Home again, leaving again

Had a wonderful trip to New Mexico with my sis. Heading out tomorrow to work from Sacramento for a few days. Hopefully I'll be able to post more photos soon, but here's a favorite from the trip--our visit to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

Happy Easter!

Boo & I are off on our sister's adventure in Santa Fe. We arrived tonight & are very excited to get out an explore in the daylight tomorrow. I'm looking forward to dances at the pueblos tomorrow in celebration of Easter. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter & finds life full of hope & new life!

Here's a house near my work that I just had to take a photo of--it reminded me of Easter egg colors:

Peace & Justice for ALL

Lots of thoughts this Sunday night--events in the past, present & future all merging into the same theme of peace & justice for all. A theme we're all familiar with & seek to uphold--I'm learning the importance of defining "all."
My definitions this week came in the form of a rally for Seattle's homeless & the approaching 5th anniversary of the Iraq war.
On Thursday I attended a rally to bring awareness about the mayor's current approach to the issue of homelessness in Seattle. While confidently claiming there is enough shelter space for all (a blatant lie), the mayor's office policy is to sweep homeless people's encampments & throw away their sleeping bags & personal belongings.
"It is inhumane & immoral to punish people for living outside when there is not enough shelter or affordable housing to meet the need." So, during a rainy rush hour downtown, a group of us from Keystone Church (joined by others) attempted to let the public know of the horrible, unjust treatment of homeless people in our city.
Here's Kaaren & Gloria handing out leaflets.

Help the homeless in Seattle: contact the mayor or sign the petition.

Our Palm Sunday service today brought the reminder that five years ago this Wednesday, the United States started a war with Iraq. Five years of bloodshed, destruction, displacement & death. No matter how unintended, this is what we have brought to the people of Iraq. I think it's good to be reminded that peace & justice is their right also.

This is Holy Week, when we remember & reflect on Jesus' life & the final days leading up to his crucifixion. Jesus was a champion for forgotten, rejected people & even until his end, he lived to bring peace & justice to all. As my pastor said this morning,
"Go out & be Christ in the world."
With the dawning of Easter a week away, I take this light out into the darkness with me. I do not wait for the return of Christ, but instead seek to be the living promise of his hope, love, justice & peace,
for all people.

My parents new dog

Hallie

10 on 10

Calvin in my cereal bowl...
Morning email from a friend...
Kristen & Evan stop by!
Resume sorting for upcoming interviews...
Birthday wishes from my former co-workers...

Lots of phones...

Leaving for the day...
Almost home...
My new plates came!
Pho birthday dinner, followed by the movie Into the Wild...
Hope everyone enjoyed March's 10 on 10! Thanks to all that made it special for me on my birthday. I regret that I did not get a photo when my Alan came & took me out to lunch--I was too busy visiting with him & eating my yummy burger to remember to take a photo!

Random 7 on my birthday

I've been tagged by a friend to share 7 random facts about me. I got into a photo project last night & decided to intersperse the random facts with random photos throughout my life--be warned, I may have had a little too much fun with the photos! I had a wonderful birthday weekend with biking on Friday, a lovely breakfast gathering with my family on Saturday, & a long road ride on Sunday with a good friend. Today I turn 28. It's been an exciting & blessed journey & I look forward to sharing my 29th year of life with all of you!

1. Random childhood facts:
-when Momma was pregnant with me, my nickname was "Tad"
-I had scarlet fever in second grade
-I used to try to sleep with my nose pressed down into my pillow, because I thought it turned up too much at the end
-I wanted to be an astronaut

(~ 4th grade)

2. I have broken four bones in my life, all doing stupid things:

-I fell off the top of a swing set when I was 4 & broke my wrist
-I swung off a pole when I was 10 & broke my arm (the day before 5th grade camp)
-I did an illegal stunt with a friend at cheer camp when I was 16 & broke my elbow
-I stepped wrong chasing my cousin down stairs when I was 24 & broke my foot
No more!

(Halloween, 5th grade--I was a punk rocker)

(7th grade Adventure Girl Cooks Soup)

(8th grade)

3. I really like bugs, of all kinds, & have for most of my life.

(Freshman in high school)

(first formal with Jess--sophomore)

(this was almost my senior photo)

4. I really don't like the word "moist"--saying it or hearing it grosses me out.

(early college)

5. When Levi & I first got to know one another, he lived in Bellingham & I lived in Seattle. We initially decided not to start dating, as we did not want a long distance relationship. That decision didn't last long!

(mid college)

(at my college graduation with grandparents now gone)

6. I'm very particular about the way Levi smells. If he switches soap or shampoo, or even deodorant, I notice immediately & bug him until he switches back.

(right before our wedding)

(wedding!)

7. I got a new road bike for my birthday! It's a Look 555, an all carbon that weighs less than 17 lbs! It fits me perfectly & I feel like I can fly! With this addition, for a short period of time my personal bike collection was up to 4. But Levi sized down my Trek for my sister--welcome to the party, Boo! Now I just need to sell my other mountain bike--anybody want a full suspension Fuji Outland Comp? :)


I won't tag anyone for the Random 7, but I'd love to see answers from Carolyn, Chris & Alan. :)