"Ya Gotta Have a Soul t' Travel"

Made it the Twin Cities! But not with out 1,274 miles behind me!!! Whoa. I honestly thought it would be another few days at least until I made it here, but I have been blessed with some long rides, that being said, let's backtrack to Polson...

Just 3 days ago I woke up in the beautiful Klein house at 2am, got ready to go and Jim rolled up at 2:30 and we were off for a 3 hour drive. You would think that I would sleep on the way. nope. We talked the whole way and it was great. He's a good man; other than guns and hunting, we have quite a bit in common and that made it easy to keep the conversation going. He drove me 60 miles out of his way to avoid dropping me off in Browning, which every white Montanan would say is a dangerous place. It's on a Indian Reservation and is known to the whites to be a no-go-zone. Jim told me that the only other place in MT I might want to not spend any time in was Wolf Point, MT, but that was on the other side of the state and probably wouldn't have to worry about it.

Jim dropped me off at a truck stop on the west side of Shelby. It was 5:30am and still dark out so I took the opportunity to get some hot food at the country diner. I felt out of place without work boots, overalls and a beer belly, but I was hungry enough to sit it out. I bought a fairly large bag of pipe tobacco, which will last me like 15 years, but it's all they had.

At about 6:15 I made my way out to the corner across the street and set up shop. It was freezing cold. Like, literally, 32-degrees Fahrenheit freezing. On the dot. I had 4 layers on so my core was ok, but my hands. Oh, so cold. I have some black full-fingered bicycling gloves, but I thought wearing those might decrease my chance of a ride, so I manned up. sup.

Around 7 a police officer rolled up, he was real polite and just wanted to check my ID. "We just wanna know who's around. You know how these small towns are..." I was happy to oblige with passport and driver's license. He checked for warrants, none of course and after he knew I was good to go, he gave me advice to move to the east side of town. It was only about a mile or so, but it was the first time I had had to walk any considerable distance with my approximately 70 lb. pack. Longest. mile. of. my. life. There was a nice wee park and a bench to hold my stuff and me when no cars were coming down. Oh, and it was still cold.

About 90 minutes passed before two men pulled over for me. (Ok, by the way, I;m finding that when I'm waiting for rides, I talk a lot. To myself; I think I'm pretty funny. To people driving by; especially the ones that wave and one's that have personal license plates; I talk to them like I know them. It's pretty fun. ok, side note done.) 90 minutes. Two men stop for me. In Montana, if you're not white, you're tribal. (I learned that the word "tribal" is the most PC way to talk about the Native Americans there) These guys were not white. No headdresses, long flowing hair and peace pipes, but they weren't white. I was a little hesitant at first, but they were older, 50s-60s and seemed like really great guys; after all, they stopped for a hitchhiker. I threw my stuff in back and they said they could get me to Havre. Just over 100 miles away. Couldn't pass that up.

Their names are Don and Jack and they asked about what I was doing and why and all that and I eventually asked them if they grew up in the area. "Oh yeah, were from Browning." I froze for a second at the irony of this moment. I had so many white people blow right pass my thumb, but these two men from a town that terrifies the whites stopped, and offered me "a cup of cold water". We got to Havre and had to stopped for "some coffee and to take a piss". I was getting mentally ready to be back out on the road when Don, the one driving, said they were going further on down the road and said I was welcome to join. Turns out they were driving all the way to Bismark, but if I wanted to stay on Hwy 2, they could drop me at Wolf Point. Yep, the "other town" I was warned of, but it was 200 miles from Havre; had to risk it. My presuppositions had already been overturned, so I decided to take them up on the offer.

They told me much about their tribe and the surrounding ones and what it's like to live on the Reservation. I have never been a fan of how we treated these people, but hearing it from them created a whole new level of disgust. They dropped me on the far side of Wolf Point and I started walking because even Don and Jack said I wouldn't want to spend the night there.

Within 15 minutes, Ronda pulled over with her brother Jarred in the passenger seat. They said they could take me to Polar, about 20 miles. "Eh, it's not far, but it's not here" I thought. Jarred offered me some a joint, he seemed like he had smoked his share of who knows what, but he wasn't driving and everything he said was backed with a smile. I couldn't understand/hear a word he said to me in those 20 miles, but I nodded and smiled back. Ronda dropped him off and took me outside town. She said, "go right over there, put your sign up; you'll get picked up in no time". I could tell she had a soft heart. I offered God's blessing, she smiled and pulled away.

Not 15 minutes passed until Chris flew by gesturing both his hands in the air as in to say, "I've got no room!" But his face read, "What the hell are you doing out here?!" I watched him go by, whip around and come to a dust-lifted stop. He comes out of his 1990-something Ford Ranger and yells, "I'm chalked full a' shit, man!" I could see his passenger seat was full of work clothes and whatever else. I said if he didn't have room it was all good, but he insisted. Threw some stuff in the bed, some behind the seat. I crammed my pack on top and in between some stuff in the bed and we were on our way.

