7.07.2008

I'm in Michigan!

It has been a really busy week. I've covered a lot of country this past week.

Saturday - Wrapped up my time in Lynden with a wonderful barbecue with the VW family. Everyone came over to Aaron and Becky's house. We had yummy grilled halibut that my uncle had caught in Alaska. I rode back to Seattle with Uncle Dennis and Aunt Jane. I am so thankful for their support of me, especially when it comes to rides between Seattle and Lynden.

Sunday - I spoke at Bellevue CRC in the morning. Powerpoint ran well. In the evening, we went to one of the Celebration rallies for the "Sea to Sea" bike ride. What an incredible experience! I must say a little bit about it.


The tagline for the "Sea to Sea" bike ride is "Ending the cycle of poverty." There are 220 cyclists who are riding from the Pacific to the Atlantic to raise funds and awareness for poverty initiatives in the US and around the world. When we went to the Celebration rally last Sunday, it was their first. They started the ride the next day. You've got to check out the website (www.seatosea.org) and some of the blogs! My words can't do justice but they have been in my thoughts and prayers this week...and on my wrist.
Monday and Tuesday - I hung out in Seattle with two of my friends from my high school dorm. It was rather low-key
and that was perfectly fine with me. Good food, good friends, good conversations.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - Flew to Minneapolis, rented a car and drove down to Winona, MN, to visit my good good friend from Hope. Amanda works for the Great River Shakespeare Festival during the summer which means no time off while I am here in the US. I had a wonderful time with her! More down time, good coffee, and three nights of Shakespeare. I watched "Taming of the Shrew" twice and "Merchant of Venice" once. The two directors had two very different takes on the shows but they were both so well done! We also made a trip back into Lanesboro, a little town near Winona. Last year when we went there, we camped and kayaked. This year we went for a nice lunch along the river and the most wonderful ice cream known to man - Zanzibar chocolate ice cream.

Saturday - After a little bit of breakfast and some good coffee, I was on my way again. I drove back up to Minneapolis to catch my flight to Grand Rapids. I had a nice conversation with the lady I sat next to on the airplane. She seemed interested in what I am doing and asked many questions. Grampa, Gramma, and Rachel picked me up from the airport. We went up to Starbucks to see Anna then to Mike and Les' house to see all of my little shnookies before they went to bed. I can't believe how big they have all gotten!

Today - I spoke at Covenant CRC. People were so welcoming and asked lots of questions. Everyone came over for family lunch. Much too much food. Hung out with my sisters this evening.


Tomorrow - WE'RE GOING CAMPING! I'm very excited to spend some time with Gramma. We're praying for some seriously good weather and a spot at our favorite campground.

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