These are some of our friend Karen's pictures. One of the best things we did on our camping trip this weekend was sing together around the fire. In particular, we loved this song. We sang it over and over, four-part harmony. Eventually, a strange beam of light fell upon us and we heard, "Do you guys take requests?" Turned out our neighbors heard us and thought to themselves "I don't think that's a radio," so they followed the music ... whether or not that's a compliment, we enjoyed meeting them! They were also from Chicago--we people attract each other!

The four of us on this trip are in the midst of life transitions.

While I've learned recently just how much of an escapists I am (in a potentially unhealthy way) I did eventually find a way to relax and be at peace.

Doing back-flips in the lake, I felt 8-years-old again, and safe. God is good.

We all agreed that the wilderness fed our souls and kept us in the moment. In fact, we're getting together to sing tonight, again! And come September, we're going to hike ourselves 10 miles into the woods, again!

In other news ... mmm, pancakes.

I am a convert.

I am ready to share.

I officially love the Old Testament.

Yes.

That fated half of our holy book,

which used to haunt me with it's obscurity.

Something called me to read

just a little more. And I did.

I love that it is full of God speaking,

interceding in history.

(I have so much to learn from the

people who heard God and responded.)

I love reading our history as a people.

What really strikes me is that they, as

opposed to the folks in the New Testament,

really had no idea what a huge part they

were playing in God's plan for the world.

Their behavior is so raw and human.

I no longer see a despairing, plural divine

character between God in the New and Old.

I surely don't understand a lot, but with

solid study tools, and a community of

believers, I have full faith that there is much

more to be found in this old story.

Much.

I've seen a bit and it is rich.

I've been hiking.

And singing.

And dirty.

I'm slowly reintegrating into society.

watch the vessel. it pushes deeper and across it's thick, gritty landing. the vessel trudges, thrusts long 'til the path gives way. even as it kisses the fence to deliverance, resistance lightly splashes, lashes its face.

"you'll be free out here," it says, "but not without hardship."

still the vessel lurches, leans into the possibilities and the hope of meeting where it's meant to be.

"i'll do it," the vessel replies, "i'll wrestle with you under the Law that governs us both. and together, i'll float."

NYC- The Last Day. It's been a real trip to follow these pictures, eh?

Waking up after our night with Keith and his buddies was a little brutal. (Although they galavanted around the city from 11 pm - 7 am, so I have no room to speak.) We were out the door by 9:30 anyway, and on our way to the famed Babycakes, producers of healthy treats. I had an agave-sweetened pumpkin loaf that somehow filled me up all day long.

We spent about an hour relaxing in Washington Square Park. Jake and I love reading aloud to each other, this time we read David Sedaris. The lawn sprinklers came on for second, causing flocks of business-clad men and women to escape, Whole Foods lunch bag in hand.

We walked over to 7th Ave and visited Syd at his office. Walked to the West Village in search of Taim "the best falafel," for lunch. It was the best falafel. We walked all around the village, had an iced mocha at Chocolate Bar. We walked back up to both the Highline and Chelsea Market, since Jake hadn't been. We walked a lot for being as tired as we were.

Spent our last night babysitting Lyla and Nigel. Jake read to Lyla for probably two hours, please note how all of her "friends" are sitting upright, facing out, to hear the stories. We brushed our teeth and washed our faces like secret spies, so as not to wake Nigel.

Enjoyed the balcony view on our last night and the next morning, kissed New York good bye: