Sledding at Papa and Gaga's

"That is one good thing about this world. . .there are always sure to be more springs." - L.M.M.

"The night was clear and frosty, all ebony of shadow and silver of snowy slope; big stars were shining over the silent fields; here and there the dark pointed firs stood up with snow powdering their branches and the wind whistling through them."
- Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

"The nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly like pearls slipping off a string."

-Lucy M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Toodledoo...

The end of Fall Term is bringing goodbyes to many of my new friends at Ecola. Quite a few students are returning to their hometowns because of financial or personal reasons. Included in this group my are two roommates Stephanie and Lacey. We need not consider these students "leaving" but "going." We are sending them back with what they have gained in the quarter at Ecola. Please pray for them: for strength to continue seeking our God and for motivation to follow God's purpose.

The 4 Roomies: Stephanie, Autumn, Lacey, and Jessica


The conclusion of this term also marks the conclusion of my position with the Conference Center. I had been praying that God would give me a positive attitude about the job so that I could make a better decision about whether to stay on staff or not. I began to enjoy the work and the other gals, but decided that I didn't want to merely invest my time in a job while I'm here. When I went in to let them know I wouldn't be continuing after Christmas, I found out that many students that have been seeking hours for tuition funds will benefit from my decision to leave. Ahhh... sweet sorrow!

Vibrantly Awed

Last night God surprised me with a vibrant, dancing sunset. On my walk down to the beach, my intentions were not to be awed, but to take pictures for my family. After snapping a few photos, I realized that no camera could capture the sunset that God was intricately painting before me. I put my camera away and allowed God to awe me with His presence. As more time elapsed, more vivacious colors were exposed. The blushing hues streaked the frigid sky, screaming in gingers, lavenders, peaches, pinks, and everything in-between. I didn’t want the breathless half-hour moment to end. God is such a mystery. His vibrancy is exciting yet calming; His beauty powerful yet delicate. Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” I love being consumed by His radiance. The reflection of the colors in the water reminds me that I am a reflection of His brilliance. While it is not as perfect and glorious as the actual scene, it is still a captivating image of the radiance. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” God is perfect beauty, and it is so exciting to think that He has bestowed His beauty on me!

Hug Point - - xoxoxo - - Loving Sunny Sundays

Yesterday, after peeling many potatoes for the Thanksgiving meal at church, a few friends and I enjoyed the afternoon at Hug Point. We hung out at the waterfalls and rocky caves in the bright sunshine (not to mention the glorious ocean and sandy beach!)

Kim, Anna, Jess, and Jen

I am definitely thankful for having the privilege of living in such a gorgeous area!

Halloween Costume Party Pictures

On Halloween the office girls invited everyone to a costume party at their house. It was interesting to see what outfits people scrounged out of their wardrobes!

Christina (the Dean of Women) and I

Duane, Christina, and Jess... Duane didn't have to dress up for this one!!!


I don't know what to say - Elmer Fud let me hold his gun!

A Guy (Katie), Belle (Lizz), Scary Surfer (Hannah), Farm Girl (Jess), and Retro Lumberjack (Erin)

Elmer Fud (Kurtis), Farm Girl, Waldo (Beka), and Mandy (as Mandy)

Thanks for Visiting, Mom and Gaga!

Friday afternoon Mom and Gaga endured the long drive to come see me for a couple of days. It was so fun and I really enjoyed spending time with them. We walked around downtown Cannon Beach, went into Seaside to try Bagels by the Sea, and sipped lattes, of course! I'm loving my new home-away-from-home, but I do miss the rest of my family and friends. Only three weeks til' Thanksgiving, guys! (Especially Dad, who I think is really missing me!)















After Mom and Gaga headed home Saturday evening my roommate Autumn and I had some time to connect over tea. We snuggled up in our blankies and enjoyed a movie on the blustery night. (The wind was just howling under our door!)




















Today I returned some ridiculously annoying wire organizers that I spent way too much time struggling to assemble. I got some simple crates that completely made my day! My space is so much more organized and accessible! Plus I got vinyl wallies to add at little color to the way-white walls! Yay!

So far I feel like there have been so many tiny ways that God has revealed himself to me, but some general lessons as well. Living in the dorm with three other girls has not been challenging, but extremely different. It has definitely encouraged me to not view my material things as my own, but to be a steward; to share basically everything I have. I have also come to a greater understanding that this Earth is not my home. Because I have always had the constants of a secure home and loving family I feel that I had become too comfortable where I was. Moving has really taught me that my home and "stuff" here is temporary, but that my true home and treasure is in heaven.

~Weekend Pictures~

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Saturday: Neah-Kah-Nie Hike

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~Katie Lapp and I at a bonfire~
We ended up leaving early because a "sneaker wave" came and doused half of the fire, soaking a bunch of shoes... we didn't want to bushwhack our way to the trail because of high tide. :)

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"SunDay" at the Beach - 75 degrees on October 26th!!!
My friend Hilary and I went wading and watched fellow Ecol-ites skim board

Latest Pictures and Activities!

