whoever is reading this right know is thinking, "she's crazy!" Maybe, but i would say it was more compassion than insanity. She had driven past me once, went the wrong way, had to come back around and pass me again and was moved because I was still there. She flipped an illegal U-turn and picked me up. She drove me from the intersection of Hwy17 and I90 to just east of Spokane, Cheney, WA (where I stayed with some friends from Twain Harte, but we'll get to that) She was one of the most curious people I have ever met. Once she found out I am a believer in Jesus Christ and studied Theology, she had soooo many questions. I loved it! For about an hour was talked about everything from what Truth is, the afterlife to today's church. She was brought up Mormon and that gave her a good framework for the conversation, but it was good to give her some new ideas and I loved being challenged by her questions. I had blessedly arranged to stay with friends in Cheney and she was gracious enough to drop me at an Exxon station for me to wait. Ellen, never stop seeking Truth; authentic Truth will always be revealed to the authentic seeker. Thanks for the ride :)

My friends, whom I know from Twain Harte EV Free now live in Cheney, WA which is just east of Spokane and through a last ditch effort I got BJ's number and asked if he could put me up for the night. I hadn't talked to these friends in a few years, but I have always known this family to be one of the most generous family's I've ever met. BJ called me back and before I knew it I was in a car with his dad, Jock, driving to his house. BJ and his wife Courtney are in between houses for the week and staying with his parents, so it was a wee bit crowded, but it also meant that their two beautiful children were always around. Roden is 2 and Ella is 1 and I had so much fun with them. That family was so good to me. I bug blow up bed, 3 wonderful meals and they even took me to church yesterday. Thank you so much for taking me in on such short notice. Blessings :)

Jock drove me Coeur d'Alene, ID, about 45 minuets (Thanks Jock!) and dropped me where the Hwy95 meets I90. I wrote, "MIssoula" on my whiteboard, we said our farewells and he was gone. I decided, where I was was not the best place so I walked down onto the interstate and set up right under

exit 13 with my sign up and my thumb out. People were driving really fast, but I felt like they could see me

from far off and there was plenty of stopping room. I was there for about 15 minutes, which, again, felt like for-freaking-ever, but it wasn't long before Adam stopped and offered me a ride. He is a younger guy (27); he described himself as, "bigger, tattooed and had facial hair", but he said he could take me to MIssoula and I was all for that.

We had 2.5 hours and I was looking forward to it. Adam is a good man. We talked about a lot. He had been in the Cost Guard and I had just studied Theology. Part of his story was growing up in the church, but being turned off by the church a few years back and now describes himself as someone who believes in God, but won't necessarily attribute God to a certain religion or visa versa. He was turned off by a mega-church that preached money and he saw how they were skewing Scripture. Later he told me that he now sees all religions as very "malleable". That made me think for a while. I think he's right, unfortunately. I knew I wasn't going to convert him right then and there and also that his church background informe

d his thinking and his language. I could tell that he is a critical thinker and well educated on there topics. These things gave me a freedom to really talk openly with him. We shared struggles, opinions and disagreements and I couldn't have asked for anything more. It felt good to have such a challenging conversation. Adam, thanks for showing me grace :)

Adam dropped me at Muralt's where MT Hwy 93 touches I90 and I barely waited for my brither Carlos to come pick me up. It had been like 3 weeks! Last I saw him was in the Dublin airport when I was coming back to the states. So, it only took me 2 days to get here, to Polson, MT and I am stoked to be here! I'm staying with the Klein's whom I've known since my freshman year at VU. Logan was my roommate our first two years, been to Nor. Ireland with Bonnie, the youngest sister; twice. And Andi, the oldest sibling is married to Carlos! Kris

and Debbie are wonderful people and I wouldn't want to be any place else. I think I might stay a wee while...

I feel like this post was long for only 2 days, but so much happened!!! Remember to follow me on Tweeter :) @LV2XPLR

Portland at a glance

Well, it has been a full week since I arrived in this beautiful city and I hit the road tomorrow morning so I thought I'd give an update while I know I can :)

The last 5 days has been filled with experiencing the city. There are so many different places to eat and enjoy life. So many different micro-brew beers! It's fun to experience the tastes of Portland. Some places to hit if you're ever in town would be, Hedge House, Stumptown Coffee, The Waffel Window, Horse Brass Pub, Biddy's, Hopworks, Belmont Station, and anything McManamin's (especially Edgefield). Go to Powell's Books, the main one on Burnside. Do not pass up the Japanese Gardens.

Tuesday night I had the opportunity to commune with some of Desiraé's church plant team. We had dinner, a very Oregon dinner, enjoyed a good word and discussion on Jn. 15:1-17 and it was so encouraging to meet some really passionate and determined people. We talked about abiding/remaining in Christ. It became apparent that plants do not have to focus on producing fruit; fruit is a response to being deeply and well rooted in one's source of life. We need to be less, if at all concerned with doing good things, but rather put all efforts into being deeply rooted in Christ's love and knowing him and his heart and trust that our lives, because of our rootedness, will radiate his glory.

