Sisters

This weekend, I traveled yet again up to MI to visit with my family. Enticed by lazy days by the lake, kayaking, etc. I took my newly married friend Keyla with me to enjoy the fun--- With our husbands in other cities (hers is in New York starting a new job), we had a great weekend exploring antique shops, making jewelry, playing bean bags in the yard at sunset with everyone, and enjoying the deep and honest conversations that come from being sisters in the Lord. The title of this post is what it is, because I was impressed this weekend with much gratititude for the amazing sisterhood God has given me in my life, though I didn't have any sisters growing up.... I now have two wonderful sisters-in-law (Jordan is Josh's sister) and (Beth is Josh's brother Joe's wife), and a few close Christian friends who are spiritual sisters (you know who you are) with whom to share life with....

Boston Pics

Ok- I pretty much love it here. It's such a great city. Here are some pics from yesterday. They are: Acorn Street (the most photographed street in the US), me in my rented rowboat (Back Bay is in the background) and Trinity Church, of which I took a tour (very old and important in American architecture). It was a lovely day.... Josh and I had dinner at Cheers. I'll get some pics of us this weekend (to prove he is alive!)

Boston

So- I came to Boston this morning and have spent the day taking in the town. I love it here already. It is quaint, outdoorsy (in a New England sort of way) and surrounded by water. The weater is perfect so I went on an exploratory run by the waterfront. Gorgeous. Then I wandered over to the farmer's market to pick up some fresh ingredients for dinner. I got my eye on a little nail place for a mani/pedi later and will probably hang out in Boston Commons for a bit. Josh and I only got to kiss and have me get the keys from him, but I feel better already just being in his space. Tonight will finally get to spend some time together for the first time in a month (the longest time apart in 5 years!) Hope you are all well! I'll take some pics this week and post, I promise!

My New Bike

I feel like a 5th grader, but I just got a new bike, and I am really proud of it. For some reason, even though I have wanted a set of wheels for about 4 years, I never got one... I think I thought I had to get something really expensive, but then realized really I didn't. So yesterday I picked up the Target special, and this morning enjoyed my enhanced form of transporation. Taking a ride before chuch left me feeling like a little kid again, the joy of covering so much ground in so little time, the wind in your face, and the ability to explore with ease. I ate my breakfast beside Buckingham Fountain (it's beautiful), which I had never even taken the time to see since I've been in Chicago. Who knew what I had been missing all along?

4th of July

It was a great fourth of July, other than the fact that Josh is too far away. On the 3rd, my roommate, Linda, and I went and watched the city of Chicago fireworks. They were great. Then I headed up to Watervliet, Michigan to visit the in-laws and had a blast. I got to spend a lot of time on the lake, kayaking... which is my new favorite thing to do. I also did a 5k over the weekend in Watevliet and placed 2nd in my age group and got my best 5K time yet (23:31). I LOVE spending most of the day outdoors and enjoyed the laughs with the family...

Heidi

Reflections

I think I know why Chicago leaves me unsettled. It’s because it isn’t a natural fit for my passions in life, especially my passion for nature… I often feel trapped here. Trapped by the noise, by the buildings, by the number of people. I need to be free. I need trees. I need a challenging mountain to climb. I need an animal to watch. To be in a field of wildflowers with a cool mountain stream is inhabiting the most beautiful of cathedrals…

However,it is here, in this city, that I can truly assess my impact on the world. It would have been hard to divert my attention from the mountains to assess how my consumerism or my sometimes cool indifference to racial issues that contribute to the problems and disparities in the world... In my comfortable, white, economically privileged life in Colorado, I wasn't questioning my impact on the natural earth or the poor or victims of injustice nearly as much as I am now…

So, I resign myself to the lessons this city is teaching me. It doesn't mean I miss the beauty and peace the Rocky Mountains afford any less, but I can see God's handprint in a different way.

He is constantly asking me to consider, "How can you live out your faith living on a daily basis?" I believe it should be in my food choices, my purchases, the way I spend my time. If I truly believe what I say I believe, I can not live without considering my actions on the world.

It is a good summer so far. I know where I have come from and where I want to go. (The joy of being 30!) I want to teach, to advocate, to learn. I would love to combine my passions for the wilderness and medicine at some point.

Contentment is truly a choice on most levels, it's not circumstancial, like what state you live in. When you are a believer, you can trust that God has you where He wants you, when He wants you there. And maybe, when you're ready, he'll take you back to the mountains.

Heidi