Hallelujah!!

I GOT THE JOB!!

I found out Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after my interview, but have been waiting to get my official offer from headquarters before I tell the whole world--it's been tough!

On September 20th, I will start the brand new position as Community Relations Coordinator for Heifer International in the Northern NW region. I'll be based in Seattle & while much of my focus will be on the growing volunteer base & activities we have here, I will also travel often within my extended region of Washington, Idaho, Montana & Alaska.

I can't thank all of you enough for your support & encouragement as I have moved along this journey to my chosen career in helping to end hunger & extreme poverty.

For your entertainment, some history...
It all started at Keystone UCC, the church I grew up in.
Here I am on the left, collecting donations for Heifer in a paper bag.My cousins & I took over the Heifer booth when I was 9. I'm in the middle.Here I am again at 14, running the booth at the annual Festival of Hope.And here I am last fall, at the same booth.It's been quite the journey (& it will only get more exciting!) & I am so happy & blessed to finally be starting my career doing the work my heart desires to do most.

There's one special person who I wish I could visit & share my news with...
Grandma Donnie.
She was a big supporter of Heifer & I know she would be so proud of me.

Warning...

Lots of photos ahead!

Birthday Girl

My adorable niece turns one year old on September 2nd & her Grandparents hosted a party in Shelton on Saturday. I definitely think she enjoyed the day. :)

Tillie getting some help from her parents.

Reaching for that cake!

She liked the frosting best.

Boo & me with our bro.

A bath was needed to get all the frosting off.

Baby butt!!

Boo gave her a little mohawk.

Smiling!

Tillie flyer!

Wedding

Friday night wedding at the arboretum=beautiful.
Whitney got married! In addition to being my sister-in-law Elyse's best friend, she is also part of the family, so we all turned out & had a great time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEVI!

I love you, baby!

Flying high

The interview is over...the waiting begins.
As many of you know, I had an interview today for the Seattle-based position with Heifer International, the non-profit I have volunteered for my whole life. My tummy is glad it is over--while many people told me I have nothing to be nervous about, I don't think that I've wanted anything as badly as I want this job & that right there made my tummy a bundle of nerves.

After my flight out last night was canceled, I finally made it into Sacramento around 11pm & was able to relax & enjoy the hotel pool this morning before my afternoon interview.
Thank you to everyone who was praying & sending me positive thoughts today. It helped--the interview went well & I feel really good about everything. I will know their decision within two weeks. The views on my flight out today were gorgeous & I had a nice, relaxing, introspective flight home.
Crater Lake.

Columbia River.

Rainier.

Clouds to welcome me home.

RSVP

This weekend we biked 183 miles from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. It was a great trip, with no mishaps--Liza stayed on her bike & no one in our group even got a flat! We headed out Friday morning with good friends Joy & Mike & arrived at our Bellingham midway point at 3:30pm that afternoon. After a night's rest we hit the road again & got into Vancouver at 2:30pm on Saturday. We averaged 15.7 miles an hour & spent about 11 hours in the saddle. We enjoyed this ride much more than the Seattle to Portland--it's much smaller (7,000 riders smaller!) & includes better scenery & some great climbs. My favorite parts:

• leading up to Mt. Vernon, riding in sunshine through remote rolling green hills & blue lakes
  
• powering through the hills on Chuckanut Drive with peek-a-boo views of the water & islands
• Vancouver itself-we rode through the outlying suburbs & then into the city central-we got to see different houses & architechture, the international district, a wedding party taking photos on a cobblestone street, & a street closed for filming that was covered with snow!
  
• Before I left, my mom told me one of the things that she liked best about the city was listening to all the different languages. With her in mind, I kept my ears open as I rode through the city & just in a few blocks, I heard four!
  

Levi hydrating at a quick stop in Snohomish.

We were very happy to get into Bellingham & have an awesome dinner with our friends Gabe & Lindsay & their little girl Olivia. It was especially fun as Elyse & JP joined us.

Olivia & her daddy.

Mike at our day two lunch stop, just on the other side of the Canadian border.

Joy & me--we ride like girls!!

Finish line in downtown Vancouver, B.C.

Boo & Bet came up to meet us in Vancouver & we had dinner at a Creole restaurant. Here we're trying alligator!

The boys.

Sunset over the Granville St. bridge in Vancouver.
Big thanks to our ride companions, food & overnight providers, & transportation!

And we're off!!

Cycling to Vancouver, B.C.!!

Chatter Creek

We re-started a Gowey family tradition this weekend, returning to the Chatter Creek campground for the first time since our last trip in 1994. It was a great time.
Levi & I brought our mountain bikes & got in a ride at Freund Canyon near Leavenworth. The view below was our reward after a long, hot climb.

All mothers, you'll be happy to hear that we did not ride this ramp!

Me riding the ridge line.

Levi riding the bank.

Me & Amanda.

Carrying on the tradition from previous years, lots of frisbee golf was played.

Icicle River, just a short walk from camp.

A very cool dome-shaped spider web.

Boo & me on the river.On our hike along the river, we came across a Cairn City!
And of course had to add our own.

Gowey shadows on the bridge.

The boys took a dip in the cold river--here's Levi jumping in.

Yum!

There was even a boat race on the creek--here's the S.S. Treetop entry.

Kayla & Sara waiting for the races to start.

Gowey clan--almost everyone!