Last week the interns put on a Retro Party for Ecola Students. It was so much fun - I ended up "shopping" at each room in my dorm building for pieces to my outfit. :) The Retro Party was a great opportunity to meet new friends and to just have fun!

Today a group of us went to a Loggers Style Restaurant called Camp 18 (at the 18 mile marker on Hwy 26). The group planned to meet at 6:30 a.m. to eat humongous cinnamon rolls before class. When the roar of the van engines woke me up the clock said 6:35... ahhhh! Luckily I don't move at all when I sleep so literally "rolling out of bed" was not a big deal for me! I sprinted to the already-loaded vans (without a jacket, of course!). If I had been thinking clearly, well at least acting in my normal personality, I would have stayed behind for not being ready... but my foggy cold-consumed brain went against my "usual" and I was on my way to a dangerously delicious cinnamon roll in sweats and flip-flops. Anyways, the rolls were so big my friend, Lizz and I could hardly split one! :P

Bella Espresso... BE!

The hike down the hill was steep. My slip-on flats slid down the muddy path and my tiny flashlight barely illuminated tree roots in the darkness of the trees. I wondered if anyone else in the group questioned whether it was worth the hike or not.
...Doubt...

After rounding one of the slick switchbacks, the trees opened just enough to take in the beautiful scene. The silhouettes of the rock formations in the ocean were blanketed by an array of winking stars. The chilly sea air, crashing of the distant waves, and crackling bonfire beckoned me farther down the trail.
...Breath-taking...

Once I hit the beach, I took of my shoes and let my toes run through the cool sand. A couple girls and I strolled under the canopy of stars we had never seen before, amazed at the glorious setting.
...Extravagance...

The guys piled more and more driftwood onto the powerful bonfire. It was such a warm environment- everyone laughing or sharing stories about their lives. The night was well worth the hike!
...Friendship...

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This morning a group of girls moseyed over to Bella Espresso for coffee before walking to church. After ordering, we sat at a table with an autograph book for the coffee shop. When I saw the cover, I felt such an amazing feeling of confirmation from God... He is so personal... so real... and I am confident in His leading... Because He can use something as simple as the initials of a coffee shop to speak to me!
...BE...

Small World... Soggy Hike... Update on My Transition to the Ocean!

So far everything has been very fast-paced and overwhelming, but very exciting!

Move-in day was kind of stressful and emotional with meeting so many new faces and saying goodbye to my family... but it was extremely fun to see such a lively, bubbly, vivacious group of strangers so quickly love each other like family. At the "meet-n-greet" event another amazing girl and I immediately recognized each other but couldn't think of where from. Beka and I finally concluded that I actually slept in her house (with Amanda Savage and Victoria Williams) on the Olympia Rally! Such a small world!!!

The dorms are probably the worst part, but are doable! My roommates are great, which makes the cramped space bearable. I'm in the four-person dorms, so we get our own bathroom... yay!!! There's Stephanie from Chicago, Autumn from Newport, WA, and Lacey from Puyallup, WA.

Our class for this first week is Romans, which is (as the speaker, Corey Miller, says) like putting a fire extinguisher to your mouth and trying to take in as much as you can!!! It's going to be challenging, but such a growth opportunity!

Yesterday I went on the organized hike to Cape Falcon. I have to say it was the muddiest, soggiest trail I have ever been on! It was so much fun and so beautiful, though! The air was just refreshing and crisp and the view from the top was amazing!

Today I signed up for my outreach, which Ecola asks we participate in for at least an hour per week. I'll be attending and serving at Cannon Beach Bible Church, which sounds like a small but intimate group... many from Ecola Bible School.

There's an student staff orientation tomorrow (I'm working for the conference center) and Friday I start at the Buttery covering lunch shifts.

While I am so missing everyone at home, I am so excited with the life that God has for me in Cannon Beach! I'm trying to look past the overwhelming 1st week because I am confident in God placing me here on purpose. ("...and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men [and women] would seek him... and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us... for in him we live and move and have our being... Acts 17:24-26). I am excited to see new rich friendships budding, the renewed challenge to learn, and inspiration to allow God to grow me in whichever way he chooses!

Final Preparations: Being for Cannon Beach

Sunday night I was a wreck. I had my wisdom teeth removed the previous Wednesday and recovery was slow-going. Our house has been a disorganized crazy remodel-mess. I truly felt like Satan attacked me with a wave of worry in my weakest physical and emotional state. I began to worry about all the what-ifs that could come with this coming Sunday, which marks my move to Cannon Beach. That night was sleepless. I got up the next morning and tried taking a bubble bath to calm down. It helped a little, but I just cried again after getting dressed. I was aware of the attack of anxiousness and began beating myself up for so easily allowing Satan to take over.

