Adventures for 1

Man I am blessed. I realized a long time ago that if I wanted to do anything I couldn't wait for someone to want to do it with me. My time here has been so full of little adventures for 1! I went on a hike the other day and it was breath taking! It's so peaceful out in the wilderness by myself (of course with my iPhone with jams) just walking around, praying, talking :) I spent the first 2 months here so wrapped up in what I needed and what I need God to do for me. Then I was out walking and realized just how completely self absorbed I am. It didn't even occur to me that I should pray for others. So many people are praying for me and here I am just praying for me and all my things I need God to do for me....holy self centered! So, now I spend the majority of my alone time praying for others and you know what it's GREAT :) If I could repay people in prayer for half of the time they have prayed for me I would be happy!

Aside from hiking alone I decided to be really adventurous! I decided I wanted to go to the coast and if I didn't have anyone to go with I was going alone! I booked a hotel and I was all set to go. My wonderful friend Teresa lives about 5 hours from me in Washington and I asked her to come with me and she wasn't sure if she could. It was the night before and I was mentally preparing driving 3 hours by myself and staying in a hotel in Astoria and I get a text and Teresa says "Louie I'm coming!". I was SO excited! I feel like I passed a test :) I was going to go alone and I probably would have had a great time but I had 1000 times more fun with Teresa! We arrived right at sun set and so we got to see the sun set right over the ocean and it truly was something I won't forget.

I haven't made it to Portland since I have been here and I keep hearing how great a city it is. So I had 3 days off this week and I decided to go wonder around Portland. I asked my sister and bro-in-law where to go and so I set off and wondered around. I have been to many places and many downtown's and I will say Portland is the prettiest city I have ever been too. It's a beautiful mix of rivers, mountains and amazing architecture. Oh yeah....and they have Chipotle :)

While I was in Portland I was thinking that I still had 2 more days off and I should go visit Teresa! So I texted her and asked if she wanted a visitor and she said yes! So I geared up drove 5 hours to the Washington/Idaho border to see her! We went horseback riding and put put golfing. It was so great :) I laughed till my stomach hurt and it was just a good taste of home. The drive was also fun...I had the radio on scan and turned up and just sang and looked at the incredible landscape we have in this country!

I start my job on Monday! I'm so blessed to have a job with benefits and the one thing I truly wanted was to work for nice people and my supervisor is the nicest person!! I think this job is gonna be a great adventure in it's self. I am getting paid half of what I used to and still have to find another part time job but I'm so incredibly thankful for it that I don't even care!