This, I hope and plan, will be a major part of this adventure and en devour. I have never allowed myself this much space for getting to know God. Pray that I take advantage of it.

Later today, because it's been today for 40 minutes, I will be sticking out my thumb in hopes someone will respond with grace and curiosity. Pray for providence. This has never been a mission trip for me, I do not feel a calling from God to do this trip, but I know it is blessed by him and I know that I am always a minister, I am always on the Kingdom's mission.

I have no idea what the next few days, weeks or months look like, but I know that if I live life in the name of the Jesus and for his glory, this is going to be one epic Journey.

shalom

Stumped by Stumptown

Welcome to Portland!

Wow, I actually made it to Portland, OR. My good friend Desiraé who has been living up here for a year now, came down and picked me up from Tadmor just a few days ago. I have yet to actually hitchhike, but I can see that reality just over the horizon...

Spending a week at Camp Tadmor was such a god thing. I spent most of my time helping out with the program team, setting up, tearing down, riding in backs of trucks and I even got to play Djembe a couple mornings for worship! There are four hours of free time each day for the campers with different activities for them all over the camp. There is a lake. The lake has a huge, 40ft Blob floating on it. It is basically a long, rectangular balloon used to propel campers into the water. One sits out on the far end and another jumps on to it from a tower overhanging the blob by about ten feet. Lots of fun. My job for the four hours of free time for four consecutive days was to sit at the top of the tower and supervise! It really was a good time. I got to work on my tan as well as have an opportunity to minister and encourage campers to overcome their fears.

On the last day, this little sixty-eight pound, 11ish year old girl named, Georgia wanted to blob her friend Emma, but was very afraid. Emma sat out at the end of that blob for about 15 minutes while I was talking with Georgia and to answer all of her ridiculous "what if" questions. This girl had a great imagination! It took a lot of patients on my part and a ton of courage on hers, but after counting down from 3 to 1 countless times, she finally jumped! Her friend, Emma barely got a foot of the blob, but that didn't matter, Georgia jumped! Before I knew it, she was back at the top with me to jump again! And again and again for probably about ten more times. It was a small, but glorious victory :) Good job Georgia!

Throughout the day, there are two sessions, a morning and evening. Worship through music and word. On, Wednesday night, I experienced one of the most intimate worship moments of my life. I simply could not stop praising Him! It was through the song Came to my Rescue and the bridge in that song sings, "In my life, be lifted high. In our world, be lifted high. In our love, be lifted high" It struck the core of me. I was getting so much imagery and felt so free to worship my God; just to simply adore him. Sometimes I think we forget that to simply exalt out King, to lift him on high, to declare that he is the only one worthy of our praise should be at the core of our lives, our being, our existence. Before all else, we give him praise.

On Friday, Desiraé graciously came and gave me a lift up to Portland. Friday night, Stacie, her friend and now mine too joined us for a semi-homegrown and definitely home made dinner. After that we went and watched JAWS on a huge blowup screen in Pioneer Square in the middle of Portland. Flicks on the Bricks. The movie was good, as always, but the people watching was even better! SO much character! Their stories were woven into their clothes and imprinted on their skin. Yesterday, Desiraé and I rode bikes and ate breakfast at The Waffle Window on Hawthorne. These were not your everyday waffles, I got 2, one had melted brie topped by three strips of Northwest peppered bacon with a touch of basil on top. so good. The second was draped with their banana-caramel sauce, with a whole sliced banana loaded with a mountain of fresh whipped cream and then dusted with homemade granola. So, so good.

Then we were off to downtown, but not before stopping at Peet's :) Oh, how I missed thee! The coffee, not necessarily having a job. :) We went to the Saturday Market and the whole time I was in awe of creative we as humans can be! I LOVED the photography booths; there were painters, potters, metal workers, woodsmen and so many unique arts. It was inspiring to see all that art displayed by so many people.

Powell's Books. Whoa, book empire. All I'm gunna say is that I should have left my wallet in the car...

We went to a little street fair show that night and saw The Shaky Hands. They rocked, but by 10pm, we were both wiped from a long day of walking around downtown.

I "played" an accordion.

Yesterday we drove down to Desiraé's hometown, Albany and her parents took us and a few other friends out boating on Green Peter Reservoir. Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, and Rock-jumping. So much fun. Hot tub, Pizza, bon fire and s'mores to wrap up the day.

Des and I have talked about when I'll be heading out and Saturday looks best. She is gunna drive me up into Washington somewheres and leave me there. on the side of a road. oh man! STOKED!

Keep tuned!

Also, please follow my twitters on tweeter 'cause I'm a twit. @LV2XPLR

A Tadmor, please

Greetings from Oregon!

