As I traveled through the mountains and valleys this past week, I got to see things that many people have seen, but probably not all in the short time that I had witnessed. Up to 8,200 feet and down to -200, it truly was a trip of diversity. From lush rain forests to the desert plain, from 102 degrees to 30, 360 foot high trees to scrub brush, dry river beds to powerful waterfalls, this trip took my breath away time and time again.

It made me think of what the world was like before the big flood in Noah's day. Were there deep canyons, tall waterfalls, mounds of granite protruding thousands of feet in the air? The earliest records don't say. It seems it was universally tropical. There were rivers but no rain. Mist watered the earth (oh, the Redwoods get around 25% of their moisture from the mist...)

However, the flood did come. Layers of sediment put down in great fashion. Canyons cut in days. Land mass sliding and buckling. Volcanic activity lit the night sky. After the flood, the earth took a new shape. Great amounts of snow causing glacier movement. New maps were needed to navigate these newly arranged land masses.

Yet, after all this violent activity, we, today, look around at the aftermath. Even after this great judgment, the world is left with incredible beauty, diversity, variety, and wonder. Places to climb, hike, and overlook magnificent views. Refreshing mist from a giant, tumbling waterfall. Animal and plant life in such amazing color and attitude.

To me, it goes to show how good and great God is. Even in judgment, he left us with incredible beauty. Had I been the one orchestrating the flood, things today would be rather flat, dull and boring (it was a judgment, remember?) Perhaps this is why I feel small standing next to a granite cliff running 2,000 feet straight up. I remember that these are formed out of God's judgment on man's rebellion. Not a small feat, pointing to the severity of just how bad is sin, and how great and powerful God is.

The last leg home…

Drive through the Redwood National Park

The trip between Vegas and Redwood National Parks

Here’s leaving Yosemite and some trip to Vegas…

The drive from Medford, OR to Yosemite (and a hike up a the Merced River)

The 12 hour drive to Medford.

For quite some time, we’ve been meeting on Saturday mornings (at around 7:30 - 9:00) for a Bible study. We are currently in Acts 8:13-14. Often times we get side-tracked on issues that are stimulated by discussions, but most of the time is a profitable dialogue.

I shipped one skid today to Australia. It was a mixed lot - from Tabernacle Furniture sets to books to DVD’s, it was to help re-stock the GoodSeed AUS office. While it doesn’t sound like much work, I was trying to figure how many hours’ worth of work went into this. I guessed 15, but not really sure about it all. By the time the order gets finalized, paperwork in place, the inventory pulled, packed on a skid, weighed, invoice created, order adjusted, inventory re-organized, skid re-packed, re-weighed, shipment processed (customs, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Power of Attorney, etc.) I’m still amazed at how much work this is. But we do trust it will be a help in that country—helping people understand and share the message of the Bible.

Drove down through Seattle on the way home, stopping in Issaquah, and climbed Squak Mountain State Park. It was a good climb, about 1,700’ up and 7 miles long. Made it home around 9:30 pm.

After sleeping in a little, breakfast, us guys took off to hike Washington Park. Low on the coast, it was a beautiful day to get out and just roam.
On the way home, we stopped so I could shoot some daffodils in a field. Just a little early for the tulips, they’ll be out soon.

Today was one of those blessings in disguise. I was able to take the truck to Seattle, pick up 2,000 Chinese Stranger books (printed in Taiwan) and then spend the weekend w/ friends in the area.

The trip was fine. I noticed my truck pulling to the right a little, but then that went away. After stopping and filling up w/ my books, it started pulling more yet. I didn't catch on to what was happening too quickly, until my brakes would pull to the left when I hit them. (Cross-winds will cause a vehicle to act like it's out of alignment, low tire, etc.) Next stoplight I smelled bunt brakes, and knew my caliper was sticking. Wasn't far to go, so made it to Dan & Joan's and was able to get rebuilt calipers and stick those on before heading up to Mt. Vernon to see Gene & Rose.

Oh, and thanks, Dan, for the use of the breaker bar. Sure made life a lot easier!