The World's Largest Buffalo

Most states are known for one main thing. Michigan is known for its lakes. Florida for its sun. Colorado for its mountains. Kentucky for its horse farms.

North Dakota is known for having the world's largest buffalo.

I flew into Jamestown around noon on Tuesday, after a quick stop in Aberdeen SD where everyone (excepting myself, of course) got off the plane. From Aberdeen to Jamestown I had my own private flight, and had to move a few rows back to (as I was told) "equalize the weight of the plane since i was the only passenger"....still haven't figured out the reasons exactly-and frankly it kind of scares me that one person could throw off the balance of a commercial airplane, and that by moving 3 rows back the problem is solved...
I even got to hear the "ladies and gentlemen. thank you for choosing to fly northwest today. please make sure your seats and tray tables are in their upright and locked positions..."

I hadn't seen Heidi since December of 2003, so of course, i was super excited. We were in Jamestown until Friday at her apartment. During that time

we went to see the world's largest buffalo, a fifty foot statue made out of cement that overlooks the entire town of Jamestown.

we toured the booming town of frontier village, a tourist trap ( i think we were the only ones there.)

I was carded for trying to buy cold medicine at the local wal-mart, and since i didn't have ID on me, i recieved a reciept that said "underage...denied sale by federal law." I just looked at the cashier, as i held my kleenex box in one hand, and my eyes watered with sinus congestion. So, Heidi had to buy it for me.

we went to the buffalo museum, which cost $5, so instead we went to the gift store. I never knew that so many things could have a buffalo theme.

I helped Heidi decorate her apartment more, we baked a lot, watched some movies, and I was able to meet some of her residents (from the nursing home where she works.)

I am now at her home in Maddock, a booming town of 500. The house is beautiful, overlooking fields complete with porch and porch swing. It has been such a blessing, and encouragement, as well as much fun to be here. I will be returning back to the great lake state on Tuesday.

home again

well...it has been a while since i have added to my blog...last week was finals week, and i feel pretty good about the semester. I have learned so much about God's faithfulness, and how his faithfulness is not dependent on my faithfulness. God is faithful, that is who he is, and he has plans for us that are way better than we could ever imagine up or try to orchestrate on our own. I am learning so much more about what it means to trust in him, and a result of that trust is ultimately surrender. i feel like i am barely scratching the surface when it comes to understanding all of this, but i have fallen more in love with my Savior these past few months, and looking back at this past year, i can clearly see God's hand directing me to where i am now. It is easy to try to imagine what the end result of all of this will be, and to try to plan my life now for what might happen in the future. However, I know that I must learn to take it day by day, moment by moment living for Christ. One of my favorite quotes.."wherever you are, be there." I don't want to miss out on what is in store for me know by living too far ahead.

Saturday morning, about 12:30 am, justin and katie arrived at moody to pick me up and bring me home...didn't get back until 5 am...was pretty tired...slept until 3 in the afternoon. It is so nice to be home, surrounded by trees, grapevinyards, horses, and of course...
the smell of dad's cooking
mom waking up at 5am
jeanette riding horses down the hill with student in tow
mom falling asleep on the couch around 9, sleeping soundly and then finally going to bed around 10.
dad falling asleep around 10, sleeping soundly until 11, calling the cat inside the house, doing dishes, then going to bed.
TVEC talk
filling water tanks, moving hoses, throwing hay
seeing 5 people i know in the check-out at the grocery store
leaving the car unlocked in the parking lot with keys inside
contemplating with katie if the horse treats in the fridge are alright for human consumption
black skies at night, bright stars
the smell of freshly cut grass
the sound of horses running in the pasture
home.