Thailand Photo Links

Here are the links to the photo albums:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15397&l=7e018&id=500271591

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15215&l=8eef4&id=500271591

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15210&l=76c82&id=500271591

Also, Holiday Photos from home are here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14640&l=4f2df&id=500271591

How I Feel

There is something about being on the water continuing to move further away from the coast that makes me feel so small. So far away from the comfort I am used to and the purpose I fulfill in my everyday life at home. I am in the middle of some amazing Sea in Thailand in Southeast Asia. And while I know that this moment and experience is grand- I know that more greatness waits and that is the part that I find drawing my dreaming-what if I did?-paint the future as I go- personality back into what home is. What home life could be. My dad made a point recently to me about sharing your life with someone and saving somethings for later- in that relationship. Posing the question to me in a matter of terms, "Kari, why so fast, and so much?". I replied with "because this is the time, and I can". I can appreciate that one day I will get married and be in a relationship that is so intense I cannot imagine right now, and how wonderful it will be to travel and to experience life with someone. Will the running end? Will I always want to keep moving so quickly, to squeeze it all in? How unrealistic am I?

But what I do know is that home, my home in Virginia that the closeness I feel to my community is enough for now. The balancing act and struggle at this point for me, being so far away is: how to connect those loved ones to this moment on the water? Connecting any sight seen beyond a photograph, any conversation to anyone besides reciting it back in stories are important, but they are always different. No true articulation, no true accurate description, will bring to life the green I see in the water, or the size of the bubbles in the surf can be conveyed to them or anyone who is not sitting along side me on this boat. I am thankful that on this adventure and journey I am sharing this ride with Mark, BC, and Tiffany. How to include you all? The sights, the sounds. I suppose what matters in the end is: how we feel., how we grow and how we change.

So dear loved ones across the plant: I feel small. I feel far away. I feel like I never could have planned this moment on my own. My imagination may never have dared to dream it into reality. I feel like the past 6 months have gone by in such a blur, and yet the times/days I spent driving into camp on a daily basis exist only in a different life. I miss home. I miss Gracie (oh puppy). And yet if given the option to travel from here to there in this moment I dare say I would choose to sit here, along port side of this boat watching the mainland drift further and further away and each small island slip past as we head to our destination: Phi Phi Island.

I feel like I see your faces in crowds of strangers. And I am remembering conversation I have had in the not so recent past about what this time in Thailand was going to be like. Hearing your insights to the intention behind the days and the things packing the itinerary seem like lifetimes ago. When joking about not wanting to return home in January or wanting to continue my time travel beyond what was originally planned- instead of feeding into to the gypsy and daydreamer in my heart you simply replied in your own way that I would return, that I would lay roots. That this time would come to an end.

I have prayed about that transition and I have tried to vision what that will look like...and today on this boat in this great big world, I feel small. I feel significant and challenged. I feel inspired and changed. I feel the Lord's mighty hand and master plan in my life and heart. My skin is damp from the salt water surf that sprays up in the breeze...I wish for little more than this.

Except perhaps to reach my hand out to yours, or to see the reflection of what I am seeing in your eyes. But this letter to you my dear friends with have to suffice.

Love.Love.

Island Life Is For Me 12/28-29

Gilligan's Island.
Lost.
The Beach.
Blue Crush.

The countless pop culture images come to mind as I have walked around this Island here in Thailand. The film "The Beach" was filmed in this island family and tomorrow we are going snorkeling around this area and will finish on Maya Bay, which is where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed his movie, which was not a great movie- but I do remember thinking when seeing it "Gosh, I wish to see something that beautiful someday". And look, here I am- its crazy.

Yesterday we took a hike to The Viewpoint. Ladies and Gentleman, even on a good day it would've kicked my butt, but STILL recovering from the leftover bronchitis left my lungs at such a depleted lung capacity I was sure I was not going to make it. Tiffany was great and kept pace with me so we could take breaks as we continued up the mountain, and upon Summit I did agree it was worth the pain. The view of the Island was pristine and seeing it from the perspective one has from up there was something I'll always remember. The point was also to reach the other side of the island to a sparsely populated beach where we spent the rest of the day enjoying lunch, swimming, and reading. The rocks that were strewn across the beach were beautiful, and I loved being able to see the bottom of the Sea because of the clarity in the water. It was fantastic. Last night we went to dinner on the water, saw Fire Dancers, and a little bit of Fireworks. It was really just a teaser for tonight.

