2 Corinthians 3:3

 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts

Fixating on a memory... sweet... painful... why?

Sometimes I get stuck on romantic memories.
Why? What good does it do me. Nothing. It makes me wish that I was still being pursued. It makes me wonder what would have happened if I had be vulnerable and returned the love of another. Then it makes me question what makes me feel so loved in those moments.
Should I tell those moments that were so wonderful?
Should I remember them at all?
It helps nothing to fixate.
Overall, I have learned that I stop any relationship prematurely. I leave, I check out, move or just talk myself out, without even talking to the person. What I need to do in the future is talk, show affection, and tough in out.

Heart of Thankfulness

After about a month my new place now feels like home. God has blessed me with a great responsible roommate. Together we have worked out all the kinks of this "old A-frame cabin in the woods" to make it a functional space. And I think we have gone through enough mishaps to outlast our year lease.
So COME and VISIT!

As I continue to think over these last few months, I feel so blessed to not only be in Truckee, but to actually feel adjusted. Just continue to pray for me a winter approaches.
My job has become made more stable by the inevitable accidents of fellow co-workers, vacations/ time off, and holidays. Co-workers have been incredibly welcoming. Mary even gave me a set of skis for the coming winter!
My final bills have come through for my clavicle surgery. It will be so nice to have this whole thing behind me.
I was able to use some days off to hop a plane, visit friends and be a tourist in the big apple. Praise the Lord it was a perfectly full trip and a wonderfully needed break from work.

Enjoy time surrounded by friends and family with good food.
Love Beth

In God's Hands

My time spent in Bend this last month was super! ... Well, once I got over the initial forced vacation aspect and yielded to my bodies limitations.
It was such a blessing to be around my family, be in Oregon and share un-hurried moments with friends. As much as repairing a broken bone saps the body of energy, I made time each day for a little activities. And every day I felt loved by a surprise adventure or the visit of a friend. It was great to have the time to catch up on mail, reading, and Spanish soaps :) The highlights for me were kombucha making, summer events in Bend- (movies in the park, live theater, farmers market, art walk (2), live music and rugby tournament), and time with my family at the beach and playing games.
Thanks to every person that filled my days with smiles and good conversation.
And thanks for a great Birthday month!

Quotes for the Day

Another key movement in caring for our souls is to daily chase after the light by pursuing things that remind us of the truth, things that make us laugh or calm us and things that restore our hope.  The experience of depression, for the individual and the family, pulls on us to stare into the darkness, into what is difficult, painful, frightening, or shameful.  And the truth is, this side of heaven, there is plenty of darkness.  But there is also great reason to hope – for tiny, daily tastes of hope; like laughter, real conversation, delicious food to savor, the beauty in our own backyard. And you must hope for the bigger redemption; like restored marriages or clear post-chemo scans. These gifts are just as real as the pains that threaten, scare and sadden us. 
-Meredith Spatola

“There was no sudden striking emotional transition.  It is like a room warming up or the coming of daylight.  When you first notice healing, it has already been going on for some time.”
C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Read more from Grief is a Journey.

Establishing roots

When potting a plant it is important to massage the roots, water frequently, and allow time for the new plant to adjust to it's new environment and realize it has room to grow.
For me every move in life has had this time and excitement of growth in a new place. I have developed patterns to establish quickly (It really is fun exploring new places!) and to develop as part of a community.
It wasn't until I read a friend's blog that I realized this as a reason why I am currently frustrated to be pulled out of my current residence. It is traumatic being uprooted! It feels as if my months of effort into a new job, location and acquaintances being swept away as dust as my presence is forgotten. Yes, it is great to be back in Bend with friends and family for an extended time, I just would like to be working- Wow, never thought I would say that. I am a plant without a pot.

Please pray for continued healing of my clavicle, development of my community in Truckee and security of my job, as it is what brought me to my new home of Truckee.

Great hike into Desolation

Emerald Bay 

Lake Tahoe

Becoming a little more like myself

Identity is something that constantly develops with experiences, is embraced or hidden.
Over the last three years, I have been sculpted and strengthened to stretch beyond what I thought I could endure. And my passions have surfaced through it all. Much like the reflections one has over a trip, there are expectations, and then there are those surprises that make the experience memorable.
This blog post is a good articulation of familiar elements of recent experiences. Yes, I am still processing my time in Bolivia so, if you think of me say a quick prayer for my restless/hurting heart.
Today, I want to remember, to embrace/ appreciate the world. I want to forgive. I never want to be apathetic. I want to encourage goals, change and love. And I want to embrace who God has made me to be:
I am Woman, Artist, Outdoor Enthusiast, Food Experimenter, Explorer, Daughter/Sister/Cousin/Friend,  Loyal, Lover of God/Jesus Christ and Lover of Life!

