18 miles.

i went on an extreme biking adventure today. in the past few weeks i've found a route that i like that takes me along both lincoln park and alki, and up a killer couple of hills to get my heart pumping. today my cg was volunteering at the community p-patch garden, so i decided to combine riding my bike there with my usual route, which turned out to be a killer 18 miles. the ride itself was great, and i felt totally green and hippie when i pulled up to the community garden all eco-friendly like that :) we mixed up some concrete and made a wall, which was a new and fun project to learn. the garden is a neat opportunity to get to know other people in the community who aren't involved in the circles i'm involved in, namely work and church. when i was done there, i ran a couple of errands (like to the local farmer's market) on two wheels before heading home for a much needed shower. at which point i realized my legs were very tired, and i was probably slightly dehydrated. but it was a fun fun way to spend the morning, riding all around like that! i even got a little tan!

i spent the afternoon studying and chatting with my friend sabara at barnes and noble, thought we probably did more chatting than studying. i also got to have lunch AND dinner with the reed and the ellis families, and i am so so thankful. not only was the food delightful (gourmet sandwiches at the ellis abode for lunch and tasty spaghetti for dinner at the reeds), but it was so good to spend time with them. this season has been so very busy, and i've felt out of touch with my community group because i've been gone so many saturdays on hiking and camping trips. i anticipated that, but didn't anticipate how disconnected it would make me feel! with that and then having to study in all my spare time, i haven't been able to spend much time with them at all. it was so refreshing to re-connect today over both meals, to talk about life and real things, hearts and relationships and jesus. i'm thankful for these two families (among many) who welcome me with open arms, even after i've been gone and busy for so long, and even when i fear that i've lost them in my absence. they graciously prove me wrong.

and as if that wasn't enough, the women in my cg (katy, mackenzie, allie, teresa) all put together a little survival basket of treats to get me through this last couple weeks of studying, chock full of candies, study materials, healthy snacks, homemade jam, tea bags, and notes of encouragement!
that's all for today. RD exam coming up so soon: august 31st! then blogging will resume.

squinty eyed concrete wall makers

master concrete mixer-chef