Not by Accident

"In Friendship we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting - any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others."

The Four Loves, by C.S. Lewis

Summer Projects

What have you been up to, RB? May and June Yardwork, plus some teaching here and there (at Corban and GFU). Now on to campouts and backpacking...and a little more teaching. Great summer!

Role Reversal?

From The Last Season, by Eric Blehm:

Randy escorted his father back over Shepherd Pass - an easy stroll for him, but Dana showed his years, however slightly, by inquiring, "Is that the top?" about another false summit. Or "How many more switchbacks to the summit?" "Thirty years after my boyhood, the roles are reversed," wrote Randy in his journal. "Aren't we almost there, Daddy? How much farther?" (In some cases it takes a lot less than 30 years. ;=)

Best Time Of Day

Beautiful sunsets aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. It's a sunRISE that's worth seeing and talking about. The beginning of the day. Fresh start. Look what's coming. I had to get out of bed to see this. Here are a few of my favorites in the last couple of years. Most of them required me to get off my butt, put on a pair of hiking boots (and snowshoes in one case), strap on a headlamp and GET SOMEWHERE before the light of day. Hmm. Time to stop talking and do it again.

Timberline Trail at Cooper Spur

Saddle Mountain, Oregon Coast Range - St. Helens and Adams in the background.

Silcox Hut above Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood

Camp Lake in Three Sisters Wilderness - I actually took this one from my sleeping bag on a trek with "the boys."

(Notice the time of day this is being posted? Probably partially explains why I like to see the sunrise. In fact, I think I'll get another cup of coffee and go enjoy today's from the patio.)