Hiking to Five Lakes

The flowers were in full bloom!

Alpine ski area

Four ladies and two dogs

Granite chief wilderness

Lake #1

Squaw Valley mt

Lake #4

Continued Training

Tonight I learned how to simplify, to articulate, what I believe in Christianity. Yes, there is a complicated version, all my own, in how/ what has made me personally believe that God is really real. But tonight, courtesy of of Evangelism Explosion International founder, Ken, I learned how to use my hand as a reminder of what I believe.
Thumb: Heaven
Pointer: Man
Middle: God
Ring: Christ
Little: Faith
Heaven is a free gift. It is not earned or deserved.
Man is a sinner. He cannot save himself.
God is merciful and doesn't want to punish us, yet God is just and must punish our sin.
Christ is both God and man. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in Heaven for us.
Faith is not just head knowledge nor is it just temporary faith. True saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.
Tomorrow, we will dive into the terms a little more. but for now, I hope that makes some linear sense.

Bike Ride #2

This ride took me along HWY 89 from Squaw Valley to Tahoe Lake. It was beautiful!

Week of Work

Well, first week down I feel really good about my decision to move here. My co-workers have been super nice training, giving recommendations for shopping/ food, and inviting me into their worlds. In particular, I have enjoyed the company of Ginger, who takes me on walks after lunch and Cheryl, who has a wonderful sense of humor. Cheryl and I also met up for a game of tennis yesterday. Which turned into a great session with a friend of hers. Following the game we stopped in and visited with some of her other friends and husband for some more laughs and drinks. It was so refreshing to hang out with the more established crowd. I can not wait to hang out with them all again.

My roommate Heidi has also been super in inviting me to some of her events and on hikes. Just this last Monday we hiking up Martis Peak to enjoy the 360 degree view of Lake Tahoe, the mountains and surrounding ski resorts. Our hiked finished even better with Sushi at a place called Drunken Monkey- The food was amazing. I am sure to be a regular as long as I keep receiving a paycheck.
Cheers to New Friends & New Adventures!

TV Show Distractions

It is true, I am one of those crazy people that spontaneously burst out in song and truly believe life is better this way. And because I SO enjoy musicals/ acapella, I have to share these videos from the show SMASH. (Now, I am not a weekly viewer so, I am sure there are other great songs, but I just heard these and loved them.) And yes, to answer the unasked question, I also think there is something sexy about a guy that can sing ;) Enjoy.

Rewrite This Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jQRvoIr1cE
I Heard Your Voice in a Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-eNiM86T5E
Heart Shaped Wreckage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxqxhE2JmZ0

Donner Lake

Blood Test

Before I left Bend, I thought it best to learn how severe some of my food sensitivities are; so, I had my blood tested. Today, I recieved the results and was surprised to find that I have a list of Five Severe Intolerances! Meaning, there are foods I have been enjoying my whole life that are causing cell damage.
Results of Intolerances:
Severe:
Peanut
Pumpkin
Sunflower
Trout
Turnip
Moderate:
Asparagus
Beet
Cardamom
Chick Pea
Cows Milk
Egg yolk
Hazelnut
Lentil Bean
Mild:
Huge freak'n list!

Thankfully, after talking to my doctor I learned that by taking a 6 month break from these foods my body might have enough time to heal from the damage of 26 years of irritation. Then, I could potentially re-introduce some of the things on my Mild List and possibly the Moderate List as well.
Knowledge is power they say... Really, it teaches you to be creative with your future and hold onto childhood memories of innocent pleasures.

Waking to SNOW!

CASA

Along the road

Lunch at Donner Lake

Walk near my home!

Truckee River

This is home now.

Super Fast!

You need to check out this hospital! Tahoe Forest Hospital. It is in a small resort town in CA. A river runs through Truckee and it is close to 5 ski areas and multiple lakes. Oh! and it has some good biking as well- sound familiar!!!! I feel like I am moving to the Bend of CA.
More details: I went down to interview last month and they offered me a job. If I pass my CA fluoroscopy exam my job is secure after September. My friend Melissa basically got me the job- she lives in Reno and works for TFH in mammography. The other super great thing about the job is that they want to cross train me in Mammography and CT!!! SUPER BLESSED!
Yesterday, I finally found a house to rent with two other gals and a dog. I know very little about them other than Heidi is a teacher and Corrie is a ski instructor. Please pray over these relationships as I am signing a 6month lease sight unseen. Thank God for Craigs list, email and google earth!
Pray for me also as I will be moving a bit hurriedly and then helping my parents move/ prep a house they just bought for retirement in AZ. -This all happens next week. Oh! And we might also hike the Grand Canyon!
Yep, I think those are the quick details!

