Seattle

Sunrise over Lake Washington with the mountains in the background

(from my aunt & uncles back deck)

I just love the pacific nothwest.  I'm in Seattle for a week visiting my aunt and uncle.  They're actually my godparents and not even related to me.  But they've been such a source of wisdom and support throughout my whole life.  It's been so nice to have someone to share life with who is not related in whom you feel comfortable talking about anything.  And I've visited them in many of the places that they've lived -- Erie, Kentucky, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, and Seattle. 

Yesterday, my aunt, cousin and I went wine tasting and had a good time, laughing, tasting wine and just catching up.  Today I went for a 27-mile bike ride around Lake Washington with my uncle and one of his friends.  I enjoyed riding through the pines, up and over hills, around the blue lake with many sailboats and rare-but-beautiful blue Seattle sky.  We stopped at one point to look at the lake and could see the Olympic mountains and downtown Seattle across the lake.  And for the rest of today, we'll relax making dinner and will look at my pictures from my trip.  I'll enjoy just hanging out with them as they've been married for 45 years and have so much life experience to share. 

Oh, Austria

From one of my favorite hikes in Schladming, Austria

Today is a day that reminds me so much of Austria.  Crisp, clear, 60 - 70 degrees, with the sun shining and blue, blue skies.  And on days like today, all the girls and women would be wearing scarves.  I so enjoyed wearing scarves.  Even wee ones as young as grade school would be wearing them.  It was really so darling to walk by them going to school in their scarves speaking German.  And for about 8 Euro, you could pick up a scarf, which made a whole new outfit.  While there, I learned several ways to wear them, thanks to my roommate and the other girls. I'm almost embarrassed at how I was wearing my Target scarf when I arrived in Austria (let's just say that one is at the back of the closet now).  And on days like today, it was almost a given that you would go on a hike in the Alps.  One of my favorite hikes is one that I went on by myself to just read in God's creation.  I sat in the woods and just read the Word.  I remember feeling such a peace and taking a snapshot in my mind, which is still very clear.  I knew that my time would eventually end, but I also knew that it was a great step of faith.  And now it is even a bigger leap of faith, not knowing exactly what is next.  But staying in the word and having a prayer partner has made all the difference.  And I will continue to be so grateful for this time to read, work on house projects, go for rides, visit family, and have people over for dinner.  And one of the best blessings has been getting to know my neighbors better.  Really gives new meaning to: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).  It's hard sometimes putting yourself out there, but it can also come with a gift of a new friendship. 

As for me today, I'm going to use one of my newly-acquired skills and Skype a friend.