"Chris" he said as he offered a hand shake. I could tell he was a tough and hard worked by his hand. He said he could take me to Williston, ND, about 75 miles. In the end he took me to Stanley, a total of 147 miles. As the conversations usually go, my studies eventually came up and into the topic of religion we dove. I was reservedly stoked. One thing he said that stuck with me was, "Ya know, I smoke, I drink, I cuss, but I try to glorify Him somehow in everything I do." This man worked in the oil fields in ND and was away from home of 5 kids and a wife for 3 weeks a month. I'm guessing going to church is a rarity considering his work load, but he knows what it is to live the Christian life. This is the church people need to see, real people with reall issues that still try to glorify him. Chris, in picking me up, helping out a starnger, yet a brother, you glorified God. Blessings to you and your family.

Chris was good enough to drive me into town, buy me a little gas-station pizza and take me to a real campsite. As I was setting up camp I got a text from I number I don't know. They asked if I was hitching across the U.S.. I responded yes and asked who they were. They responded that they were my little angle on my shoulder and that they'd be praying for me everyday and sending me Bible verses and encouraging words. They have kept their word for the last three days and it has been a real blessing, so thank you my little shoulder angle. I read some Confessions and was asleep by about 9. I had only 2 hours sleep going into that day and I made up for it with 11. Minus waking up to the train like 40 yards from my head.

(09/08)Made some delicious oatmeal for breakfast and added some of Alyssa's (a Klein sister) homemade granola to make it divine. I had to walk a a good distance to get back out onto the 2 while town folk watched me go by. They always stared with confusion as a offered a smile and a wave. Once I got out to Hwy 2 at about 11am, it wasn't five minutes until Pete stopped and picked me up. He smoked more than he talked, but I was thankful for the ride. There was a younger guy in the passenger seat; never said a word. Barely acknowledged my presence. They took me to Minot. In ND it's pronounced, "Mie-nit", not like it looks. Noted.

They let me off at a truck stop and I bought some chicken strips and a Vitamin Water: Dragonfruit. Favorite. I walked about a mile and a half passed an intersecting highway to get the most traffic possible, but it was a grueling walk. I think I'm more of a whimp than I thought, whatevs. I made it to a god hitching spot and didn't wait long for Wade to stop for me. This man; he is a generous servant of God. He was only on his way back home Towner, but said he'd "do one better" and take me to the other side of Rubgy, an extra 20some miles. He loves his family. We talked a lot. We started talking about the afterlife and he said to me a few times in his NoDak accent, "ya gotta have a soul t' travel..." That phrase will stick with me for a long time I think.

He made sure I had food to eat, said he could stop and pick up some food from his house for me, I would have accepted if my pack wasn't over packed already. I tugged out 15 bucks from his pocket and handed it to me, which was very unexpected. Then! he turned into the town of Rugby and stopped at his mother-in-laws to borrow another 20 to give to me. As I was yanking my pack out from his back seat he offered to blanket that lay under my pack. He was such a blessing. I won't forget you Wade, thank you so much for your glory-filled generosity.

I was east of Rugby for 3 hours. Longest I've had to wait for a ride. The traffic was so minimal I had time to set up my tripod and take a photo and get out my camp stool and sit. I got really board. The shadows were getting long and I had already scoped out my campsite for the night; next to a soy bean field, about 20 feet from the highway. I was pretty discouraged. I almost gave up more than a few times, but I just kept telling myself, "it only takes one ride..." Enter Ace, stage left.

I had, "MN" as big as possible on my sign and my thumb up high. I watched him drive by as he glared and sized me up. I was on to the next car, but low and behold Ace had flipped around and come back for me! I figured, "Hell, I'm going to Minnesota, why the hell wouldn't I?" I could tell he had been working hard all his life and knew what it was to work for what you have. We talked a little bit about a lot, but never got to the "Jesus" subject, but that's ok. He taught me a little bit about what real life is like. He has over 300 military jumps with the paratroopers. 13 years in the Army. He is a man that lives within his means and lives well. We could all learn somethin from Ace.

Side note: um, there's an oil boom happening in ND right now. People from all over the place travel hundreds of miles to work there. Apparently the amount of oil there is more than all of the middle east combined. And it's good oil too, "comes up green". Somebody should tell Obama. Just a thought.

He dropped me near a gas station 5 miles west of Bemidji, MN (I still don't know how to say that) and pointed to a patch of woods I could find a place to pitch my tent and that I did. I could still see the lights from the building, but no one could see me. My tent is so small that it's easy to find a good spot.

I slept until about 8:30, took a wipe-shower with disposable shower wipes, so fresh and so clean, clean. Made breakfast and started to tear down camp. I got a call from my brother Noah who just got back from being over seas for like 3 months and got to talk with him for a while. So encouraging. I got back on the road by 10:30, Thursday September 9.

