10 DAY MERRYTHON

Well…this is a record! Especially for this champion procrastinator-2nd post in one day! This will be less writing and more picture posting. (Sis, this will make your day!) I was privileged and blessed to be able to make three amazing trips this past week.

First Leg: Vancouver, BC via Susan and Arne Bergland's home in Puyallup, WA

I left Thursday, 8/21, after a meeting with our Faith Stretch Yoga Retreat Team, and drove to Puyallup, WA to spend the night with Susan Bergland. We had a wonderful, short visit, replaying her excitement of the day-running into a wasp nest while raking in her front yard, gathering 5 welting stings in her attempted escape running across the yard! I headed North for the Canadian border Friday morning, waited 30 minutes in line as I watched 6 cars pass through on either side of me. P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E.
I arrived in the beautiful city of Vancouver and after finding daughter, Jill and God-daughter, Amber, had a marvelous two days exploring the sites, cheering them on in the "SeaWheeze" 1/2 marathon, and photographing.

My sweet God-daughter, Amber. 

Yoga in the park = A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

L.O.V.E. these two!

My daughter, Jill, walking back to hotel after yoga in the park.

Drove home with Jill Sunday, got to bed around 10:30, couldn't sleep-last clock view was 2 a.m.-up at 4:30 to get to the airport.

Second Leg: Flew with Jack to Sacramento, CA, where we rented a car and drove to the coast for our annual Anniversary celebration (2 months early). We had a fantastic time combing the beach near Ft Bragg, and hiking the mountains to the waterfalls near Mendocino, CA.

amazing tide pools

Old Growth Redwood forest beauty

Great way to celebrate 38 years

One of the "Loves of My Life"

Stairway to Heaven (on Earth, that is!)

More tide pool spectacular beauty

The waterfall on top of the mountain-7 mile hike up and back!

After a "massage by the Sea", and a delicious meal we headed back to the Sacramento Valley to visit my sister, Amy, in Willows. I spent the night, and Jack drove to Davis for work and meetings the next day. After catching a ride with sis in the morning to Woodland, I drove to Arbuckle and surprised  the staff at AES were I taught for two years. It was so great to see Cundi, Veronica, and Steve! 

After driving back to Woodland and having a yummy lunch and good conversation with my sis, I drove to Davis to pick up Jack. Got to see a couple gals from his old office in Woodland-what a treat that was, Della and Kristi! Jumped on the plane and flew back to Spokane, arriving around 8:00 p.m.

Third Leg: Unpacked and repacked for a camping trip to Flathead with daughter Jill and her family. I headed out around 3 p.m., and arrived in time for Ryan to help set up my little tent and cot. B.L.I.S.S.

First view dropping over the mountains.

Our secret little "adventure island"

Youngest campers---L.O.V.E.

Good Morning, America!

We had a wonderful time sitting around the campfire, eating camp cooked breakfasts, and kayaking and swimming in crystal clear, pristine Flathead lake water.

We three 'girls' snuck away for a peaceful exploration--scoped out the property we want to buy! (hehe) 

That water is C.O.L.D. I was wading in, debating whether or not I wanted to jump in and join Jill and Ryan's sister, Angie. About two seconds after contemplating, I fell in! That was F.U.N!

The old saying: "There's no place like home", rang true to me Sunday afternoon, after stopping in Hot Springs for a 2 hour soak in the mineral waters. It felt heavenly to get everything unpacked from my car, and fall into the recliner. Daisy was happy, too. And now…..back to those piles-that waited patiently for my return! I'll have to ask Tatum and Jaxon why all those fairies and gnomes they always talk about, didn't stop by and clean for me.

Oh, that's right….they're living near the waterfall now!

F.A.I.T.H.    H.O.P.E.   C.H.A.R.I.T.Y.

PRAYER WARRIORS: Praying this week for the three little children of Shane and Amber McPherson in Glendive, MT. Their babies have spent this past few days fighting a rare illness, HUS, in three different hospitals; Bryce in Denver, CO, Brock, twin brother to Bryce, in Billings, MT, and Murphy in Glendive. God is Good….and is bringing healing to them, as Brock is home, and Bryce is out of ICU in Denver! Murphy is now in Billings, battling her way back to healthiness. Praise the Lord. Continued prayers are needed for the slow healing and complete recovery for these three little ones, and peace and rest for Shane and Amber. Their family and community is behind them all the way, and are hosting a Mcpherson Kids' Benefit (Live and Silent auction) Sunday, 9/14, from 12-4 at the Moose Lodge. For anyone so inclined; donations can be made by following this link: http://www.gofundme.com/dzu6nw