Saying Goodbye

Wow! I can't believe the summer is gone! The time flew past. I enjoyed my time in Tahoe.

I did things I have only dreamed about doing. I hiked the Flume Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail from Mt. Rose to Kings Beach, then Mt. Tallac. Each hike challenged me in ways I have never have been before. I also got to go on the lake and tube with some very good friends. The blue, crystal clear water is so refreshing and cold.

The kids here have taught me so much. I love getting to know them and spending time with them. From funny stories to tears of pain, it has been an awesome summer.

I have enjoyed spending time with the families that make up this community. Dinners out, boating trips, and movie nights will be some of my favorite memories.

Saying goodbye is hard. These kids, families, and church members have embedded themselves in my heart even further than they were. I look forward to hearing stories about what is going on in their lives and also seeing them again one day.

Tahoe is a truly special place and will always be in my heart.

I had the opportunity to spend the 4th of July in San Francisco. I was glad for the chance to go and enjoy the city and see the sights I had yet to see. Sarah and I stayed in a cute hotel just off of Union Square. We went to Nobb Hill (where the big 4 are from), Grace Church, Chinatown, Cable Car Museum, then the piers. We then decided to walk 9 miles to the beach. Okay, that was my idea and she was ready to kill me by the end of the walk. It was too foggy to see a sunset so we caught a bus back to the hotel. Sunday we went through the Castro district (don't need to see that again) up to Twin Peaks. At the top of the peaks you have a 360 degree view of the city. All of the city. It was an awesome view. We then walked through Golden Gate Park. The Rose Garden was beautiful and smelled heavenly. Our next stop was Haight and Ashbury, the centerpiece of the 60's. I was disappointed. I don't really know what I expected but that wasn't it. It was very modern with no hint of the past. We decided to go back to the hotel and rest for a while because the fireworks were going to be a bust. The clouds and fog had rolled in. We ate at our favorite pizza joint, Extreme Pizza, then watched a few fireworks from our bus stop in Japantown. Overall it was a great trip. I did see more high and drunk people than I ever had before. One man stopped me on the street Sunday morning. "Do you have the time?" I told him it was 9:30. "In the morning!" he said incredulously. Sarah and I just laughed. He thought he was still in the bar.

We went to the Jelly Belly Factory on Monday. It was so much fun. The rest of the day was spent shopping and eating in Roseville. A blast was had by all.

This week has been good at A+. I went to Wild Island with the kids and just laughed. They are so cute and funny. Minigolf with preschoolers is something to behold. Especially 46 of them. We only give each group of 5 a single club. They don't get their own. Can you imagine that?!

I can't believe it is only 4 more weeks until my summer is over. I still have so much to do and so little time. I guess I better make each minute count.

Wow! What an awesome week. It has been warm days with cool mornings and nights. Beautiful blue skies and fun hikes. Monday I got to go on the lake with a very sweet family. Tubing was the game of the day. I didn't get in the water but Sarah, Nikos, and Jessie did. 50 degree water is too cold for me. I got some great pics though.

Wednesday we took the kids up Shirley Canyon to the waterfalls for a field trip. It was great. The water was still running fast because the snow is still melting. The kids had a good time wading in the water. They got cold very quickly though.

Thursday brought a mom to Nell's office that said, "I'm ready!" Those were the magic words. We have been praying for this mom for 5 years. Dad was saved then their 3 kids. Mom said she wasn't going to make a decision for Christ because she was happy with her Buddhism. Guess what? God doesn't give up! Mom came in Thursday and was ready to become a christian. Now ALL of the family is a member of God's family! It may take a while and we may not see the seeds, but God is still working. He is on His timetable not ours. It was just a good reminder to keep planting the seeds. We may not get to see the harvest, but God will bless our efforts.

I finally got a chance to hike up to the cross. As you can see the cross is a white, wooden cross that was placed on the side of the trail. It overlooks Tahoe City and the lake. I have seen other pictures but I got to see it first hand. It was really cool. To see the cross looking down on the city and over the lake, gives the vision of God overlooking the city. It made me think about how the cross covers the sins of those in its shadow. That is how we as believers live. Isn't that an awesome thought. God covers us by His blood. We then try to live "In the Cross". I love that old hymn. "Jesus keep me near the cross there a precious fountain free to all a healing stream flows from Calvary's mountain. In the cross I'll watch and wait, hoping trusting ever. In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever. Till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river."

Okay enough deep stuff. It is beautiful here. I was able to spend some time with a great family here. Sarah and I ate supper with Teddy, Tilly, and Ginny (Liz too). It was a blast to get to catch up with Liz. My how the kids have grown up. Maybe today we will get to go out on the lake.

Until next time,

Starting Something New

I do not keep up with the times. I do not keep current with technology. I'm usually 5-10 years behind times. This blog is courtesy of my best friend, Sarah. She convinced me this was the way to go if I wanted to keep connected with friends scattered all over. We will see how it goes.

I'm starting this blog from Tahoe. One of the most beautiful places on earth. I'm spending my summer working at the A+ Program Children's Program. This is the best place to be in the summer. Cool nights, warm days, a lot of hiking, swimming, and biking. Best of all, no humidity!

I love the kids here. They are all so special. I'm enjoying getting to know the 2 year old personalities of the kids I held when they were infants. It is also fun getting caught up with all of the families here.

It has been an unusual summer here. It is June 26 and this is only the 2nd day it has been in the 70's. We were very lucky to get in the mid-60's. Cool has been the word. There is still snow on the mountains and a lot of the hikes I want to do can't be done because of the snow.

A couple of weeks ago we took the girls to Yosemite. It was wonderful to see God's creation. It was just as beautiful as I remembered it. When you stand in a place like that, you can't help but feel small in the presence of an awesome God.
I got to hike back up to Vernal Falls and then on to the bridge where Nevada Falls can be seen. We stood on that bridge and sang "How Great is Our God" and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my face. We were looking at God's majestic mountains and rolling rivers and I couldn't help but feel His presence. God made all of that beauty but He cares more for me, a speck on that mountain. Isn't that an awesome thought.