Alaskan morning together

Lots of thoughts, great morning conversations, family, serenity, relaxation.

We flew into Alaska and stayed at a hotel after 11 hours on a plane and nearly 24 hours of traveling. The following morning we gals souvenir shopped at the downtown anchorage market and arrived at the cabin awaiting our gentlemen. Sprucing up the place we picked wild flowers and decorated with evergreens. I don't think the guys noticed our efforts, but it was a joy to do none-the-less.

I am reminded again of the importance of Christian community to help us reorient our hearts. In this mornings' conversation I realized how much I bend towards selfishness not sanctification. This morning Bob made a true statement about the Lord's prayer, you now the part that says deliver us from evil. As often it is portrayed as, "oh, God deliver me from all those evil people", when perhaps it rather should be prayed as deliver me from my evilness, sanctify me now, and teach me how to love "all those evil people". Perspective.

Today we relax, maybe take some walks, as I get to enjoy the blessing of Nic's company and thankful that God planned these next few days for us to be together. So thankful we are here together.

Us and our view from the master suite.

Love to all from Alaska.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Missing him

The men have left and are well on their way to Alaska. It was/is harder than I thought it would be. Despite all the amazing technology that gives me reassurance he is okay, he is still gone, far away and getting further. They are well into Canada now, and I think their ride will be beautiful today. I pray God uses it to show them of His majesty and goodness.


The only thing that keeps me sound is knowing that He has him and loves him more than I do.

As I have approached the second trimester (or 4th mester as Nic and I call it), Baby Kline likes to keep me guessing by giving me spoadic morning sickness. Today the little one said hello again. Yes, we haven't forgotten about you.

Posted with Blogsy

two men go to Alaska today

today, nic and his dad launch for Alaska on their motorcycles. we've all been preparing for this day for quite a while. if you'd like to follow their adventures here are the links to their blogs, nic kline and dad kline.

last night we celebrated nic's last night (for a while at least) in kansas by enjoying two of our favorite things, bloomin' onion and coca-cola, needless to say we didn't feel too great afterwards. but as always, we enjoyed being together.

and he made some final preparation decisions.

We will miss you while you're gone.

Our trip to Lincoln, Nebraska

Yesterday we took a day trip to Nebraska. Words are hard to find to describe our visit to Lincoln, NE. Three weeks ago today, a friend, and dear sister in Christ suffered through multiple strokes resulting from a blood clot at her brainstem which has left her fighting for her life. She is in her early thirties. There is a rehab center in Lincoln that is a perfect fit for her while she continues to heal. Four of us and their beloved dog-daughter, Piper, went up to visit.

 

I don't remember where we first met her and her husband, but last fall we reconnected through our church and as God would have it, they joined our gospel community group. We meet on Sunday nights and my heart hurts to be without them tonight.

I cling to the words of this song:

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to your God in order to provide; in every change, he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul, your best your, your heavenly Friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul, your God will undertake to guide the future as he has the past.

Chris and Alison, we trust God with His perfect plan for your both. We will miss you tonight.

 

New York City 2011

i love traveling, and even though i'm partial to the mountains, spending some time in new york city last week with friends and family turned into an incredible and memorable vacation. of course, not a vacation that proved to be relaxing by any stretch of the imagination. it started off with a work conference followed by jam packed days of sight-seeing, walking countless miles through crowds of people, navigating through unknown territories (thank you google maps for all your assistances), getting as little sleep as possible, and bickering as all healthy married couples do, starting to sound like a great time, huh? well, it was. without further ado, here's our trip in a nut-shell of a blog post.

i flew in wednesday night and spent the next two days learning some valuable information about SEC filing requirements. the first night we ate at dos cominos, yes, mexican in the city, so delicious. great guac. the second night we ventured to a cute little italian restaurant in union square, i tre merli, also delicious.

at i tre merli

at mcsorley's old ale house est. 1854. two types of beer are sold, dark and light.

nic flew in friday night and saturday, november 12th, we began the sight-seeing, after a cup of coffee of course.



at the roasting plant in the green village. we then walked through the union square green market.

strolled through central park.

found apple store #1. yipee!!

met up with nic's sister for lunch at le pain (awesome food) near columbus circle, followed by walking/shopping/browsing. loved the shopping south of washington square park.

had to charge our phones from all the usage we put them through, so we found apple store #2. :)

after all the walking, the three of us decided to sit and eat dessert before dinner, best. choice. ever.

we then met back up with friends where we enjoyed dinner and wine in little italy. hm, can't remember the name of this restaurant. ;)

sunday we toured what we could see of the 9/11 memorial, took a subway to brooklyn, ate grimaldi's pizza, and then walked back to manhattan across the brooklyn bridge. we stopped for an afternoon coffee at 71 irving and people watched in washington square park. oh and had an amazing peanut butter sandwich at peanut butter and co. the evening line up was the Rockettes show at radio city music hall and dinner at rosa mexicana near lincoln center.

construction on the new building at the world trade center site.

grimaldi's pizza and a $2 can of coke.

the view from brooklyn bridge, a lot has happened in 10 years.

afternoon coffee at 71 irving place coffee and tea bar

heading to the show

setting up the tree at Rockefeller Center, which seemed to deserve a photo at the time.

at the Rockettes!

while not a clear shot, evidence of us at lincoln center.

monday we spent the morning with nic's sister, saw grand central station, ate at patsy's pizza, visited an AMAZING furniture store (abc carpet & home, incredible), ate thai food at republic (so satisfying), saw phantom of the opera (bonechilling), and capped the night with juniors cheesecake. my feet were officially swollen by end of day monday.

tuesday was our final day in the city and we packed it full.

morning coffee at the starbucks near our 34th and 9th st. apartment

toured the top of the empire state building

said good-bye to nic's sister

shopped the christmas section at macy's, did you spot santa?!?!

we grabbed a quick burger at shake shack in madison square park, and made a last minute decision to go to the patigonia store.

we bought matching jackets. :)

all in all a wonderful trip. happy thanksgiving!!