We have spent hours floating and talking in the water which is not an Ocean here, its the Andaman Sea. The water is pristine, warm, and so blue you can't think of a single word to describe its illusions of depth and clarity. We've gone to the beach in the day, and have enjoyed meals on the beach in the evening. Tonight is New Years Eve, and its funny to think about the crowd that will be lining up in Times Square in the cold, while I sip a fun beverage in the middle of this tropical island. Of course it will be 2008 for me before the rest of you, so I think this means we get to celebrate twice here, again tomorrow at noon.

Today is my day of rest from the socialization that has dominated the itinerary. I wanted to update this blog and respond to messages in a more meaningful way, so I nestled in this Internet cafe with a bunch of others foreigners seeking a connection to home. I will go to the beach next and continue to soak up this island, and then get ready for the big party tonight.

Elephants and More: 12/25-12/27

BC, Mark, and I had our elephant dreams come true. After leaving the villages we were taken to the Elephant Camp, and took an hour tour. We crossed a river on the top of the elephants and we were giddy with joy. The trek up the side of the mountain and went along the side of the river bank and enjoyed conversation (BC and I shared), and would take photos of the scenery along the way. It was an amazing experience, words cannot describe.

After we had our rides we continued our trek back to Chiang Mai where we were able to stay out our driver's one room efficiency complex. Umm...it included a mattress, and a makeshift bathroom. The walls were bright blue, like the blue house in Goshen, VA, and it was probably the shadiest place I've ever stayed. If not for PLa's generosity and security the four of us never would have agreed to stay there, but it was safe, secure and most of all free.

He took us to the Night Market, and we chose to eat Western Fare: Pizza and French Fries. Um...the fries were good. Pizza not so much, but it wasn't rice and that was a good thing. The guy who owned the restaurant was from Ohio and spent his time in the service traveling, and fell in love with Thailand. He named his restaurant "Hell's Kitchen" and we read about his bio in the menu. He was definitely an interesting character that is for sure.

In the morning PLa and his wife made us a Thai breakfast in the morning which was delicious, although I picked out the pieces of squid in the soup! I am trying to get adjusted the food culture here, but no lie its a challenge.

The highlights of Chiang Mai come in the form of the touristy trap things, although they were fantastic to me. Ranging from where silver jewelry is made (scored a great pair of earrings and a ring at a fantastic price), umbrella making (so beautiful), and wood carving and furniture (I wanted an outdoor table and chairs so badly: for three grand it included freight to the States!...but no I did not buy it.).

The train ride was exponentially better for the way back because we had an air conditioned car, and boarded the train at 4pm instead of 10:30pm. Mark and I played Uno, had a Bacardi breezers, wrote postcards, and slept. We arrived back in Bangkok geared up for the day, and at 7am BC and I experienced something amazing: getting our hair washed and straightened for only 3 bucks! AMAZING, especially after 'roughing it' in the North!

Upon returning we had a day of pampering which included: the AM hair appt., manicure and pedicure, and a thai massage. No joke, the thai massage was the most unreal experience. While completely dressed you are worked on a room full of mats on tables and you are prodded and stretched by a blind Thai man. It was so painful, and I have bruises on my arms! How do you remember to say 'No' and 'Stop' in Thai when all you want to do is run away?? haha. All in all, the stretching was my favorite part and we all did it and survived.

The most special moment of the day came when we all went to the Orphanage that Tiffany volunteers at. The baby she was working with was adopted not too long ago so she was assigned a new one, and we got to meet him. I can't pronounce or really remember hisname right now, but I have refered to him as TBoo in pictures. He was precious, so little and was still enough to take photos of. I have uploaded several to facebook, and if you need a link to the blog I will post an entry of links to all photos here as a reference. It is difficult to upload photos sometimes online here.

Afterwards we headed to the Princess Sirivannavari's exhibit from her fashion runway show in Paris this year. It was beautifully presented and I really appreciated her aesthetic. She identifies much of herself to, and has adopted the Peacock as a visual point of reference for her art. She has also used more traditional Thai dress and translated that into a modern representation, and its all beautiful. It was a really neat thing to go see and I got a fruit smoothie on our way home which reminded me of Jamba Juice. I was delighted.

Baby Jesus and the Lisu Village

Christmas Eve was spent traveling north of Chiang Mai, with our guide Sarah and PLa our driver to the Lisu Village. We first stopped at the Orphanage where Sarah coordinates the safety and security of young children in the area. She has 10 or so children at the orphanage we visited, and we got to listen to them sing songs, and visited with them a bit. BC, Mark, Tiffany and I sang Silent Night and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to the children and taught them a game. Sarah was our translator as the lady working in the Orphanage, our driver, and the children included did not speak English.

After the stop with the kids we continued on our way to the Village. We arrived in the dark and followed the way down the hill to the hut we were staying in for the night. Three ladies cooked us a meal of rice, beans, black chicken, and fresh papaya. Black Chicken is typically used only for special occasions, so these tribe people really went all out for our arrival. We spent the night in one of their huts with cardboard for a ceiling, it was definitely not the most luxurious accommodations, but the gesture behind the offering was very moving.

We all crashed quite early and I woke up a few times in the night and one time went outside and saw the brightest moon in the sky I have ever seen. I could see well into the valley and could make out the outline of the mountains before me. It was awe inspiring and one of those 'pinch me' moments that I have often found myself in as I have traveled this year. How did I end up in this place? What was I to learn from this particular stop in the journey? Would I be able to remember forever what the trees looked like in the moonlight? It was breathtaking. A perfect way to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Awaking to a rooster is not my favorite, but we all did around 8am and went outside to get warm. The man we were staying with put on the Backstreet Boys, which was classically funny. I think what struck me most about the Lisu village was the colliding of two worlds. They did not have elaborate homes, or a modern kitchen...but they did have a TV with a CD player and some electricity. No comfy mattresses, no built four walls- and yet they all walked around with cell phones. It was the strangest experience to watch.

Christmas morning breakfast included rice that combined with coconut milk and pan fried to be dipped in sugar, again a meal typically served once a year. With all of their gestures we were treated like royalty in their culture. It was a completely challenging experience- wanting comfort that is familiar, but accepting their offering with complete grace and appreciation.

After breakfast we went up to the playing field and welcomed the children of the village for treats we brought and games. We tried to teach them tag, it didn't quite go as we had planned. But 'Simon Says' was a true winner. We gave candy and cookies, and Tiffany made spiced apple cider- we sang songs, and we prayed for them. The Lisu people for the most part do practice Christianity so to celebrate Christmas with them was perfect.

We went to the village nearby that was 6 miles from Burma that was also celebrating the birth of Christ. There was a random Ferris wheel, and all of the food vendors were out and buzzing with their culinary creations. We met Amanda from Kansas who is in Thailand teaching at a local English School and is engaged to a Lisu man---the questions we all had were outstanding. "Why?" "Where are you getting married?" "How did you meet?" We tried to pace ourselves and not completely judge her, but it was just one of those things that I couldn't believe. But she seemed happy and excited!

Lunch where we stayed went well, and we packed up for the greatest thing ever: ELEPHANT RIDING!

Sunday 12/23 Day of Adjustment

Sunday was the day of adjustments...from the time change, to being off the airplanes, to culture I felt myself trying to catch up all day. For the most part we just hung out in the apartment of Tiffany's friend, and then went to the Train Station to board our 16 hour ride to Chaing Mai, which is a large city in Northern Thailand.

Stepping on the train I felt like I was in a scene from the movie "Darjeeling Express", although I did not see the movie, from what I understand from viewing of the preview of their transportation--I was on that train. It was surreal and completely not anything I have ever experienced, thus lending itself to the day of adjustment. We boarded the train at 10:30pm and slept through the night on it, waking up to another four hours on the train...I tried to sleep whenever I could but then felt so lazy. I suppose this was good in feeding the jet lag. 

