I returned to work Monday from a mini Sabbatical which was much needed this year. I had one planned for the spring which got cancelled and I think this one changed about 3 times by the time it rolled around! There hasn’t been much activity this year, so it was good to get away and do something new!
I was able to spend a week in Oregon (and a bit in Idaho and Washington) with my parents and my Aunt Betty. They had already been there a week when they picked me up in Portland. Our main itinerary was heavy on the outdoors/nature, so COVID-19 wasn’t as much of an issue as the fires in the few weeks leading up to the trip. They witnessed smoking trees a couple of times, but by the time I was there, we didn’t have any issues. We were obviously grateful for that for our trip, but more so for those who live there and were greatly impacted by the fires. There was one hotel that was pretty busy because a lot of people were there who were unable to be in their houses due to the fires. Even though the fires have died down, there are still families hurting and rebuilding their lives that could use your prayers!
We traveled down the coast a bit, to the highest peak in the OR coast range, over to and up the Willamette Valley, and east along the Columbia River. We pretty much ended our trip with a jet boat tour through Hell’s Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge, which runs between Idaho and Oregon/Washington. God makes some awesome stuff!!! It was refreshing to get out and see and do things especially in a part of the US I haven’t seen much of.
When I returned, I did Meals on Wheels. My dad knows all the streets in Abilene, so I was grateful for his assistance! He helped all but Friday when he does his normal route, so my mom helped that day. We had an easy route where most of the stops were in the same apartment complex, so I didn’t have to know too many streets! Back in January, when I submitted my sabbatical form, things were a bit different and I had planned on assisting with the Alzheimer walk as well. It was virtual this year, so I did my walk at the airport! Because of the shirt, I was able to have a little chat with a lady who does the walk every year in her city too.
I checked with AYSA to see if they needed my assistance while I was off. They didn’t, but I was able to go over there after Meals on Wheels and play games during their lunch break 4 days. I enjoyed having them housed at FD while their building was being built and have missed seeing their faces around the office. Aaron, Michelle, and I would play board games at lunch about once a week while they worked here, so it was good for the soul to get to do that again!
On Tuesday, I got my teeth cleaned and because I had to reschedule since my trip changed dates, I didn’t have my normal dental hygienist. This lady had the same name of my friend who use to be a dental hygienist, so I texted my friend. Turns out, she has covid! I was able to go to the store and then drop off groceries for her and then for her mom because she’s in quarantine. One of those things you can definitely see God’s hand in since I wouldn’t have texted her before my trip to HEB except for them having the same name. I also worked in a blood donation to the Hendrick blood center. They’re in desperate need right now and would love your blood! If you gave when the blood mobile was last at FD, it’s time to give again!
During my time off, I also read “The Road Back to You (an Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery)” by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile. I’d become interested in the enneagram after hearing Ian Cron speak at a Leadercast event. This book helps you realize your core motivations and how to grow to live out your best life. As stated in the book, “It’s full of wisdom for people who want to get out of their own way and become who they were created to be.” What I like about the enneagram is that it’s not about putting yourself and others in a box and saying, “This is who I am and I can’t change, so deal with it.” They encourage you to see your strengths and weaknesses and grow in that spiritually to better assist yourself on life’s journey and in connection with and to have compassion for others. Even if you’ve never heard of the enneagram, I’d recommend this book. It gives a brief intro of the enneagram (which you should definitely read even if you’ve heard of the enneagram) and then goes through each of the 9 types. Even though you’re only 1 type, reading about the others gives insight into how to better interact with others not like you. When I returned to the office, I was discussing the book with Ryan Carlson and he gave me some other enneagram resources that I’m excited to look into!
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More photos of God’s amazing creations!
Checked off another state visited and another state capitol visited!
The color of these berries is still blowing my mind! I’d never seen anything like it!
Multnomah Falls – the tallest waterfall in OR.
These grapes and the lavender smelled soooo good!
At the end of the Oregon trail one day and walking in the wagon wheel grooves on a different part a few days later!
Hell’s Canyon
Throughout the trip, we picked apples, prunes (Italian Prunes are a variety of plum often dried to make prunes), blackberries, grapes, and figs. I found the ripest fig I could find which wasn’t very ripe and tasted like grass, but I really wanted to be able to eat a fig right off the tree! 🙂
