Ecclesiastes

Over the last month or so, I have been reading Ecclesiastes and the commentary from The Guide series. While I liked the Colossians & Philemon guide better, this one was good too. The author was definitely strong in giving lots of illustrations to relate the major points to modern life. However, it didn't make you "dig in" to the Bible as much for answers to questions like the Colossians and Philemon guide did. (By the way, I'm really excited to teach Colossians to the junior high group and church on Wednesdays this year!) To wrap up my study, I thought I would post some of the quotes I highlighted throughout the study that I found insightful. 

Ecc 1:3-11

"Jesus pointedly asks us, 'For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?' (Mark 8:36) Modern secular man replies, 'What use is my soul, if I can't have a piece of this world?' " 

"Sin...is at first novelty, then drudgery, and finally slavery." 

Ecc. 1:12-18 "...the more we learn, the more we see how little we know." 

Ecc. 2:1-26 "But the meaning of life is not found in just being alive in this life itself (the gift), but is rather in God who gave it (the Giver)." 

Ecc. 3: 1-8 

"Merely to state that 'to everything there is a season' is to imply purpose and direction; to assert the controlling power of an intelligent providence; to declare that God is on the throne." 

"Our inability to comprehend the often apparently incomprehensible things happening in our world only proves we are not all-knowing- that is, we are not God!"

Ecc. 3:9-22  "Complaining that God's sovereign control over everything renders our efforts meaningless is actually a veiled rationalization of practical atheism."

That's all for tonight. More to come!

Waterhouse Lake Hike II

Justin and I headed back to the Emigrant Wilderness for what might be our last hike this year. (I hope not, but school is getting busy and the season will be over in another month!) I blogged about a month ago about a hike to Waterhouse Lake that didn't quite make it, so I was determined to find this remote lake and master the wilderness.

I think I did both, but not without some battle scars to prove it.

To start off, the first mile of the hike is even or downhill, and scattered with all kinds of lovely flowers. (I should note that the road was better graded and I was actually able to drive to the trail head in my Honda Fit without worrying it might bottom out from the low clearance). Truly, I loved this first mile as there are so many different flowers. Even though I had hiked here a few weeks before, the colors had developed more and the greenery is a great contrast to yellows, purples, and whites from the flowers. Gorgeous! Pictures are worth a thousand words, yet they still can't capture it all.

Then, you see the ominous Wilderness Boundary sign and here comes the granite valley and downhill climb to the lake. Last time, I veered to far to the right and didn't make it to the lake. So I was quite determined to make sure I kept to the left and found the lake. After all it was only .7 miles down....

Trekking down the granite, I started off without following the rock cairns closely. After a few hundred feet, it was a little steep but we kept going. We saw a cairn a bit below us, and carefully started descending to it. As I was easing my way down, with one hand on each side of me against the rocks, I suddenly lost my footing. The rock that I had put weight on slid out from below me and before I knew it, I was on my back with my head first, grabbing on to a branch of manzanita to stop my fall. While the manzanita bushes softened my fall, they also left me with several bloody gashes on my lower left leg, back of my left thigh, calf of my right leg, and scrapes on my elbow. All in all, I only slid about 10 feet or so, but it was enough to leave me breathless and a bit light-headed. Justin came down to me and we paused for a second before getting to the path we saw below. But as I was walking, I realized my shoelace had snapped somehow. Luckily they were pretty long so I was still able to tie it and keep going. After some water and cleaning off the cut, we kept heading down. (We might have went back up, but couldn't!) At this point, we caught sight of more cairns and were able to follow them safely down. Justin helped me so much during all this!

Waterhouse Lake sneaks up on you... once the granite starts leveling out, the stream leads you to it, but you don't see it until you are right up on it. It had several granite slabs that were smooth enough for resting on after out short but strenuous hike. There was a lone duck splashing around in the water that kept us entertained while we rested and ate lunch. We hung out for an hour and a half, but left around 1:30 pm because I might have been a little worried about getting my leg cleaned, and the family who was trying to fish had a few boys with them and we could hear them across the lake. It was a Saturday, so I shouldn't complain of course, but I still like my peace and quiet.

We trekked back to the top in about 45 minutes, and it was much easier than going down because of our rough start. Then back to the trail head through alpine terrain and summer meadows again! It was a good day though- love being out in God's creation with my husband.

Busy, Busy... Sorta

Things are getting busier, but nothing like last year with classes!

This weekend my church had its 10th anniversary. To celebrate, we had a community breakfast on Saturday morning- pancakes, sausage, and eggs, juice or coffee, and live music to boot! There was also horse rides outside for the kids. Then on Sunday, we had a special service that was really encouraging. It was great to reflect on all God has done for the church, and how He has used the church in the lives of Christians.

I had a little time with the kitten, who we have decided to call Spike. (It's a boy) It's quite playful. We're not letting it in the house too much, but it seems pretty content to stay on the porch. I'm starting to leave the screen door open a bit so it can wander in the yard. It doesn't seem to go far even when we are working outside, so it should be pretty safe. I do worry a little about it wandering, but for now it knows where the food is so I think that it is going to stay close.

What is wrong with me?

Good gracious, I have a kitten!

It all started Tuesday night, Justin and I went running, and this little orange kitty from the neighbor's yard kept following us. We tried to take it back and then sprint off, but it kept coming after us down the road. It was just so I-wanna-hug-it-right-now adorable I kept thinking about it. And not just thinking about it, thinking about keeping it. Apparently it had wandered into their yard randomly. They already have six or more cats running around.

So, we finally got home, yet I still through about this precious kitten. It's true that part of my motivation for running tonight was in hopes of seeing it again. Sure enough, it was there and the neighbors came out and affirmed it still needed a home. Home I took it, and put some scraps of fabric in a basket and set out a dish of milk. It seems pretty happy about it. The poor thing hurt its leg a little bit and is limping some, but it doesn't seem to serious. If the wound doesn't heal up soon I might have to see what can be done. I think it will though.

