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How's Your News

some Washington pics

The Miss Leslie Gottschalk posted some words and photos about our trip to Olympic Nat'l. She's funny. Les, when and where next? I'd have written that to Heidi as well but she doesn't blog.




The Miss Leslie Gottschalk's Blog


Look at how wildernessy she is. She shimmied across this nothin trail like it was her job. I on the other hand was slow like a turtle and shaking like an aspen in the breeze. But we have pic to prove we DID it.

I love that I have friends who get me to do such awesome things and get out and enjoy God's creation. Its time to go again... Without coaching I'm not sure what to do with my time. That's a prayer item and I'm excited to see what comes along.

Maybe some day

God's love is. That's it, it just IS. Maybe some day that will click in my mind. This can be a very difficult concept for me to grasp because the kind of love that I experience, feel and compare to is human love. In my life human love has been earned, lost, won over, conditional, a checklist, missed the mark, temporarily fulfilling and disappointing, incomplete. I've both been on the receiving end and been the giver of this human act of love. When I meet someone there are times without trying to I bring along a checklist. Is this person attractive? do they annoy me? are they intriguing? what makes them tick? can I listen and converse with them? are they real? will they accept me if I'm honest? what benefits are there from knowing this person? What will a friendship with them require of me? Am I willing to give that? I can almost guarantee that I would fail God's checklist for me to earn His love. Do I have a checklist for my relationship with my Creator? How ridiculous! The awesome thing is, He loves me. He LOVES me. HE loves me. He loves ME! and YOU. No one is worth His love but he loves us anyway, more than we can grasp. Wow. What will it take for me to understand this? Maybe some day...


I cuddled a 2 month old peanut over the weekend. He was simply perfect and my kind of baby. He was so content being all bundled up and outside in the 40 degree weather around a campfire, nookie in mouth. Someone made the comment that I looked so natural with a baby in my arms. My comment in return was simply, "maybe some day." If I may be real... I admit that being a mommy is something that I don't let myself dream about. I guess I could adopt as a single parent but there is no WAY I'd want to tackle parenting alone. Raising children takes two. A community even. Seeing as how I am as single as I have ever been and no indication from the Big Guy who holds my future of whether my soul mate is really out there, I gently push that desire aside and continue enjoying freedom that is young adulthood singleness to come and go as I please. Maybe some day...

You go Girls!

I just can't quite get enough of the game of soccer. I'm over half way to 50 and I'm still playing. Its not quite at the level of college competition... far from it. Its just a great way to trick myself into working out. I admit that I compare my skills and endurance to check if I'm really getting old or not. Some days I think not, seeing as how I can take it to my high schoolers in skill, sprints and endurance runs. Sheesh, some of them are half my age. I feel to young to be able to say that but its true. Anywayzzz, this post is to share how proud I am of our girls.
They made history Saturday night by becoming Schuylkill League Champs. I've only been involved with the program 3 years but just 5 years ago the squad was started thanks to go-getter Jan Hoffner the head coach. I hear stories of their first year getting just drowned by teams, a hundred goals against and 3 measly goals for the season, going 0-16. Now fast forward to ever improving records and the ladies earn the title of League Champions. The seniors had a very proud moment of carrying the Saturday night earned trophy to the Athletic Director Monday morning.
The game that decided the title was an hour and 45 minute bus ride to Tamaqua (a predetermined site) for two schools that are only 15 miles apart, Halifax and Millersburg. Ironic. These two teams always show up to play each other for pride is at stake. We beat them soundly 2-0 earlier in the season. The funny thing to me is that they all practically know each other either through youth group, dating kids at each other's schools or other sports teams involvement. My girls mentioned more than one text message from one of the opponents saying "good game." I just shake my head (internally) at this small town I find myself in while being sure I'll always be a bit of an outsider, not related... not from around here, by choice. I need something to set me apart. :)
The Pottsville Republican wrote up a great article of the scoreless double overtime game that was decided by 7 penalty kicker rounds. The seniors are an awesome group of hard working, dedicated ladies. They lead by example and positive input and their faith. We pray as a team in a huddle before taking the field. I love that the girls had the chance to share that their help in maintaining composure in such an intense situation was a contribution to their faith in God... through whom they can do all things through Christ who Strengthens them.
Newspaper Article

This week we start District playoffs... incidentally our semi-final game is against Millersburg. Woo doogie, round 3.

"Oh wow"

Oh wow!... That was the most common phrase out of my mouth the entire time on the trail. Five days in mid September were spent enjoying the west coast temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park, Washington. My fellow Wilderness Chick extraordinaire Heidi and I were joined by newbie (to our group not the the trail) Leslie - an AT through Hiker, for our fourth major back country expedition. Despite poor Heidi feeling crappy and not being her witty, sweet self, there were many awesome highlights. The first night Leslie went for a walk and thought she heard an elk bugle. Her curiousity led her to a secluded meadow and a whole herd of elk. The next morning we scampered out of our tents to see if the herd was still around. Sure enough, and they were closer too! We counted some 40 odd elk, big daddy's and baby's too. They make the weirdest sounds. The papas barely ate as they kept tabs on their harem and screeched out noises to them, while the ladies would bark if we made too much movement. On day 2 a little black bear must have been training for the annual bear run as he crashed banged down the mountain not 15 feet in front of us. We spotted 2 more bear aways across a beautiful lake. One even entertained us by taking a quick dip in the mountain water! Day 4 after passing that same lake on the way out, we had 9! black bear sightings in a 2-3 hour time span. Leslie was the master at spotting them. We also came across a Marmot clan, including the granddaddy of Marmots who could have cared less about us or the bear. Day 3 we took on a 16 miler, leaving our packs at a gorgeous riverside location and just taking what we needed for the day. We hiked up to Blue Glacier and decided it was worth the up, up, up gaining over 4,000 ft in elevation one way. Conversations with Heidi and Leslie's entertainment were such a blast and a huge priviledge on so many accounts.
Before heading back East I spent a day in Seattle waiting for my flight. I am so happy for the time away, down time to just think & relax on the trail for hours, beautiful scenary beyond words.






Yet, I sure was anxious to go back home too. Life is Good. I missed 6 of my high school soccer girls games (they are kickin some serious booty), there are a lot of great retreats coming up I'm planning at Hebron, I'm getting involved in a new church and its the fall!