Half Way Across the Globe and DUNKIN DONUTS

So to my joy and delight there was a Dunkin Donuts in the Seoul Airport. I successfully ordered an iced coffee and got a little bag of chocolate glazed munchkins. This brought a lot of comfort to me as I struggled to adjust myself to the different time zone and culture.

I ended up getting three hours of sleep the night before BC and I left for the Richmond airport...we were reunited with Mark in Atlanta and were able to begin the process of realization "we were finally on our way". All things considered the flight to Seoul wasn't that bad. We each had video monitors in the seats in front of us, so I watched three movies all at my own pace. There were games, digital music, etc... to keep us entertained and plenty of refreshments and meals along the way. By the end I was ready to be off the plane and walk around- so thankfully we had a few hours in the airport to gather our wits. BC slept for almost the entire lay over, Mark and I found the Dunkin Donuts and then took naps, and then we boarded for our 5 1/2 flight to Bangkok. At this point we had already been traveling for over 20 hours.

Korea Air- very friendly. I took my cough medicine and essentially went into deep sleep for the entire flight, it was fantastic. Not only was it sleep, it was restful sleep because of the extra pillows I scored, my soft blanket I had with me, and the empty row I was sitting in.

Arriving in Bangkok was a little like waking up in a strange dreamland. Tiffany met us on the other side of customs and the baggage claim- all of our bags arrived: Praise the Lord. The taxi ride to where we were staying was not eventful but it was great to hear about some things that are coming up in the next few days. I slept really well last night, again thanks in part to the cough medicine and the state of shear exhaustion.

Now we are just resting. Tonight we take a 12 hour train ride to Chiang Mai, Thailand. It's supposed to be cooler then the current 95 degree weather, and we're staying in a Village. There are not many known details as Tiffany has not been to this specific place before, but she is trusting her American friend to hook us up.

It's Almost Time.

Friends, it almost time for my big trip to Southeast Asia. 

I am sitting at BC's house in Richmond watching her pack for tomorrow, and I'm trying desperately to wrap my mind around this adventure I am about to embark on. Tonight Joel, Mandy, Matt, and Theresa came out here with me to have dinner and then return back to Lexington with my car. It was a quiet ride for the most part, but it was good to have the family car time. 

Today I woke up after sleeping through most of the night, which thrilled me to no end, and I just kept going. I never really stopped to take any sort of break or inventory in my mind about what was going on. I just had this continuous list of things to do, people to call back, what to leave behind, notes to write, etc...I accomplished everything on that list which was amazing...but it has left me still with the feeling of being overwhelmed and under prepared. It also put me in this quiet place in my mind where I just kept going over the things I felt I needed to do, and I focused a lot of energy doing just that over analytical process. 

I am tired now. It's time for rest, but due to the nature of the coming trip the later I stay up tonight, the better off I am for the plane ride tomorrow. I am nervous. I am anxious. I am excited. I think I'm mostly in denial- I can't believe its really happening. 

So things to pray for:

1) Continued healing as I still don't feel very well, and traveling could exacerbate this state of illness.

2) Safety in travel through Atlanta, Seoul, and finally in Bangkok.

3) Open heart and mind to all that is about to happen in this adventure.

Day by Day

So much to chat about. I have definitely crammed a lot of fun in the past 10 days since I have returned home from Florida. 

I have had the pleasure of hanging out and enjoying friends and lunches, chats, and laughs. The real highlight though comes in the form of this past weekend. Starting off the weekend was a baking fest on Thursday night to get ready for the Rockbridge Christmas Party at camp. It was an eclectic evening, we had a visitor that I assumed was a friend of Katie's but actually just got introduced to all of us that day, so that was a little awkward...haha. Friday I went to the Dr. and was given the first round of medicine for laryngitis and bronchitis- oh you know just the usual. I twisted my ankle in the dining hall at camp, but was still able to pull of excitement for the actual party. 

The real treat came in the after party at Malone's. It was so classic and yet so out of the ordinary in the same exact moment, is that possible? I think it was the first time this year that we were all there and accounted for...which lends to its fascinating quality of goodness. While cocktails were involved, as was a lot of laughter and roughly 200 photos taken of the entire evening. Some moments funnier then others, but seriously? I laughed so hard I had a headache and that was even without the goodness of the beverages making their impression. The night was delightful and as I returned home with the girls we could only laugh and be oh so thankful.