So here it is... its eye needs cleaned a bit, but it's still really cute.

I really must have a deluge of time without having to go to master's classes each night!!

Strawberry Muffins

Tonight is breakfast-themed for our Wednesday night summer carry-in. I was looking through the fridge to see what I could make... I didn't want to use up all my eggs to make a big casserole, plus I didn't have bread. I supposed I could have done a ham-and-potato dish, but I just thought of that now as I am typing. What I did have that I needed to use was strawberries.

As always, I went to my trusty allrecipes.com and did an advanced search using "breakfast" and strawberries. After browsing a bit, I stumbled upon this recipe for Strawberry Muffins. It was perfect since I just wanted something quick. Though they did come out a little dry, I think it's just because I left them in a bit too long. (I kept sticking them with a toothpick and they didn't come out clean!) Either way, I tested one and it is just fine. I sprinkled sugar on top for a little added touch. MMMM!

(PS. Thanks Crystal for telling me how to use the macro function on the camera)

Zinnias and school

 

I love that a few of my zinnias are coming up and blooming. They are just the perfect cut flower- colorful, long-lasting, and sturdy. Just wonderful.  

In other news, I started teaching again last Wednesday. I am really enjoying my 10th graders- the maturity jump from 8th grade is definitely noticeable. And I don't have a class yet that is on my "bad class" list. They really all are doing well. Now that we're getting into the second week, I'm sure I see a few students who start squirreling around. 

I am definitely missing summer though... sleeping in....time to cook... hiking... sigh. But ya gotta live, right? So ya gotta work. 

In other news, our church is having their big 10 year anniversary celebration. This weekend we went down our street and invited everyone to the big community breakfast that we are putting one. It should be pretty great, with lots of fabulous food. I'm looking forward to it. 

That's about all my updates for now. I will really try to be better this year since I don't have classes in the evenings!

Inspiration Point

On our way home from backpacking, we stopped at Inspiration Point. The trail head is out of Lake Alpine and is just a two mile trip to breathtaking views. It was really great. Here's the pics!

Backpacking trip to Lower Kinney Lake

Our first backpacking trip together was fun... though ridden with mosquitoes!! It was a pretty easy hike- about 2.5 miles in and 2.5 miles out. There's some uphill right at the beginning, but pretty level after that point. While we camped at Lower Kinney Lake, Upper Kinney Lake also has some good campsites.... it's just the mosquitoes were out in full force! We would have been okay if we hadn't run out of bug spray... sigh... at least they stayed out of the tent! For dinner we cooked some tuna helper and finished the whole pot. Justin had a bit of fun getting our cookstove to start since the wind picked up a little bit. Since we hiked in later in the day, we ate and then went to bed early. I like camping, but you never sleep as well as you can. Justin and I both made mental notes to bring an inflatable camping pillow for next time! In the morning, we rose with the sun and hiked back out to the trailhead. A great trip overall for us less-experienced backpackers!

 Upper Kinney Lake

 Self-time picture, oh yea...

 Our little tent

 Raymond's Peak (with the Stars and Stripes on top!)

Older....

Well, I am officially a quarter of a century old... sheesh... that doesn't sound so good! For my birthday this past week we went to Qdoba, one of my favorite faster-food places to eat. I always get their three-cheese nachos with pulled pork...mmm! If that wasn't enough, we also went out to Cold Stone for ice cream. Needless to say, I wasn't very hungry for breakfast the next day.

Justin got me a cordless mouse for my laptop. I've been wanting one for a while and it definitely helps! I like my laptop but the scroll pad can definitely get annoying at times. He also ordered Sandlot for me. It's such a classic childhood movie and I'm glad we have it in our collection now.  We don't buy too many DVD's but this one was definitely one that we wanted to have. Grandma Heinrich knows me well too- she was out and saw this super cute blue paisley serving tray with a matching napkin/silverware holder. I don't have anything like that so it will be really nice to have for entertaining.

This weekend Justin and I are going on our first overnight backpacking trip. Well, his first. I have hiked on the Appalachian Trail. But it is our first together. It should be a good time.... I'm really hoping we don't run into any bears. :) I'll be sure to give a full report when we get back.

Besides that, I've been working in my room at school some this week. It came together I think, though yellow was the only paper color I had so it is pretty bright in there. Hey, I gotta keep the kids awake, right? I'm not sure if I am ready to go back though.... sigh...love my summers....

I've also been doing a study on Ecclesiastes with a girl from church. It's a pretty deep book. I'll have to go into more details later on.

Well... that's all for now. Gotta finished packing the bags for the hike!

Boulder Creek Hike in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

We loved our hike to Boulder Lake along Boulder Creek from the Clark Fork trail head. The first 2.5 miles was nice an easy, with only one sustained climb of well-made switchbacks. After the sign for the meadow and Boulder Lake, things went up hill quite a bit...around 1,500 feet I believe for the last 1.5 miles to the lake. (Definitely got our workout in from that one!)  On the first portion, you can hear and see the creek almost the whole way, and a little later in the season it would be great to jump in the creek too- there are lots of sandy patches. Right now though, the streams are still very full and, of course, cold. We also saw many wildflowers. My favorite was a section of purple ground cover in a small meadow- just beautiful! After a climb up past those, we arrived at the lake. We actually weren't sure if it was Boulder Lake- it was so shallow- but we were tired and rested in this great clearing to eat. It was super quiet and very peaceful- sigh. Wish I could live up there sometimes....

Here's some pictures from the hike.

The Iceberg

 View from the trail on the way up to Boulder Lake....