So, I survived the first day...and Josh Cleveland is not sick of the car. Yet.
After only four hours of sleep, I got up at 4:00am, finished packing and said goodbyes -- out of the house by 5:45. Within two miles of the house, I remembered two things I had forgotten: most importantly, my cowboy hat...and I am moving back to Texas. Sad! However, I was not sad enough to turn around to get it.
It was a beautiful morning across Washington. I used to hate the drive between Bellevue and Spokane, but after driving it some twenty times in college, it became old hat. I haven't made the drive in three years, so it was a homecoming of sorts. The Columbia River was a great sight, as the water was class and the sky was clear above.
Encountered a few of "those" drivers. I won't go into detail, and I don't claim to be a perfect driver, but a public service announcement: DRIVE WELL. Thanks.
Thanks to my sister Stefanie for the phone call!
Had some good time to sing loudly and pray quiety. Grateful.
Rolled into Whitworth around 10:00 and grabbed coffee with Nicole, an old friend and my former supervisor when I was an RA in college. Took a great walk around the campus -- much has changed, but Spring's beauty remains. Many folks make fun of Whitworth or see it as a very "simple" school, producing "simple" folks. I'll disagree with those folks, once again. It is a place of great depth and authenticity. Of course, it is not perfect: it has all the struggles (and more) of a small Christian school, but it is what you make of it. My four years there were diverse and deeply good. Talking with Nicole was refreshing, and being asked about my faith life as if it were important, and as though Jesus was alive and active and real, was a gift. Thanks, Friend Nicole! Sometimes at Princeton, Jesus seems to be more of a concept than a Person. (I am feeling a wee cynical today about how we do education at Princeton. More on that later, perhaps.)
Also got to hang out with to of my favorite Texans, Katelyn and Travis. It was great to see them in their element, in a place I hold so dearly, and in a place that has become their own. Looking forward to spending more time with them this summer.
After running errands around Spokane, I took some pictures at the River and headed East to Missoula, Montana. I don't remember being to Montana but once or twice in my life, and that when I was quite young -- so it was great to get past Spokane and to soak up some new sights. The drive through northern Idaho, especially Coeur d'Alene was fantastic, with vivid greens and blues and browns. The sky in Idaho is a great preparation for the Big Sky of Montana.
Like any true nerd, (I embrace any nerd tendencies within) I bought a book on tape. Peace Like A River, by Leif Enger, read by Chad Lowe. Thanks to C-A-R-M-E-N, I L-O-V-E it. I am a little ADD, friends, so at first I could not focus on it well, but after awhile, I was hooked. Only got through the first tape, but am sucked in. I was struck with these thoughts on miracles.
"Let me say something about that word: miracle. For too long, it's been used to characterize things or events that, though pleasant, are entirely normal. Peeping chicks at Easter time, spring generally, a clear sunrise after an overcast week -- a miracle, people say, as if they've been educated from greeting cards. I'm sorry, but nope. Such things are worth our notice every day of the week, but to call them miracles evaporates the strength of the word.
Real miracles bother people, like strange sudden pains unknown in medical literature. It's true: They rebut every rule all we good citizens take comfort in. Lazarus obeying orders and climbing up out of the grave -- now there's a miracle, and you can bet it upset a lot of folks who were standing around at the time. When a person dies, the earth is generally unwilling to cough him back up. A miracle contradicts the will of earth." (3)
Any thoughts on those thoughts? May we recapture the true essence of "miracle" and through this disturbance, look again to the mysterious work of God, friends!
Once in Missoula, after getting a little lost, I found my way to the Cravy's new home. After a few much-needed strong hugs, we three ran to the dinner table. I had been ready to gnaw off my left arm or the steering wheel, but am glad that I did not, as Tracey made a great dinner (as usual). One of my favorite things to do with Dan and Tracey is to eat and talk and pray. Those things, we did. It was good to see their faces, and I am grateful. After sharing Moose Drool with Dan (that would be a micro-brew), we went on a great walk, and got some ice cream. Dan is the new pastor at First Pres. Missoula, the church which is part of A River Runs Through It. No joke! It is a beautiful building with great stained glass and a high ceiling. We arrived home and sat talking for awhile longer, then hit the beds. If you have not been to Missoula, I highly recommend it. It is a college town, great weather in the Spring and Summer (Winter....ouch) and has mountains surrounding it. (If you click on the picture at left and look closely, you can see Dan and Tracey hiding behind the tree.)
SONGS OF THE DAY!
Ready for an ECLECTIC mix? All these stick out as important to my day.
::Things That Make You Go Hmm...by C&C Music Factory
::He's Always Been Faithful...by Sara Groves
::For Good...by The Cast of Wicked
::I Am On Your Side...by Pete Yorn
::The Marriage of Figaro (Porgi, amor)...by Sona Ghazarian
::Be Thou My Vision...by Pedro the Lion
::Perfect World...by Indigo Girls
::Authority Song...by Jimmy Eat World
VERSE OF THE DAY: Acts 5:41-42
"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."
Okay, friends. Check out my Day One photo album for some shots of the day. Wish I got more, but had destinations and time constraints. The next few days should allow for more stops and more freedom in my schedule, so be prepared for better shots.
I am grateful for you all. Thanks for joining me.
Please see my letter to Montana below. It's deep.
Dear Montana, I love you. See more of you soon.
Hugs and Kisses,
Josh.
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