Saturday continued this "Family Weekend" with a great day to myself in the house doing misc. tasks for Christmas and Thailand, and then at night I threw the Chili party. It was great to be able to hang out again at the house, light the wood stove, play Yahtzee, and just chill out. Sunday came too quickly and Mandy and I had an opportunity to hang out, which has been so infrequent over the past few months, it was a delight.

In the evening I felt like I was losing my mind because I couldn't find things that I had tucked away for the gift exchange, and felt well loved in Matt's arrival in taking over what dinner was going to be, and Tex burning CD's that I needed, and for the overall attitude of service...capping off the evening was a viewing of the Bourne Ultimatum...amazing.

Monday I had lunch with Mary in Roanoke and enjoyed a fancy dinner out with the girls in Lexington. We got all dressed up and hit the town and got the boys to take photos of us in 2 locations! Tuesday I continued to get myself organized for my trip, and then welcomed House Dinner's Family Christmas Extravaganza. The gift exchange was fantastic, and there were many thoughtful things given...tears and laughter and just general goodness. I was deeply touched by my friends in the gestures in each unwrapped moment. 

Today Gracie got to go on her trip to Kentucky with Tex, and I cried. I felt like such an over emotional dork, but I couldn't help it. The tears started and just didn't end...I just love that dog. And honestly, its just hard to be with out her in all this travel. I went out to camp to drop off some things, and then headed up to my Dr. again to get different medicine. We're hoping I get a good nights rest tonight...

Tomorrow I head to Richmond at 5pm and will be dropped off there by Joel, Mandy, Theresa, and Matt. BC and I have a 6am flight to Atlanta which will reunite us with Mark, and then get us all together for our 2nd flight to Seoul which is something like 16 hours. 

A lot of thoughts as I prepare to leave for four weeks. I am sad that I am missing Christmas with my family, but the joy I have in my heart from celebrating Christmas this past weekend with my precious friends here in Lexington, leaves little room for sadness. I am continuing to pray that the Lord prepares my heart for my time away and that I'm able to let go and be wrapped up in the experience and time of growth.

Stay tuned. The best is yet to come. 

The Airport Shuffle

Sunshine State. I am sitting in the airport looking out at a line of palm trees and planes taxing in and out of the gates... it is simply mesmerizing.

I used to think I was magical. When I was little I was convinced that I could twinkle my nose and anything I desired would come true. I say I was convinced of this, because even though my nose twinkle did not work, I felt like practice made perfect and one day with this dream like attitude I would be successful. Who's to say I was wrong? 

I had a really busy week down here in Florida. I traveled between many places and saw lots of people, so really not much time was spent at the pool... which is ok. I went today and sat for about an hour and enjoyed it but knew it was time to get back to the house and get ready to head out to the airport. Among highlights were surely the people and conversation. I felt so blessed by my weekend in Ponte Vedra and my sweet friendship with Linda, and then to see Katie and Sanne--and enjoying a night of peace and quiet alone in Orlando was a treasure. My mom, my aunt, and sister were also great to see and I felt like I got some quality time with each of them. I enjoyed Jessica and Lee, and am delighted to hear that they are moving to the Atlanta area next Feb.! Yay, a car drive away! 

All in all, I came, I saw, I conquered, and now I am leaving. I return home tonight at 10pm, and will be in bed a couple of short hours later. I could not be more thrilled about that. Tomorrow is Sunday and I purposely planned my return on this weekend so that I could see Theresa on one of her days off, go to church with the crew, and enjoy a typical fun Sunday at home. I have misc. errands scheduled for the week ahead and I'm kind of excited about the normalcy.

If I could have a super human power I think I would want to experience super rapid time travel, or at least the ability to magically appear anywhere I so desire. Either of these would be great right now b/c I could go to the future and already be home, or I could just close my eyes, click my heels and appear in my living room. I am now in the Atlanta airport waiting for 8:00pm when I can get on the flight to Richmond. Then I arrive in Virginia and make the 2 hour trek to Lexington, which actually isn't all that bad considering its 2 hours in the car. 

