#9 : Real Bodies of Water

(Click on these pictures if you'd like a bigger view)

There are real, natural bodies of water here in the NW. Sure there are lakes in Florida but they are just man-made retention ponds pretending to be lakes. Since the whole state is built on a huge swamp, they have to get rid of the ground water somehow.

I've been able to enjoy these bodies of water in my new kayak. The first two times i took the kayak out, I went on Lake Bonney (yes, you read it right). The city of Bonney Lake has a real lake named Lake Bonney. It's a tiny little thing so it was nice to practice kayaking on. But these are brand new, just published photos of me on the actual Puget Sound. I was nervous at first kayaking on the Sound but it was really fun. I launched at Dash Point Park in Federal Way. My buddy Daniel happen to call me and I invited him to come down and try out the kayak. He had a great time on it also as you can see.

#10 : Mt Rainier

This is the reason Bonney Lake is the second fastest growing city in Washington. The view of Mt Rainier is amazing as you come up HWY 410 to Bonney Lake. I love the landscape of the NW. The mountains and the lakes. I'm not an extreme outdoorsy person. I like looking at the landscape more than really getting out there in it. In another words, I'm an REI poser. :) But my new kayak which will be here in a few days will help. Also, Kerri is coming from Portland to visit next weekend and we're going to Mt Rainier. We'll drive and hike and just enjoy the fact that we live in the NW.

Top 10 things about living in the Northwest

As a way of helping me to think positively about my new life, I will list 10 things about why it's better to live in the NW than in Florida. Many things come to mind right away but I hope i can think of 10 things. Each of the next 10 entries will be a countdown from 10 to 1. I'm looking foward to taking time to think of all the wonderful things about the NW and my life here.

Kayak

This will be me in a few days. I just ordered an Advanced Elements Inflatable Kayak and it will be here on Tues! I am SO excited. I have been wanting one for years. Once I researched it extensively to end up thinking it was frivolous for a missionary to have a kayak. I know, stupid huh? I missed out on many years of kayaking in Florida but now that I'm in Bonney Lake, with Mt Rainier at my back door and Lake Tapps next door, I am really taking advantage of the outdoor environment.
So, I got quite a deal on last years model (would I buy anything that's NOT on sale? :) I am looking forward to trying out my kayak next week.

Jill's Visit

My first visitor from Eugene Oregon! I've known Jill since back when I was with Crusade at University of Oregon! I was so happy to receive Jill's email saying she's coming thru town to attend a conference called the Truth Project in Seattle. I met Jill at a women's bible study at Faith Center in Eugene. That study changed my life. Not really the content but the relationships with the women were so amazing. I felt like it was such a place of healing for me. I used to say that that if God called me into ministry just to send me to Eugene to go to Faith Center and meet these women, it would be just like Him. It's more import to the Lord that I love him and walk with him and grow in him that all the "work" I could do for him as a missionary. I think God ordered my steps with Crusade many times for my well being, and not necessarily where I was needed or what was best for the ministry. I am very thankful for that.

Anyway, back to Jill. She and her husband Phil have been wonderfully faithful supporters of my ministry for years. I always made sure I saw the family when I was in Eugene because I knew I would be blessed and encouraged. Their kids are so great too! So, Jill came and we had a great visit over lunch. I felt blessed by her words of encouragement. It was fun too. She had the watermelon milk tea and she liked it. I just wish I had my camera to get a picture of Jill with her Bubble Tea. Well, she'll just have to visit again, next time with the whole family. :)

Forza Coffee

I have never been a coffee drinker. To me it was a necessary evil when I had to drink it to stay awake for all night study sessions in college. This coming from a girl living in Seattle, the capital of Coffee. But I started drinking it more at Crusade to stay focused at the very distracting environment of the HQ office. Then it was still a necessary evil. But now i am typing this blog entry from Forza Coffee in Bonney Lake. I know, I used to be proud of the fact that I don't drink coffee in this coffee infested country. I even went as far as open a bubble tea shop to show I'm above the lowly coffee drinkers. No offense to Drew who works at Starbucks. :) But I am now a coffee shop groupie. This one is a great coffee shop. It's independently owned (a franchise) by a local guy and all the employees are really friendly and nice. It's one of the few cool places to hang out in Bonney Lake. Happy Coffee Drinking!

The Buttered Biscuit

The one good thing about living in a small town is the great local eateries. Today I decided to take a little trip to Buckley Downtown. Ok, it's more of a historic district with like one block of shops with half the storefronts vacant. It would really be a cute area if it were revitalized. I decided to have breakfast at the Buttered Biscuit, what could be better for a carb addict such as myself than a big breakfast full of bread and such. By the way, I've gained like 5 pounds since moving here. I also have a gym membership which i never use. :) I wished I could have enjoyed the warmth and comfort of small town home cooking there but it was a busy day and I ended up having to pack my order of french toast to go since i had to go open up the shop at 11am. Oh well, that's one attempt that getting to know the surroundings.