Two Months

Two months and counting down
I have two months of "real life" left before I venture north to Missoula for Rocky Mountain School of Photography's Career Training program. It only gets more exciting the closer it gets. A couple of other students that are going to be with me this summer have called. We are all trying to figure out housing. I am looking forward to meeting them. Our conversations have been very fun. I will continue to keep updated.

PS the official start date is June 2nd

Dad

An Update on Dad
Dad started chemo last Friday. He is doing pretty well with the side effects so far. We were excited that he was able to get treated in Alaska so they don't have to travel so much. They only have to drive to Anchorage for treatments and appointments. The docotor in Anchorage is also excited about working with their doctors in DC so that Dad can qualify for other drug trials in the future if need be. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Mom has been keeping her blog updated if you want to read up on the details.

Easter Thoughts

I have just returned from church is Easter Morning. As I sit enjoying my Americano with cream and sugar for the first time in 40 days, my thoughts are of Christianity and Faith and the Church.

Creeds

As I drove home from the Easter service this morning, my radio was tuned to NPR. They were playing an interview with Jaroslav Pelikan about Creeds, the orgin, the need, and the faith behind them. (speakingoffaith.org if you are intersted) I was intrigued. I grew up in evangelical churches and really didn't know or understand what a creed was until college. I attended a Presbyterian college and began to learn some of the more liturgical styles of worship as well as the history behind them. Honestly, the first Creed I thought much about was from Rich Mullins' song Creed that came out in the 90's. From that song I began learning a little more about creeds and catachisms--the history of them and the tradition of them. And I really began to embrace them for myself.

My sophomore year of college I began preparing for a summer in Russia. One thing we had to do with the group going was to attend a service at the Eastern Orthodox church nearby. It was a facinating morning as a former Baptist talked to us about what had happened during the service as well as the traditions of the church. I had a new found knowledge and respect for the Orthodox church. (Thanks Kim!)

Lent

Until a few years ago I had no idea what lent was about. I read a book that inspired me to learn a bit more and observe it that year. This year is only the second time I have observed the Lenton season. I personally gave up coffee (Naomi, I have thought of you often this year!). Not for the caffine or because I had to have it every day, but because it was something that I do just for me and that I would truly miss nearly every day. It was surprisingly harder to deny myself this time. But I tried to remind myself of Jesus' sacrifice each time I was tempted to drink it. I also read scripture as listed from the Book of Common Prayer's Lenton readings. This was a great habit of scripture reading to adopt. And one I am hoping to continue. This is not to brag, but to explain some of my spiritual journey.

One's spiritual journey looks very different from another's and I know that mine is quite unique. I haven't always appreciated other Christian styles of worship or even understood them. But as I have experienced many churches, styles, and traditions it has given me a greater appreciation for their differences and similarities. I want to always focus on the beliefs we all have in common and not the petty difference or service styles. I remember the feeling of holiness and consistancy that comes from a laturgical service and can enjoy and appreciate that. But I also appreciate the excitement and relativity of the modern church I attend currently

So these are my Easter thoughts of my personal spiritual journey. Where has your journey taken you?

Spring

In honor of spring I decided that my blog needed a fresh look. Green is perfect for all the green that is beginning to poke through the ground. My feature photo is one that I took last summer while in South Dakota. At a family gathering I snuck away with my cousin Elaina to take some photos of the prairie. One of the things that I am most looking forward to about photography school is leaning to take pictures of what I see and having them turn out as I see them. I have taken a lot of pictures in South Dakota and not had them turn out. It was hard for me to photograph what I saw and make it a picture that could share that with others. This one happened to turn out as I hoped.

Here are a couple more from that evening.

Visitors

This is Jun. I have been waiting almost two years to meet her.

Kim, her mom, has been a wonderful friend since I met her my freshman year of college nearly 12 years ago. We share many sweet memories of my college days, ministry, international adventures, and the ups and downs of life. Kim was with me on my first missions trip and my first trip to Hawaii. She stood beside me as I learned to live in Japan, translated Japanese tv over the phone for me, and cooked me American food whenever I visited her while we lived there. I was priveliged to go to her wedding and sent her packages of warm socks and books for Christmas.

A week or so after the twins were born I heard from Kim. She and her husband were given a precious baby girl to adopt. And she shares the twin's birthday. I was thrilled for this dream to come true for her.

Last week I met Jun for the first time. And she is truely a blessing. Jun, Kim, Ryu and Kim's parents all came to Boise. We were able to let the kids play together, go swimming, catch up on life, and go shopping. It was such a gift for me to have them come to see us.

The kids were fun. Jun freely gave them all hugs. Katie loved it while Joe wasn't so sure he wanted Jun that close. Lizzy was very concerned that she got enough time to play with Jun. And Jun loved playing with new toys.

Thanks Kim, Ryu and Jun for coming to Idaho!

Busy Weeks

Thanks for all the encouragement! I really am excited for the summer and all that is coming. It seems like it is coming so fast.

The last few weeks have been really busy. Saturday was the Young Life Banquet. It is our biggest fundraiser of the year. For weeks we have been preparing. There were some nervous moments a week before the banquet when our RSVP list was slim. But God is faithful and we had over 320 guests. It turned out to be a great night. The event was much easier for me this year. It was nice to know what to expect and how to do things better. I have also been working a lot more hours in preparation for a summer of study and no income.

But the best thing about this week is that my good friend Kim is coming! She will be here for a few days with her husband and daughter. I am anticipating a lot of fun, shopping and kid time. I am so honored that they are taking part of their vacation to spend it with us. I am going to have to take some photos to commemorate the fun.

Making Plans

I am now officially signed up for Rocky Mountain School of Photography. I have sent in my non-refundable deposits, filled out my student loan papers and started looking for housing.

The school has set up a web site for the summer career program. It has tons of information about Missoula, the program and preparing for the summer. They even have a sidebar count down calender.

My Montana summer is about to begin... which is exciting and a bit scary at the same time. Change is good, right?!