So lots of thoughts about family, visits, and the future as I sit here people watching, Facebook stalking, and thinking of my trip in Florida. If you could have a super human power what would it be? Would you use it for good or for selfish ambition? 

Away from Home

(My Aunt Debbie and I)

I have enjoyed my time in Florida that is without question, and I love the family I get to see when I am here visiting. I have battled a bit of anxiety in the past month or two while traveling in my homesickness. I know that sounds bizarre but I just didn't expect in the continuation of "going", that I would ever tire and would get legitimately homesick. I worked through a little bit of it when I was in San Francisco in September, but understood that I'd feel that way because I had already been gone an entire month. But when I was in Connecticut on Monday morning, the day before I was set to drive back to Virginia I got all in a funk about being away from home. People...seriously...I was in a funk. I was going to be home in less than 40 hours and I couldn't rise above it. I eventually was able to get my self together and into NYC for the afternoon and when returned to my house in Lexington the following evening, I was completely content. 

These little bouts of emotional distress, while mild and completely ridiculous have lent to some frustration and anxiety in regards to my upcoming four week long trip to Thailand. I realize that the trip is going to be an opportunity and experience that is going to blow away all expectation, I completely am open to this notion. While, there are moments and days I can catch myself thinking cynically about going away for such a length of time or I think about the circumstances of this choice: missing Christmas with my family, being away from Lexington for New Years for the first time in three years, and the strain the time difference is going to make in some of my relationships. There are obviously so many more thoughts than just that above, and then I counteract all of them with pure exhilaration and anticipation.

In visiting with my mom and spending time with my Aunt I have been able to talk more reflectively and objectively about my life in Virginia and all that is contained on the pro and con lists about ever leaving the area, or benefits of staying. The assurance I have felt in regards to staying planted has definitely come in quiet moments at the house, in good conversations with Theresa, and even more so in times of being away enjoying friends and loved ones in person. As I recount funny stories, share challenges being met with Christ, or plans for the future I have sensed my future still remaining in Lexington. I have done much better this week at being away, so I feel encouraged as I return home tomorrow night to get my life together to leave for Thailand 12 days later. 

So anyway, just some thoughts that I have had this week about the challenges that I have been facing up to that I didn't expect. Life continues to be an adventure that I am ever grateful for and am enjoying the ride that is for certain. I have more moments that I go to pinch myself just to see if I'm sleeping because the days pass by in such bliss, surely- this isn't real life. But it is, and I have done everything I set out to do in the past 4+ months. To see friends, to see family, to see the ocean's, to lay on the beach, to read, to write, to laugh, to cry through difficulties, to be honest, to be open, to dream, to settle down, to have wings, to sit in bookstores, to hang out with my dog, to be quiet, to be alone, to be vulnerable, to be silly, to pull back, to push forward, to reconnect, to seek the Lord in all things- big and small, to be constructive with my time...to love, and to continue. 

While a 6 month Sabbatical is not the only avenue to do these things, surely the time in travel and movement have aided for all of those things to happen simultaneously, and in their own moments. I am thankful. And tomorrow I will leave Florida and return home, for which I joy brings my heart I can't even tell you. 

Boca Grande

I realize that I talk about my love of water and the ocean quite a bit. I know I write about it even more, as I've recently gone over past entries and noticed my association of self to water and the power I can connect to behind it. So it should go as no surprise that I so thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday when I traveled north of Fort Myers to go to Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island. 

How did I find such a place? A friend of mine has vacationed there and their parents own a beach house, so it was a specifically recommended place to visit. These are the best places to go- the ones that you hear about from friends and family that know you well and want to share their own joy and experience with you. I have often thought the past few months about making a complete city by city guide of my favorite places to eat, things to see, noteworthy things about each place I happened to go, and compile it all together so that if I knew someone traveling to the same destination I could bestow them with my favorite things. While I have journal ed through this experience, I know that I have recounted thoughts, and feelings more then I have documented the what's, and the when's. It became a place I could recount much more of the emotional journey of the time away from home, time at home, and my vision, hopes, and desires for my future. I should have kept a side journal on each place I hung out in as to keep tabs of all the tidbits of information that we lose as we continue to move on from an experience. 

