Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday Snapshot: {More} Ethan
Today. Because the other day he sat in a chair for what must have seemed like forever to a two year old–all for his photo lovin’ and snappin’ aunt.
Because he calls me honey.
Because one day he’ll be embarrassed that he called me honey.
Because he makes running laps around a couch fun.
Because his giggle melts my heart.
Because I won’t see him again for a year.
Because I leave for China again in just over a week.
Because I finally completed all of my graduate work for the summer today.
You have to put up with another batch of Ethan pictures. Sorry. {Not really.}
Updated on August 2, 2011
Chairs
And so we know and rely on the love the Father has for us.
I was reading through 1 John the other morning, and when I got to this verse I started thinking about chairs. The connection is quite obvious, right? Ok, so maybe it’s not, but it’s the first thing that popped into my head. I started thinking about two kinds of chairs and how one might approach sitting in those chairs.
If I approach a delicate antique chair, with antique spindles, and a worn out seat, I am very wary of sitting in it. If I must sit in the chair, I will very gingerly and slowly lower my weight onto the seat. My body will be rigid, and I will constantly be conscious of every creak and movement of the chair—listening for that faint sound that indicates a crash to the ground is imminent. All of my attention will be placed on discerning the security of the chair moment by moment.
The story is entirely different if I’m approaching a sturdy chair with thick legs and a plush cushion. There will hardly be a moment’s hesitation or thought as I move to put my weight in the chair. There is no doubt or worry or anxiety about the chair’s ability to hold my weight. There is no need to remain aware of the distribution of my weight, or to keep my feet solidly on the ground in the hopes of reducing the load on the chair. On the contrary, I can nestle into the chair and comfortably pull my feet off the ground, allowing the chair to fully envelop me.
Updated on August 2, 2011
It doesn’t take much…
…to fall in love.
I may only get to see him 9 days out of 365, but one thing is absolutely certain. Aunt “Haffrin” is unequivocally, undeniably smitten.
Updated on August 2, 2011
They grow up so fast
I’m currently down in Florida hanging out with my nephew, sister and brother-in-law. Actually, mostly with my nephew. My sister is in her last year of residency and my brother-in-law just started his practice, which means I get Ethan to myself most of the day. And I don’t mind a bit.
He’s grown up so much since I saw him last year.
He is definitely a little boy now, and not a toddler.
He’s talking up a storm. Although he often drops off the first consonant. I’ve quickly become adept at Ethan-speak.
I’m “Haffrin.” Or Honey.
One thing hasn’t changed–he still loves fruit.
That and he still has the most gorgeous eyes. Off to enjoy every minute with the little guy!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Go green
Being my first trip to the Pacific Northwest, I decided to stay on in the Portland area a day after the wedding. I figured if I had come all that way, I should at least see some of the beauties the area boasts. So I coerced Kirsten’s friend Victor, whom I had met in Thailand, to drive me along the Columbia River Gorge for some hikes, waterfalls, and general beauty gazing.
Ok, so it didn’t take too much coercing. Who wouldn’t want to spend a day taking in sites like this?
Oh. My. Goodness.
Can I just live right here? The colors…
So.
Much.
Beautiful.
Glorious.
Green.
If only I could package it all and transport it back to China with me. One thing is for sure, I have fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday Snapshot: Marriage did us part
We met three and a half years ago. A teammate of mine and I were traveling to Vietnam during the winter break. He happened to have a good friend who was just returning to Vietnam with our organization. I still remember being introduced to her for the first time at our conference in Thailand. I just had a brief moment with her. She seemed artsy and way cooler than me. In that moment, I didn’t yet realize the treasure the Father had placed in my path.
A week or so later we met up with Kirsten again in Hanoi. We started to get to know each other a bit, and started finding some common threads. And then we had one long night sharing a four foot narrow bunk in the steward’s cabin of a train. Now that’s a story I will retell here sometime soon. It’s one of my best Asia travel stories. But this isn’t about Asia travel. It’s about a girl who after a night in very close proximity became incredibly close to my heart.
“Way” back in 2007 ( random side note: do you ever go back to old pictures you once thought were good and think, whoa, I guess I have learned a thing or two?)
Up in the mountains of Vietnam, in late night chats, we discovered similar hearts for the Father, similar tastes in books and music, and a love for photography. We were bonded. I knew that in just a few days time I had found one of those rare long-lasting friendships. We were both planning on starting the graduate program in the coming year, and we made a pact then and there that at all grad classes and conferences (about 2 months of the year) we would be roommates until death, furlough, or marriage did us part. Read More
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sneak peek
After a day of hiking, waterfalls, and some of the prettiest drives I’ve ever been on, I’m tucked away in a Portland coffee shop. I should be writing papers…but I thought I’d take just a moment to give you a sneak peek at the loveliness that brought me to the Pacific northwest. I’m thinking a Sunday snapshot is in order; I should have plenty of time to edit tomorrow as I make my way from the west to the east. Next stop: my nephew, sister, and brother-in-law in Florida!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Bits of my day
I woke up at 4:45 AM.
I put on my jeans after a quick shower. I felt something in the pant leg. I reached up to grab said object and ended up fishing out a large beetle bug thing. We’re talking larger than the size of my thumb. It was still alive. I don’t like bugs.
My lovely friend Amy attempted to drive me to a shuttle service to the airport. We started to get lost. Then we got a flat tire. Then she started to change it. But then the thingy that lifts the car up (can you tell I’ve never changed a tire?) collapsed and almost sent her car into the car parked behind us. The minutes until my flight were melting away, so I had to call a cab to get me to the airport.
I had the cab drop me off at the American terminal, since I was on an Alaskan flight operated by American. Turns out I needed to check into the Alaskan terminal. Had to speed walk several terminals down.
I rolled out of the Portland airport and headed straight to the church to help decorate for a dear friend who is getting married tomorrow. I ironed more black tablecloths than I’d like to remember. I tried to make myself look presentable with about five minutes in the church bathroom before the rehearsal.
I sat in the rehearsal and watched this beautiful woman walk towards a man who is an answer to so many prayers. And the tears flowed. And the day was suddenly worth it.
Updated on August 2, 2011
There’s a first time for everything
Everyone who’s from LA and everyone who knows someone from LA has heard of it. Like Graeter’s is to Ohio (please tell me someone out there knows the wonderfulness of Graeter’s), In-n-out is to southern California.
In my many visits to LA, I had yet to partake of this famous cuisine.
Until last night. Verdict? Better than most fast food restaurants. Sure nice to know they use fresh ingredients. That must lessen the caloric intake, right? Greatest burger out there? Uhh, we may have to draw the line there. But I do feel like a significant event is now checked off of my life to do list. Ok, maybe eating In-n-out was #356,723, but still, it’s now checked off.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Reunions
I met Emily my very first day at college. My sister’s in-laws went to the same church with her in Florida, and told me to look her up. She just so happened to be on the same dorm floor as me. We shared a dorm suite our sophomore year, and lived in an apartment together our junior year. And now she’s married. And has two adorable little boys. Where has the time gone?
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