Summer Waterfall Adventures

This summer I had the goal of finding more waterways that I'd never been to before. And the thought occurred to me after I found the first one on my list, that I should be bringing my Native American flute on these journeys (so I could make musical videos at each waterfall). So here are those adventures, which include 2 flute videos. Don't worry, I'll find more this fall!

Escaping Smokey Air by Jumping-Ship to the Coast

After 2 days of unhealthy air (yellow, then orange) from wildfire smoke, I decided at the last minute to drive to the coast so I wouldn't get anymore sick than I already felt. (My body hates prolonged smoke exposure...) I knew the beaches would be crowded, so I headed for Tillamook Creamery & a hiking trail farther north that looked really interesting on Google Maps! It was nice to breath clean air as soon as I hit HWY 6, and for 6 hours after...

Crown Point & Willamette National Cemetery on Memorial Day

Taking advantage of the recent warm weather while praying for rain... Took some rose petals up to graves at Willamette National Cemetery, didn't have enough for the whole rotunda up top lol, but it's all good. 

Portland Parks Adventures May 16-23

Explorations of parks around Portland, Oregon, including Kelly Butte, Mt. Tabor, Leach Botanical Gardens, & Errol Heights.

Forest Park 4/4/21 / 4/11/21

Photos from hiking a couple of trails (out of the dozens) on the lower/south part of Forest Park, as well as a trail on the more northern side.

Powell Butte 3/22/21

Photos From Hiking Powell Butte 

New Year, New Hopes

I don't know about you, but I was so grateful when the calendar switched to 2021. Even though the covid pandemic is still here, the vaccines have arrived, we have a new President & VP, and artists are dropping new music. God is good, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are the top 5 tunes that are giving me hope right now.

1) Great You Are by Jordan Smith

2) Rescue by Lauren Daigle 

3) Angels We Have Heard (Glory Be) by Jordan Smith

4) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Pentatonix

5) No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David/Melissa Helser

What are you listening to?

Autumn Reflections

What can we say 9 months into 2020... From racial justice protests and vigils/memorials to historic wildfires & the smoke they brought... In times like these, we look to God, and can still find beauty and joy. With autumn comes rain, something I think everyone is grateful for this year...

Jeanette's & Mine Summer Vacation To Chalet Shalom

Here are the PICTURES from our very fun summer get-a-way to the Edel Family property!

Spring Is Still Blooming

Just because we're all staying home due to covid19 doesn't mean the world is ending. Spring is still blooming, and God is still good. Here are a couple of examples of God's beauty from my neighborhood this last week.

 

 

Autumn Jammin'

Here are the Top 5 songs I'm listening to right now!

1) So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong Worship
2) Drops in the Ocean by Hawk Nelson
3) Speak the Name by Koryn Hawthorne, ft. Natalie Grant
4) You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
5) All of Switchfoot, but mostly songs from their newest album 'Native Tongue'

What are you listening to?

Summer Adventures

Photos from my trip to Silver Creek Falls with Heather & Miles!

Photos from my day at the beach with mom!

Photos from Random Summer Adventures!

Spring Tunes

Here are the Top 5 songs I'm listening to right now!

1) Ashes by Celine Dion, from the Deadpool Soundtrack (Written by Jordan Smith)
2) Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
3) Won't He Do It by Koryn Hawthorne
4) Who You Say I Am by Hillsong
5) All of Switchfoot :)

What are you listening to?

Christian Fantasy Discoveries

After being introduced to my current favorite allegorical fantasy author Jill Williamson, she introduced me to one of her publishers, Enclave. All they publish is Christian Fantasy & Sci-Fi!  😂  Faith readers who love adventure rejoice! Some of what I'm going to read next....

 
 

Great Company Just Got Better

So I've used Method cleaning products & soap for a while because 1~ They WORK (America's Test Kitchen's green cleaner winner was Method's Purple All Purpose Cleaner), 2~ They use natural ingredients, recycled material for their packaging, & don't test on animals, and 3~ They smell great without drying out my skin. But now they just got even more amazing - They're using OCEAN PLASTIC in their packaging! Their first product of this kind is a hand/dish soap combo. It uses combines 90% recycled plastic with 10% ocean plastic the company themselves collected! Talk about commitment! And it's available at Grove Collaborative and Amazon. I'm ordering :D Thanks Method!!

Currently Reading, Will Read, Super Excited

2018 is going to be a great year for reading books, I've already got three on my list! And you all know how picky I am 😉

Currently Reading:                            Will Read:
The Other Side of Beauty                 The Masterpiece
by Leah Darrow                                 by Francine Rivers

Super Excited about:
King's War
by Jill Williamson                   
     
*Even if you aren't into fashion, The Other Side of Beauty has something for every woman because we all have our own definitions of Love & Worth. *I was disappointed with River's last book, so I'm excited for a new book just released that's getting stellar reviews because it's based off a real-life artist. *And who wouldn't be excited for the epic conclusion to the Kinsman Chronicles?!!? After all, we FINALLY get to see who represents Christ! Available now for Kindle, paperback on June 19th! Like I said, a good year for good reads 😤

March: for the Environment

Since I gave up social media for Lent, I figured I'd blog about a few things coming up this month before Lent is over!

First off, The Audubon Society of Portland has confirmed following an investigation that the NE Portland crow deaths were intentional poison. They are offering a reward for this horrendous offense, if anyone has any information. More HERE

And secondly, Earth Hour 2018 is coming up fast! This year it's Saturday, March 24th at 8:30pm, mark your calendars!! Earth hour is the time when all over the world, everyone participating shuts off all electricity they can in support of Earth Conservation. Every year the number of people, cities, businesses, and governments participating increases! Here are a few photos from last year.

Toronto Business District

A church in Shimla

Columbia River Gorge Clean-Up Campaign

There's a huge crowdfund campaign supported by non-profits and state legislation going on right now to raise money to help clean up the Columbia River Gorge after last summer's devastating fires.

Visit: Oregon's Kitchen Table to learn more! The campaign ends March 15th, so spread the word and donate!

Serenity Prayer - Because We All Need This Right Now

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.

Amen.

(Prayer attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr, 1892-1971)

Stand Up For Our Coasts Before It's Too Late!

To keep things short and to the point, the ENTIRE coastline of the US was opened up to the possibility of oil drilling today by the Trump administration. If you love our beautiful beaches, scenic coastal highways, local seafood, and all the fun recreation our coasts provide, then take action now before it's too late!!

Oceana Action: CLICK HERE

Earthjustice Action: CLICK HERE

Sierra Club Action: CLICK HERE

WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Action: CLICK HERE

Friends of the Earth Action: CLICK HERE

Climate Truth Action: CLICK HERE

And yes I am signing EVERY one of these as I find them! The first four are more major organizations though, so if you don't want to sign them all, focus on the first four.

You can also CONTACT your state governor directly since it's been stated that the administration is open to input.

More to come as this issue continues to unfold and spark outrage! Please pray for our state and national leaders on this!