It wasn't until I sat down to invest some of my morning with God that I escaped the bonds of sorrow. I was reminded of the comforting verse I found when we visited Cannon Beach. (Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.) I opened to Psalm 42, the most perfect chapter I could have stumbled on. Do you ever feel like something is meant just for you? It's so fitting that you are confident of His presence? My past experiences with reading The Word have never been like this before. I was stricken with emotion. I read aloud and cried aloud. I grabbed onto a peace that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..." (Romans 8:28.)

Each day this week I have been a little bit more excited about new life, meeting friends, and moving to the beach! I've been packing, cleaning my room, saying "see you later" to friends, and contacting my employers in Cannon Beach (I'm going to be working at a gift shop called The Buttery, as well as for Cannon Beach Conference Center.) The tricky final preparation is to "be still" (Psalm 46:10), to remember to just be, and to be open to His creative working.

~ being ~ breathing ~ believing ~

Yesterday I enjoyed a Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte on my way to work. It was scrumptious Autumn-in-a-cup. The chilly air grabbed me as I stepped out of my car with my beloved latte. I was so content with my warm drink and sweatshirt, but an uneasiness settled about the so evident season change.

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As a first born child, change has not always been the most favored constant in my life. I like to keep things as they are... familiar... so this sudden shift in the elements threw me off. (Again!) But there is something more about this Autumn coming that marks a more specific transition. I will be leaving for school. As more weeks fly by the cooler the days become, and the more unsettled I have become.

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This morning the misty chill mimicked my apprehension. I tried to shove my feelings away, focusing on what I had to do today. I got to my babysitting job early... with enough time to spend some with God. And He caught me again. He said, "Be still and know that I am God..." (Ps. 46:10). So I said, "My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul..." (Ps. 131:1-2).

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In my still moment with God He showed me energetic blankets of grass, small blushing apples, the elegance of a raindrop dancing into a puddle, delicate mist particles dazzling an intricate spiderweb, leaves dressing into rich amber hues, and crisp new air mirroring its refreshing and exciting Creator. He completely reversed my emotions I had for the change. My anticipation turned into appreciation. He is everywhere... if I take time to be the person he made me to be, to breathe in the refreshing air, and to believe that He is taking care of the matters too great for me.

Extravagant Love from an Intimate Friendship

The shower drizzling in the bathroom below my bed roused me. The red glow from my alarm clock read 5:16. I could tell it was still dark outside through the cracks in my blinds. I turned over and sunk deeper into my cushy bed. It was way too early. My eyes fluttered open again when a specific feeling of purpose engulfed me. My thoughts argued with this feeling as I closed my eyes and wiggled further into my bed. The feeling nudged again... three more times. I finally flung the thick covers over, sat up, and flipped off the alarm that didn't get a chance to buzz... Once downstairs I stared at the dripping coffeepot for a moment, then curled up on the couch. My mom came out of the bathroom wondering why I got up so early. The coffeepot gurgled, then let out one final sputter. Mom and I each poured a cup and sat on the couch. The urge hovered. After a while my mom rose to get her shoes. I knew I had to act on the feeling that had pressed so hard that morning. I got up to wish my mom goodbye. As I hugged her, I prayed with her about her day, her interview, and her confidence. I felt a sense of peace and yet a spark of excitement and power. I listened to that voice that was so clearly the Holy Spirit. And it was so satisfying.

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Worship tunes gently played as my car traveled up and down the hilly roads to work. The sun was streaking through the trees, occasionally blinding me as I rounded corners. The song switched just as I came to the crest of the hill. I sat in awe. A blanket of purple covered the silhouette of the magnificent Cascade Mountains directly in front of me. Every crease and pocket was exaggerated by rich violet hues. The song playing exclaimed, "Your love is extravagant. Your friendship; it is intimate. I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of your grace, your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place..." It was God's gift - just for me! What a beautiful confirmation - such a royal reward for my obedience so early that morning! My eyes grew moist, my mouth stretched into a thankful smile, and I began to sing praises to my captivating God.

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My keys jingled in my hand as I made by way to unlock the 1st and 2nd grade building. The cool air tickled my face. With each stride, moist, chilly air swept across my bare ankles exposed by my black capri pants. The sun illuminated the pond and lower field, but the buildings sat in their last minutes of dewy shadows. I just knew it was going to be an amazing day. The clock had barely hit 7 a.m. and God had already done so much! Another promise was soon revealed: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." -Philippians 1:6. God is continuing to amaze me daily, and I am so thankful for every scrap of evidence of His existence in my life.

The Global Bean / Dad's Birthday

Yesterday I ended up spending some time in Silverdale with Auntie Shawna, Gaga, and the kids. We went to a place called The Global Bean for coffee... It was such a neat place!
















~Slurpin' Sisters!~











~Justyn and Andrew~
Nice Hair!













"Hammie" after sipping all of the syrup off the bottom of his Italian Soda... need I say more?



















It was also my dad's birthday yesterday, so Mom took us out to Silver City for dinner to celebrate.