Hippy pizza and sleepless nights

Washington was a wonderful week but it was a struggle for me despite the amazing hospitality we enjoyed... Due to an accident I was involved in by myself last week I've had a lot on my mind. I found it really hard to not understand why certain things happen in life while still trying to maintain a complete trust that God has a purpose for everything. These doubts caused me to be homesick for a place I've known longer than a week and a space and time where I could process what had happened for more than an hour. Still, God heals all things and has been working diligently on my heart. This past week He led us to the Ramer's house where we experienced the most amazing hospitality. Cathy treated each of us as her own and always had a huge smile on her face while cooking us meals. I learned more about having a servant's heart from watching her this past week than from working at all four of the great organizations we worked with in Vancouver combined.

I was also blessed to get to visit family in Oregon on Friday. While Jesse was off hiking around Mt Hood we three girls jetted south to Eugene to stay with my cousin. We experienced the hippy capital of the world with a great host! We even ate pizza with corn on the cob, peaches, squash, and potatoes on top. Mmm... On Saturday we drove up the Oregon coast and I got to get my feet dirty on the beaches of the Pacific. We toured a lighthouse, shopped in a tiny coastal town, and watched the waves pound the sand. Since we couldn't be at Wartburg's homecoming to see all of our friends, seeing the coast was a pretty decent distraction.

I've already seen how God has used this trial to teach me more about Him. I learned that the power of prayer is amazing and I want to thank each one of you who made such a difference this past week by praying for those involved in the accident. Please continue to pray for James. I've also been reminded that good things do come out of bad and that it is neither in my power nor in my role to demand answers to unanswerable questions. Trusting in Him and His plan seems to be the only way to go...

Kelly

p.s. We did the best service work ever this past week...we got to make homemade paper and decorate greeting cards (one of my favorite hobbies) for a homeless shelter!