Scenes From Austin

Here are some of my artsy pictures from our double date to Austin last week. James and I went with our friend Olivia and her boyfriend Matt. We started the morning absorbing the wonders of Book People, a local bookstore I could live in. Star Seeds Cafe for lunch, a self guided tour around the Capitol Building, and a wander down Sixth Street. We enjoyed bottomless iced coffee on the porch by the lake at Mozarts in the afternoon. Definitely a city I would love to continue to explore, full of music, farmer's markets, and authors doing book signings. Austin, I like you.

Climbing

This morning I got up with the sun.

My eyes almost stayed closed but the sun peeking through the window reminded me of the adventures awaiting. My friend Jaime invited a few of us to go rock climbing this morning, and as we hiked down to our challenge my feet were happy, my heart content.

Lines, carabiners, the smell of worn leather, chalk, fresh air, nifty shoes, laughter, clips, old backpacks, straps, dirt, rocks, encouragement, the cool of the day--all set to U2 playing as our soundtrack.

As the early morning sun drifted through the trees I scurried up the rock face and got almost as high as the boys. I love to repel back down--falling slowly, knowing you're hooked in.

Climb on.

Change

The first time I met Addie she looked at me and said,

"Hi my name is Addie, I'm six and I lost a tooth." She is Mark and Jane Petrak's granddaughter and we were so blessed to spend some time with them a few weeks ago.                                                                                                                                      

Sunday nights are a little empty around here lately. The Petraks left us in San Antonio--for good things, actually great things--but still, we were left. I am excited about their new season but definitely miss their company. There is no pretending with them, all one can do is let down all walls and formalities, because they are just real and open friends who want to know you as you, instead of anyone you may pretend to be.

They also fed us once a week.

Some things are changing around here. James moved into a new house, and I will move at the end of this week as well. Friends are done with a semester of school, home groups are merging together, and decisions are getting worked out. Summer is also upon us, though the last few days have been quite cool and pleasant. I've started working with the non-profit our community is connected with, Boy With A Ball, helping with some editing and learning a little about grant-writing from my friend Melody.

I like change, life would be so uninspiring without it.