Two cold hours blew by before Leeroy stopped his rig for me. One thing I remember about him is that he loves his wife. He caught his first wife cheating on him and left her. He said, "that's ok; found a better one!" I would say he's in his fifties or so, and still calls her "babe". That made me smile. He took me down to Brainerd, right on the way to the Cities, as they call them here.

I had my thumb out for about an hour just outside Brainerd on Hwy 371 when Jim saw my sign that read, "TWIN CITIES". "I thought, ya know, if the guy shoots me, I'll die happy; I'm happy" he said with an affirming head nod. He was on his way back from a fishing trip. "The fishing was bad, but the beer was good!" and then proceeded offer me one. I declined with a smile and told him I've got three rules for this trip, "No drinking with strangers, no doing drug with strangers and no sleeping with strangers!" We both laughed. I could tell this was going to be a good ride. St. Paul was two and half hours away and he could take me the whole way.

He loves his family, he is on number 2 as well. 5 kids, 2 of his blood and his wife "brought 3 to the table". He is a man who knows how to work to live and not live to work. I took him more than half the ride to tell me what he did for work, didn't matter to him. He probably wouldn't have told me if I didn't ask. "You can't take your work too seriously. Hell, I sell pens and shit for a living, ya know. So what?" He is 48 and has learned how to live well.

So now I'm here sitting in the lovely living room of Sterling and Emily Marks, Desiraé's brother and his wife. They had a big blow up bed ready for me and have been wonderful hosts. Katie Kremer is on her way to get me as I type. It will be so good to see her! She's been studying at MAYO! WHAT! yeah, I know.

So, I made it to St. Paul, MN. I'm over half way to Maine. I'll be here in MN for a week or so and then down into Iowa to see family, but I can feel the winter coming and am getting anxious. I can deal with cold, it's when it gets wet and cold that it sucks.

Thanks to all to have been praying for me. It's working. The Lord is good and faithful to fulfill his providence in our lives.

On Montana Time

Eight days ago I was reunited with Brother Carlos and it has been aglorious week. There has been a lot of simply relaxing around the house and playing with the kids. When all of the family comes over, it gets crazy. One pair of 1.5 year old twins, one 16 month old, a 3 and a 4 year old. Some of Kris' family were in town and a few times it was all the kids and like 15+ adults. ...and breathe... it was a ton of fun.

Last Thursday we trekked up to Glacier National Park. I feel there are few, if any words in any

of today's languages to describe the vast beauty that is contained within these 1,600 square miles. Most of our day consisted of driving the one main road through the park; starting low and climbing and climbing until we reached Logan Pass at 6,646 ft looking up at snow dusted peaks scratching 10,000 ft.

We took a wee hike from the visitor center to a vista of Hidden Lake. It really was hidden until you got there. It was only a 3 mile round trip trail, but nothing but uneventful. The views even as we were en route were spectacular and worth stopping for, but the most exciting part was toward the top when we, along with 50 other humans, encountered a mountain goat with her kid. They were pure white plus a tanish mohawk growing down the kid's back. They were less

than 30 ft away and at one point mamma goat decided to cross the tail directly in front of me. Literally could have jumped on her back, but i didn't I just took the picture pictured.

We saw some big horn sheep from across a large valley, but with my zoom lens and some wicked binoculars we could see them pretty well. But the best animal sighting was a wee grizzly cub! We came to a stop thinking it was part of the constant road construction, but alas! it was a bear! He (or she?) was in a bush hanging straight out over the road about ten feet up chowin' down on some berries or something. It was pretty cute and considering there are just over 800 grizzlies in all of the expansive state of Montana, it was a rare sight.

Friday was lake day. One boat, two pairs of water skis (old skool), one kneeboard and a sweet-A cabin right on the lake; it made for a real good day. I water-skied for the first time since

getting my water-skiing merit badge in Boy Scouts way back in the day like 10 years ago and stood up on the knee board 'cause that's way cooler. :) The water is so clear, it seems like you could see 20 feet down! Probably the best of the day was when Carlos overcame hesitation and tried water skiing! Whether he actually got up or not is irrelevant; he got out there!!!

We have had some incredible sunsets just about every night. This sky really

is big. Like, real big. Huge. And this valley is completely surrounded by mountains. It has been colder than anticipated, but we've made the best of it.

I started Augustine's Confessions...

2:30 tomorrow morning, Jim, Carlos' brother-in-law, is picking me up on his way to work and giving me a ride all the way up to Shelby, MT where Hwy 2 meets I15. He'll drop me at about 5:30/6 am. At least I'll get an early start :)

This next leg of the journey is intimidating. I could make it easier and head across the 90, but I would rather see more of the country of MT and ND and into MN. Hwy 2 eventually stretches all the way to Maine so I could be seeing a lot of that sign, but that is yet to be experienced.

My next stop will be MN to see a couple friends, but that's over 1,000(!) miles away so I don't know when next I'll be able to post here or even be able to Twote or FB or even call anyone, but when I get the chance I won't pass it up.

Blessings to you all and thanks for reading :)

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!