I'd like another donut

I've made my way back from the Western seaboard, and I've got to say that it was one of the best vacations that I have ever had. Most times when I return home from a trip I'm actually more tired than when I left, this time [barring time zone difficulties] I felt refreshed. Not refreshed enough to feel up to going back to work, but refreshed. Life is happening around me and I'm getting a bit stressed, but I'm somehow more up for the challenge after this trip. I won't give you details, but I'll say that I laughed a lot and had some good talks, and thought about theology and had some really good food. Here are the highlights of the trip and some pictures: seeing Karla [she had been in Afghanistan], playing kendama, talking music with Andy, Tonalli's, watching Arrested Development, playing "SimCity" on the Wii - much to Lynette's chagrin, breakfast with Dave the Brave, getting second place at a pub quiz with Liz and Alan, Powells, sushi, running up Mount Tabor - which I had failed at before, BBQ in North Portland, meeting someone who lived less than a half mile from me in high school, disc golf with Brett - to celebrate the five-year anniversary of our trip to Portland, discussing the Church with Brett, Imago Dei -constantly being impressed by their desire to be missional and to love the City, donuts from Annie's, Blue Angels at a wedding and visiting the Kennedy School.




But I do have to tell one story, though I'm sure Lynette or Jon will tell it better. We had gone to Andy's house to eat and I had declared my intention on stealing the first disc of the first season of Arrested Development [contains the episode 'Bringing up Buster']. Upon getting in the car to leave I realized that I had forgotten the disc inside. I jump out and run to get the disc, by the time I had leapt from the front porch back to the car I saw Jon driving away. Haha, they got me good. So I sit and wait for them to come back and chat with Andy while he changes into some damn sexy cutoff jean shorts. I wait. And after a little while I think to myself, "maybe they didn't do this on purpose." Half a mile away Lynette turns to the back seat and says, "someone's being awful quiet back ther..." Jon was laughing so hard that he was afraid that he might have an asthma attack. It was seriously one of the funniest moments I've ever experienced.

Despite my adopted Portland parents forgetting me at Uncle Andy's, I have to say that being around the Sanchezes was the best part of my trip. They're good friends, and I often miss them. Not to say that I don't miss Karla, Dave or Andy or anyone else out there, but I miss the community I had with Jon and Lynette. And, on that note, I'm moving to Ames this coming weekend, so bring on more community... I think [I'm nervous]. you have my love.