So anyway...Boca Grande. I loved it. The island itself is small and residential. I found my way to the beach and sat for awhile just enjoying the Gulf sway in and off the sandy beach. I people watched a little bit, as there weren't a lot of people to really pay attention to. I went to the lighthouse and took probably my favorite photos of the beach ever, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the park. After spending time on the water I ventured into the small town on the island and went in and out of the shops, and so appreciated the leisure of the day in such a beautiful place. 

I saw a puppy being photographed for a flier advertising its cuteness and looking for a home. I wanted this puppy, I thought I could buy this puppy and take it home...I thought again and knew that was a ridiculous idea. But I did stop and chat for a bit and told the seller that I loved the dog and she suggested I buy it, I responded by saying "will it grow up into a Great Dane?" and she said no, it was a Jack Russell pup. The only dog I am allowed to purchase is a Great Dane for Theresa, so I kindly declined taking the 7 week old Jack and went along my day. It was classically funny, and it was completely myself. It made me laugh. 

Make New Friends but Keep the Old... la la

The song is true. Make new friends and keep the old. No need to get rid of completely fun friendships.

Tonight I had dinner at Jessica and Lee's house in Fort Myers. I met Jessica in the summer of 1987, or '88? I can't remember exactly when, but it was definitely something like 20 years ago. While our friendship has suffered in the distance between CT and FL, and the growing angst of two girls who couldn't always get along during a 2 week visit...we have sustained all injuries and are still friends...its amazing. Last year I went to her wedding and I sat there then, I was amazed that this friend I made when we were just little girls was now wearing white and exchanging vows. I was thankful and humbled by God's grace in our lives and how friendship that is true never fades...even if there are times of life that we aren't close. 

It is no wonder then that we always come back to people who know us, and people that love us. We laughed about random memories of Pop Rocks, misc. stupid fights we had--and could enjoy that we've grown up but still had the childlike enthusiasm we did in our youth. She is preparing to relocate for her husbands job to the Atlanta area, and I could not be more excited--a car ride away! 

This night got me to thinking about who I will sit with in the future that I will be able to say "I met you 20 years ago"...who in my life right now will I know when I am in my 40's? In what capacity will these friends be? Will they play Aunts and Uncles to my children? Will we have been in each others weddings, or live near each other? I know that friendships in Christ there are no goodbyes, and I feel that message really resonate with me this week while in Florida. Having lunch with Sanne and Katie in St. Augustine and now dinner with Jessica I am reminded that rooting our lives in Christ means also rooting our relationships- and those endure circumstances, distances, hurtful words, and life just being busy. I am thankful for those relationships, and I try not to take them for granted despite my overly committed schedule.  

So to friends. The new, the old, the sisters, the brothers, the mentors, the late night ones you can call to talk about nothing, the friends you can't live with out, the friends you see once a year and pick right up from where you left off, the friends that encourage you to be better than the current version, and the friends that carry you through all that life brings... 

I am thankful for them all, and tonight especially for friends that make it through distance, time, and growth like Jessica.

St. Augustine Reunion

 Today I had lunch with Alyssanne and Katie in St. Augustine! It was fantastic! I met up with them and had a delicious meal and chatted about all that has happened in our lives since July. The greatest thing about it was the fact, the three of us have never lived together or even really near each other, but because of Young Life camping we met and became friends. Katie used to help out at Rockbridge on weekends, and we'd chat every time she was at camp, and we've stayed in touch through the years and then she interned at Windy Gap this past summer so I got to enjoy seeing her when visiting. Alyssanne was a year long intern at Windy Gap that I met last fall when visiting Caroline, and we just hit it off and enjoyed visits through the school season both at Windy Gap and up at my house in Lexington. Now that they are both living in St. Augustine we just had to have a get together lunch! 

The Lord has blessed me with many friends, and and lots of people that I have had the opportunity to love in all seasons of life. Yet, every so often we meet people that we just strike a re pore with and can pick up with whenever we see each other easily, no matter the length of time between the visit or conversation. Those friends are special, and these two ladies are like that. I enjoy them tremendously, and felt to blessed to be able to share a meal and our lives so easily this afternoon. It is my prayer that we can continue to stay involved and take advantage of the opportunities to visit with each other when ever we happen to be in the area!

The Ocean

I love the Ocean. Today I sat on the beach here in Ponte Verda, and took in the cool winter sun and watched the waves come in and go out with such a rhythm I just found myself staring. It was one of those afternoons that the hours quickly passed and as I went back and forth from reading my book to gazing at the waves I could sense my thoughts just travel.

Growing up in CT I was exposed to the water as a young child as my grandfather took us out on the sailboat often. I remember jumping into the water as a girl being caught by my dad and just carried along on the currents. There is just nothing like the sting of the salt water on your sun kissed face, or the sounds you hear when you dive below the surface. I long for the ocean sometimes, and there are few places in the world that I can sit for such lengths of time and just stare out into its mass beauty and power. 

When I moved to Virginia in 2003 I had the notion of moving to the coast and enjoying a milder climate with the Atlantic nearby. Yet, the Lord called me to the mountains and that is where I have built my life and created my home for the past four years. I did not love the mountains at first, but slowly the Blue Ridge sky line and majesty of the area stole my heart and captured my attention in a way I did not think possible. While my heart is in the Ocean to this day, my life belongs to the mountains...and that is something that only the Lord can do with this childhood water lover. It's amazing how our plans and destinations for our lives change as our callings are heard in different capacities. I wonder if I will ever find myself owning a cute cottage on the water, or if my life's happiness will always be contained in the mountain ranges I now love. 

We live in a country with such varying climates and skylines, that I am often impressed with the fact in a matter of hours we can travel from one cool day to a hot blazing one just by jumping on an airplane. Having spent so much time this fall traveling I have enjoyed the rambling hills that lead to flat farm land, the ways that the highway carves in and out of valleys and up to mountain tops...and now how the water can great you and remind you of a place you used to live and a childhood wonder you used to have while bobbing in the ocean. 

August

Dear August,

I came to visit you today. I took great care and put together a slide show to share my favorite photos of my time in California and beyond with my friend Linda. 

I pulled out the photos I took at the Getty Museum that overlooked the city below, and I remembered sitting outside looking out at Los Angeles, drinking a diet coke, people watching and writing about what I was thinking and feeling in my journal. I enjoyed the flowers all over again as I clicked through and pointed out my favorites (one of them is above).

I proudly displayed my photos from the beach in Santa Monica at sunset with the pier bustling along in business and accommodating all its visitors. I spent some time in San Francisco today looking at all the shots of the bay, the bridge, and enjoyed the memories that I created behind each one. While looking through Vegas highlights I remembered the amazing margaritas at the pool, the laughs with Jess and Kristin, and the sense of deep relaxation and contentment. I remember the good things, my best moments, the memories that are burned so deep into my heart that when I recall them in my mind the beauty captured in a photo sweep by in a snapshot. 

I came today and sat and spoke of you. The first trip of the Sabbatical, the first time away once leaving camp. I thought about the great meals I shared with some strangers, and how coffee was never dull when chatting to the other folks in line. I remembered how it felt to be lonely in a place far away from home, but secure at the same time. I recalled conversations with family and friends that I got to visit with while traveling through California. My heart was joyful when talking about you, and then I was sad. I missed you.

And while this experience has been grand, and full of introspection and emotion...today I longed for my seat at the pier (above, I sat with that man for two hours). I longed for the sun to rest into the ocean in the evening and I wanted to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. I wanted you again, all that August gave me. 

Then I realized, I could go back. I could go to all those places again, in the same order, and recreate what I had the opportunity to do. But, it would not be the same...it would never feel the same, and I could never see it the same way. I've been changed and impacted so deeply by the past four months that I would be different...and while that is both a blessing and at times a difficult thing to grasp, I am glad for it. I am glad for the independence, the freedom, and the time I spent going and seeing, and experiencing you. 

But I am also glad for the time I got to spend in September, October and November. It was just different, and it will always be a different reflection of what I hoped to accomplish in my time away from working. I will long for those lessons and moments perhaps tomorrow, but today? I wanted you.

I am glad for it all. Today your pictures inspired me. Today your memory moved my heart. August, you were truly a trip I'll never forget, and the ways that I saw the Lord across the country and in the Pacific Ocean will always be timeless and without description. 

Miss and love,

Kari