I have been up here at my beloved Camp Tadmor for a few days now and it has been awesome, but let me back up a tad...

Last week I spent some time with my parents, which was so good. They had recently returned from Iowa because my mom's father was taken up into the heavens while I was in Ireland. He has just turned 89. I was unable to be at the funeral and unable to be near to my mom through the whole process, so it was really good to see her and spend some due time with her. I arrived at their place in Walnut Creek Sunday evening and Monday afternoon we were on our way to their cabin in Graeagle (about an hour north of Truckee). I love it up their. It's a vast valley completely surrounded by towering mountains. Tuesday was a day of rest for us and I took the opportunity to pack my backpack. That was a challenge. Took me almost the entire day and it's a doozy. We went for a hike on Wednesday; 5 lakes in less than five miles! The water was so clear because none of them were fed by rivers, it was all snow melt! so gorgeous! It was so good to be out in the wilderness with my parents. They are so supportive and excited for what I am venturing out to do. Aren't they amazing?! Love you so much!

Being up here at Tadmor feels so good. I love this place. It served as much needed sanctuary in the middle of my college career and I wouldn't want to kick off my adventure anywhere else. All the staff has been here for like 10 weeks already, so coming into the last week feels pretty weird, but the friends from the past are helping me to fit with new ones. Yesterday was a day off and it was time to have some fun, so we floated down a river! For five and a half hours! On random personal floaty devices! It went a little long, but we had so much fun. I jumped off the bridge at the end in celebration :)

Throughout this whole trip I plan on going to different churches and experiencing the body of Christ that calls America it's home. Today, my friends took me to a church called Doxology. It's a fairly new church in Corvallis, numbered about 70 I'd guess and meets outside in the summer. I had never been to a church like this. People brought their own chairs like moms at a soccer match, but this, this was the family of Christ. I had met the pastor three years ago when he spoke here at Tadmor and I remember him telling me about a church he was starting up. He has a tattoo on his right bicep that I have not forgotten because I thought it was so profound. It is four quarter circles equally separated apart to create a cross in the negative space. He said the four quarter circles represent the body of Christ making Christ visible to the world! Get it?! Isn't that rad?! I think so. Anyway, that's where we went today and the word was so good. If you love Christ, you must love the church. No matter how messy, offensive, disintegrated, juxtaposed we may get towards each other, we are all saved and united by the body and blood of the Messiah and we must love his bride; his church.

I will be here for the rest of the week helping out where I can and simply being in this beautiful place. Desirae picks me up on Friday and then it's a week of exploring Portland! So stoked!

Maine from the Plane

I've been back in the states for less than 24 hours and I am on-the-edge-of-my-seat excited to explore some of what this vast landscape has to offer. It took me 23.5 hours of traveling to return from Northern Ireland so I am quite tired and have become even less of a fan of JFK airport. Avoid it at all costs.

Our time in Saintfield was filled with so much good and blessing; I still have so much to process. Our first week there was honestly a lot of simply meeting with old friends and making new ones. It was an opportunity to r

eally spend time with the families of 1st Pres. Saintfield over steak pie, fifteens and of course gallons of tea. We took time to prepare for the kids' Bible week by shooting and editing videos, decorating the church hall and practicing our skits and games.

The action kicked off with "Messy Fun Night" on Friday. Imagine big tarps, sticky yukky goop, raw eggs, custard, water balloons, shaving cream and about 40 kids! It was the most fun I've had in a long time :) Saturday night was "DEEP"; youth group with a little extra. One of the local students had the guts enough to get up and play 5 songs, 2 of which were his own. We did a few songs ourselves, a skit and I was given the opportunity to speak on our belovedness in God's kingdom. We lead worship for the two Sundays we were there and that was such an honor. The church is over 350 years old! The kids' camp was a blast and there was a soccer camp each day which was so much fun. Over 50 kids camp to play soccer and hear the good word for 5 days straight.

We were able to explore some of the beauty of Ireland in the little spare time we had. One morning we went to this old falling-apart abby. It was used as a place for worship and a home for monks since 800 AD. While we w

ere there, something magical happened. We all spontaneously gathered in what used to the sanctuary, now with minimal walls and no roof and Carlos

lead us in a time of worship to our Lord. The same Lord that monks had been worshiping in that same place for hundreds and hundreds of years. That moment will never be forgotten.

So, now I sit here in Peet's on 17th where I learned so much over the last year, dreaming about what the near future holds. I would say that

I know what the frame of the picture looks like, but even that would be a stretch! Last night from my window seat of a crammed 757 I watched Maine pan across through my window. It was a blessing and even an encouragement from God to see such wilderness and opportunity. It was mile after mile of pure forest and beauty. I actually saw Portland from the plane and it is so small!!! I am so stoked!

I leave for Nor Cal tomorrow and hopefully hit the road Thursday or Friday. It's been long awaited, but the time is soon here and I could not be more ready!