Food Brings Us Together

The collision that happens over a table of well made cuisine and beverage is such a pleasurable experience for me. Though family and conversation might be exhausting, in general these are the experiences that draw us into a deeper understanding of our world and appreciation of those that surround us. Cheers to the next table debate and memory made.

Recently, I visited a little German restaurant in Jacksonville, OR with my cousin that is definitely worth the experience. Perhaps it was my inner German that was so pleased, but I really do recommend the excellent potato dumplings and dunkel beer. Thanks Liz for the treat!

For the comfort of your own home and next dinner guest, please try this next recipe - it really is the BEST Chocolate Bundt cake I have ever made. And make sure to have lots of yogurt or ice cream on hand as it is also the richest. Enjoy!

$450 dollars later

This was my bill for new tires after a quick inspection revealed a nail, and the well worn truth that my tires would not take me safely to California and back. Well, this would not to be the only unexpected news that would fall upon my ears while I waited at Les Schwab tire center. On the other end of my phone line was an offer of employment. Ego boosted, I politely told the HR rep that I would need time to think over the offer as I was heading out of town. I did not tell her it was to another interview for a job I much preferred to the one being dished up.
So, when 24hrs later I had another offer, I was counting my lucky stars and praising Jesus! Not only were the staff friendly and the location grand, but after a tour of the quaint little town of Truckee I even held a hand drawn map of the "Must See" tour of the area. My new friend of a local framing shop had immediately started drawing and recommending sights to see after our brief discussion of local recreation and art. She even promised to check in with some friends for rental options. And not only that, but she is the wife of the local cardiologist!!! PRAISE! -even if the hospital does not have a cath lab this is pretty close to one of those God ordained meetings.
The rest of my afternoon was spent following the "map" with my mouth wide open in a huge grin. I was definitely the tourist pulling over and snapping photos with my phone, as I regretfully did not have my camera with me. My adventure took me past the famous Donner Lake, up to three of the local ski resorts, down to lake Tahoe and past mount rose. Needless to say my mind already has begun planning the many more adventures surrounding these areas. Biking, XC skiing, Sail boating, and hiking all seem a wonderful part of the lifestyle here- WOOHOO I feel home!
Also, check one off the bucket list I gave a hitch-hiker a ride along the way!

Christ is better than anything else!

When being called to be a disciple of Christ both Matthew and Luke were very clear in recording Christ's biography. To be saved it is quite simple, they record that one simply has to believe that Jesus is the Christ, accept His forgiveness of all sin and that person will live in eternity with the rest of those that claim the same. But to be a disciple of Christ the standard is raised. Change is expected as one pursues truth and conformity to the likeness of Christ. Not a bad thing to become, since Christ was the most perfect example of human love- Just a very hard to emulate. Thankfully, the Spirit is present in the lives of those that believe and assists in the transformation.
This Sunday, when I heard Keith speak on this change, and challenge of being a disciple of Christ, I was immediately convicted to pray more:

• Pray to God for the best for other people that I might not like, and certainly for those I do not love.
• Pray to come to a better understanding and relationship with God
• Pray that God would me give wisdom

I was also struck by the difficult statements recorded in Luke- and quite frankly I don't want to do them because they are tough. I want to quit, but disciples are defiantly not quitters. And if I claim to be a follower of Christ, and desire to represent Him well to the world around me, I need to follow His instruction left in the bible. (I have paraphrased the verses in Luke Chapters 14:26-34.)

• If I hate any member of my family, I can not be a disciple.
• If I can not set my life aside and be self-less in my plans, I can not be a disciple.
• If I have not considered the cost of being a Christ follower and how different/ difficult it will be, I am ill informed and have not read the scriptures, and can not be a disciple
• Submit on all levels to Jesus

Why? Is the first thing that then pops into my mind after this list. And again it is answered.

• You have extreme worth to God 
• You have a purpose and destiny
• With Christ, you reach your full potential
• To live in love and know truth
• God is love
• Christ is better than anything else!

Change happens in small increments at times and some life experiences expedite the process. So, for today I will focus on the task of praying, and I will be still and know that he is God, and He is good. Psalm 46:10

Some of my Favorite Things

It makes me so happy to be reunited with my bike. So, the other day I decided to start with some photos and see where this project takes me.

Adventures with the roommates

Japanese Night

Smith Rock

Shevlin Park